Brigitte Kouba, M.A., is a certified Yoga Teacher and Self-Expression Therapist who is also known as the “Joy Guru,” Gigi Yogini. She uses yoga, drum, dance, music, multi-media and writing to help others connect to their inner power and Divine light. Gigi’s mission is to inspire people to make the conscious choice to live healthy, happy and connected lifestyles through physical fitness and the arts. She believes creative collaboration rooted in love, with intentional purpose, can create powerful global change.
Gigi has 800 hours of teacher training from YogaWorks, The Yoga Collective and YogaEd, specializing in Hatha, Vinyasa, Tantra, Kundalini and Yoga for Youth grades K – 8th. She has a Masters in Communication Management from the University of Southern California with a background in Communication and Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Gigi’s specialty is creating powerfully uplifting and transformational experiences using a uniquely modern blend of traditional yoga with international dance and eclectic world music. She has gathered inspiration from working with a variety of brilliant teachers and visiting countries including Canada, Honduras, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Greece, France, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Australia, Kenya, South Africa and Costa Rica. She speaks Spanish and knows words or phrases in a dozen different languages but wishes she were fluent in them all.
Growing up in her family’s business, Literati Cafe, Gigi is a natural hostess and truly enjoys being of service. She has worked and fundraised for a variety of nonprofit organizations including Inside Out Community Arts and Peace4Kids. A thrill seeker with a fierce urge for adventure, Gigi is comfortable leading a group zip-lining, hiking, cliff jumping and many other activities in Mother Nature. Most importantly, she believes in building strong community and having inordinate amounts of fun. Just ask any of her three older brothers, six nieces and nephews, or start following her on Facebook. She’s constantly collaborating with her teachers, friends and Fluid Frame Photography to create new media highlighting the Kirtans, Contact classes, international retreats and music festivals where Gigi likes to practice joy.
