TEACHING STYLE:

My classes are taught with the woven intelligence that I have found throughout the many styles of yoga I have experienced. Each class evolves with flowing movements that are lead by the breath.

Teaching the alignment principals within the movements and poses is an important part of what I share with each class. My verbal instructions are detailed to move students in right direction. I allow beginners to follow and adapt on their own during the first few classes and adjust them with gentle touch when necessary.

My facilitation of each class is achieved by teaching each student to nurture and develop their own personal energy for the purpose of strength, mental clarity and self awareness. I teach yoga from my heart and lead by example when necessary.

I have been blessed to have my knowledge and growth nurtured by so many great instructors. My goal is to pass on the practice of yoga in its purest of forms and to share with people the personal secrets and knowledge that have helped me improve my own yoga practice and lifestyle.

Encouraging others to find the value and balance that yoga can bring into their daily lives is my way of showing gratitude and appreciation for the blessings I have attained during my own personal yoga journey. The path to fulfillment is never easy. Yoga allows us to tap into our fullest potential with understanding and grace. This is what I have experienced and this is what I teach..........

 

EDUCATION:

1989-1994 Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Business Administration, Major: International Business.
Summer 1992: Studied abroad at Temple University of Rome, Italy.

2003-2005 Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Lenox, MA
Yoga, Pilates and SomaticMovements with Christa Rypens: Jan. 31 -Feb. 3 2003.
Kripalu Yoga 200 Hr. Teacher Training/Certification: July 27-Aug. 24 2003.
Vinyasa Flow Teacher Certification with Shiva Rea: July 17-22 2005.

 

YOGA EXPERIENCE:

1990-1993 During college I began studying meditation and yoga from a book to better understand how to relax and breathe properly. Practiced basics to improve concentration, breathing and relaxation.

1994-1995 Began studying meditation, Power Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga with a studio in Boston, Massachusetts. Developed personal practice with yoga and meditation.

1996-1997 Continued personal practice of yoga and meditation.

1998-2002 Began studying different types of yoga at studios in Los Angeles, California; Iyengar, Kundalini, basic Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga & meditation at Silver LakeYoga in Silver Lake and at The Yoga House in Pasadena. Studied Bikram’s Yoga at the Bikram’s Yoga College of India in Pasadena.

2003-2005 Began Teacher training at Kripalu, a 28 day intensive program July 2003. Started teaching Kripalu and Vinyasa Flow Yoga in October of 2003. Continued education in July 2005 at 7 day Vinyasa Flow Teacher training with Shiva Rea to deepen understanding of sequence building and poses.

Studied more of Ashtanga Yoga for deeper understanding of practice. Practiced Ashtanga with Manju Jois the son of founder Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Stroudsburg, PA during September 2005. Attended workshops with Beryl Bender Berch of Vermont and Gerard Arnaud of Paris, France during Fall 2005. Went over Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow style Yoga.

2006 Went to Seattle Washington to travel and experience yoga. Studied with Katarina Wen of Seattle area. Practiced Ashtanga style Yoga and many techniques for flowing in and out of poses. Continued teaching 15-20 classes per week along with beginner workshops, partner yoga, kidz yoga and meditation classes. Increased yoga knowledge through deeper personal practice, reading and visits to many yoga studios in United States. Began developing 3D Yogis and Yoginis Box of Poses The Instructional Guide to Yoga.

2007 , June 1-4. Yoga training at Asia Yoga Conference, Hong Kong. Studied Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Anusara, Jivamukti yoga and the basic principals of yoga with David Swenson, David Life, Sharon Gannon, Seane Corn, Cyndi Lee, Ana Forrest, Mark Whitwell, Shiva Rea, Desiree Rumbaugh, Aadil Palkhivala and Sharath Rangaswamy.

2007-2008 Renewed an intensive practice of Bikram’s Yoga during the winter months. Lancaster Yoga/Bikram's Yoga, Lancaster, PA.

2008, June 21-28. 3HO Summer Solstice Sadhana, White Tantric Kundalini Yoga Event, Ram Das Puri, Espanola, NM. Intensive training and Studies within Kundalini Yoga. Trained with many great instructors including; Gurmukh Kaur, Gurutej Kaur, Mahan Rishi Singh, Guru Dev Singh, Harijiwan Singh, Adarsh Kaur and others. Expanded knowledge of breathing techniques, chanting, meditation and Kundulini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan.

2009 February 5-8. Studied with Patricia Walden. Living an Integrated Life Workshop at Kripalu. Went over many Iyengar principals and the use of blocks, bands and bolsters within the practice.

2009 May 7-10. Studied with David Williams. Ashtanga Yoga for the Rest of Your Life Workshop at Kripalu. Went over many stories about David's life and experience within Ashtanga Yoga. Learned many new ideas regarding practice, handstands and balance poses.

2009 October 10-25 Trip to West Coast. Studied Yoga within the Seattle, WA and Portland, OR communities from the 10th through the 16th. Found many interesting styles and unique ways to turn and twist within the practice.

Flow has become the central theme for yoga along west coast. Yoga Interpretation is within a choreographed sequence of poses leading to sweat and inner contemplation. The Pearl and Stumptown Yoga of Portland were fun and playful. Samadhi-Yoga of Seattle was also a stand out favorite along the path. Amy Stone, Tiffany Cruikshank, Shannon Yentzer, Steve Davis and Kathleen Hunt were teachers I took classes with.

Fromthe October 17-25 I spent time running around Los Angeles, CA getting reaquainted with the yoga world I once lived in. Spent most of my time at Exhale Spa/Sacred Movement Center of Venice Beach. Took two classes with Erich Schiffmann and two with Shiva Rea. Erich was amazing with a Lotus-prep routine. Shiva was going through many Kick and Step type dance movements. Took class with Saul David Raye and felt very relaxed and peaceful in the space he created.

INSTRUCTOR EMPLOYMENT (Yoga Classes):

Central Penn Fitness Center, Hbg. PA; - Oct. 2, 2003 to June 5, 2005

Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA; - October 28, 2003 to present

Gold’s Gym, Hershey, PA; - Nov. 3, 2003 to March 27, 2004

Goodbodies, Harrisburg, PA; - Feb. 2, 2004 to July 1, 2006

Platinum Fitness Center/C5, Hbg, PA; - Feb. 7, 2004 to July 1, 2006

Granada Gym &Fitness Center, Hershey, PA; Oct. 3, 2005 to present

The Brighton Club, Harrisburg, PA; Oct. 24, 2004 to present

Heinz-Menaker Sr. Center, Hbg., PA; Sept. 1, 2004 to Oct 2007

Hershey Co. Fitness Center, Hershey, PA; Sept. 2005 to Nov. 2008

Aviana Retreat Center, Harrisburg, PA; Oct. to Nov. 2007

Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Hbg., PA; Aug. to Nov. 2007

South Side Elementary School, Hbg., PA; January 2007 to May 2008

Pennsylvania State Employee Credit Union, Hbg., PA Oct. 2008 to present

INSTRUCTOR EMPLOYMENT (Workshops):

Rayz Odyssey, Hummelstown, PA; Nov. 10, 17, 2003 - Beginner Yoga

Jewish Community Center, Hbg, PA; Jan. 11, Feb. 15, 2004 - Beginner Yoga

Paramount Fitness Center, Palmyra, PA; March 8, 2004 - (BY)

Central Penn Fitness Center, Hbg, PA; May 1, 2004 - BeginnerYoga

Nye Elementary School, Hummelstown, PA; March 31st, April 7,14, 2004 - After School Wellness Program; Kidz Yoga

Hershey Library Teen Wellness Program; Spring 2008 - 3D Yoga

Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA; 2004 -2008 Valentine's Day, Partner Yoga-Just For Two. Corporate Events; BeginnerYoga & Beginner Meditation

 

How Yoga Became a Huge Part of my Life.

During 1990 while studying at Temple University I began learning more about meditation and basic yoga asanas or poses. I first began with Virasana-Hero Pose, Savasana-Corpse Pose and Halasana-Plow Pose to relax, release stress and clear my mind. During 1992 I began creating a daily routine to improve practice and relaxation.

After college graduation during 1994 through 1995 I went to Boston, Massachusetts for a job and began taking classes at a nearby studio to further my understanding of yoga. I continued to practice and learned more asanas or poses. It was an exciting time of intensive training, absorption and reflection.

1996-1997 Continued personal practice of yoga and meditation.

Living in Los Angeles, California from January 1998 to June of 2002, I expanded my knowledge further to include additional styles and methods of yoga. I learned and experienced Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Kundalini, Iyengar and Bikram's. The teaching style and practice of yoga in LA is very refined and true to the art form taught from its earlier beginnings in India. Studying with many great instructors not only increased my interest and love for yoga, but it enabled me to move forward with my creative side in the area of charcoal drawing and oil/acrylic painting.

Moving back from LA to Central Pennsylvania during 2002 was a very difficult decision to make. Suffice it to say it was a culture shock. Thankfully, friends and family have made it seem like a very wise choice. Central Pennsylvania is located in a beautiful scenic country setting and we are within 1-3 hours car travel time from New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C.

During the month of February, 2003 I went to the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts to do some course studies on Pilates, Somatic Movements and Yoga w/ Christa Rypens. During the month of August, 2003 in the interest of advancing my yoga experience and training, I set out on my path to deepen my practice and become certified as a yoga instructor. Without hesitation I enrolled in a 28 day Teacher Training course at Kripalu, one of the most intensive in the world.

Kripalu is an amazing place filled with amazing people dedicated to the teaching of all types of healing arts. The facility is brilliantly engulfed in the Berkshire Mountains overlooking Lake Mahkeenac. The training afforded me the time and space to develop the proper techniques and teaching skills needed for introducing a yoga practice to the Harrisburg, Hershey and Hummelstown area.

During the summer of 2005 I was fortunate enough to study with Shiva Rea for a week long experience in Vinyasa Flow teacher training at Kripalu. The Yoga Teacher Certification was important to further my understanding of how to teach connecting the asanas (poses) and breath with a continual flow of movement. At the end of 2005 I met Manju Jois which was also an amazing experience. Learning his style and sequencing in the Ashtanga method created by his father Sri K. Pattabhi Jois was very instrumental in my desire to further understand the theory behind the practice.

2006-2007 was about teaching, practicing and working on business projects. I worked with students and was involved with developing a project called 3D Yogis and Yoginis Box of Poses.

During May 24 to June 22, 2007 I went to China to work directly with a factory on the 3D Yogis and Yoginis Box of Poses project. It was a great time to also work on my own personal practice. Spent time refining sequences and focussing deeper on details relating to breathing, posture and relaxation.

From June 1-4, 2007 I went to The Asia Yoga Conference in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is an amazing city with great food, scenic views and culture. The conference was very intensive. Training every day 10-12 hours is an experience I will never forget. I Experienced a daily 6am morning practice of Ashtanga Yoga with Sharath Rangaswamy the Grandson of founder Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and trained daily with workshops about Vinyasa Flow, Anusara, Iyengar and Ashtanga style yoga.

2007-2008 winter was spent training in the heat with Bikram's Yoga in Lancaster, PA. It is nice to get back into this style and go over what I learned years ago in Pasadena, CA. The practice is intense mainly because of the heat and the variety of 26 poses. The heat helps to get you through a cold winter of work and no play. First production of product 3D Yogis and Yoginis Box of Poses - The Instructional Guide to Yoga was done in January and received in United States by March. Began sales throughout the world.

During June 21 - 28, 2008, I went to the Summer Solstice event at Ram Das Puri facility in Espanola, New Mexico. This is the largest Kundalini Yoga event during the year. It is an intensive eight day event that is full of yoga, meditation, chanting and prayer. Daily practice began at 3:45am and we trained atleast 10 hours a day in workshops dedicated to Kundulini Yoga.

I must say I have never seen or been involved with anything like the Kundalini event. It is very different and unique in many ways. I would recommend it highly to those of you seeking out the ways of yoga. This style of yoga is nothing like any other style. They even have different names for many of the poses. It is intense and has much more quick movements within it called Kriyas. The main focus lies within the Chakras and the flow of energy within the body and mind.

The event finishes off with a White Tantric Yoga/Meditation series that is extremely difficult and enlightening. It is an intensive seated posturing/meditation with chanting and breathing. The holding of arms and hands is done between 15 minutes to 1 hour as you chant and look into the eyes of your partner or close your eyes.

White Tantric Yoga is about breaking through the subconscious blocks that stop us from living an enjoyable life. It enhances our ability to gain deeper insight about ourselves and our life. The spiritual growth we achieve creates a flow of success, prosperity and change during the event and 40 days there after.

The White Tantric segment of the event is draining and enlightening all in one. It takes you to a place you have never been and challenges you to reach deeper into your true self. Go with a a friend or significant other and share in the joy of this process. Absorb, learn and grow. Take in all that you can and move forward with love and laughter.

We pick and choose what we like best and we move forward with our yoga practice, education and self improvement. Yoga training is and ongoing process and never ending journey for me. If we open our heart and mind we can learn from all people and things. What the future holds for us is unknown, it is the moments we live now that make the future opportunities for peace, love and healthy living. Please call, write or come visit a class. All students are welcome.

 

Breathe Deep, Let Go, Listen And Flow.

 

Why should you do Yoga?

Yoga is a practice that involves deep breathing, posture alignment, stretching and relaxation. A daily practice will help strengthen and balance the body and mind. Patience is of utmost importance as you begin your practice. With diligence in time it will improve circulation, digestion, concentration, posture and help to relieve stress.

When we take the time to connect the body movements with our breathing, we begin to flow deeper into our self both physically and mentally. Eventually with time we settle our fluctuating mind patterns and see more of who we are and what we truly need to become healthy and free of dis ease.

Yoga can be utilized for finding the true nature within. The stress and discord of everyday life can take away the peace of mind we desperately need. The therapeutic value of yoga is rare and should be shared by everyone.

If you desire positive change in your life, yoga is the perfect stabilizer and focus you need to take control of your future. Harnessing the strength, energy and creativity within you is just a part of what yoga allows. The ability to expand your breathing and clear your mind will take you on a journey deep into your true spiritual self.

Breathe deep and honor yourself with time and space. Find peace and laughter with yoga, and share it with another.