Your Open Door Teachers
All Open Door Yoga Teachers are accredited by, Yoga Alliance
RYT® 200 Credentials RYT® 300 Credentials E-RYT® 200 Credentials E-RYT® 500 Credentials YACEP®
Dr. Sandy Jabo Gougis,
Guiding Teacher and Director of Open Door
Ven. Dr. Sandy Jabo Gougis is a Zen Buddhist Priest and Bodhisattva Monk in the Five Mountain Zen Order. She began studying Theravâdin Buddhism in 1998, adding Zen with the Kwan Um School and later with the Golden Wind Zen Group in 2003, and Tibetan Buddhism in 2008. She currently practices in both the Zen and Tibetan traditions. She began to study Zen with Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma in 2003 when he was abbot of Ocean Eyes Zen Center. Additionally, Ven. Jabo has taken Refuge Vows and Bodhisattva Vows with Tibetan guru Lama Tsultrim Allione of Tara Mandala in Colorado. She attends extended retreat with Lama Tsultim yearly, studying the inner depths of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Ven. Jabo received Inga (teaching authority) from Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma on April 16, 2016. She is currently an Apprentice Teacher in Lama Tsultrim's lineage, as well. Ven. Jabo earned a J.D. from Western State College of Law at Argosy University in Fullerton, CA graduating in 2002. She is now retired from teaching and administering as a Law Professor. In addition to directing Open Door, she teaches Buddhist Studies at Buddha Dharma University.
Guiding Teacher and Director of Open Door
Ven. Dr. Sandy Jabo Gougis is a Zen Buddhist Priest and Bodhisattva Monk in the Five Mountain Zen Order. She began studying Theravâdin Buddhism in 1998, adding Zen with the Kwan Um School and later with the Golden Wind Zen Group in 2003, and Tibetan Buddhism in 2008. She currently practices in both the Zen and Tibetan traditions. She began to study Zen with Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma in 2003 when he was abbot of Ocean Eyes Zen Center. Additionally, Ven. Jabo has taken Refuge Vows and Bodhisattva Vows with Tibetan guru Lama Tsultrim Allione of Tara Mandala in Colorado. She attends extended retreat with Lama Tsultim yearly, studying the inner depths of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Ven. Jabo received Inga (teaching authority) from Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma on April 16, 2016. She is currently an Apprentice Teacher in Lama Tsultrim's lineage, as well. Ven. Jabo earned a J.D. from Western State College of Law at Argosy University in Fullerton, CA graduating in 2002. She is now retired from teaching and administering as a Law Professor. In addition to directing Open Door, she teaches Buddhist Studies at Buddha Dharma University.
Jehan "Jypsy" Izhar, RYT® 500 hr. Yoga Teacher
Jehan Izhar (known on stage as Jypsy Wild) is an internationally recognized athletic coach, circus performer, and yoga educator. She has a degree in theater from UC Santa Barbara and a Masters degree in Kinesiology from Cal State Fullerton. She is a 500hr certified yoga teacher and has over 10 years of experience working as a movement coach. Her experience ranges from injury prevention & rehabilitation, sport specific exercise program development, and yoga therapy. She has written curriculum for three teacher training programs (including Open Door’s yoga program) and has taught for two collegiate kinesiology departments. She began Jypsy’s Performing Arts in 2016 as a way to help aspiring performers make their onstage dreams a reality.
Jehan’s passion is for helping her clients to empower their bodies and express their creativity. Her methods are innovative, holistic, effective, and always fun!
Jehan Izhar (known on stage as Jypsy Wild) is an internationally recognized athletic coach, circus performer, and yoga educator. She has a degree in theater from UC Santa Barbara and a Masters degree in Kinesiology from Cal State Fullerton. She is a 500hr certified yoga teacher and has over 10 years of experience working as a movement coach. Her experience ranges from injury prevention & rehabilitation, sport specific exercise program development, and yoga therapy. She has written curriculum for three teacher training programs (including Open Door’s yoga program) and has taught for two collegiate kinesiology departments. She began Jypsy’s Performing Arts in 2016 as a way to help aspiring performers make their onstage dreams a reality.
Jehan’s passion is for helping her clients to empower their bodies and express their creativity. Her methods are innovative, holistic, effective, and always fun!
Michelle Scarbrough, RYT® 500 hr. Yoga Teacher
Michelle Scarbrough is a passionate yoga instructor dedicated to helping others live in the present moment. Sharing her knowledge and experiences, she can guide people to a healthier lifestyle that is entirely beneficial for the mind, body and spirit.
Coming from a family background of anxiety, high blood pressure and even varieties of cancer, Michelle found a new beginning and her passion for Yoga. Michelle has always been fascinated by health and fitness, and began her journey as a teacher after a year of personal yoga practice. Her own teacher training led her not only a career as a yoga instructor but to her discovery of the process of letting go and surrendering to the ultimate journey of self healing.
Embracing this passion has led her to the discovery of this practice as a therapy of mindfulness that can assist one along the blessings and challenges gifted to each present moment of life’s journey. She feels that this has been the best decision she’s ever made, and she hopes to open the doors for others to find their own yoga journey. Michelle continues to evolve her own practice through further education and has offered many Teacher Training‘s, sharing her highest excitement with grace and gratitude.
Michelle Scarbrough is a passionate yoga instructor dedicated to helping others live in the present moment. Sharing her knowledge and experiences, she can guide people to a healthier lifestyle that is entirely beneficial for the mind, body and spirit.
Coming from a family background of anxiety, high blood pressure and even varieties of cancer, Michelle found a new beginning and her passion for Yoga. Michelle has always been fascinated by health and fitness, and began her journey as a teacher after a year of personal yoga practice. Her own teacher training led her not only a career as a yoga instructor but to her discovery of the process of letting go and surrendering to the ultimate journey of self healing.
Embracing this passion has led her to the discovery of this practice as a therapy of mindfulness that can assist one along the blessings and challenges gifted to each present moment of life’s journey. She feels that this has been the best decision she’s ever made, and she hopes to open the doors for others to find their own yoga journey. Michelle continues to evolve her own practice through further education and has offered many Teacher Training‘s, sharing her highest excitement with grace and gratitude.
Kathy Felton Zetterberg, RYT® 500 hr. Yoga Teacher
I offer Restorative yoga on Saturday mornings from 10am to 11:30am designed for all ages and levels. By connecting breath, mindful meditation, and gentle yoga poses we will surrender stress and ease tension from the body. Using yoga tools such as balls, blocks, blankets, and bolsters throughout class I will encourage awareness, flexibility, and balance. To assist in restoring peace of mind, body and spirit I use Reiki (healing energy), aromatherapy, and relaxing music. Joyfully looking forward sharing this time with you.
I am a RYT 500, have a certificate from UC Irvine Specialized Studies Program in Yoga, and have received a certification of Reiki III. I have been teaching Yoga and Mindful Meditation for 8 years at the intermediate school where I also teach 7th grade World History. Practicing Yoga, Reiki, and Meditation daily for the last 20 years and loving the art of teaching and healing allows me to grow and share yoga with all of my students.
I offer Restorative yoga on Saturday mornings from 10am to 11:30am designed for all ages and levels. By connecting breath, mindful meditation, and gentle yoga poses we will surrender stress and ease tension from the body. Using yoga tools such as balls, blocks, blankets, and bolsters throughout class I will encourage awareness, flexibility, and balance. To assist in restoring peace of mind, body and spirit I use Reiki (healing energy), aromatherapy, and relaxing music. Joyfully looking forward sharing this time with you.
I am a RYT 500, have a certificate from UC Irvine Specialized Studies Program in Yoga, and have received a certification of Reiki III. I have been teaching Yoga and Mindful Meditation for 8 years at the intermediate school where I also teach 7th grade World History. Practicing Yoga, Reiki, and Meditation daily for the last 20 years and loving the art of teaching and healing allows me to grow and share yoga with all of my students.
Carmen Boroumi, RYT® 200 hr. Yoga and Meditation Teacher, Instructions in Spanish
I teach the Saturday 8:30am Creative Yoga Flow class and the Wednesday evening 5pm-6pm Yoga For Flexibility class. I will guide you to practice body awareness and mental focus with beginner to intermediate asanas (poses) and basic yoga sequences. The use of props (bolsters, blocks and belts) will help deepen your practice and assist you in becoming aware of proper alignment. I will also incorporate Pranayama (breath work) to help balance your energy and relieve stress. My class is open to all levels – beginners will gain knowledge and experienced yogis will cultivate beginner’s mind.
I have earned my Hatha Yoga 200-hour certification in compliance with Yoga Alliance standards through Green Tara Yoga School under the instruction of Gina Decker and Douglass Moss. I have been practicing yoga for over ten years and I have received Pre/Post-Natal certification. I teach Hatha Yoga, Pre/Post-Natal Yoga, forms of Yin Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and also Yoga in Spanish.
I teach the Saturday 8:30am Creative Yoga Flow class and the Wednesday evening 5pm-6pm Yoga For Flexibility class. I will guide you to practice body awareness and mental focus with beginner to intermediate asanas (poses) and basic yoga sequences. The use of props (bolsters, blocks and belts) will help deepen your practice and assist you in becoming aware of proper alignment. I will also incorporate Pranayama (breath work) to help balance your energy and relieve stress. My class is open to all levels – beginners will gain knowledge and experienced yogis will cultivate beginner’s mind.
I have earned my Hatha Yoga 200-hour certification in compliance with Yoga Alliance standards through Green Tara Yoga School under the instruction of Gina Decker and Douglass Moss. I have been practicing yoga for over ten years and I have received Pre/Post-Natal certification. I teach Hatha Yoga, Pre/Post-Natal Yoga, forms of Yin Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and also Yoga in Spanish.
Kristina Cotran, RYT® 200 hr. Yoga and Meditation Teacher
Kristina began doing yoga in 2012, to as a way to relieve the stresses of being a Special Education teacher. She learned how to meditate with Ruben Delgado at Open Door in her efforts to share meditation with her students. Now, her heart’s mission is teaching mindfulness meditation practices at her high school, as well as the Open Door Pomona Community. She received her first 200 hour certification from YogaBody Studios in 2017. She became a certified Wellness Educator, and was a Meditation Trainer for Breathe For Change, an organization that specializes in teaching yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to school teachers. She also has specialized training in the areas of Restorative Yoga and Yin Yoga. Lastly, she is professional songwriter and Kirtan singer. She offers singing/chanting with her harmonium to her classes as a medium for meditation. Catch her classes and workshops at Open Door to learn how to incorporate chanting into your meditation practice!
Kristina began doing yoga in 2012, to as a way to relieve the stresses of being a Special Education teacher. She learned how to meditate with Ruben Delgado at Open Door in her efforts to share meditation with her students. Now, her heart’s mission is teaching mindfulness meditation practices at her high school, as well as the Open Door Pomona Community. She received her first 200 hour certification from YogaBody Studios in 2017. She became a certified Wellness Educator, and was a Meditation Trainer for Breathe For Change, an organization that specializes in teaching yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to school teachers. She also has specialized training in the areas of Restorative Yoga and Yin Yoga. Lastly, she is professional songwriter and Kirtan singer. She offers singing/chanting with her harmonium to her classes as a medium for meditation. Catch her classes and workshops at Open Door to learn how to incorporate chanting into your meditation practice!
Ruben Delgado, RYT® 200 hr. Meditation Teacher
I teach Meditation on Mondays 5:30pm and Wednesdays at 7PM at OpenDoor2yoga. We practice Siting and Explore different techniques emphasizing on different sitting positions, Guided Meditation, Mudras, Mantras and Pranayama. This can help us maintain a daily practice. Before I began my practice, I had a bad case of anxiety. Something was definitely wrong. After taking a few meditation classes I realized I wasn’t breathing correctly. After a few months of starting a Meditation practice I realized I wasn’t living correctly. The changes I saw in my life after incorporating the simple act of just being present, pausing, and breathing were amazing. I am now a true believer in that we have more control over our lives than we like to think. This is not only important to us, but also important to all of the people we interact with.
I began my Practice three years ago With Master Teacher Melanie Jabul Yetter & Rev. Jabo. After a year of this practice I began to notice many different people in my life in need of help. I knew teaching Meditation was something I wanted to do. From 2015 to 2016 I was trained and certified as a Yoga therapy and Meditation instructor at Opendoor2yoga’s teacher training program by Master teachers Melanie Yetter, Gina Decker, and Jehan Izhar. In the course of our training I met some of the most amazing people I have ever met. These people and these experiences have guided me thought this journey and have shown me I want to teach for the simple reason that I only wish to help. I am now a RYT-200 Yoga Instructor and Meditation teacher. I’m also a Level 2 Reki practitioner.
I teach Meditation on Mondays 5:30pm and Wednesdays at 7PM at OpenDoor2yoga. We practice Siting and Explore different techniques emphasizing on different sitting positions, Guided Meditation, Mudras, Mantras and Pranayama. This can help us maintain a daily practice. Before I began my practice, I had a bad case of anxiety. Something was definitely wrong. After taking a few meditation classes I realized I wasn’t breathing correctly. After a few months of starting a Meditation practice I realized I wasn’t living correctly. The changes I saw in my life after incorporating the simple act of just being present, pausing, and breathing were amazing. I am now a true believer in that we have more control over our lives than we like to think. This is not only important to us, but also important to all of the people we interact with.
I began my Practice three years ago With Master Teacher Melanie Jabul Yetter & Rev. Jabo. After a year of this practice I began to notice many different people in my life in need of help. I knew teaching Meditation was something I wanted to do. From 2015 to 2016 I was trained and certified as a Yoga therapy and Meditation instructor at Opendoor2yoga’s teacher training program by Master teachers Melanie Yetter, Gina Decker, and Jehan Izhar. In the course of our training I met some of the most amazing people I have ever met. These people and these experiences have guided me thought this journey and have shown me I want to teach for the simple reason that I only wish to help. I am now a RYT-200 Yoga Instructor and Meditation teacher. I’m also a Level 2 Reki practitioner.
Phyllis Douglass, aka Vox Angelus, ERYT 200 hr. Yoga and Meditation Teacher
Vox (Phyllis Douglass) is a certified Yoga Teacher through Western Yoga College in Riverside, and Yoga Alliance E-RYT, YACEP. She has practiced yoga and meditation for many years, and was guided to bring it back to its origin of truth - the interconnectivity of body, mind and soul.
She is also a Massage Therapist (CAMTC ID# 56843) specializing in Advanced Manual Therapies and Energy Medicine.
Vox (Phyllis Douglass) is a certified Yoga Teacher through Western Yoga College in Riverside, and Yoga Alliance E-RYT, YACEP. She has practiced yoga and meditation for many years, and was guided to bring it back to its origin of truth - the interconnectivity of body, mind and soul.
She is also a Massage Therapist (CAMTC ID# 56843) specializing in Advanced Manual Therapies and Energy Medicine.
Arezoo Rahmim, MD, RYT® 200 hr. Yoga and Meditation Teacher
I graduated from the 200-hour Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training Program at Open Door 2 Yoga in Pomona in February 2017. I have been practicing yoga and meditation regularly since 2007, initially just for stress management. Not long after starting, spiritual practice became one of the most important parts of my life and essential to my wellbeing. My day job in the mental health field is challenging but also deeply rewarding. I try to incorporate spirituality as much as possible in my work. I joined the teacher training program mainly to deepen my own practice but in the process fell in love even more with the many aspects of yoga. Last year I became a Reiki master and also received my Curvy Yoga certification. I am committed to expanding my knowledge through studying, attending workshops, further teacher training programs, and my own personal practice. I would love to share what I know and continue to learn from you.
I graduated from the 200-hour Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training Program at Open Door 2 Yoga in Pomona in February 2017. I have been practicing yoga and meditation regularly since 2007, initially just for stress management. Not long after starting, spiritual practice became one of the most important parts of my life and essential to my wellbeing. My day job in the mental health field is challenging but also deeply rewarding. I try to incorporate spirituality as much as possible in my work. I joined the teacher training program mainly to deepen my own practice but in the process fell in love even more with the many aspects of yoga. Last year I became a Reiki master and also received my Curvy Yoga certification. I am committed to expanding my knowledge through studying, attending workshops, further teacher training programs, and my own personal practice. I would love to share what I know and continue to learn from you.
Sara A. Rivera, MT100® 100 hr. Meditation Teacher
I began my meditation practice two years ago with Master Teacher, Melanie Yetter at Open Door 2 Yoga in Pomona. I was certified as a Meditation Teacher in the 100-hr Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher Program by Master Teacher Melanie Yetter and mentored by Q. L. Pearce.
I consider myself to be a very spiritual person.
Meditation is an awakening to me, teaching me to be present in the moment. Furthermore, I have learned that meditating in a community is a safe haven for many. My journey has helped me in so many ways and I am excited and honored to teach. I love teaching meditation because I believe meditation provides many with tools to self-nurture. Teaching meditation has allowed me to share and help others.
In my own training, I have learned about breath work, mindfulness, and meditation. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and practices.
I began my meditation practice two years ago with Master Teacher, Melanie Yetter at Open Door 2 Yoga in Pomona. I was certified as a Meditation Teacher in the 100-hr Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher Program by Master Teacher Melanie Yetter and mentored by Q. L. Pearce.
I consider myself to be a very spiritual person.
Meditation is an awakening to me, teaching me to be present in the moment. Furthermore, I have learned that meditating in a community is a safe haven for many. My journey has helped me in so many ways and I am excited and honored to teach. I love teaching meditation because I believe meditation provides many with tools to self-nurture. Teaching meditation has allowed me to share and help others.
In my own training, I have learned about breath work, mindfulness, and meditation. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and practices.
Andrea Torres, MT100® 100 hr., Meditation Teacher
I am in gratitude for the community and meditation practice I found several years ago at Open Door. I recently completed a journey through Meditation, Mindfulness and Breath Work training here at Open Door earning a 100hr certification. I am passionate about human connection and how these connections help us grow, transform and gain new perspectives. I have worked in education for over 15 years, guiding individuals, families and youth. Currently, I am a community college Professor/Counselor and for the last 10 years I have worked with many diverse populations and age groups. In my profession, I have found that so many students are dealing with stress, anxiety and depression. Training at Open Door has helped me incorporate the tools of meditation, mindfulness and breath work with the students. Along the way, the training, community and meditation practice has helped me cope with my own unhealthy patterns, anxiety, obsessive thoughts and relationship issues. With a daily practice, I now enjoy an ability to live more in the present and a peaceful surrender to accepting all that the universe has to offer exactly as it is. I look forward to joining you on your journey, whatever that may be for you in our time in class.
I am in gratitude for the community and meditation practice I found several years ago at Open Door. I recently completed a journey through Meditation, Mindfulness and Breath Work training here at Open Door earning a 100hr certification. I am passionate about human connection and how these connections help us grow, transform and gain new perspectives. I have worked in education for over 15 years, guiding individuals, families and youth. Currently, I am a community college Professor/Counselor and for the last 10 years I have worked with many diverse populations and age groups. In my profession, I have found that so many students are dealing with stress, anxiety and depression. Training at Open Door has helped me incorporate the tools of meditation, mindfulness and breath work with the students. Along the way, the training, community and meditation practice has helped me cope with my own unhealthy patterns, anxiety, obsessive thoughts and relationship issues. With a daily practice, I now enjoy an ability to live more in the present and a peaceful surrender to accepting all that the universe has to offer exactly as it is. I look forward to joining you on your journey, whatever that may be for you in our time in class.