Instructors
About Our Yoga Instructors
The GCC yoga faculty will give all skill levels the opportunity to go to another level in the yoga practice through body awareness and the knowledge of greater possibilities.
Hildelenia Cuevas
has been teaching private and group yoga classes since 2001. She completed yoga teacher training at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and Yoga Fit. She is also an AFAA certified Personal Trainer, and Group Fitness and Pilates instructor. Hilde's goal is to inspire individuals to do their best, move to the next level when ready, and find peace and freedom in their practice.
Ted Czukor is an original founder of the Arizona Yoga Association. Ted's soothing, non-competitive style of Gentle Yoga has a loyal following in the Phoenix area. Began teaching in 1976; Adjunct Faculty in the Maricopa Community Colleges since 1987. Grandfathered into Yoga Alliance at the 500-hour level. He is also an interfaith wedding minister, and teaches Meditation & Wellness at GCC.
P. Casey Fernandez
has been teaching yoga since 2005. Casey founded 3 yoga and wellness studios on the east coast is trained in many styles and specialties. Her teaching style includes lessons in anatomy and philosophy to give students the experience of learning yoga from the inside out. Casey's credentials include Yoga Alliance E-RYT, ACE certified and a licensed massage therapist.
Cristen Crujido
has been teaching yoga since 2007. She completed her 200-hour teacher training at At One Yoga in Scottsdale, AZ. She teaches fun, creative, and dynamic classes which enliven the body, calm the mind, and leave students nourished and empowered. Inspired by travel, art, and world music, each one of her classes is an ever-evolving, flowing process that focuses on breath, physical alignment, and mindful awareness. She is currently pursuing her 500-hour certification.
Amila Glisic is a certified Yoga Teacher recognized by Yoga Alliance. She has been teaching since 2006 and has a strong background in the alignment-based style of Anusara Yoga. In addition, she is a certified Medical Qi Gong Instructor.
Anna Hall is a member of Arizona Yoga Alliance and Registered Yoga Teachers. She is a certified Yoga instructor skilled in Inyengar and Anusara and also a licensed Massage Therapist. She has been teaching yoga since 2000 and studied with International Anusara Master John Friend. Currently she is enrolled in the Para Yoga Masters Teachers Program.
Mary Lea has been teaching for over 40 years and has used her Yoga training as a movement therapist, dance instructor, conditioning coach for the World Wrestling team, professional football players and in the Adapted Fitness Center at GCC. Her qigong and tai chi background mix with yoga to add another dimension to Healthy Backs.
Tara Martell
has been teaching yoga since 2007 she is a 200 RYT certified through SWIHA. Tara also teaches workshops, master classes and a community wellness class at Urban Yoga. She has extensive experience with teaching yoga to private clients in their homes. Tara is passionate about teaching yoga and her classes are meant to challenge the body and calm the mind by infusing alignment principles, yogic philosophy and music. Her class will leave you in perfect balance.
Olivia Templeton
has been teaching various fitness classes to all ages since 1974 and came to GCC in 1980. She has been teaching yoga since 2009. Olivia completed her 200 hour training at At One Yoga. Her specialty is yoga for beginners. Olivia's fun, simple and progressive style makes her yoga class popular with beginners of all ages and athletic abilities.
Emily Slonina blends various styles of teaching into her yoga classes. She is a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, a Trager Movement Re-Education practitioner and a Reiki Master/Teacher. Emily completed the 200-hour program at the Scottsdale Yoga Conservatory in 2003. Emily is the published author of Anywhere Anytime Any Body Yoga, a guide to using yoga in everyday life.
Jan Svendsen is a former Olympian that discovered the benefits of yoga to heal injuries. She has been teaching since 2001 and is an Anusara inspired instructor. Jan is a member of the Arizona Yoga Association and licensed massage therapist.
Karly Way, Ph.D. has a passion for mind/body and restorative yoga. Karly is nationally registered with Yoga Alliance (RYT-500) and studied advanced yoga techniques while living in an ashram in Bidadi, India. Her book, Bridges: Making Meaningful Connections (Linus, 2009), applies yoga philosophy to interpersonal communication.
