Adept in the use of yoga props, Thomas is equally at
ease teaching a restorative or vigorous practice, and
is experienced teaching beginner and intermediate
students. Through the Iyengar focus on alignment,
he particularly enjoys the mind-body connection
which develops and appreciates the breath-work and
vinyasa (flow) style of Ashtanga yoga. From the
beginning of his teaching career, Thomas has
naturally blended his experiences of Bhakti yoga
within his teaching style.
Foremost, Thomas is a student of yoga and it is from
his own practice and experience that he teaches. He
is a devotee of Gurumayi Chidvilasananda and has
engaged in the practices of meditation, chanting,
repetition of the mantra, selfless service and self-
inquiry since 1987. As a result of these years of
practice and study, he shares easily and eloquently
from his heart.
Thomas is a unique and gifted teacher who blends
his medical background, years of yoga practice and
teaching with his spiritual path. Most of all, he offers
presence, love and attention to the individual
students and the group field. Thomas says, “For me,
the yoga room is a sort of alchemical oven where the
powers of transformation are constantly unfolding
within each one of us.”
ease teaching a restorative or vigorous practice, and
is experienced teaching beginner and intermediate
students. Through the Iyengar focus on alignment,
he particularly enjoys the mind-body connection
which develops and appreciates the breath-work and
vinyasa (flow) style of Ashtanga yoga. From the
beginning of his teaching career, Thomas has
naturally blended his experiences of Bhakti yoga
within his teaching style.
Foremost, Thomas is a student of yoga and it is from
his own practice and experience that he teaches. He
is a devotee of Gurumayi Chidvilasananda and has
engaged in the practices of meditation, chanting,
repetition of the mantra, selfless service and self-
inquiry since 1987. As a result of these years of
practice and study, he shares easily and eloquently
from his heart.
Thomas is a unique and gifted teacher who blends
his medical background, years of yoga practice and
teaching with his spiritual path. Most of all, he offers
presence, love and attention to the individual
students and the group field. Thomas says, “For me,
the yoga room is a sort of alchemical oven where the
powers of transformation are constantly unfolding
within each one of us.”
Thomas Michael Fortel is an lyengar trained,
Ashtanga and Anusara influenced Hatha Yoga
teacher. He is also a registered nurse, astrologer
and massage therapist.
A student of yoga since 1982, Thomas studied with
Rodney Yee in a 3-year teachers training intensive in
Oakland, California, from 1994 to 1996. Since 1997,
he has taught and conducted workshops worldwide
from his resident teaching position at Esalen Institute
in Big Sur, California.
Ashtanga and Anusara influenced Hatha Yoga
teacher. He is also a registered nurse, astrologer
and massage therapist.
A student of yoga since 1982, Thomas studied with
Rodney Yee in a 3-year teachers training intensive in
Oakland, California, from 1994 to 1996. Since 1997,
he has taught and conducted workshops worldwide
from his resident teaching position at Esalen Institute
in Big Sur, California.
© 2012 Andreas Weinrich, all rights reserved
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