Andrew Hillam
Andrew’s dedicated study of Ashtanga Yoga began in 1994 while pursuing a degree in Music Performance at the University of Adelaide, South Australia.
Since 2001 he has traveled yearly to Mysore, India, to study Ashtanga Yoga, Sanskrit and Vedic philosophy. He has been granted Advanced A Certification by Paramaguru Sharath Jois and continues to return to Sharathji's Mysore Yoga Shala, SYC every year. Andrew also continues to study Vedic chanting, yoga philosophy and Sanskrit, sharing what he has learned with his students via online Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita classes as well as through interactions with students in the Mysore classes.
Andrew is the Director of Jois Yoga and has been teaching the Yoga program since its inception in August 2010.
Julie Choi Trepkau
Julie's love of movement began with dance lessons at age 4, and her first encounter with yoga was in 1992 as a student of art history at Barnard College in New York City. After completing an MSc at The London School of Economics and Political Science, she moved to Hong Kong to put her degrees to use, trying out her corporate persona in Marketing and Communications. It was there, in 2000, that she discovered Ashtanga Yoga and life took a different turn as she committed to its deeper learning. In 2007, Julie started making trips to Mysore, India, to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, R. Sharath Jois and R. Saraswathi Jois before returning home and having one baby in 2008 and then another four years later. These babies are both the backbone and fruits of her yoga practices. She became a yoga teacher in 2003, and a teacher of elementary age children in 2013. Julie is honored to have received teaching Authorization from KPJAYI, and to have shared this beautiful and transformative practice with students in Hong Kong, India, Denmark, Germany and the U.S. She believes that yoga practices should be shared in a completely supportive and accepting space, in which practitioners feel safe and free to have their unique and ever-evolving needs addressed on a moment-to-moment basis. Julie is grateful to her teachers and fellow students and seekers she’s been enriched by on this path.
VENKAT GADIREDDY
“Excellent place to learn yoga (astanga method). Practice makes body flexible and strong also heals body and mind. I am IT engineer for more than 15years. My metabolism degraded with sitting and working for long hours. This method benefitted me to regain my strength and improved digestion and metabolism, also improved triglycerides levels a lot. Andrew is excellent teacher and very friendly. Very lucky to be have him in San Diego and learning yoga with him.”
ERIN FISCHER
“Best Mysore-style Ashtanga in Southern California- hands down. Andrew and Julie are legit. I love this place, and it's worth every penny.”
ISABEL KRISTINA
“Fantastic Shala, with great energy and lovely people. Andrew is an incredible teacher and a wonderful person. It's a fabulous environment to come and do your practice in, even if only in town for a few days. I will certainly be back. Thank you!”
DALIA MORENO LOPEZ
“I loved the atmosphere and energy of the shala; there is everything you need to have a good practice. The pictures of Guruji and his family are beautiful and Andrew is a great welcoming soul that makes it perfect!”
JUIN LIU
“Andrew is an exceptional teacher and I love the calming atmosphere of the shala. I can't imagine practicing anywhere else.”
VANESSA PEREZ
“Grateful to have practiced with dear Andrew at jois yoga! A true Gem and devoted teacher Of the ashtanga yoga tradition!”
MEILI HAU
“Andrew is a KPJAYI Certified Ashtanga instructor and the most authentic and devoted ashtanga yoga practitioner.”