Vidyarani (Lisa Hofmann)

Vidyarani (Lisa Hofmann) --- growing up in New Jersey in the 70's, Vidyarani's curiosity about Yoga and Meditation originated from her love of the Beatles. Wondering how she would ever find a teacher in the land of malls, it took a move to Nebraska for her to find her inspiration.

Vidyarani began study at the Omaha Yoga & Bodywork Center in 1994 and is fortunate to have studied under many of the senior teachers there. In 2000, Vidyarani received her 200 hour certification through the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health and began teaching at the Omaha Yoga & Bodywork Center. She is currently nearing completion of her 500 hour advanced training through Kripalu. Her interest in Yoga is wide ranging and she has been able to take workshops from Erich Schiffmann, Rodney Yee, Sharon Gannon and Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa. She has taken training programs in Integrative Yoga Therapy and Prenatal Yoga. She has been most inspired by the the teachings of Angela Farmer which encourage a deep inner listening to the wisdom of the body and prana, and then trusting in that source as your greatest teacher.

This more internal, intuitive approach is in keeping with the Kripalu methodology which emphasizes Prana - energy - and flow as a means to move into meditation. Like these 2 approaches, Vidyarani's experience and teaching of Yoga emphasizes a fluid, ever evolving and changing exploration of the practices, leading to a deeper understanding and unfolding of oneself. She bows down in gratitude to all the teachers, past & present who have inspired her. She has been blessed to study with senior Kripalu teachers and considers herself a part of that lineage in honoring Swami Kripalu who said "The highest spiritual practice is self observation without judgement."

She is deeply indebted to the support and inspiration of Susi Amendola in her life and in her teaching. And she eagerly anticipates study under her newest teacher, her daughter Clara Miaoliang.

• The Kripalu Center