instructors

When I stumbled upon an anusara yoga class 7 years ago I had no idea my life would forever change. Moving toward authenticity and truth requires many things...one of which is stillness. It is in that silence, connected to source, that we can touch who we truly are. It didn't take long to know that I wanted to share this awakening with the world. I received certification as a kripalu yoga teacher and an angel yoga children's teacher. As a perpetual student I continue to study various forms and styles of yoga (seane and shiva move me to tears). I am beyond grateful to be able to spend my time spreading joy and light to the community. Abundant love and thanks to my amazing mentors who have inspired me beyond my (very wild) imagination. They have not only helped to open my body, but my mind as well. To every magnificent student who blows my heart wide open every day, I am humbled. Big love to my daughters Hannah, Melanie and Eva whose beauty and wisdom safely guide me..and to my life partner Ben, who makes each moment so magical! May we all have enough faith to find our way hOMe...

In the early 1990's, I was working out with weights at a local gym when I spotted a yoga class about to begin in the adjoining room. That day I took the first step on a path that I continue to travel over 15 years later. Yoga has offered me the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of who I am and why I'm here to find a better balance in life, and to develop a quiet, steady, strength of character. After immersing myself in Iyengar, Bikram, and Vinyasa styles of yoga, I received a certification from Todd Norian's 300 hour Anusara teacher training program and I bring together elements from each of these in my teaching. I'm learning how to be fully grounded in the here and now and at the same time aware that I am always connected to something bigger. By working with the asana practice, we not only heal the body, but we transform the mind and the spirit creating a greater whole.These are the qualities I offer back to my students.

After taking my first yoga class I felt an amazing relief through my entire body. I could not understand why yoga made me feel this way. During my 15 years of experience as a fitness instructor and personal trainer, I had never experienced anything like this before. I knew yoga was something I had to explore. My practice has helped me to find not only peace in my body but in my mind and heart as well. I went on to complete the Angel Yoga Children's Teacher Training at Naturally Yoga before going on to teaching adults, sharing the unbeliveable results yoga can bring. My approach as a yoga teacher is to instill happiness, to teach people how to feel good and how to make their bodies thrive. I am grateful to all my wonderful teachers, Sheryl, Neil, Liz, Damian and Chaya, my beloved husband and two beautiful daughters and to my many mentors and friends. Take care by eating good food each day, feel good everyday, do good things for yourself and other and be happy. Life is great.

Like most young professionals, I tried several different activities (including yoga) throughout my life in an effort to maintain good physical and mental health. In 2002, I began to practice yoga in earnest as a release from the effects of working in the corporate world. Inspired by the ways in which yoga changed my life, I received my 200-hour teacher certification through the Bright Spirit Teacher Training Program and became a registered Yoga Alliance teacher. I pursued additional Prenatal Teacher Training through Carrie Parker while I was pregnant with my first child. Struggling to balance work and home life, I chose to leave the corporate world behind to continue to pursue two of my life passions, yoga teacher and motherhood. I am truely blessed to have wonderful, supportive husband and two sweet and beautiful children (my little yogis). Namaste to all my teachers and students.

Fortunately for me, I got turned on to yoga when I was still a teenager. I loved it from my very first class. I have been a practicing psychotherapist for 25 years and only recently became certified as a yoga teacher, but I feel as though my whole life has been getting me ready for this. After all, since both focus on awareness, and share a philosophy of life, love and humanity, yoga and therapy interrelate beautifully. I have practiced and studied many styles of yoga but have a special love for the movement of Vinyasa. I also teach Anusara-inspired, children's, and restorative yoga.

I have studied and received certification from Ganga White and Tracy Rich, attending both teacher training and advanced teacher training programs at The White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA. In 2007 I received my certification in Yoga Synthesis from Raji Thron. My interest in restorative yoga is qiute deep and I have studied that modality with Ellen Pfeffer. My classes reflect a special blend of the major Hatha styles and place emphasis on creative sequencing and flow. Through yoga, I find a peace within the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of life. I approach each class as a new opportunity to share that experience in a way that is accessible and comfortable to students of all levels. I continue to deepen my understanding of all styles and applications of yoga and greatly acknowledge the support and patience of my teachers and students.

"A student of yoga for 20 or more years, I found that my practice was cyclical like so many of our other life experiences. I'd come in and out of it depending on my work load, stress level or daily life's commitments. Then I had babies!! And I realized yoga should be my life's commitment. Because through my movement, meditation and breath, I was a better mom. Following a wonderful Anusara retreat in Tuscany, I came back with a renewed look at my practice and the yearning to share my feelings with my kids. This lead me to follow a path to teaching. I studied with Jodi Komitor of Next Generation Yoga, where I found teaching pre-school kids yoga poses and breathing energized me. And then I trained with the amazing Sonia Sumar who developed Yoga for the Special Child. Applying her methods for teaching children with special needs, I have witnessed the benefits of yoga change these kids literally from one class to the next. I chose the path of children, because their souls and bodies are so open and they welcome each new experience! I am a Ridgewood mother of three and love being a part of hOMe!"

Yoga came to me through the grace and love of a dear friend. After my first yoga class, I was hooked. The energy and the vibration that I felt in myself after that first class was a sweet taste that I had to get some more of. In reality, yoga has been there all along~life is all yoga~now I am just more aware of it. Yoga is the gift through which we can all learn to see the Light in ourselves. Yoga can give us all the tools that we need to stay on our authentic path in our life, on our journey to find our True Self, our Greater Self. When we can give these tools to our children we enable them to shine their own Light brightly as they grow and learn. It is my hope to help enable our children to find their own Light through my children's classes. I humbly bow to my Beloved Guruji, Reverend Jaganath Carrera whose love and guidance continues to lead me on this journey we call life. All my love and gratitude goes out to my teachers Sheryl and Neil Edsall and the many mentors and friends that support me on my yogic path. I am truly blessed and grateful for the love and support of my family, Mike, Kevin, Rachel and Shannon. May we all be filled with Love and Light! Om Shanti!