Greg Kaps
Lead Teacher
Greg has been studying, practicing, and teaching Yoga full time since 2003. His deep passion for yoga was fueled in his early twenties due to its ability to bring health, lightness and peace of mind in a time of deep personal suffering. Originally drawn to the physical aspects of the practice, Greg went very deep into the exploration of Hatha Yoga, taking certified teacher trainings in various styles and becoming very proficient in advanced Asana. He developed his practice through advanced and deepening courses, ever refining his personal practice and the art of teaching.
It is said that yoga expedites one’s Karma, and as fate would have it, through an unquenchable thirst for ever more advanced Asana, deeper experiences and an underlying attitude of “not enough”, Greg’s practice led him to a debilitating back injury in 2011. What seemed to be the end of the world, at the time, was actually the beginning of a whole new chapter of compassion, humility and understanding of suffering. Greg began to listen to his body rather than push it. He practiced acceptance and compassion with himself and it slowly spread outwards into his actions and attitudes towards others and the world. Gently gently, slowly slowly, he reestablished his personal practice, integrating through direct experience the philosophies he’d been reading for years, but not applying.
Having gone deeply into the yang, being forced to go into yin, and then integrating both with patience allowed Greg to grow into a truly balanced teacher. He has developed the detailed physiological, practical and alignment knowledge of all levels of Asana and yogic techniques, but also the spiritual insights that can only come from moving through suffering and reaching peace, compassion and contentment on the other side. Greg emphasizes safe alignment, mindfulness and an attitude of compassion towards ourselves in practice. This is the foundation that, over time, grows strong roots and a stable base for the deeper practices, spiritual insights, and contentment to blossom.
Greg traveled and taught throughout Southeast Asia for years, based at Asia’s premier Yoga studio - Pure Yoga. Through the grace of earlier years, and this incredible opportunity, he was able to study with many world renowned teachers such as: Yogi Vishvketu (Akhanda Yoga), Paul Dallaghan (Ashtanga Yoga and Pranayama), Patrick Creelman (Anusara Yoga), Devinder Kaur (Kundalini Yoga), David Swenson (Ashtanga Yoga), Shiva Rae (Vinyasa Yoga), John Friend (Anusara Yoga), Bikram Choudhury (Bikram Hot Yoga), Richard Freeman (Ashtanga Yoga), Geshe Michael Roach (Tibetan Heart Yoga), Sarah Powers (Yin Yoga), Paul Grilley (Yin Yoga), Ana Forrest (Forest Yoga), Andrey Lappa (Universal Yoga), Seane Corn (Power Vinyasa), Lama Marut (Buddhist Studies) and more. He has also assisted, co-led and led teacher trainings, immersions and retreats for many years developing a deep love for aiding in the transformative journey of others.
Greg holds over 1800 Yoga Alliance certified hours, plus hundreds more hours of workshops and retreats. He has been trained in the following styles:
500 Hour – Bikram Hot Yoga
500 Hour – Advanced Hatha Yoga
200 Hour – Anusara Yoga
200 Hour – Ashtanga Yoga
300 Hour – Kundalini Yoga
100 Hour - Advanced Pranayama
Greg's other two passions, besides maintaining an innate playfulness in life, are Kirtan (group sacred chanting) and all things related in supporting Mother Earth. Greg attended a three month permaculture residential immersion at the Permaculture Institute of Australia in 2011 and incorporates that system in all aspects of life…and his own home garden.
Greg now teaches a wide variety of classes, workshops and teacher trainings at Yoga Barn Ubud, and is inspired each day to share this beautiful practice and path with all who are willing to learn, from a space of kindness, compassion and humility.
Om shanti, shanti, shanti
It is said that yoga expedites one’s Karma, and as fate would have it, through an unquenchable thirst for ever more advanced Asana, deeper experiences and an underlying attitude of “not enough”, Greg’s practice led him to a debilitating back injury in 2011. What seemed to be the end of the world, at the time, was actually the beginning of a whole new chapter of compassion, humility and understanding of suffering. Greg began to listen to his body rather than push it. He practiced acceptance and compassion with himself and it slowly spread outwards into his actions and attitudes towards others and the world. Gently gently, slowly slowly, he reestablished his personal practice, integrating through direct experience the philosophies he’d been reading for years, but not applying.
Having gone deeply into the yang, being forced to go into yin, and then integrating both with patience allowed Greg to grow into a truly balanced teacher. He has developed the detailed physiological, practical and alignment knowledge of all levels of Asana and yogic techniques, but also the spiritual insights that can only come from moving through suffering and reaching peace, compassion and contentment on the other side. Greg emphasizes safe alignment, mindfulness and an attitude of compassion towards ourselves in practice. This is the foundation that, over time, grows strong roots and a stable base for the deeper practices, spiritual insights, and contentment to blossom.
Greg traveled and taught throughout Southeast Asia for years, based at Asia’s premier Yoga studio - Pure Yoga. Through the grace of earlier years, and this incredible opportunity, he was able to study with many world renowned teachers such as: Yogi Vishvketu (Akhanda Yoga), Paul Dallaghan (Ashtanga Yoga and Pranayama), Patrick Creelman (Anusara Yoga), Devinder Kaur (Kundalini Yoga), David Swenson (Ashtanga Yoga), Shiva Rae (Vinyasa Yoga), John Friend (Anusara Yoga), Bikram Choudhury (Bikram Hot Yoga), Richard Freeman (Ashtanga Yoga), Geshe Michael Roach (Tibetan Heart Yoga), Sarah Powers (Yin Yoga), Paul Grilley (Yin Yoga), Ana Forrest (Forest Yoga), Andrey Lappa (Universal Yoga), Seane Corn (Power Vinyasa), Lama Marut (Buddhist Studies) and more. He has also assisted, co-led and led teacher trainings, immersions and retreats for many years developing a deep love for aiding in the transformative journey of others.
Greg holds over 1800 Yoga Alliance certified hours, plus hundreds more hours of workshops and retreats. He has been trained in the following styles:
500 Hour – Bikram Hot Yoga
500 Hour – Advanced Hatha Yoga
200 Hour – Anusara Yoga
200 Hour – Ashtanga Yoga
300 Hour – Kundalini Yoga
100 Hour - Advanced Pranayama
Greg's other two passions, besides maintaining an innate playfulness in life, are Kirtan (group sacred chanting) and all things related in supporting Mother Earth. Greg attended a three month permaculture residential immersion at the Permaculture Institute of Australia in 2011 and incorporates that system in all aspects of life…and his own home garden.
Greg now teaches a wide variety of classes, workshops and teacher trainings at Yoga Barn Ubud, and is inspired each day to share this beautiful practice and path with all who are willing to learn, from a space of kindness, compassion and humility.
Om shanti, shanti, shanti
Ni Made Murni
Bhakti & Asana Teacher
A true Bhakti yogi, Murni experiences yoga from a perspective of devotion and self discipline. Born in Gianyar, Bali, Murni was raised with a deep cultural and spiritual understanding of devotion. Connection to that ultimate divine energy, in all it's names and forms (Spirit, Divinity, the Universe, God ... ), has been deeply woven into every aspect of her life. This base connection to Spirit has allowed her yoga to blossom, uninhibited by doubt or misunderstanding of the true nature of yoga.
Murni has been a part of the BaliSpirit family since 2002 and the Yoga Barn since its inception in 2007. Originally sitting focused behind a desk, concentrating on administration and graphic design, Murni has grown into an incredibly disciplined yogi. Her love affair with the practice of yoga started when she would drop in to classes in between her administrative hours. Over time that has evolved and now Murni only works in between her hours of yoga practice. She took her first 200 hour teacher training in 2011, and soon after completed a 500 hour training. Since then, she has continued studying various forms of Yoga, and delving deeper into the study and practice of Bhakti.
A dedicated practitioner, Murni is also dedicated humanitarian. Alongside the co-founders of The Yoga Barn & the BaliSpirit Festival, Murni plays an active role as a volunteer teacher for the outreach program AYO! Kita Bicara HIV/AIDS, an HIV education program aimed at Balinese Youth. Through "EduSpirit" workshops inclusive of journaling, role-playing, active meditations and yoga, this program encourages awareness, discussion & understanding about the HIV/AID epidemic in Bali.
Murni has passion for the challenges she faces on and off the mat, and the wisdom to utilize that experience as a teacher. Murni's classes are designed with purpose, are uplifting and offer something to students of every level. With an ever-present smile that shines straight from her heart, Murni is an inspiration as a yoga teacher, a woman, and a human being!
Murni has been a part of the BaliSpirit family since 2002 and the Yoga Barn since its inception in 2007. Originally sitting focused behind a desk, concentrating on administration and graphic design, Murni has grown into an incredibly disciplined yogi. Her love affair with the practice of yoga started when she would drop in to classes in between her administrative hours. Over time that has evolved and now Murni only works in between her hours of yoga practice. She took her first 200 hour teacher training in 2011, and soon after completed a 500 hour training. Since then, she has continued studying various forms of Yoga, and delving deeper into the study and practice of Bhakti.
A dedicated practitioner, Murni is also dedicated humanitarian. Alongside the co-founders of The Yoga Barn & the BaliSpirit Festival, Murni plays an active role as a volunteer teacher for the outreach program AYO! Kita Bicara HIV/AIDS, an HIV education program aimed at Balinese Youth. Through "EduSpirit" workshops inclusive of journaling, role-playing, active meditations and yoga, this program encourages awareness, discussion & understanding about the HIV/AID epidemic in Bali.
Murni has passion for the challenges she faces on and off the mat, and the wisdom to utilize that experience as a teacher. Murni's classes are designed with purpose, are uplifting and offer something to students of every level. With an ever-present smile that shines straight from her heart, Murni is an inspiration as a yoga teacher, a woman, and a human being!
Tanya Kaps
Philosophy & Asana Teacher
Tanya had series of a powerful spiritual experiences that began nearly twenty years ago. In an attempt to orient herself, coupled by a fierce desire to know truth, she dedicated her life to exploring yoga and the nature of transformation and self-realization. Having studied through the lens of both Eastern and Western systems, and having partnered academic study with intense dedicated practice - she offers a unique understanding of yogic philosophy.
Tanya has been teaching yoga full-time, internationally for fifteen years. She teaches and practices with an integrated approach of the Hatha, Raja, Bhakti, Karma, and Jnana paths; her primary Hatha influences are derived from Anusara, Power, Vinyasa, and Yin.
Tanya teaches the balance, integration and expression of both the masculine and feminine principles in our body-heart-mind-life practice. In addition to yoga, she has also been using freeform dance and song as a natural spiritual practice as long as she can remember. Through both yoga, freeform dance and singing, she has explored the use of movement, breath, sound, and awareness to liberate energy, expand consciousness, and enable the 'direct experience of being' as a tool of revelation.
Philosophically and experientially, professionally, and personally, Tanya has dedicated her adult life to exploring the nature of consciousness and liberation as it relates to the human experience in the times we are living. Her inspiration and therefore teaching is infused with the perennial teaching: live with presence and with love in our heart, that we may see the divine in all beings, in one self, in all moments; as this is both the means and the ends of Self Realization.
Tanya has been teaching yoga full-time, internationally for fifteen years. She teaches and practices with an integrated approach of the Hatha, Raja, Bhakti, Karma, and Jnana paths; her primary Hatha influences are derived from Anusara, Power, Vinyasa, and Yin.
Tanya teaches the balance, integration and expression of both the masculine and feminine principles in our body-heart-mind-life practice. In addition to yoga, she has also been using freeform dance and song as a natural spiritual practice as long as she can remember. Through both yoga, freeform dance and singing, she has explored the use of movement, breath, sound, and awareness to liberate energy, expand consciousness, and enable the 'direct experience of being' as a tool of revelation.
Philosophically and experientially, professionally, and personally, Tanya has dedicated her adult life to exploring the nature of consciousness and liberation as it relates to the human experience in the times we are living. Her inspiration and therefore teaching is infused with the perennial teaching: live with presence and with love in our heart, that we may see the divine in all beings, in one self, in all moments; as this is both the means and the ends of Self Realization.
