David Pittenger, Senior Teacher, is a senior student of Parvathi Nandanath Saraswati (Kirin Mishra). He has studied with Parvathi for 10 years, as well as studying extensively with many teachers and in many styles. David continues to study directly with Parvathi in philosophy, yoga and Tantric methodology on the path of the Bhairavi, or Tantric adept - Parvathi's most rigorous level of teaching offered to date.
David began teaching at Saraswati River Yoga School in 2000. He is Director of the Teacher Training Program, an extensive six-month course in yoga asana, ethics, therapeutic application, mantra, meditation, pranayama and yoga philosophy. He offers workshops to serious students wanting to dive deep into the practices designed to support awakening called Saraswati Vidya: The Wisdom Teachings. David is a registered Yoga teacher and full-time instructor experienced in teaching students of all levels from beginner through advanced.
David draws from a combination of 10-years intensive study in Yoga and his 20-years of experience as a professional Ballet dancer to develop a unique Yoga class that allows for students to experience a holistic approach to asana. Through careful attention to alignment and long slow warm-ups, a pathway is opened to help heal old injuries and prevent new ones. David's teaching is in the Saraswati River yoga style. Classes focus primarily on asana, but will give students a chance to experience the interweaving of physical movement with breath, awareness, concentration and meditation. David describes the affects of this style of yoga as follows ... "Authentic movement begins when habitual patterns of body and mind are revealed to us. Through these ancient flowing physical movements our own consciousness is experienced as a beautiful vibratory dance. Dance being metaphor here for the play of hide-n-seek between the small "I" of our fears and doubts and our sense of self that is beyond conceptions, beliefs or ideas. As we dance with the self and embrace the wisdom of direct sensory experience we slowly re-learn how to be naturally buoyant in our intrinsic spaciousness."
David's interest in Yoga began as he came across the book Sivanada's Companion to Yoga; the asanas he learned helped him to extend his dance career despite years of dance injuries and multiple surgeries. Eventually David found himself turning to the healing benefits of yoga once more; only this time he found a teacher who could take him deep into the realm of self exploration; enabling him to establish a personal practice to support his overall health and deepen his teaching.
David's biggest joy in life is being graced and honored to offer these teachings in community. In addition to ongoing yoga classes, David has also merged his love for dance and yoga together in several workshops like Inner Dance and Partner Yoga. David also offers private yoga instruction.
RaeAnn Banker, Managing Director, has been studying with Parvathi Nandanath Saraswati (Kirin Mishra) since 2001. She continues to study directly with Parvathi in philosophy, yoga and Tantric methodology on the path of the Bhairavi, or Tantric adept - Parvathi's most rigorous level of teaching offered to date.
RaeAnn completed two levels of Iyengar teacher training at The Yoga Institute of Miami and began teaching yoga full-time in 2001. Her teaching features a focus on finding alignment experientially and using this experience to become more fully aware of the body, mind and spirit. In addition to her classes in the Saraswati River Yoga method, RaeAnn teaches an Iyengar style class, anatomy/alignment workshops and offers private classes in therapeutic yoga. She is also a member of Riverchant, the kirtan ensemble which leads monthly kirtans at SRY.
Sandy Tribendis, Office Manager, has been with SRY since November of 2005. She is new to the yoga community, practicing asana first with audiotapes while traveling in her previous job as a conference planner. Then as a Mother’s Day gift, her husband and daughter bought her the gift of yoga at Yogasphere. This was a wonderful introduction to the Saraswati River Yoga method!
When she is not at work, Sandy enjoys long walks in any park, asana and meditation under her favorite oak tree and volunteering for her daughter’s soccer team. She looks forward to using her planning and management skills to help the staff and students enjoy their practice and teachings at SRY.
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