commUNION with Mark Whitwell

Mark Whitwell has taught yoga for over three decades throughout the Americas, Asia, Europe, Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand. He is interested in developing an authentic yoga practice for the individual, based on Krishnamacharya's teachings and those of his son TKV Desikachar, with whom Mark enjoyed a relationship for more than twenty years.

Mark strives for his teachings to clarify the profound relevance of ancient wisdom within the context of contemporary life. He views yoga as the participation of the union of opposites, and this principle is paramount to the teachings at peace yoga gallery.

““Wherever you are, wherever you go, you are the power of the cosmos arising as pure intelligence and unspeakable beauty.””

— Mark Whitwell

As one of his students, Cheri Rae works to foster the heart of yoga at her studio. This work involves recognizing that the body is already perfect and should not be bullied into extreme asana practices. Yoga is instead an actual relationship with who you love and who love's you.

Going Inward with Angela Farmer

Angela Farmer was one of BKS Iyengar's earliest students, and she studied with him for over ten years. During several extensive trips to India, she practiced with remarkable yogis and had life-changing experiences that initiated her feminine approach to yoga.

Angela's journey for over 40 years has been an internal one of undoing rather than doing yoga. She approaches yoga by inviting inner dialogue with the body to bring about feelings, movement, and freedom.

As one of Cheri Rae's teachers, Angela's approach of going inward is a cornerstone of practice at peace yoga gallery. By turning towards ourselves, we can develop our intelligence about who and what we are.

“We might wonder, “How can I help the world?” — and some people have the ability, the strength, the courage, and the possibility to go out and do big things. But, I think if we do things inside, they can become pretty big.”

— Angela Farmer

The Influence of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya

The style of yoga taught at peace yoga gallery is directly influenced by the teachings of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, an Indian yoga teacher who was influential in developing the asana practice and reviving Hatha Yoga.

He is affectionately referred to as the "Father of Modern Yoga.” Indeed, his influence extends to many contemporary teachers like BKS Iyengar, Indra Devi, K. Pattabhi Jois, and his son, TKV Desikachar.

Krishnamacharya emphasized the importance of teaching yoga appropriate for each individual (the inspiration for peace's yo-UR-ga) instead of forcing extreme asana practice on the body. He is also known as the architect of vinyasa, linking the breath to fluid movement.

“Inhale, and God approaches you. Hold the inhalation, and God remains with you. Exhale, and you approach God. Hold the exhalation, and surrender to God.”

— Tirumalai Krishnamacharya

Cheri Rae is a direct student of Krishnamacharya through K. Pattabhi Jois and others. Via this direct transmission of knowledge, she marries the Hatha and Ashtanga lineages in her practice and instruction.

Students at peace yoga gallery can experience the true essence of yoga as taught by Krishnamacharya. Every teacher at the studio works with students to help them find the yoga that's right for their unique bodies, minds, and spirits.