Your Open Door Teachers
All Open Door Yoga Teachers are accredited by Yoga Alliance.
Key to Designation by Yoga Alliance:
RYT® 200: Teacher has completed 200 hours of training.
E-RYT® 200: Teacher has completed 200 hours of training and taught 1,000 hours since then.
RYT® 500: Teacher has completed 500 hours of training.
E-RYT® 500: Teacher has completed 500 hours of training and taught at least 2,000 hours, at least 500 of which were since this training.
YACEP®: Teacher is a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider.
RYT® 200: Teacher has completed 200 hours of training.
E-RYT® 200: Teacher has completed 200 hours of training and taught 1,000 hours since then.
RYT® 500: Teacher has completed 500 hours of training.
E-RYT® 500: Teacher has completed 500 hours of training and taught at least 2,000 hours, at least 500 of which were since this training.
YACEP®: Teacher is a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider.
Ven. Dr. Sandy Myodo Gougis, Meditation Teacher
Guiding Teacher and Director of Open Door
Ven. Dr. Sandy Myodo Gougis is a Priest and Zen Master in the Five Mountain Zen Order. A meditator since 1998, she began to study Zen with Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma in 2003. Sandy also studies Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism with Lama Tsultrim Allione of Tara Mandala in Colorado, and is an Apprentice Teacher in her lineage. Sandy began teaching meditation in 2008. She is the Guiding Teacher of an ever-growing number of Zen Centers in Southern California. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Doctorate in Law. She taught Paralegal Studies and Criminal Justice for over a decade, and Master's level Buddhist Studies at Buddha Dharma University for five years. She has done extensive volunteer work for organizations including the Special Olympics, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), and the Prison Library Project.
Sandy is a Reiki Master, breast cancer survivor, lover of good books and hot tea, and a rescuer of stray animals. Her motto, like that of her Zen Order, is "How may I help you?" You can find her frequently neglected blog at https://jabo108.wordpress.com/.
Guiding Teacher and Director of Open Door
Ven. Dr. Sandy Myodo Gougis is a Priest and Zen Master in the Five Mountain Zen Order. A meditator since 1998, she began to study Zen with Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma in 2003. Sandy also studies Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism with Lama Tsultrim Allione of Tara Mandala in Colorado, and is an Apprentice Teacher in her lineage. Sandy began teaching meditation in 2008. She is the Guiding Teacher of an ever-growing number of Zen Centers in Southern California. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Doctorate in Law. She taught Paralegal Studies and Criminal Justice for over a decade, and Master's level Buddhist Studies at Buddha Dharma University for five years. She has done extensive volunteer work for organizations including the Special Olympics, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), and the Prison Library Project.
Sandy is a Reiki Master, breast cancer survivor, lover of good books and hot tea, and a rescuer of stray animals. Her motto, like that of her Zen Order, is "How may I help you?" You can find her frequently neglected blog at https://jabo108.wordpress.com/.
Jehan "Jypsy" Izhar, Yoga Teacher, E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP®
Director of Education of Open Door
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!
Director of Education of Open Door
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!
Alan Alcid, Yoga Teacher, RYT® 500
Alan Alcid first unrolled his yoga mat in 2007 and, in that moment, change the course of his life for the better. Since then, he has weaved the practice and philosophy of yoga into his every life with 6 years of hot yoga practice and certifications in vinyasa, yin, and hatha yoga.
He built a strong foundation of yoga postures, anatomy, and core training through his studies with the Yogic Physical Culture Academy. He also loves teaching kids yoga from (6-12 years old), and he has created a curriculum called “Classroom Yoga”. Alan has been involved in a number of yoga festivals and is currently finishing up an Ayurveda certification under Mas Vidal (Dancing Shiva). Alan is known for his excellent coaching & communication skills. He is enthusiastic, approachable, and has expertise in customizing the training curriculum and training techniques as per the requirement of the group or trainee. He is looking forward to sharing his passion for yoga with you at Open Door.
Alan Alcid first unrolled his yoga mat in 2007 and, in that moment, change the course of his life for the better. Since then, he has weaved the practice and philosophy of yoga into his every life with 6 years of hot yoga practice and certifications in vinyasa, yin, and hatha yoga.
He built a strong foundation of yoga postures, anatomy, and core training through his studies with the Yogic Physical Culture Academy. He also loves teaching kids yoga from (6-12 years old), and he has created a curriculum called “Classroom Yoga”. Alan has been involved in a number of yoga festivals and is currently finishing up an Ayurveda certification under Mas Vidal (Dancing Shiva). Alan is known for his excellent coaching & communication skills. He is enthusiastic, approachable, and has expertise in customizing the training curriculum and training techniques as per the requirement of the group or trainee. He is looking forward to sharing his passion for yoga with you at Open Door.
Kathy Felton Zetterberg, Yoga Teacher, RYT® 500
Kathy Zetterberg offers Restorative Yoga designed for all ages and levels. By connecting breath, mindful meditation, and gentle yoga poses, you will surrender stress and ease tension from the body. Using yoga tools such as balls, blocks, blankets, and bolsters throughout class, she encourages awareness, flexibility, and balance. To assist in restoring peace of mind, body and spirit, Kathy uses Reiki (healing energy), aromatherapy, and relaxing music. She is joyfully looking forward sharing this time with you.
Kathy is a RYT 500, has a certificate from UC Irvine Specialized Studies Program in Yoga, and has received a certification of Reiki 3 Practitioner. She has been teaching Yoga and Mindful Meditation for 8 years at the intermediate school where she 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 Kathy to grow and share yoga with all of her students.
Kathy Zetterberg offers Restorative Yoga designed for all ages and levels. By connecting breath, mindful meditation, and gentle yoga poses, you will surrender stress and ease tension from the body. Using yoga tools such as balls, blocks, blankets, and bolsters throughout class, she encourages awareness, flexibility, and balance. To assist in restoring peace of mind, body and spirit, Kathy uses Reiki (healing energy), aromatherapy, and relaxing music. She is joyfully looking forward sharing this time with you.
Kathy is a RYT 500, has a certificate from UC Irvine Specialized Studies Program in Yoga, and has received a certification of Reiki 3 Practitioner. She has been teaching Yoga and Mindful Meditation for 8 years at the intermediate school where she 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 Kathy to grow and share yoga with all of her students.
Carmen Boroumi, Yoga and Meditation Teacher, RYT® 200
Offers Instructions in Spanish
Carmen Boroumi 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. She also incorporates Pranayama (breath work) to help balance your energy and relieve stress. Her classes are open to all levels – beginners will gain knowledge and experienced yogis will cultivate beginner’s mind.
Carmen earned her 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. She has been practicing yoga for over ten years and has received Pre/Post-Natal certification. She teaches Hatha Yoga, Pre/Post-Natal Yoga, forms of Yin Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and also Yoga in Spanish.
Offers Instructions in Spanish
Carmen Boroumi 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. She also incorporates Pranayama (breath work) to help balance your energy and relieve stress. Her classes are open to all levels – beginners will gain knowledge and experienced yogis will cultivate beginner’s mind.
Carmen earned her 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. She has been practicing yoga for over ten years and has received Pre/Post-Natal certification. She teaches Hatha Yoga, Pre/Post-Natal Yoga, forms of Yin Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and also Yoga in Spanish.
Ruben Delgado, Yoga and Meditation Teacher, RYT® 200
Ruben Delgado's meditation classes involve exploring different techniques such as emphasis on different sitting positions, Guided Meditation, Mudras (hand and body positions), Mantras (short phrases) and Pranayama (breath work). This can help you maintain a daily practice.
Ruben began his meditation practice in 2014 with Master Teacher Melanie Yetter and Ven. Dr. Sandy Myodo Gougis. After a year, he began to notice many different people in his life in need of help. He knew teaching Meditation was something he wanted to do. From 2015 to 2016, Ruben trained and was certified as a Yoga therapy and Meditation instructor at Open Door Yoga's teacher training program by Master Teachers Melanie Yetter, Gina Decker, and Jehan Izhar. In the course of his training, Ruben met some of the most amazing people he had ever met. Those people and experiences have guided him thought this journey and have shown him that he wants to teach for one simple reason: to help others. Ruben is now a RYT-200 Yoga Instructor and Meditation teacher. He is also a Level 2 Reiki Practitioner.
Ruben Delgado's meditation classes involve exploring different techniques such as emphasis on different sitting positions, Guided Meditation, Mudras (hand and body positions), Mantras (short phrases) and Pranayama (breath work). This can help you maintain a daily practice.
Ruben began his meditation practice in 2014 with Master Teacher Melanie Yetter and Ven. Dr. Sandy Myodo Gougis. After a year, he began to notice many different people in his life in need of help. He knew teaching Meditation was something he wanted to do. From 2015 to 2016, Ruben trained and was certified as a Yoga therapy and Meditation instructor at Open Door Yoga's teacher training program by Master Teachers Melanie Yetter, Gina Decker, and Jehan Izhar. In the course of his training, Ruben met some of the most amazing people he had ever met. Those people and experiences have guided him thought this journey and have shown him that he wants to teach for one simple reason: to help others. Ruben is now a RYT-200 Yoga Instructor and Meditation teacher. He is also a Level 2 Reiki Practitioner.
Phyllis "Vox" Douglass, Yoga and Meditation Teacher, E-RYT® 200, YACEP®
Phyllis Douglass (known on stage as Vox Angelus) is a certified Yoga Teacher through Western Yoga College (WYC), a Yoga Alliance E-RYT, YACEP, Massage Therapist (CAMTC# 56843), and Pilates Trainer. She has 25+ years of experience teaching, providing workshops, and facilitating wellness and spiritual retreats. 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!
Phyllis Douglass (known on stage as Vox Angelus) is a certified Yoga Teacher through Western Yoga College (WYC), a Yoga Alliance E-RYT, YACEP, Massage Therapist (CAMTC# 56843), and Pilates Trainer. She has 25+ years of experience teaching, providing workshops, and facilitating wellness and spiritual retreats. 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!
Victoria May, Yoga Teacher, RYT® 200
Victoria May began teaching in 2016. She has an approachable style and a calming voice. Her current focus is creating space in the body and mellowing the mind. Her training includes Yoga (200RYT), Aerial Yoga, Liquid Motion (floor dance), and Pilates. Victoria offers both classes and private lessons at Open Door.
Victoria May began teaching in 2016. She has an approachable style and a calming voice. Her current focus is creating space in the body and mellowing the mind. Her training includes Yoga (200RYT), Aerial Yoga, Liquid Motion (floor dance), and Pilates. Victoria offers both classes and private lessons at Open Door.
Latriza Petrie, Yoga Teacher, RYT® 200
Latriza Petrie's yoga journey has been ongoing for over 13 years. She has had the pleasure of practicing many styles of yoga with skilled teachers in beautiful locations around the world. She wants to share her experiences and love of yoga with her community. Latriza creates compassionate, diverse, creative, fun, and challenging sequences for everyone in a safe space. She encourages personal growth, body awareness, self-love, acceptance, and most importantly, adventure and joy for life.
Latriza Petrie's yoga journey has been ongoing for over 13 years. She has had the pleasure of practicing many styles of yoga with skilled teachers in beautiful locations around the world. She wants to share her experiences and love of yoga with her community. Latriza creates compassionate, diverse, creative, fun, and challenging sequences for everyone in a safe space. She encourages personal growth, body awareness, self-love, acceptance, and most importantly, adventure and joy for life.
Andrea Torres, Meditation Teacher, MT100®
Andrea Torres is in gratitude for the community and meditation practice she found several years ago at Open Door. She is passionate about human connection and how these connections help us grow, transform, and gain new perspectives. She has worked in education for over 15 years, guiding individuals, families, and youth. Currently a Community College Professor/Counselor, for the last 10 years she has worked with many diverse populations and age groups. In her profession, she has found that many students are dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression. Training at Open Door Yoga's teacher training program has helped Andrea incorporate the tools of meditation, mindfulness, and breath work with her students. Along the way, the training, community, and meditation practice has helped her cope with my own unhealthy patterns, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and relationship issues. With a daily meditation practice, she now enjoys 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. She looks forward to joining you on your journey, whatever that may be for you in your time in class.
Andrea Torres is in gratitude for the community and meditation practice she found several years ago at Open Door. She is passionate about human connection and how these connections help us grow, transform, and gain new perspectives. She has worked in education for over 15 years, guiding individuals, families, and youth. Currently a Community College Professor/Counselor, for the last 10 years she has worked with many diverse populations and age groups. In her profession, she has found that many students are dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression. Training at Open Door Yoga's teacher training program has helped Andrea incorporate the tools of meditation, mindfulness, and breath work with her students. Along the way, the training, community, and meditation practice has helped her cope with my own unhealthy patterns, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and relationship issues. With a daily meditation practice, she now enjoys 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. She looks forward to joining you on your journey, whatever that may be for you in your time in class.