Teachers & Staff

Teaching Team

Management Team

Garth Hewitt, Owner

Garth started practicing yoga over 20 years ago. He was blown away with the power of the practice from his very first classes. He completed his first 500hrs of Teacher Training with Annie Carpenter at Yogaworks in Santa Monica and assisted Annie in class for a year after the training was over. He went on to complete several additional training programs. Garth is a 500hr E-RYT with Yoga Alliance, Teacher Trainer, Yoga Therapist, Certified Yogaworks Teacher, Certified Dharma Yoga Teacher, and has led Classes, Workshops, Retreats, and Teacher Trainings, in Los Angeles, and around the world. Garth has completed over 2000 hours of Teacher Training with his teachers Annie Carpenter, Sri Dharma Mittra, Srivatsa Ramaswami, Dr. Larry Payne, Dr. Richard Miller and Jill Miller. He has spent time in Mysore, India, studying Ashtanga Yoga, with the Sri K. Patthabi Jois family, practicing with Saraswati Jois, and in Chennai, India, studying Yoga philosophy, meditation, and Vedic chanting at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. He also completed the Yoga Therapy Rx program, at Loyola Marymount University, with Dr. Larry Payne. He has been featured in and contributes regularly to: Yoga Journal, Yoga Journal China, Yoga Journal Japan, Men’s Health Magazine, Mantra Magazine, Yoga Life Magazine Dubai, Yoga & Wellness Dubai, Yoganonymous, LA Yoga, Yoga in China and Shanghai Daily News. Garth is the creator of the Shiva Yoga® style of yoga and system of practice. His signature Shiva Yoga® classes focus on setting intentions, practicing gratitude, finding balance and quieting the mind. Garth is also the owner of the Mama Kuka™ yoga props company, founder of the YogaSphere® and the Yogi Pro Kit and progressive yoga strap system, and owner of the Shiva Yoga® center in Los Angeles. Garth is so excited to be building this community in West Hollywood and grateful for Marina and Calin for joining him on this exciting journey.

Marina Senciac, Owner

Before discovering yoga, Marina had been doing all kinds of fitness. Growing up in Russia, she used to be a professional Ballroom Dancer. Since she moved to the US, she discovered yoga. First, as another form of exercise and later on, she realized that it allowed her to manage her thoughts and emotions. She loved the sensation of calm and peace after every practice. Marina met Garth in 2012 and became his longtime yoga student. In addition to attending classes, she's been on retreats with Garth to Costa Rica, the Greek Island of Amorgos, and most recently to Bali, with her husband and co-owner of the Shiva Yoga center, Calin. Marina is so excited to be a part of the new Shiva Yoga Center and community. Yoga has been with her through her personal ups and downs, and truly helped her to stay on the right track. Being a part of the Shiva Yoga community, Marina is excited to offer to students wellness support through health & wellness and nutrition coaching. Marina is a graduate of the IIN (Institute of Integrative Nutrition) where she studied a variety of dietary theories and practical lifestyle coaching methods. Her philosophy is to use her knowledge to co-create completely personalized action plans based on each clients goals to move them toward their ideal vision of health, lifestyle, taking into account personal preferences, and available resources. Marina practices a holistic approach to health and wellness. She is excited to practice at the studio and be of service to the community.

Calin Senciac, Owner
Calin has an extensive background in the retail and restaurant businesses. He founded the clothing company Eva Varro in 2001 which designs, manufactures and distributes women's clothing to hundreds of US boutiques, department stores and 24 countries around the world. Calin and Marina are both lovers of yoga and health & wellness. Calin met Garth in 2017 and joined Marina on Garth's yoga retreat to Bali that year. They opened a produce-driven restaurant in 2019 in Santa Monica, called Papille Gustative. Calin also owns the award winning custom vehicles company, Imagine Vehicles, which designs and customizes high-end vehicles for a premium clientele. He is excited to partner with Garth and Marina on the Shiva Yoga Center, in West Hollywood and looks forward to bringing his knowledge of running several successful businesses to the studio. In addition to yoga, Calin is a fitness enthusiast and a big fan of water polo. He is looking forward to practicing with everyone.