Dennis Dean is the owner and Master Teacher at the Yoga Mandiram. His recognition as a empirically based and intellectually profound yoga teacher is honored by his long term devoted students both nationally and internationally. There are few original yoga studios on the west coast of America that are not familiar with Dennis's devotion to understanding the mysteries of life, Buddhism and yoga in particular. Feel free to email him with any questions!

His parents were quick to see that his interests in health, Buddhism and eastern philosophy were more than a flitting phase (his favorite toy as a kid was a brass statue of Buddha to which sits in his studio to this day). They enrolled him in a private school (ISA ie: Institute for the study of Attention Encinitas CA.) were he mastered and began to teach Shotokan Karate ( 2nd degree Black Belt Sept 22, 1980) and the Wu Style of Tai Chi from world renowned teacher/scholar Lester Ingber (www.ingber.com) and Mr. Ingber's senior teachers (John Bryant & Kurt Rosi). Dennis's training with Lester demanded he understanding both empirically and intellectually the way the consciousness operates in physical disciplines. As exhibited in both Lester's first book " The Karate Instructors Handbook" and his next book which features Dennis "Karate Kinematics and Dynamics". Topics such as Energy and Expanded Body Awareness and how the minds attention process can fluctuate between Focal-Synchro-Plenum modes durning practice were common place. Mix this training in with Dennis' obsession with health..

Serving a long term apprenticeship with Tim Miller of the Ashtanga Yoga Center in Encinitas Ca. Beginning in 1991 this apprenticeship included trips to South India for complete immersion into the Hindu-Yogic Life Style and intensified study/practices with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of The Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute. Dennis's first trip to India was to pay his respects to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois on his 80th birthday. At this time the Ashtanga community was relatively small and he was introduced to many of the leading figures of this profound style of yoga, including Richard Freeman, Chuck Miller-Maty Ezraty of Yoga Works, John Scott and Gram Northfield to name a few.
Dennis began his studies in the Bhagavad Gita with Anne Grover and her teacher at this time in Mysore.
In 1994 Dennis was introduced to Ana Forest via Karen Cummings and began his studies with Ana. Lasting for 5 years.
He also began his studies in Iyengar Yoga ie: Gabriel Halpern, Gabriella Giubilaro This was an paramount in Dennis' continuing yogic education.

A few words on why Dennis teaches what he teaches:
The Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga has done for Dennis exactly what it clams to do. Clear the body and mind of toxins. Leaving one with an clear mind and strong body.
The myofascial release tools and the Pro Yoga Wall play an unsurpassed roll in maintaining optimal health especially in allowing the body/mind to release and absorb new positive neuromuscular relationships. These tools and the system in which they are applied are helping a wide age group of people with diverse backgrounds establish new balanced bodies and minds in record time. Dennis's body and mind have experienced much trauma over the years. He does not teach what he does not empirically understand and need himself in some way. This way the teachings are kept honest.
"As I grow older my needs and perceptions change and thus so do the teachings. I am always looking for ways to keep my mind and body from closing down weather it is in traditional disciplines or current views".

Below are some additional facts about Dennis Dean of the Yoga Mandiram.

Dennis is a Master Finish Carpenter/Home Builder. This is how Dennis paid for his education and travels around the world. His first carpentry apprenticeship (1976) was with Jim Kuhn an ex Vietnam Vet and Karate comrade. He continued his education with Roy Young in Gloucester County, Cirencester England and finished his professional career in this field with top honors at one of San Diego's most prestige home builders, Wardell Builders formerly known as Woodhouse Builders. If you have visited his studio in Cardiff you will see why even in the 80's when work as a carpenter was very difficult to find Dennis flourished.