Maya Yoga was founded by Nicki Doane and Eddie Modestini, 2 of modern-yoga’s greatest teachers. “Dynamic”, “Inspiring”, “Vinyasa”, “Rooted in Tradition”… are but a few of the ways Maya Yoga has been described over the years. Drawing from their years of practice and teaching, Eddie Modestini and Nicki Doane create an atmosphere where Yoga is treated as a sustainable powerful life support system. The original Maya Yoga studio is in Maui, Hawaii, where Eddie and Nicki offer teacher trainings and Yoga retreats throughout the year.
Devotion to yoga and the desire to share with and give back to the world are what motivate the teachings of Maya Yoga with Eddie Modestini and Nicki Doane. Maya Yoga is the “unsystem” system of yoga. Maya means “illusion” in Sanskrit so it is never what you think it is! Eddie and Nicki have developed an approach to yoga that is intent on serving the Individual student. Yoga is spirit in action, and as Eddie and Nicki teach, they inspire people to find a place of spirit inside themselves, recognizing the profound connection between the Self and Spirit. In Maya Yoga, the practice is the teacher. Eddie and Nicki continue to travel to India to keep the connection with the birthplace of their yoga experience.
Nicki Doane
Born on the island of Cyprus in 1969 to diplomat parents, Nicki grew up all over the globe. A wanderlust that her upbringing had instilled in her led Nicki to India in 1991 to study yoga. She went to Mysore to meet Sri K Pattabhi Jois (Guruji) and immediately realized she had found her teacher.
Nicki started teaching in 1992. She cites Pattabhi Jois, along with Eddie Modestini, Gabriella Giubilaro, and Tim Miller among her most influential teachers. She is an authorized teacher of Ashtanga Yoga. Although rooted in Ashtanga, Nicki’s teaching goes beyond the traditional. Her classes combine asana, pranayama, philosophy, and poetry. The emphasis is on awareness: creating integrity within each pose that can be carried beyond the mat into daily life. Nicki and Eddie have created an amazing studio on their rustic property on the north shore of Maui where they offer yoga retreats and teacher trainings throughout the year.
Eddie Modestini
Eddie has been doing yoga since July of 1983. His first teacher was a woman from the San Francisco bay area named Gayna Uransky. Realizing that he had found his path, he lost no time in jumping in with both feet.
His first introduction to yoga was Iyengar Yoga and he became a certified teacher in a short time. He was part of the first batch of teachers certified on the East Coast. Many of those in his group have gone on to become senior Iyengar teachers. At the time it was very hard to get certified.
Today, Eddie Modestini is what is known as a teacher’s teacher. He has been a yogi since 1983 and has been teaching for that long as well. Eddie has been certified in Iyengar yoga and spent many years studying with Pattabhi Jois, receiving a blessing to teach Ashtanga yoga. He is well versed in both systems and has an amazing eye and holds the ability to read students’ bodies and is a master of yoga therapy. He states, “through the experience of watching yoga heal me, I know that it has the capacity to heal the masses.”
Together…
Their years of dedication and teaching experience has led to a unique gift for imparting information as well as inspiration for the path of teaching. To work with Eddie and Nicki is to take advantage of a genuine opportunity to develop the student/teacher relationship.
Offerings
The Studio
Maya Yoga studio is nestled in the Honokala valley on the north shore of Maui down a winding red dirt road. A multi-colored peace sign nailed to a tree by the side of the road is the only indication that you have arrived. A stone statue of Ganesh, the benevolent elephant headed god, greets you at the steps leading to the studio. You climb the stairs and enter a light-filled, warm space. The early morning sun pours through the wall of windows and reflects beautifully off the cedar floor and walls. The room is breathtakingly gorgeous. Views of the Pacific Ocean and Haleakala Volcano are stunning. You have arrived at your destination — Yoga.
Maya Yoga Teacher Training
The Maya Yoga Teacher Training program encompasses 200 hour & 500 hour Yoga Alliance accredited programs as well as Maya Yoga Continuing Education training. In order to receive Maya Yoga Teacher Certification you must have been teaching for 2 years, complete the Maya Yoga 200 & 500 hour programs, the Maya Yoga Continuing Studies program, as well as an additional 150 hours of studies with Nicki & Eddie (1000 documented hours), all required courework, and pass both a practical and written exam. Maya Yoga is the un-system. In these trainings you will learn the principles and techniques from many different yogic traditions in order to make you a fantastically effective yoga teacher.
Click here for more on TT Programs
“I practice yoga on tour; in fact I’ve had Nicki come out with me for a few tours, and she has given me the ability to take what I’ve learned from her and put it to use when she’s not there.” -Michael Franti
Nicki Doane Maya Yoga Vinyasa Fusion DVD Series
– Core Stength Flow Series–
– Standing Flow Series–
– Bending Flow Series–
Click here to purchase
Nicki Doane Yoga Journal Cover – August 2009
“Eddie and Nicki are gifted teachers who embody the warmth, knowledge, skill and experience that is needed to help anyone deepen their yoga practice and take it to the next level.” – Baron Baptiste, Author of Journey Into Power
Eddie + Nicki’s Upcoming Workshops/Events
March 11th – 30th
Developing as a Teacher w/ Maya Yoga Vinyasa Fusion- 500 hr. Part 1 – Maui, HI
April 8th – 27th
Realizing Your Potential as a Teacher w/ Maya Yoga- 500 hr. Part 2 – Maui, HI
May 10th – 13th
All Day Asana Intensive and Weekend Workshops with Nicki & Eddie at Yoga East – Portsmouth, NH
June 22nd – 24th
500-hr Maya Yoga Teacher Training – Sebastopol, CA
August 3rd – 5th
500-hr Maya Yoga Teacher Training – Sebastopol, CA
November 1st – 20th
200-hr Maya Yoga Teacher Training – Maui, HI
Click here for more info on Nicki, Eddie, and Maya Yoga
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