b.thomas nitschneider

aka swami tommi
is director and founder of www.youbelongin.com and is an integrative counseling psychologist, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy practitioner (www.pryt.com) , teacher and workshop leader. Brad bridges Eastern and Western traditions, fusing the ancient with the modern. Brad began his formal education in the healing sciences of Western psychology and nutrition at UC Santa Barbara in 1979. In that same year he also started practicing Bikram yoga. In 1983 Brad "found himself" sitting on a zafu in his first zazen meditation practice. He continues to meditate daily. His personal yoga practice over the past 30 years has included Bikram, Anusara, Sivananda, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Viniyoga, Power Yoga, Thai, Tantric, Taoist, Kundalini, PiYo, Iyengar, Phoenix Rising, Kripalu, Kriya, Ana Forrest style, Yoga Nidra, yin and restorative styles.

While Brad has explored many methods of yoga, his most recent training was completed with the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre located in the Bahamas. Students say Brad inspires a depth of feeling and focus that is increasingly rare in the current Yoga market, aiding students in revealing awareness they never thought possible or even knew existed.

He sees an embodied and "powerfully gentle" approach to yoga as an effective tool for personal development. Brad believes that practicing yoga will help to heal the separation between body, mind, Spirit, heart and feelings. His interest in Ayurvedic medicine grew out of a desire to support students (including himself!) with experiencing more ease and wellness in their lives through making more nurturing and healthy choices daily. Brad considers the body to be a vessel waiting for transformation and belonging.

Brad has authored five books, has appeared on HGTV and local cable television, was featured in a Tantric Yoga DVD, and has won awards for variety of things--from his calligraphy to working with students in implementing a school-wide recycling program. As you can see, collaboration and creativity are twin inspirations for him. He is an active member of Yoga Alliance.

Private Lessons: 60 minutes: $60.00, yearly unlimited members: $50.00, Hot House student teachers $50.00