Teaches: Yoga (Chill out, Duets, Happy Hour, Hot Chicks, Mom and Me, Teen Yogini, Woman Warrior)
Chaz Russ, RYT, (As seen on TV (KSEE 24, NBC) has been enjoying yoga for well over a decade.
Chaz was introduced to the benefits of yoga as an adolescent when she joined Nicole Mode’s Yoga Studio (of France). As a 14 year old model rife with body image issues and various eating disorders, Chaz found peace on her yoga mat. Somehow the world she tried to control through what she ate seemed less scary while doing yoga; her body started to come alive. Chaz learned that her sense of home was always inside her.
While in college and still having perfectionist tendencies, yoga taught Chaz that all she could do was her best. She channeled this newfound balance into her poetry, acting and singing careers. Chaz graduated from Rutgers College with Highest Honors with a degree in Genetics and high hopes of a PhD. Although she enjoyed the discipline inherent in the academic research world, she felt a deeper calling. For a while Chaz was a successful real estate agent. Although lucrative, the real estate business seemed unnaturally stressful to Chaz. It had always been Chaz’ intention to bathe in calmness, even though her life seemed to constantly provide struggle.
Chaz then met the most important man in her life-- co-owner and husband, Trent Russ. Trent drew Chaz back to her calm roots and re-energized her compassion calling. Chaz then met her guru Mike Noury, (Gurmukh) of Yoga of India, who saw a unique light in her. Gurmukh went on to convince Chaz to become a yoga teacher and later named her Bhanu, or bringer of positive energy. Bhanu considered this the highest accolade as well as the biggest responsibility. It is with this conviction that she teaches creative yoga classes today—to shed the happiness and light onto her fellow female students. It is also her intention to show the yogini world that yoga does not need to be serious, that furthermore, we can listen to fun music and allow our souls to pirouhette into the beaming light that is within us all.
Chaz is registered with Yoga Alliance and has also received stellar training in prenatal yoga from renown prenatal yoga guru, Janice Clarfield of Vancouver. Another constant source of inspiration is Steve Ross, owner of Maha Yoga (Beverly Hills) and author of "Happy Yoga" (http://www.mahayoga.com).
ON HOW SHE TEACHES: Chaz helps her students achieve graceful alignment in each pose, thereby providing a natural challenge to her classes. Her music is non-traditional, as it is more fun and uplifting, (expect to see some students shake, shake, shaking their booties while in chair pose!) Why? Yoga is a celebration. Thus, if yoga is a celebration, we ought to listen to celebratory music. If you don't enjoy a song during Chaz' class, you are thinking too much! The class follows a traditional crescendo and decrescendo, i.e., we start off to softer music, gradually turning the beat up and end quietly.
Mostly every week, Chaz has a theme to her class with coordinating music. Some examples have been "A Taste of Italy," "Halloween," etc. Yoga poses have many animal names (dolphin, pigeon,etc) or names of objects (table, couch,etc.) that can easily be categorized into creative yoga themed adventures.
At the conclusion of every class, Chaz reads a quote. All too often people come to class, relax and enjoy themselves for an hour, and then go home and stress out all over again. It is Chaz' intention to continue to inspire her students once they leave their yoga mat. This way they remain calm throughout the rest of their day.
Proper breathing is essential and laughing is a requirement! Many yoga teachers are far too serious. By laughing at one's body, one appreciates her limitations and naturally strengthens the self. This then leads to laughing at our misfortunes and learning from our perceived failures. Following this belief, falling during a pose is never an embarassment--it should be celebrated as a means to propel down the road to success, both on and off the yoga mat!!
"We love, love, love your yoga class! You make it fun but we are working hard at the same time. I can personally see little changes in my body and I love it! Thank you!" --Lori, Rick, Jessica and Amber Moya
"I love your classes--they arent so serious and make yoga fun--it's good to have a smile on your face while relaxing and working out all at the same time."--Jessica
"I really appreciate Chaz' creativity with her yoga class. Also enjoy how challenging and strength-building it is. Partner poses are a fun change from the "usual gym yoga." -anonymous yogi from Centerpoint
(on Yoga Massage) The yoga massage is a doorway to stretch and emotional wellbeing... discover your body not just to stretch it but also to let you explore all of the emotions you keep in was hardly the beginning of the journey. The tension real life inflicts on your body is no secret to most of us. The strength and gentle power of her hand washes you clean of all this within minutes. The relaxation is intense or rather deep. It is at this point that Yoga massage releases the energy you bring into it. Chaz carries you through with her energy for as long as it takes, just like a parent watchful over her child riding a bicycle for the first time, warm and strong, encouraging and basking in the enjoyment of a brand new lightness. As you gain confidence and peace you start to impart your emotions and thoughts into the process to culminate in a peaceful joy and exaltation. Suddenly all worries are gone, all burning questions are answered and you feel free for the first time since you were a young child with innocent look at the beautiful world you just inherited. --Dr Jesse Deux, DVM
(on Yoga Class) [Chaz is] like a joyful child, a lovely little girl with all her laughter and smiles; The ability to transform everything into a simple joy and amazement at how beautiful life is. The simple approach of letting us look into this pure heart to see how easy it can be to just be. An inspiration...--Dr Jesse Deux, DVM
...Today I attended yoga class. It was great. I felt energized and strong (which surprised me)..." --Rebecca
"I'm currently going to school to become a doctor and am majoring in biology and was thrilled when I read that you have a degree in microbiology. It's been a pleasure taking your classes and I can't wait till I have some time to take private lessons. Thanks for all that you do. Peace." --Kim
Don't be discouraged if you can't quite get into a pose. If you fall down during a balance pose, LAUGH at yourself! Just don't laugh at your falling neighbor!" --Chaz
