About Us

Yan Deretsky (a.k.a. Yan Dhyansky) has been interested in yoga since his early teens. He began studying yoga while living in the former Soviet Union in 1969. At that time, he was introduced to Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Michael Muranov. From 1969 to 1976, Yan read and practiced yoga from books that he and his friends translated and self-published since these books were prohibited in the Soviet Union.
Setting out on a quest for a good yoga teacher, Yan left the U.S.S.R. in 1976 and came to the United States as a refugee. His main reasons for leaving his homeland were to meet J. Krishnamurti and to go to India to study Yoga. In 1979, Yan fulfilled his dream and went to Madras, India to study yoga with the great master T.K.V. Desikachar. Yan stayed in Madras for 18 months of intensive study. Since that time, he continued studying with T.K.V. Desikachar in India and the United States. Desikachar’s great teaching skills could only be matched by his great sense of humor and kindness.

From 1982 through 1992 Yan taught yoga, provided yoga therapy and teacher training at Pine Street Clinic in San Anselmo, California. During that time, Yan gave thousands of private lessons to individuals from all ethnic groups, backgrounds and health conditions.

In 1992, Yan moved to Seattle where he started working as a job placement specialist, single-handedly finding jobs for more than 1200 refugees from all over the world. At that time, Yan saw the need to serve the community by using his yoga studies to help others find a productive way to earn a living and start fresh in a new country. Thanks to Desikachar’s teachings, Yan knew at that moment in time, his purpose was to make a difference in someone’s life as a job placement specialist.

Yoga principles are extremely effective and practical in many employment fields, life situations and challenges. Yan managed a mental health and home care agency; he continues to help refugees, immigrants and other newcomers learn how to access social services, as well as how to defend their rights if needed.

Yan’s yoga studies - using therapy as a modality - have successfully helped him overcome personal health issues. Thanks to his own life experiences, he has a deeper understanding for the kinds of problems, issues and challenges individuals face on a daily basis. And, therefore, now provides yoga therapy as a way to help those in need.

Highlights of Yan’s Qualifications and Skills

Extensive Study with T.K.V. Desikachar from 1979 to 2003
Yoga Therapist Certificate received from Yoga Teacher T.K.V. Desikachar.
B.A. in Sanskrit from U.C. Berkeley
M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University, San Rafael
Licensed Mental Health Counselor since 1995
Successfully coordinated and implemented Hope VI Employment Project in Holly Park, Seattle
Has conducted over 5000 private yoga lessons and yoga therapy sessions

Linh studied Yoga with T.K.V. Desikachar in 2002 and continues her studies now with Yan and Mekhala Desikachar. She’s also studied meditation techniques directly with Thich Nhat Hanh at Deer Park Monastery and Vipassana meditation at a Dhamma Kunja retreat with Vipassana teachers taught by S.N. Goenka.
Linh was born in Vietnam. In 1988 she risked her life as a boat person fleeing from Vietnam to Hong Kong where she stayed in a refugee camp. After coming to the United States, she pursued a career in the healthcare field simultaneously continuing her studies with Yoga, Buddhist meditation and personal fitness training.
Linh is an invaluable member of our team and her wisdom keeps us focused on what is relevant and important to us and our students.

Photos

Linh and Natasha Deretsky having dinner with Desikachar family in 2002

Linh is paying respect to Desikachar Ansestors in Mysore, India

Linh and Natasha are having dinner at the Maharaja Palace in Mysore, India

Yan sourrounded by other Viniyoga America Founders at Colgate University in 1986

Viniyoga America Founders at Colgate University in 1986