teachers

When I stumbled upon an anusara yoga class 9 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, shiva and mark 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.

I first discovered yoga in 2002 when I returned home to my NYC apartment and found my roommate practicing in the living room to a video tape. I was mesmerized by the poses and something inside of me immediately connected to the graceful movements, the timed breath, and the peaceful feeling I experienced just by watching her practice. From that moment on, I spent most of my free time exploring the different styles of yoga whenever possible. I maintained a dedicated Ashtanga practice for over a year while taking Jivamukti, Anusara, and Vinyasa classes when I could. In 2004, I complete my six month, 200 hour certification at Atmananda Yoga in SoHo. I taught several classes in NYC, then moved to Virginia where I taught a variety of styles of yoga for four years. Now back in my home state of New York, I am grateful to be able to once again come to the mat and share my love of yoga with my students and fellow teachers. I am forever in debt to my teachers of the past and present and continue to honor them in my practice and in my teachings.

A friend of mine at school started a club called the Yoga Experience. I had been to Kripalu in Lennox, Mass a few years before and was intrigued about the movements of Yoga and the mysticism that surrounded it. So in college, I studied with the same person, a young man from Spain, three times a week for two-three hours per class with a small group of novice yogis practicing Ashtanga yoga. It was very difficult in the beginning for me, but the more I practiced, the more I understood the breath, and my practice began to flow for me. Since college, I have been going to Kripalu a few times a year, I have spent many months living in Yogaville which is located in Buckingham, VA, and various other Sivananda ashrams and yoga centers. I received my Yoga certification from the Sivanada Yoga Ashram on Paradise Island in the Bahamas in January 2004, and I have taught Yoga for the past five years in Chicago, New York and New Jersey. Yoga has been a true blessing to me and many years have passed but I am still in awe of the mysticism of Yoga and the philosophy behind it. Practice, practice, practice, yoga is always practice.

Michelle Dawson combines the best of Eastern tradition and Modern rebellion to reach the sacred poise of body and mind. She brings to class passion and grace, encouraging students to push the boundaries of their own practice. With a teaching style enriched with experience and study, Michelle's students marvel in her invigorating, uplifting, and balanced approach to Yoga. Her classes are an extension of her love for art and music, and her influences include Mehndi, the ancient Indian art of adorning the body with Henna. Michelle is an Ananda Ashram-certified yoga teacher.

My first yoga teacher recently quoted a line from a Zen Buddhist text, which sums up my discovery and journey into yoga quite well... 'We rise by that which we fall'. Yoga has been, and is still for me, the cushion upon which I have fallen, and its practices have helped me to stand up tall and face my destined path with strength, courage and joy.

Yoga found me several years ago, and through a steady practice of mindful breathing, focused intentions and unwavering faith in the many teachers that have graced my presence, I have been given the gift of its profound power of healing. I am most grateful to Raji Thron, under whose teacher training I became an instructor, and Ellen Pfeffer, who has taught me discipline, and to have the courage to believe in my own inner wisdom to guide me. Through my training, I have been introduced to many branches of Hatha Yoga, including, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Iyengar, Viniyoga, and Anusara, and have been exposed to different forms of meditation practice and Sanskrit Chanting. This teaching has allowed me the flexibility to create unique vinyasa based classes based on different styles, for the many different levels and interests of students to the practice.

Although the practice of yoga continues to be what fuels my soul, it is the people I have met on this amazing journey that fill my heart with love and gratitude. I feel blessed to have met Ben and Gina, who have shown me nothing but genuine caring and kindness since the day I walked into their studio. I came looking for the heat to help my back injury, never knowing that it would be their community that would do the most healing for my wounds. I am now honored to be teaching at hOMe, and to be giving back to others the greatest gift that life has given me in the teaching of yoga.

I have been devoted to fostering the health, growth and development of children of all ages. For the past 20 years, I have worked as a pediatric Occupational Therapist in schools and private practice. I have enjoyed collaborating with teachers and parents to help children learn, live and thrive, while overcoming a variety of developmental obstacles. My passion for yoga blossomed from my own personal experiences through yoga practice. Quickly discovering the many benefits of yoga and integrating it into my therapeutic treatment sessions, I found the power of yoga transcends age, time and abilities. After completing my children~Rs yoga instructor certification, I have become extremely involved in educating others in the gifts that yoga brings to childhood as a whole, as well as the benefits of incorporating yoga into the home and school. My children~Rs yoga classes provide a fun, imaginative, warm and safe environment to help each child develop essential skills in breathing, body awareness and inner strength. I believe that all children hold the key to their future. The gift of opening the door lies in these three components of life.

The gift of teaching yoga to children has been a natural progression for me. As a Pre-K teacher, I bring my passion for yoga to the classroom. As a yoga instructor, my love for my practice is clear and evident. Having completed Sheryl Edsel's Naturally Yoga Angel program, I am finally able and so excited to combine the two and am dedicated to empowering children with the gift of yoga. My classes focus on building a strong foundation for children to grow by increasing flexability and becoming clear and focused. Above all, we have fun and learn to giggle at ourselves and learn to lighten up to relieve tension. I owe a world of gratitude to everyone I have met so far on this beautiful path, including all my teachers and friends, who will forever remain in my heart. A special thanks to Chaya Spencer, who ignited my fire and helps me set my foundation and to Raji Thron who's wisdom, patience and guidance continue to be a true inspiraton. I am so grateful to share this gift of yoga with others.

Catherine began teaching yoga to children in 2003 after completing Sheryl Edsall"s "Angel Yoga" teacher training. She has taught all ages of children from the tiniest babies (with their mommies) to teenagers and enjoys teaching yoga to children with special needs, as well as prenatal yoga, adult classes, private lessons and meditation. Catherine studied prenatal yoga with Mary Barnes of the Barnes Method in NYC in 2004 and completed her 300 hour training at Naturally Yoga in Glen Rock in 2008. A former preschool teacher and mother of three young girls, Catherine feels blessed to be able to combine her love of children and her passion for yoga. She brings a light heart to her classes and loves to include a bit of music, art, poetry and storytelling in her classes.