The Blue Crew
Karin Fellman
E-RYT 1500 YACEP
“Do your best not your most.” -Karin
Karin is an entrepreneur, a visionary and the owner and creator of Blue Buddha.
Karin has dedicated the last twenty four years helping yogis see their own greatness.
Certified in five different lineages of yoga, Karin has over 19,000 teaching hours and 1500 hours in Advanced Certified Yoga Trainings, studying alongside some of the most influential Yoga Gurus of our time.
January 2004 Bikram’s Yoga College of India’s 500 Hour Teacher Training -with Bikram Choudhury January 2005 Trauma & Release Training David Berceli, Ph.D. creator of Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE)
March 2007 Structural Yoga Therapy Training -with Mukunda Stiles July 2012 Created, Founded and opened Hot Yoga University-Sold in 2020 to one of her Yoga Students.
October 2014 Amrit Method, Yoga Nidra training -with Kamini Desai Ph.D.
October 2015 Yoga Masters Immersion training – with Gurudev Amrit Desai- creator of Kripalu Yoga and I am Yoga & Kamini Desai PhD
October 2015 Kids Yoga Nidra Training with Master teacher Renu Zagoria
January 2018 Kundalini Research Institute six month Aquarian Yoga Teacher Training -with Senior teachers Jaap Kaur Khalsa and Sangeet Kaur Khalsa who trained directly with Yogi Bhajan for 30 years. Sound Healing training with Symphonic Gong and Singing bowls
March 2019 Yin Intensive with Paul Grilley
Karin is grateful for each experience.
One of the Valley’s most well-loved, honest-to-goodness and respected yoga teachers. Her radiant style and whole hearted approach to life keeps her students coming back for more.
She has taught close to 16,000 yoga classes so far, guiding hundreds of thousands of yogis through their yoga practice in the Scottsdale and Tempe area.
In 2012 Karin created an evolutionary Integrative System of Hatha yoga. That system along with her deep healing 60 minute format that changed the way hot yoga is practiced to this day. It is the mainstay session at the Blue and is also taught at several valley studios and across the country.
Karin’s passion to serve others in a bigger way came true in 2012 when she created and founded Hot Yoga University. Knowing there is Divine timing in everything, she sold the studio in 2020 to one of her Yoga Students.
Karin then journeyed on a much needed one year sabbatical and re-emerged in 2021 Awakened and free with a new found passion to begin again.
“The time away from teaching created space to heal from personal trauma and loss, which ultimately lead to a spiritual awakening that has forever changed my life. I’m grateful for the journey and for the shelter of my own inner sanctuary and unwavering faith in the goodness of God and my connection to Jesus Christ. Shout out to my amazing family and their loving encouragement to begin again and to always be true to my path. Thank you to my precious yoga friends who lifted me up and continue to inspire me to be a better person. Come see me at the Blue, I teach everyday!”
Karin xx
Greg
RYT 200 Over the course of his life, Greg has lived in six countries and a number of states. He moved to the Valley in 2017, after nineteen years in the Seattle area.
Greg was a long distance runner for decades. He turned to yoga to help repair injuries and strengthen underused muscles. It didn’t take long before he became hooked and developed a daily practice.
In 2018, he became a RYT200 yoga teacher. Greg is a big believer in the physical benefits yoga can bring to your life; no matter how often you practice. The hour you spend taking care of your body is also time for the mind to rest and let go.
2021 Reiki Master certification 2022 Yin Yoga Certification
A proud father of two sons and a new Grandpa, Greg also enjoys backcountry adventure hiking with his rescue pup Camino.
He looks forward to meeting and leading you through your practice and to build community/family at Blue Buddha Collective.
Yumi
RYT 200 Yumi loves adventure and holistic living! She is a former Muay Thai boxing competitor. She discovered Yoga as part of the low impact training. She fell in love with its mind and body connection right away.
In 2018, she completed the 200 hr. Yoga teacher training in the jungles of Costa Rica. She was surrounded by monkeys, sloths, bugs and the beautiful ocean.
Yumi made a big transition from a 20-year finance career to pursue her passion – serving others and community as a Life Journey Guide. She utilizes Yoga as an effective life journey tool, to reset and transform her clients’ life, along with eastern philosophy, meditation, energy work, gardening, shinrin yoku (forest bathing), Muay Thai boxing, fitness, happy eating, and smart finance.
“Being a part of the Blue Buddha family is a manifestation of a long-time dream – building a compassionate community. Looking forward to connecting and guiding you, yogis!”
Jenny
RYT 200 Hi I’m Jenny, an ex-Elementary school teacher now stay-at-home mom, who found Yoga Nidra on a whim. I left my first Yoga Nidra class feeling blissful and “yogi high” as they say. I was totally relaxed and refreshed from my experience. From then on I was hooked on the practice.
I studied I AM Yoga Nidra under Kamini Desai.
It was through this experience that I learned how therapeutic and transformative Yoga Nidra can be. I feel so honored to be able to share this with others in our community.
Outside of class I love being mama bear to two beautiful girls, cooking, music, seeing new places, and visiting with friends.
I look forward to guiding you through your practice.
Layla
RYT 200
Hello Blue Buddha Community! My name is Layla and I have been practicing yoga since 2014. I initially started yoga because I was intrigued by the postures.
Yoga has been a healing practice for me to manage depression and anxiety and work through trauma.
Yoga has the opportunity to provide healing, discovery and self-love. I believe yoga is a sustainable physical, mental, and spiritual practice for everyone to benefit from and I hope to help others develop a consistent practice too..
I also currently freelance, teaching private yoga classes; thereby creating an inclusive teaching environment to help students gain confidence within themselves in their physical practice. I also integrate the importance of breathwork and teach them how to breathe as that is what really yoga is about.
I recently became a Reiki master and I am excited to incorporate the teachings into my classes. My background is in public health and I work as an epidemiologist when I am not teaching yoga.
In my free time I enjoy relaxing with a delectable cup of coffee, going on taco runs, and exploring Arizona hiking trails. I can’t wait to guide you through your practice and look forward to meeting each and every one of you!
Diana
RYT 200 Hi I’m Diana and I’ve been practicing yoga since 2008. I truly believes in all of the mental and physical benefits of yoga. I am a Certified Amrit Yoga Nidra Facilitator, training under Dr. Kamini Desai.
I love teaching to all ages and teaching kids yoga too. My specialty is sleep-based meditation-Yoga Nidra.
When I’m not teaching, I love to travel, do crafts, write, cook or hang with friends, family and my rescue pup Tilly.
Abi
RYT 200 Hello I’m Abi and from Flagstaff Arizona. I moved to Scottsdale two years ago. What I love most about yoga is that it is unique to each persons mind and body. When I’m not enjoying yoga, I am a student at Arizona State University studying Cellular Biology and Genetics.. I also enjoy traveling, hiking and all things Arizona!
I am looking forward to seeing everyone on their mats at the Blue!
Emily
RYT 200 – Hi there, I’m Emily! I grew up in Scottsdale, AZ, and I have a 3 year old calico kitty named Rosie.
I first started practicing yoga in 2019, and really fell in love with it in 2020.
In 2021, I graduated from Arizona State University with a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering.
A lifelong student, I am passionate about healing the human body, mind, and spirit through movement and meditation. My interests include holistic healing, spending time outside, astrology, numerology, human design, tarot and oracle readings, and crystals!
My own life has been completely transformed through consistent yoga practice, and I am so honored and overjoyed to share the gifts of yoga through teaching. I love holding space, sharing time, connecting with community, and sipping delicious coffee at The Blue!
Indira
RYT 200 Hi my name is Indira. I am a passionate healer and teacher. My journey with meditation started at the age of five as a tool to help me overcome childhood trauma. It has impacted my life in the best way possible and given me the gift of the journey to self.
As I became older my curiosity and continuing healing journey led me to different modalities. My journey with Yoga started in 2015 after falling in love with sound healing and being introduced to my first Kundalini Yoga class. This fueled my passion into the wellness industry and I never looked back. Over the years I have accumulated multiple certifications in wellness.
I am a certified 200 HR Kundalini Yoga Teacher and also specialize in Yoga Nidra, Sound Healing, Restorative Yoga, Reiki and Breathe Therapy. Each modality is a form of meditation and can be used to find stillness in the midst of chaos.Meditation doesn’t require hours of our day but simply minutes of time in which we are truly able to be present.
My intention is to provide a safe and sacred space for you to journey within and meet your inner healer.
Raquel
Raquel embarked on her transformative journey with Kundalini Yoga in 2019 after a health issue led her to realize the importance of self-care and the need to prioritize her well-being to avoid falling prey to illness. Kundalini Yoga, a technology and yoga of awareness, helped her to delve deeper into her inner self, and began to notice certain patterns that were no longer serving her.
As she implemented her daily practice, she began to operate from a state of calm and peace which enabled her to see things from different perspectives and speak her truth with more confidence. Unexpectedly, she began to notice physical changes in her body as she tapped into her internal medicine cabinet through conscious breath.
Driven by her transformative experience (and now science), Raquel desires to share the peace and optimal state of being with as many humans as possible. She believes that Kundalini Yoga is not just a physical practice but a way of life that allows us to access our inner power and potential.
Riley
RYT 200 Hi I’m Riley. I am from New York, I moved to Tempe Arizona four years ago to go to college at Arizona State University. On top of being a Yoga Teacher, I am also certified in Personal Training, Nutrition, and Reiki.
Throughout my fitness journey I learned that it’s not just about working out and eating healthy. Our bodies are very complex and there is a lot more that comes into play.
I believe that health and happiness is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind, and spirit.
My goal is to help you become a better version of yourself. You are worthy and deserving of living your best life.
I am beyond excited to be apart of the Blue Buddha Community. I am looking forward to seeing your beautiful faces.
Beth
Hi I’m Beth!
I am a 500hr RYT with over 7 years of experience guiding yogis through their practice. I am driven to challenge and uplift you, to help you become more aware of your body mind, and spirit while in class. I strive to create a fun, connected, & motivating experience, so to can access your true inner strength within.
Looking forward to having you in class!
Mak
Hi I’m Mak! I grew up in Arizona and have lived in Scottsdale for 8 years. I was fortunate enough to start my yoga journey when I was 14. My mom and her friends had started going to hot yoga classes raving about what a great workout it was. I tagged along one day and had an absolute blast!
Being a former gymnast and dancer I thought it was so fun and challenging moving from pose to pose like a little dance. Flash forward to my early 20s, I was feeling very stagnant physically and emotionally. I found a hot yoga studio nearby and really started to delve into my practice. I quickly realized that, for me, the mental benefits of yoga really surpassed the physical and my practice has helped me tremendously through many struggles I’ve faced.
I knew I wanted to be able to share this feeling with others and decided to pursue teaching. I firmly believe that yoga is for everyone and I’m very passionate about showing new students that yoga can work for them!
I’m a mommy to the sweetest boy that I adore and spend most of my time just staring at him but when I have a moment of free time my fiancé and I always head to the movie theater, so if you need any movie recommendations I’m your gal! I also love going to arcades, finding good hole in the wall restaurants, and hanging out with my pups Dinky, and Quentin (yes, after Quentin Tarantino). I hope to see you on your mat soon!
Nikki
RYT200 is a lifelong learner and was drawn to yoga not only for its physical benefits, but also for the impact it has on a student’s mental and holistic wellbeing, connecting the ancient healing practice with the modern world.
Nikki is a 200 RYT, with a lineage in Ashtanga. She loves the creative aspect to building fun, unique sequences that focus on the connection between breath and movement. She is passionate in cultivating an environment that is safe and accessible to all, believing that yoga truly is for everyBODY.
Nikki has spent over a decade in the corporate learning environment, specializing in leadership and executive development, where she continues to bring value to the Arizona community. She is a certified brain-based coach and compliments the neuroscience of a person’s development with her background in yoga teaching. When she is not in the office or on the mat, you can find her traveling the world, exploring new places and cultures with her husband and two kids OR upside down – practicing her lifelong goal of being able to do a handstand!
Brooklynn
RYT200 -Hi I’m Brooklynn! Here’s a little bit about me! I love spending time outside, practicing yoga, meditation, hiking, and thrifting.
I fell in love with yoga at the Blue Buddha, so I am very happy to be teaching here!!
In 2023 I graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in psychology. Through the time I spent studying psychology, I discovered the importance of our mind body and spirit connection. Finding thew balance of these three is the key to leading a healthy life. I love yoga becauseit helps me create a more meaningful connection with myself and others. Lets flow together!