Leslie Howard Bio

LESLIE HOWARD

Leslie Howard holds a 320-hour Advanced Studies Certificate from Rodney Yee, a 300-hour teacher training certificate with Tony Briggs, and a 500 hour Yoga Alliance certification.  Leslie has been practicing for over fifteen years in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area, including twelve years of teaching, workshops, and annual yoga retreats. Previous international retreats have included Egypt, Hawaii, Mexico, and Italy. She is currently studying under Manouso Manos and Ramanand Patel, both of whom hold some of the highest level certificates given in the system of Iyengar Yoga.  Leslie credits Susanne Kemmerer (a Physical Therapist from Germany), for introducing her to her pelvic floor and Lizanne Pastore (a PT from San Francisco) for helping her deepen her knowledge of the subject. She recently completed Judith Lasater's training on restorative yoga.

STUDIES & CERTIFICATIONS:

• Yoga Alliance Certified 500 hour E-RYT
• Certified Relax and Renew Trainer by Judith Lasater - 2009 (40 hours)
• The Abode of Iyengar Yoga, San Francisco – Iyengar studies with Manouso Manos – 2000 to present (1,000+ hours).
• The Abode of Iyengar Yoga, San Francisco – Iyengar apprenticeship and class assistance with Manouso Manos – 2001 to 2005 (240 hours).
• Ramanand Patel, San Francisco – Iyengar studies – 1998 to present (800+ hours).
• Turtle Island Yoga Studio, San Rafael, California – Iyengar Teacher Training Program with Tony Briggs – 1999 (300 hours).
• Piedmont Yoga Center, Oakland, California – Advanced Studies Program with Rodney Yee – 1998 (320 hours).
• Om Yoga Training in New York City – with Cyndi Lee – 1997 (3 month program).
• Integral Yoga Institute in New York City – with Swami Ramananda – 1995  (6 month program).

PRESS:

• East Bay Express - "Floor Model: Leslie Howard Teaches Anti-incontinence Yoga," July 29, 2009
• Fit Yoga Magazine -" The Root of All Action," December 2008
• Ode Magazine - "Laughter is the Best Medicine" September 2009
• Curve Magazine - "5 Facts About Down There" Janurary 2010
• Vagina Pagina blog - April 2010
• Yogic Muse Blog, June 2010
• Yoga Journal "Partner Poses", August 2010 currently avail print only

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS:

"Recently, I took a (women only) Yoga Workshop called "The Female Pelvic Floor". It completely opened my eyes and created a new awareness of this part of my body,... and it was fascinating! In addition to having a lot of fun and laughing a lot, we learned about the anatomy, function, and specific pelvic exercises. I recommend Leslie Howard's workshop - she is a major goddess! She's funny, of course super knowledgeable and pissed that women don't talk about their pelvic floors." - Corey P.

"The magic of yoga has had me feeling divine... and my body feels uncharacteristically balanced. This is coming from a guy who hits a volleyball with his right hand, swings a tennis racket with his right hand, kicks a soccer ball mostly with his right foot, and who tempers a post-surgery right knee. The "magic" of yoga has my right knee suddenly smiling and in balance with the rest of my body. I had a game the following night and I couldn't believe how my body felt. None of my joints were moaning and my body was so good to go... - Paul G.

"The workshop was fascinating...I have to say I really have never thought much about my pelvic floor and now I am glad to know it is there! Leslie was a great teacher and I think everyone there enjoyed it and learned a ton." - Lisa M., M.D.

"I loved being at the retreat and have a new found appreciation for Iyengar yoga...at least the Leslie Howard version of Iyengar Yoga"- Adrienne C.

"WOW, the info from you has enlightened me on such a deep (literally!) level.
Really seeing that my sacrum issues are emotional and how much the pelvic floor is involved..who'd a thunk? Thanks so much for the work you are doing, very powerful. "- Jnana Gowen

Thanks so much for you chock-full of information and enlightening workshop! What a treat! I am forever changed with this new awareness. I want to shout it from the mountain tops. I look forward to exploring this more. You are a joy as a teacher...clear and in tune with the group...have fun, as you are making such a difference in the lives of the woman you share this with... -Cathy H.

I took your workshop on Sunday at 4th Street Yoga, and wanted to say that it was illuminating. I did my regular Tues. evening class yesterday, and I felt like my pelvic floor area had a new spotlight on it. Have you even seen a black and white photograph that has been hand-colored in one spot? That's what it felt like, to suddenly have all this focus to this previously unnoticed region, like it was red or blue or some other color
and everything else was in black and white. This kind of awareness seems like it will be very helpful in getting at the familiar yoga poses with a new focus. -Nancy W.