Tribute to Evelia Pineda Torres Christine Havener

Evelia Pineda Torres May 11, 1955 – Feb. 17, 2017

“LOVE MUST RADIATE FROM YOU TO OTHERS.”— B.K.S. Iyengar

We were all drawn to Evelia’s vitality. Her beautiful smile, her distinct laugh, her arms outstretched to hug you— she embodied Guruji’s words, “Love must radiate from you to others.” Evelia’s passion was practicing and teaching Iyengar Yoga. She started practicing in the early 2000s and quickly knew she wanted to be a teacher. She taught many places in Honolulu, but her true yoga home was the Silent Dance Center (IYSDC). Her devoted students loved her, and she loved them back. When asked why she could speak so many languages, she said, “I like people, and I want to be able to talk to them!” Evelia was a healer. Through her teaching and her massage work, Evelia exemplified compassion in action, embodied joy and love of life.

Born and raised in Mexico, Evelia was always outside and on the go— hiking the mountains of Acapulco, swimming in the ocean, playing with animals. In 1997, she and her husband, Kaveh Kardan, moved from Canada to Hawaii. The beauty of Hawaii fed her.

Photo: Kaveh Kardan

When she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in March 2015, nature became her refuge. Even then, you couldn’t keep up with her as she bounded up the hiking trail. Her daily swims in the Pacific Ocean bolstered her spirit. She was Wahine Koa—warrior woman.

Our community is heartbroken that Evelia is no longer here with us in her physical form, but she leaves behind a legacy of love, friendliness, compassion, gladness, and joy. Her light will forever live in our hearts. A hui hou, dear friend.

Christine Havener is a certified Intermediate Junior III Iyengar Yoga Teacher who lives and teaches in Honolulu. She and Evelia were friends and colleagues at IYSDC and shared many adventures on and off the yoga mat.