Shosita Chia
Born and raised in the lineage of many spiritual leaders and practitioners, Sita began having questions about self, consciousness, and what is one’s purpose in life from an early age as a curious and rebel child. Moving from country to country and living in the Middle East during war time as a child amplified her quest for answers about humanity, justice, the higher power, the universality of the human experience, which she views as All being One.
Sita’s yoga foundations are rooted in Jnana Yoga (Yoga of Knowledge & Philosophy) and Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of Devotion) as her late father was a Buddhist monk and Pali-Sanskrit scholar—he was her first teacher, and upon his conversion to being a disciple of the Islamic faith while living in Middle East, provided her with the opportunity to acquire Arabic and study the Quran.
When she was 19, she had her first experience of Yoga Asana (yoga poses) in a small Hatha yoga school—The Krishna Association in Thailand. It sparked a lifelong curiosity and exploration in her life to study and practice yoga in the physical, spiritual and mental planes. Due to her educational and vocational training as a Sociologist and Anthropologist, and also due to her profession when working as a photojournalist, she has traveled around the world. She has spent a substantial amount of time in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, North and South America, Germany and Japan—concurrently doing photography works and studying Yoga and Ayurveda with numerous yoga schools and under prominent teachers.
She is a certified Ayurvedic alternative medicine practitioner, as well as a Sivananda-certified Hatha yoga teacher. Sita has spent many years teaching and leading yoga workshops and retreats in Kutir (an ashram in northern India), Singapore, Bali and Thailand. She is a certified senior intermediate level 2 Iyengar teacher under Geeta Iyengar and Rajiv Chanchani, and received certification in 500-hour teacher training from YogaWorks San Francisco. Sita practiced both Hatha yoga and Iyengar yoga for a long time before finding her love in the Ashtanga yoga method with her first Ashtanga Teacher Chuck Miller, since then she encountered opportunities to practice under many great and amazing Ashtanga teachers in her life.
Sita is grateful to yoga for turning her life around from her earlier years of illness and addiction. The practice purified and cleansed both her mind and body, and she feels blessed to have this opportunity to practice and to teach. She has completed both the Ashtanga Primary and Intermediate series with her teacher Sri R. Sharath Jois, and continues in-depth study of the practice at KPJAYI (K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute) with him in Mysore, India. She is currently practicing the Ashtanga Advanced series, with Jois’ blessing.
She is also well-versed in other practices, including Iyengar, Yin, Restorative, Pranayama and Kriya, Yoga Therapy, Prenatal, the Hot Yoga system, studied Reiki master level and crystal healing. She has a diploma in wellness and nutrition both in plant-based and non-plant based diet, and is a certified neuromuscular therapist.
In her free time, Sita loves to spend time with her cats, doing street photography, painting, detox, internal cleansing (Kriyas), studies Bible as well as cooking and baking (look out for her Gluten-free muffins and Kombhucha in the Shala’s fridge!). While she believes the practice of asana is an extremely useful mind-body tool, the true benefits of yoga are gained when all facets of yoga are applied to daily life. Her dream and absolute plan in future is to do humanitarian work for those who are in need.
Teaching Team
Yoyo
"Yogas citta vritti nirodhah" — Yoga is the cessation of the mind. This profound truth resonates deeply with Yoyo, who has spent her life seeking the true meaning of existence beyond material success and societal status. From her early years to her PhD pursuits, Yoyo has been driven by an insatiable curiosity about life’s deeper purpose. Having struggled to let go of the pressures and patterns that life can impose, Yoyo discovered the transformative power of the Mysore Ashtanga method.
This practice has been a pivotal tool for her, helping her uncover and address deeply rooted habits while fostering a profound awareness of breath. Through this connection, she has learned to calm the mind and cultivate a sense of eternal peace. Under the teachings and mentorship of her teacher, Sita, Yoyo has experienced the wholesomeness of this practice firsthand and deeply inspired to be able to share such experience at a deeper level beyond being a student.
Since then, Yoyo embarked on the journey to establish her sharings at a more professional level taking Yoga Alliance certified 200hr Yoga teachers training (2022), Astanga Immersion workshop (2023) and apprenticeship since 2024 with Sita. Now, as both a student and apprentice, she is passionate about sharing this journey with others.
Yoyo aims to create a kind, accepting and nurturing space for all to explore their own paths, guiding them to harness the power of breath and movement as they work towards self-discovery and inner tranquility.
Miyuki
I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. After graduating from university, I started practicing hot yoga for weight loss in 2007. I felt good after the classes, and somehow, I became addicted to it. My yoga journey began from this experience. When I got married and left my job, I decided to learn how to teach yoga. After completing my Yoga Teacher Training, I started practicing Ashtanga yoga under the influence of my teacher. I have been deeply influenced by senior Ashtanga yoga teachers such as Chuck Miller and Nancy Gilgoff. They were my teacher’s teachers, and I attended their workshops, trainings, and Mysore sessions in Japan, and sometimes abroad. Their teachings have provided me with insights into how to approach practice and life, and have instilled in me a sense of love and compassion.
Since I started practicing Ashtanga Yoga in 2014, this method has become part of my life. At first, I focused mainly on asanas. I loved moving a lot and challenging myself with difficult postures. But gradually, this practice shifted my focus from asanas to understanding my body and mind. I feel that this practice mirrors life itself—there are waves of good and bad times, and it teaches us how to deal with difficulties and what happens in our minds. Ashtanga Yoga has given me not only physical strength but also mental stability.
During my practice, I encountered numerous injuries and experienced pain, which prompted me to explore how to use my body without causing further harm. I asked myself, "What is the core? What is a functional body? What is the connection between our body and mind?" I am still searching for these answers.
I would like to share my experience and what I have learned—and continue to learn—to help others understand how to use their bodies. I decided to join Mysore Breathing Room in 2023 because Sita, too, studied under Chuck Miller. When I met her, I was drawn to her enthusiasm for teaching, her vast knowledge, and her compassion and personality. I also love Hula, a traditional Hawaiian dance, which I have been learning for more than 10 years. On weekends, I enjoy playing golf (though I’m not a great player).
Ginger
Hello! I’m Ginger, originally from China and a mother of two lovely daughters. Three years ago, I relocated to Singapore with my husband and family. Transitioning from a working mom to a full-time mom while nurturing my yoga practice has become essential for me, helping me find balance amidst the beautiful chaos of family and work life. I began practicing Hatha yoga ten years ago, shortly after my second child was born.
Two years later, I accidentally discovered Ashtanga yoga by walking into the wrong class, and I’ve been devoted to it ever since. I am incredibly grateful for the guidance and support from my Ashtanga teacher, Tarik Thami. His compassion inspires me to be a better person. My first Ashtanga teacher, Jason Chow, created a supportive and humorous atmosphere that felt like home. Currently, I’m continuing my Ashtanga advanced series practice with our Teacher Sita at Mysore Breathing Room in Singapore.
Yoga has transformed my approach to challenges and resilience, teaching me to pause and breathe before reacting—“Breathe before moving, feel before thinking” is my mantra. This practice allows me to face difficulties with a calm mind and an open heart, providing a safe space to explore my inner self while strengthening both body and mind. What I love about yoga is that progress doesn’t have to happen every day. It’s about self-acceptance, both on and off the mat.
The Ashtanga community has showered me with love and support, and I’m eager to pay that positivity forward. In my spare time, I enjoy painting, crafting, photography, and interior design, volunteering as well as creating lasting memories with my family. Panda breeder is one of my dream job and designing beautiful spaces and art pieces are my second goal.
Elise
Before arriving on Merlion Island, Elise was born and grew up in the lush landscapes of the Mekong River delta. Surrounded by tropical fauna and flora, her childhood was a tapestry of peaceful riverside town life and sunlit summer days spent in rice fields and fruit gardens at her grandparents’ countryside house. These precious memories have instilled in her a profound love for nature, which she now channels into her passion for gardening.
Elise admits she has a “greedy heart”—one that easily falls in love with the many beauties of life. She has a deep admiration for all forms of art and cultural treasures.
Elise cherishes her me-time with her beloved cats, doing various types of handcrafts. Whether it’s embroidery, knitting, crocheting, decoupaging, gardening, or cooking, she finds joy and relaxation in creating beautiful things with her hands, especially for her loved ones. Her hobbies are a testament to her love for the intricate and the artistic, making every day a little more colourful and energized.
A perfect day for Elise begins with an early morning Ashtanga practice. She has embraced the daily discipline of this dynamic practice since 2019. From the very beginning, the structured series of postures synchronized with breath in Ashtanga Yoga provided Elise with a profound sense of discipline and purpose. Over time, she discovered that this rigorous practice not only strengthened her body but also fortified her mind and expanded her heart.
At the Shala, where she practices yoga daily, Elise tends to a humble garden. Her journey into yoga has sparked a keen interest in herbalism and healthy food science, making her gardening endeavors even more meaningful. She delights in using her homegrown herbs to enhance her health and create nutritious meals.
As Elise delved deeper into her practice, she began to appreciate the rich wisdom embedded in Yoga philosophy. This newfound understanding fueled her passion for sharing the transformative power of yoga with others. In 2022, Elise completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, further solidifying her commitment to teaching. Elise is grateful for the opportunities to join other workshops with Shosita Chia, her daily teacher, and Chuck Miller. Their deep knowledge and rich experiences in yoga have left strong imprints on Elise’s practice and teaching method.
Elise believes wholeheartedly in the self-healing capabilities of the body and mind, especially when harmonized with the rhythms of nature. Her classes are infused with the wisdom of yoga philosophy, offering not just physical postures but also insights into living a more mindful and connected life.With a warm and approachable teaching style, Elise creates a supportive environment where students can explore the beauty of yoga practice. She is committed to helping each individual find their own path to wellness, encouraging them to listen to their bodies and embrace the journey of self-discovery.
Join Elise on the mat and experience the profound benefits of Yoga. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a curious beginner, her classes will inspire you to cultivate inner peace, strength, and harmony.