About Athena

Athena Engelman, ERYT-500, Thai Yoga Massage Therapist
Director of Teacher Training for CNY Yoga School, Westside LA Branch

In 1991 Athena picked up a Bryan Kest Yoga Video and began practicing in her living room in Santa Barbara.  She used the video as cross training and stretching for her running, which she did everyday.  In 2000 while living in New York Athena began a yoga practice at the gym closest to her apartment.  Although there were many benefits to practicing yoga she still used it as "a warm up” for running.  A knee injury stopped her from running and then began her real practice.  Over the next year or so she searched for a yoga teacher that would hopefully inspire her to continue on this yoga journey that seemed to be calling her back the the mat.  After moving back to California in 2001 her searching ended in the South Bay and in 2002 Athena's life changed dramatically when she was taken to a class that changed her whole outlook on yoga.  This person became her mentor and friend, Erika Faith Calig, director of Cloud Nine Yoga School.  Athena found that not only did she feel amazing she also began to “practice her yoga” off of the mat.  In May of 2003 Athena received her teaching certifications through CNY.  In June of 2008 she became a director of Teacher Training and is on the Board of Directors for Cloud Nine Yoga School.  

Athena enjoys teaching a class that integrates different breathing techniques, different styles of yoga, including thematic, ashtanga, vinyasa flow, tantra, free flow, and breath work.  Using various sequences and themes, and using many genres of music she hopes to create a truly unique experience.  Athena has trained in many styles and schools and continues to take trainings and educate herself on the wonderful world of yoga. She praises Erika Faith Calig, Saul David Raye for his patience and creativity, and Julian Walker for his gentle, guiding spirit on her yogic path by weaving poetry and music into his core sequencing.

Athena is lucky enough to have met some of the most amazing people and been able to call her students her friends.  She feels that the student can often be the teacher and encourages the student to be their own guide as they practice on and off the mat.  She feels so blessed to be a part of the most amazing community of body workers and healers.

Hosting Yoga Retreats locally and internationally, Athena is embracing her love of travel and Yoga.  She has hosted retreats at RW Ranch near Big Bear, and at the Eco-Sanctuary Retreat in Ojai, Ca.  Internationally she has hosted retreats at  Pura Vida Spa in Costa Rica and at Rainforest Paradise in Belles,Dominica in the West Indies.  In December of '08 she will be co-hosting an end of the year celebration at Laurel Springs Retreat Center in Santa Barbara. Coming up for 2009 she will be hosting in Nosara, Costa Rica and at the Ojai Eco- Sanctuary again.  She continues to search the globe for wonderful places to retreat and adventure.

Athena nurtures her spirit by continuing to travel to amazing destinations, surfing, and spending plenty of quality time reading, laughing, spending time with friends, playing, and of course taking yoga classes and workshops from the amazing pool of instructors available in Southern California.

"We should consider every day lost in which we do not dance at least once."~ Nietzsche

"Enter Zen from there." ~ Eckhart Tolle