Chutney now 51 years old has been studying and practicing yoga since 1996. She is the last of 4 children to a father who was a politician and a mother who worked as a secretary. They moved around frequently as a family according to political victories and defeats. As a young girl Chutney’s brothers and sister would time her as she stood on her head time after time. Going upside down, twirling around on monkey bars defying gravity was always a pastime of hers . So no wonder she loves yoga so much. A natural place for her to teach what she loves. Chutney has been teaching since 1997. Yes, just a year after studying with her first teacher Susan Foxley a devotee of Pattabhi Jois (the main proponent of Ashtanga yoga). Susan handed her the keys to her studio and said “go for it”. Chutney had no idea what a world had just been offered to her. She took the opportunity to begin a journey that would last a lifetime and maybe beyond.

Susan was a wonderful first teacher, since then I have studied with many. Currently I study the Anusara Method with John Friend at various places around the country. I also find Bryan Kest to be a major influence in my experience, strength and hope. Yoga has helped me to uncover, discover and discard aspects of myself that hence before were in darkness. Yoga has taught me self study, revealing the how’s and why’s of who I am. Besides keeping me in good physical shape, my mind is more stable and my emotions less erratic.

My primary objective in teaching yoga is to turn people on to their own sense of power, creativity and joy. To give people an alternative to exercise, a new way of relating to their physical bodies. When I teach I want everyone to leave with a experience of their deeper self. Teaching yoga is a creative experience for me. Being a student is first, as I will always have something to learn. Who said “If you want to learn something, teach it”. Yoga is a practice that is not going away. Its not going to fade or become forgotten. It is not a trend, fashion or flash in the pan. Yoga’s lasting impression is here for a reason. Its a valuable, practical, way of life or hobby. It can only benefit those who practice it and those who are even in the circumference of it.

Today Chutney lives in North Hollywood with her husband Andre, and 2 dogs, Bitsy and Jack.   She enjoys motorcyle riding and long car trips.  After leaving the corporate world 5 years ago, she has been teaching full time.  She is a member of  a 12 step program for over 14 years  and works with girls recovering from alcohol and drug abuse.   She has travelled all over the world working in a variety of occupations adding to her perspective of all things earthy.  Her favorite heart theme for yoga classes is "the spiritual is practical". 

Chutney Berry, an affiliate Anusara yoga instructor, began practicing yoga in 1996. Before that, her years as a dancer with various dance companies took her all over the world. She began her teaching career in 1997. "Yoga saved my life". Instead of entering yoga to heal a broken back or torn meniscus she suffered from a soul sickness, a spiritual malady and was searching the world for answers. She studied movement meditation with Emily Da'oud for 10 years, and was introduced to the Anusara principles of alignment in the year 2000. She went on to earn 2 other certifications of training in other styles of yoga before settling on Anusara. Her creative flow sequences are laced with "heart themes" and "the Universal principles of alignment". Her main motivation in teaching is to empower and uplift. "Yoga is practical, useful and applicable to everyday life. Its not what we do, but how we do what we do."