About

Marie Jean is  a seeker, and a lover of life but most importantly she’s a teacher with a vast knowledge of all things pertaining to the growth of human beings as spiritual entities. Born in Brooklyn, NY she’s made her way across the lands on North America on many occasion. She now calls California her home and enjoys life in the sun, her daughters, medical studies and walks in the forest. In the quietest of moments you’ll catch her observing all things in her general vision and some things beyond that. She may even be observing you and contemplating how she can help you and how the mutual interaction will leave both of you better off.               ~Peter Bragino, Artist and Yogini

BIO: Marie Jean ERYT-200, PRYT

MJ will often refer to her life teacher as Spirit, and from this her yoga path began in a small community center in Upland CA at the age of 18. Finding so much joy and personal growth she began teaching and practicing in he own living room. By age 22 Marie was led to Johnna Trimmer, and began her yoga apprenticeship at Laguna Yoga. Johnna will always be Marie’s Yoga teacher. She worked, studied, and taught several classes weekly for the next 2 years. This is where she grew in her love and devotion for Sivananda, The School of Bihar in India, and Yoga Nidra.  With Johnna as her guide, Marie was able to understand and begin to implement the therapeutic effects of yoga.

Moving to NYC, she began to study at Atmananda Yoga and Holistic Center, with John Tamayo.  At Atmananda she received her Vinyasa style 200 hour RYT certification.  The noise of the fast pace New York life taught Marie to center within.  Here is where she discovered how to teach, cultivate and create from her own truth.  Also, it was here she began the study of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic massage.  Marie often enjoys telling stories about her time in NY, teaching on roof tops overlooking the city, long nights dancing and even working as a waitress at a vegan restaurant called the “Caravan of Dreams” located in the east village.  One of her favorite stories is during one of her visits with renowned master Yogi raj Swami Bua Ji: “I was having trouble with head stand, and Swami Bua simply walked over to me, picked my bottom up by my underpants and said…’now stay there!’ and I was there, in head stand, and did n0t dare to come down till he said to.  I was smiling so deep inside.”

Sometime later Marie moved back to her home town, received her national Sports Massage Therapist certification, with specialties in lymphatic massage, myotherapy, reflexology, and nutrition. In the summer of 2002 she began teaching at the Claremont Club located in Claremont CA, amongst various local community centers. During the next few years she would, become certified in Prenatal Yoga, received an Associates in Science (Human Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Biochemistry) attend several yoga conferences, host yoga retreats, hold workshops, study with many teachers and associates, continue her education in the field of Nursing, and is the founder and director of From the Heart 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training program.

Marie also has two beautiful daughters, Harmony Ray and Angelina, and accredits them as being her best yoga teachers to date.  MJ believes in living her yoga with family, friends, and all of life! Her style of teaching is an eclectic style emphasizing prana, flow, awareness, breathing/pranayama, yoga nidra and the therapeutic effects on the body, mind, and soul. She loves to laugh and play, and also dedicated to the discipline of yoga.   Marie is known as an energetic, inspiring, and balanced teacher.  Her personal connection and warmth toward her student has always created a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere no matter what level or where she is teaching.  Her students often say one of her gifts is her ability to keep us in the present moment.