Susan Griego O'Connor

          Susan is a certified yoga instructor, registered through Yoga Alliance.  In addition she is an experienced certified Master Physical Trainer.  She began her practice of yoga in 1985 and began teaching in 1996.  Coupled with a strong understanding of the physical body and her own yoga experience, Susan teaches in a way to best facilitate safety and optimize energy balance in the yoga postures.

          Having helped students of all ages overcome limitations from pain brought on by weakness, muscular imbalance or injury, Susan has a unique perspective on yoga as a tool for healing the body and ultimately the mind and soul.  Beginning her meditation experience in 1977 and study of eastern philosophy and dream theory, Susan applies many techniques of the yoga tradition to help students achieve a greater appreciation of their practice as a whole.  

            Susan is a practitioner and teacher of Ayurveda, having been trained by some of the best teachers in the world.  She continues to expand her knowledge of Ayurveda as a holistic personal health compliment and alternative to traditional medical practice.

            Before devoting her life to teaching yoga, Susan managed health clubs including opening a 40,000 square foot facility, employing over 120 people.  During her time in the corporate arena she structured and implemented marketing strategies, operations facilitation, fitness department management and direct sales program initiatives. She was the general manager of seven different health clubs, focusing on re-structuring failing operations and bringing the facilities to market standards.  This experience has given Susan a broad knowledge of the fitness industry and the standards that best uphold the interest of the client.  Susan was a leader as a woman in the top echelon of a male dominant industry; she broke barriers with her attention to client satisfaction and consistent performance. 

            As a competitive marathon runner, Susan has also served as the elite athlete coordinator for the San Diego Marathon and written and published articles on the benefits of yoga for running.  During her time as a professional Master Physical Trainer, Susan trained aspiring trainers on the benefits of functional training, well before the industry recognized the importance of balance in personal training.  Susan has utilized her sports specific knowledge of personal training to help collegiate athletes in the sports of Lacrosse, Field Hockey, Soccer, Softball, Football and Martial Arts.  In addition she has trained male and female competitive body builders to reach strict sport standards, safely.    

            Susan was selected for a national fitness advertising campaign based on her nutritional knowledge and implementation of sound nutritional counseling on a wide variety of clients, including the obese, the elderly and children.  A practicing vegan, she understands the importance of proper nutrient balance and caloric intakes to best maintain personal health.

            Widely recruited in the fitness industry, Susan has decided to dedicate her energy and life to Yoga in order to help others find their path to heal their mind and body with yoga.   It is with this passion, experience and dedication Susan shares her love of yoga at, The Haven YOGA.

            “I wish to acknowledge my teacher, Dominic Corigliano, who taught me the importance of breathing with the ujai breath and how to quiet the mind during the physical practice.  I learned from this great yogi the ideals of devotion, trust and love in the practice of yoga.  I learned too about the teacher within me.  I am eternally grateful.” 
            

Liam O'Connor

            Liam is a certified yoga instructor, registered through The Haven YOGA, under his teacher and wife, Susan Griego-O'Connor.  In addition he is an experienced and certified Master Martial Arts Instructor.  He began his practice of yoga in 2004 and began teaching along side Susan as partners at The Haven YOGA in 2007.

Having been involved in Martial Arts for most of his life, Liam soon learned of the enormous similarities between the two...and after years of teaching and training Marines, he began a path to help people
find the "peaceful" warrior within... teaching both Yoga and Martial Arts.
           
          Liam's focus in the his teaching revolve around the breath, focus and proper body alignment.  His belief is in the strength of the basic postures while maintaining a strong mind-body link.

(View Liam's Martial Arts Bio here)

           "I began the practice of Yoga to be part of what my wife holds true and dear to her.  I quickly discovered the benefits of consistent Yoga practice...I found it as a way to relieve stress incurred from an intense military career and as my practice developed, I also found relief from insomnia and at the same time helped to rebuild strength lost from serious injuries and disabilities.  I owe my knowledge and love of yoga to Susan, whom I am truly devoted!" 

Jennifer Rhodes

          Jennifer is a certified yoga instructor, registered through The Haven YOGA, under her teacher Susan Griego O’Connor.  Exercise has always been a part of Jennifer’s life and she began her practice of yoga in 2008.  Her roots began with Iyengar and evolved to Vinyasa/Flow style yoga.

           With her energy and passion she deeply believes yoga opens us up to calmness, truth and strength, both spiritually and physically, and that these qualities naturally reside within each one of us.  She emphasizes the breath and believes in its core importance to the practice.  Jennifer’s goal is for the calm and clarity experienced through yoga to flow into “daily life” so your inner peace and contentment grows within your mind and body…inside and outside of the physical practice.

           “I want to honor my teacher, Susan Griego O’Connor for her dedication, honesty and extensive knowledge of the physical practice and the many deep layers beyond.  Her openness to my learning has been truly life changing and I will be  continually appreciative.”