Johanna Siskar

Johanna's teaching style is characterized by powerful grace and spiritual beauty. Her Yoga students deeply appreciate her strength, clear instructions with a focus on alignment, and the transformative visualizations and chanting she incorporates into her classes.

Johanna's Yoga journey began in January 1999 at the Expanding Light, Ananda Ashram in Grass Valley, California. Under the guidance of gifted teachers Gyandev and Diksha McCord, she discovered her love for teaching. Throughout the years, she has been greatly influenced by esteemed Iyengar teachers such as senior teacher Bob Metzler and master teacher Santhanam. In the spring of 2004, Johanna studied with Saul David Ray, becoming a certified Thai Yoga therapist.

Her teaching career began in March 1999 at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel in California, where she stayed for five years. Simultaneously, she taught at Yoga Works (formerly Yoga Place) from 1999 to 2002. In the spring of 2002, Johanna opened her own Yoga Shala, offering private and group Yoga classes. Additionally, she worked with special populations and provided Thai Yoga Therapy to her students from 2004 to 2006.

In December 2006, Johanna and Gary opened Samana Chakra, a Yoga and healing resort on the beaches of Mancora, Peru. The retreat blended elements of native northern Peruvian heritage, Yoga, kiteboarding, surfing, luxury, and tranquility. Johanna directed Samana Chakra and taught Yoga there for a decade, leading numerous retreats and intensives. In 2017, she was featured in ESPN's Latin America special on Yoga.

Johanna holds several certifications, including Former Fitness Specialist C.P.T. by ACE, AFAA (1997), certified Pilates mat teacher (2000), Ananda School of Yoga 200 CYT by The Expanding Light (1999), and Yoga of the Heart teacher by Nischala Deva Joy (2001). Her commitment to continuous learning is evident through her participation in yearly teacher training workshops with Santhanam from the Yoga School of Iyengar (2007-2011) and the Yoga Crib in Ojai, California (2006-2007). She also pursued further training in Pranayama and Kripalu Yoga in Weligama, Sri Lanka in April-May 2018.

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In addition to her extensive Yoga background, Johanna has also pursued certifications in Life Coaching, specializing in helping individuals find their life purpose and happiness (2022). She incorporates sound healing and chanting as integral components of her practice and teachings. Over the years, she has delved into Ayurveda healing and pranayama practices, emphasizing the importance of breath and nourishment in her daily life.

In 2022, Johanna embarked on a new personal journey focused on the healing of her son and expanding her awareness through the use of psychedelics. Recognizing the potential benefits of these substances in facilitating healing, personal growth, and expanded consciousness, Johanna sought to explore their therapeutic applications and integrate them into her own life and teachings.Currently, Johanna is actively engaged in her Entheogenic Medicine training program with the Synaptic Institute. Her dedication to this path has led her to pursue certification as a licensed Psychedelic Facilitator, recognized by the state of Oregon. Through this program, Johanna is expanding her knowledge and skills to responsibly and safely guide individuals in psychedelic experiences, fostering healing, transformation, and personal growth.