Ikaika is a spirited yoga teacher originally from Kaimukī, Oʻahu. Growing up as a student and teacher of judo, he has long been a student of practices connecting the mind and body. He discovered yoga upon arriving in New York City and incorporated the breath to guide his connection of the mind, the body and the spirit.  

Ikaika believes yoga inspires his life and his life inspires his yoga. He uses the awareness he seeks in daily life to teach his students in creative and innovative ways. Readings become dharma snip-its and creative movements become class sequences. He believes the continued work of fusing breath and movement is one of the most powerful tools to calm the body, soothe the mind, and lift the spirit. His philosophy in yoga continues to be “all bodies, all abilities,” and he uses this philosophy as a foundation to empower his students to celebrate in their individual beauty and worthiness. In his classes you can expect anatomical and thematic sequencing, short inspirational thoughts, hands-on assisting and music to enhance the experience.

Ikaika has studied under a wide range of teachers and has received both his 200-hour teacher training and his 300-hour advanced teacher training at Sacred Sounds Yoga in New York City’s Greenwich Village. He also assist taught and studied under Jivamukti teacher Danielle Kuruna. He received a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Social Work from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.