Coaches and Judges

Mentoring by yoga coaches and judges plays a vital role in deepening students’ understanding and mastery of yoga, offering personalized guidance that enhances both physical technique and spiritual growth. Their expertise helps practitioners refine their form, build confidence, and align with yoga’s holistic principles, fostering a stronger connection to the practice. Through mentorship, yoga coaches and judges not only advance individual skill but also elevate the entire community by nurturing the next generation of devoted and knowledgeable yogis.

To be listed in our Certified Coaches Directory, you must be a current member of USA Yoga, and participate in the USA Yoga Coaching Certification (View Qualification and Eligibility here). To be in our Featured Certified Coaches Directory, including a photo and bio, you can become a Yoga Mentor Level ($250) or above member of USA Yoga and be a current Certified Coach. Additionally, you must take a USA Yoga Rules and Posture Guidelines Judges Clinic annually and complete a Judges Assessment annually. We strongly suggest that you take SafeSport training. Learn more HERE.

Coaches fees, level of experience, and commitment requirement will vary. Please contact the individual coach to find out more.

Certified Coaches Directory

USA Yoga Coaching Certification
Qualification and Eligibility

Become a USA Yoga Certified Coach

To be listed in our Certified Judges Directory, you must be a member of USA Yoga, you must have been an active certified yoga instructor for the past three years, and you must take a USA Yoga Rules and Posture Guidelines Judges Clinic annually and complete the Judges Assessment annually.

Certified Judges Directory

USA Yoga Judging Certification Information

Become a USA Yoga Certified Judge

Alyssa Quintanar

First Name :

Alyssa

Last Name :

Quintanar

Username :

alohaaus@gmail.com

Cynthia Wehr

First Name :

Cynthia

Last Name :

Wehr

Username :

cynwehr@gmail.com

Enid Hagerty

First Name :

Enid

Last Name :

Hagerty

Username :

enidhagerty@yahoo.com

Deryhan Harris

First Name :

Deryhan

Last Name :

Harris

Username :

HIIT.coach.22@gmail.com

Suzanne Smith Elliott

First Name :

Suzanne Smith

Last Name :

Elliott

Bio :

Leader in physical fitness and education fields for over forty years. Suzanne has had success coaching all levels of students from the injured and rehabilitating to world champions. She has coached Yoga sportsters since the inception of Yoga Championships, coaching in the first USA held yoga championships and thereafter. She…

Username :

info@yogaontheisland.com

Website :

https://www.yogaontheisland.com

Organization :

H.O.T. Yoga On The Island

Iryna Arnautova

First Name :

Iryna

Last Name :

Arnautova

Bio :

I am a yoga and movement teacher with over 12 years of international experience, specializing in posture, mindful strength, and somatic awareness. My work blends breath, functional mobility, and gentle neuromuscular training to help students feel more balanced, stable, and connected to their bodies. I am the creator of the…

Username :

iryna.arnautova

Website :

https://basereset.com/

Michele Vennard

First Name :

Michele

Last Name :

Vennard

Username :

michelevennard@yahoo.com

Qiao-Judy Lu

First Name :

Qiao-Judy

Last Name :

Lu

Bio :

Judy Lu moved from China to Canada and then to the United States and found her true home by immersing herself in Bikram Yoga. She began her yoga practice in 2001. Judy firmly believes that her world travels has helped her to better relate to her yoga students. Judy obtained…

Username :

mindbodyconnects8@gmail.com

Susannah Everlund

Username :

ohsusannah65@yahoo.com

Brandon Kietzman

First Name :

Brandon

Last Name :

Kietzman

Username :

ohytc@startmail.com

Guia Betancourt

First Name :

Guia

Last Name :

Betancourt

Username :

s023218@students.lmsd.org

Lisa Lawrence Miyasaki

First Name :

Lisa

Last Name :

Lawrence Miyasaki

Username :

schellcreekorchard@gmail.com

Michelle Rudnicki

First Name :

Michelle

Last Name :

Rudnicki

Username :

bethesdamr@gmail.com

Erin Paulsen

First Name :

Erin

Last Name :

Paulsen

Bio :

Erin Paulsen has been practicing yoga since 2007, received her 500 hour Bikram Yoga Teacher certification in November of 2010, and studied intensely under Senior Teacher Lynn Whitlow from 2010 to 2015. She has taught at several Bikram Yoga Studios across the country, yoga festivals, for TRUENORTH Yoga Retreats, and…

Username :

erinyogaholic@gmail.com

Libby Walunas

First Name :

Libby

Last Name :

Walunas

Username :

ewalunas@gmail.com

Randhir Bains

First Name :

Randhir

Last Name :

Bains

Bio :

Randhir began practicing Bikram Yoga at the strong recommendation of his Ayurvedic Physician over 10 year ago when he could no longer assume basic life functions such as walking, turning and sitting. He credits his physical and mental health to this life saving practice. Randhir began teaching the 26 &2…

Username :

execfunctions101@gmail.com

Suzanne Smith Elliott

First Name :

Suzanne Smith

Last Name :

Elliott

Bio :

Leader in physical fitness and education fields for over forty years. Suzanne has had success coaching all levels of students from the injured and rehabilitating to world champions. She has coached Yoga sportsters since the inception of Yoga Championships, coaching in the first USA held yoga championships and thereafter. She…

Username :

info@yogaontheisland.com

Website :

https://www.yogaontheisland.com

Organization :

H.O.T. Yoga On The Island

Sharon Lacy

First Name :

Sharon

Last Name :

Lacy

Username :

info@yogashalatitusville.com

Iryna Arnautova

First Name :

Iryna

Last Name :

Arnautova

Bio :

I am a yoga and movement teacher with over 12 years of international experience, specializing in posture, mindful strength, and somatic awareness. My work blends breath, functional mobility, and gentle neuromuscular training to help students feel more balanced, stable, and connected to their bodies. I am the creator of the…

Username :

iryna.arnautova

Website :

https://basereset.com/

Joe Elliott

First Name :

Joe

Last Name :

Elliott

Bio :

I've been teaching since June 2007 and practicing since August 1994. I love yoga and how it makes me feel. It is a great physical activity that improves my body, mind, and spirit. I always feel better after a class.

Username :

joe.elliott.1001@gmail.com

Jolinda Cary

First Name :

Jolinda

Last Name :

Cary

Bio :

Since her first class in 2002, Jolinda has practiced and taught Bikram Yoga all over the world, from her hometown in Santa Barbara to Kathmandu. When you come to her class, you can expect a traditional, high-energy, and meditative experience, usually with a couple of bad yoga jokes thrown in…

Username :

jolinda.hackett@gmail.com

Louise Giordani

First Name :

Louise

Last Name :

Giordani

Username :

lgiordani@gmail.com

Lynn Whitlow

First Name :

Lynn

Last Name :

Whitlow

Bio :

Lynn has taught for over thirty years and has built up her skills and reputation to be considered a master teacher and leader in the hot yoga community. She has studied with some of the top yoga masters to deepen her knowledge and expertise, immersing herself in the culture and…

Username :

lynnwhitlow@gmail.com

Qiao-Judy Lu

First Name :

Qiao-Judy

Last Name :

Lu

Bio :

Judy Lu moved from China to Canada and then to the United States and found her true home by immersing herself in Bikram Yoga. She began her yoga practice in 2001. Judy firmly believes that her world travels has helped her to better relate to her yoga students. Judy obtained…

Username :

mindbodyconnects8@gmail.com

Mission

USA Yoga’s mission is to promote the practice of yoga as a means to improve the physical health and mental well-being of people of all ages and fitness levels, and to advance yoga asana as a sport.

With your participation as a donor, an athlete, judge, coach, audience member or sponsor, you advance yoga as a sport. Your gifts and membership create educational and outreach programs, regional and national yoga championships, and scholarships to yogis. Your participation provides athletes the opportunity to demonstrate competitive excellence and to inspire others to participate and advance in their own practice.