Amanda Sidran
Amanda started practicing yoga in 2001, but became serious about her practice after she had her daughter in 2011. Under the tutelage of her first truly inspirational teacher, Vivekan of Bodhisattva Yoga, she received her 200 hour teaching certification. Shortly thereafter, on a friend's advice, she completed her children's yoga certification with Shari Vilchez-Blatt at Karma Kids Yoga and found the opportunity to share this practice with young minds to be incredibly rewarding, not to mention fun. She loves to bring yoga and mindfulness into the classroom at schools, and her studio classes are always playful and fun. Amanda is continuously studying and deepening her own practice, on her mat, and on the meditation cushion. She has also received certification in Every Kids Yoga with Craig Hanauer and Prenatal Yoga with Samba Yoga. In 2019 she completed The Art of Teaching Beginners with Jason Crandell, and in 2020 she completed his course on Preventing and Managing Yoga Injuries. Amanda is also thrilled to add Pilates to her skill set, having been trained by Power Pilates in Manhattan and earning her certificate as a Core Mat 1 instructor. She is grateful for the guidance of her own amazing teachers, including Amanda Harding, Bobbie Marchand, Miles Borrero, Scott Anderson, Shari Vilchez-Blatt, Juliana Secches and Venerable Amy Miller. amandasidranyoga.com
Justin Donham
Justin Donham has worn many hats over the years including performer, stage manager, voice-over artist , and sound designer. He was first introduced to yoga back in 2001 when he was working on a Broadway show. Sat Jivan Kaur from Kundalini Yoga East came into rehearsals regularly and introduced him to the power of a focused, vigorous practice. Over the years, Justin has studied many different vocabularies including Viewpoints, Suzuki, contact improvisation, developmental movement, and Butoh. Few things make him happier than being barefoot in a room full of bodies in motion. Drawing from this deep love of movement, his classes are a blend of fluid sequencing, healthy alignment, evocative music, and a big dollop of playfulness. He is a graduate of Prema Yoga Brooklyn’s 200-hour Teacher Training program and would like to extend tremendous gratitude to Amanda Harding, Bobbie Marchand, Lesley Desaulniers, and Ariel Kiley. yogadonham.com
Cari Friedman
For over twenty years, Cari Friedman O’Connor has been teaching yoga in New York City. She has also taught many international retreats. She is a dedicated and gifted teacher who combines exceptional technical knowledge with an ability to recognize and respond to each student’s individual needs. Cari’s classes are inspiring, challenging and nurturing. In order to have a transformative yoga practice, she helps students become aware of their personal habits by organizing and finding center through the body, mind and breath. After studying and teaching Anusara Yoga for over ten years, Cari has studied many different techniques that she brings to her teachings. In 2012 she began working under Nevine Michaan, founder of Katonah Yoga and Cari’s teaching was transformed. She is certified in the Katonah yoga method. In addition, she has completed many teacher trainings with Max Strom, John Friend, Ellen Saltonstall and Jimmy and Ruthie Bernaert, among others; she also incorporates the Melt Method and physical therapy techniques into her teaching. Her meditation practice includes studies from the Vipassana traditions. She has also studied women’s sacred rituals and completed a two-year lecture program with Dr. Shefali Tsabury on mindfulness. She is a partner and mother of two children who daily inspire her practice and teaching. Cari also holds a BA from the Boston Conservatory of music. https://www.carifriedman.com
Frank Ricci
Frank began practicing Yoga in 2004, received his yoga teaching certificate from The Yogasana Center of Yoga in Brooklyn, and began teaching in 2010. Since that time, he has received extensive training in Therapeutic yoga, including assisting Deborah Wolk. He studies regularly with his mentors and has had the pleasure and privilege of studying with Donald Moyer of The Yoga Room. In 2011, Frank's quest for deeper professional training led him to India, where he completed a five-week course studying Iyengar Yoga from Rajiv and Swati Chanchani. Frank's compassionate teaching style draws influence from Iyengar Yoga as well as modalities such as Alexander Technique and Western Physical Therapy creating a unique experience for his students that is both encouraging and challenging. SpineofYoga.com
Arturo Castillo
Arturo started yoga as a teenager growing up in a working class neighborhood in Quito, Ecuador. in 1971, Arturo began a formal study of yoga with Dr. José Manuel Estrada, co-founder of the Universal Great Brotherhood (UGB), an international network dedicated to teaching yoga and promoting a spiritually aware lifestyle. At 17, he taught his first yoga class and went on to earn an international yoga teaching certificate. He continued to teach for the UGB in Quito, and then at Universidad de las Americas (UDLA), Swissotel, and the U.S. Embassy. Putting into action his strong belief in community service, Arturo gave free classes to the inmates of the García Moreno Penitentiary and to the children in a Quito shelter for the homeless. In 2001 Arturo brought his expertise to the United States, holding hatha yoga classes at Solar Yoga in Brooklyn
Shenaaz Jetha
What began as an elective at UCLA in 1997, over the years, morphed into a career path. Shenaaz never imagined that she would teach yoga, but like her practice, she too has evolved to find her voice, her path and a practice that means so much to her. From discovering yoga with Shiva Rae at UCLA, to a study year abroad living in Delhi, India, to moving to NYC in 2000, the path has always come back to the practice of yoga, creating her company, Little Feet Wise Heart yoga in 2013. Her trainings over the years include Bija Kids, a 200 hour with OM yoga, a meditation teacher training at The Interdependence Project, and the four-year program, Sustainable Happiness. But it was a Restorative training with Marlie McGovern in 2018 that led to insight, inspiration and a new path of teaching restorative yoga. After an introduction to, and eventually a training in Yin yoga with Lucianna Silvestri of Soul Gaze, Shenaaz has found a way to guide others in coming back to their bodies, finding grounding in the chaos of life and healing. Her Intuitive Development work with Kenya Raymer continues to deepen and guide her practices. She’s grateful to all the teachers who have shaped her path, and the students who share it. Littlefeetwiseheartyoga.com
Liz Schindler
Liz found yoga at a stressful time in her life and fell in love with the practice, returning again and again. She has experienced, first hand, the power of yoga to calm the mind, empower the body and spirit, and foster compassion. It is her greatest desire to share these gifts with her students. Liz is trained in classical yoga, prenatal, and children's yoga and is grateful to her teachers Dharma Mittra, Mia Borgata, and Anne Robideaux. Her classes focus on turning the attention inward to cultivate mindfulness in movement, breath, and thought.
Dave Wolovsky
Dave was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He grew up studying Kung Fu until the age of 22. After years of injuries and illness, he turned to the healing arts of Tai Chi, Qi gong, and Yoga. He has practiced all three arts daily since 2012 and taught since 2016. His style of teaching draws heavily on science, due to his graduate studies in neuroscience and education. He also has a philosophical edge, in the tradition of Alan Watts. His other, more "worldly" work can be found on his website. www.effortwise.com.
Holly Heidt
Holly has always loved to observe the intimate connection between movement and mood: the calm stillness that follows a hike in the woods, the rush of endorphins you feel after you've just performed, or the exuberance of handstands, cartwheels, or just hanging upside down on the monkey bars. Yoga takes advantage of this connection, offering us many tools for self exploration. She believes that by gaining greater understanding of our own bodies and minds, we can foster healthy relationships to ourselves, others, and the planet. In her classes she hopes to share feel-good sequences, supportive adjustments and massage, and a curiosity about the mind, body, and breath. Holly did her 200 hour teacher training and 30 hour Bridge Training at Kula Yoga Project under the direction of Nikki Vilella, Magi Pierce, and Jillian Turecki and her 60 hour Thai Yoga training with Al Turner II of Two Souls Thai Massage. She is co-artistic director of Muliebris Dance Theatre and dances with a few companies in the city. https://hollyheidt.com
Toby Kasavan
Toby Kasavan is the founder of Better Balance NY, a Tai Chi and Aikido based programs for balance and health. Toby has been certified by the TaijiFit Int. for Flow & Tai Chi 4 Veterans, by the Wu Tang Physical Culture Society (NYC) to teach the Northern Wu Style Tai Chi form and has a 5th degree black belt certification from the US Aikido Federation and Hombu Dojo Japan. Toby began studies as a child at the Los Angeles AikiKai with Clem Yoshida (5th Dan). After moving to N.Y. he continued at the N.Y. AikiKai under Professor (Sensei) Yoshimitsu Yamada 8th Degree black belt (8th Dan), a direct student of Aikido’s founder and the Chief Instructor of the N.Y. AikiKai. Toby is also a musician and for him, music and tai chi have a lot in common. Both are involved with timing, phrasing, breath, focus, and dynamics. betterbalanceny.com/
Sarah Selig
Sarah has been living and teaching yoga in Park Slope for over 20 years. Coming to yoga through her background in dance, she began studying with Dharma Mittra in 1994 and completed his teacher training in 2000. From Dharma she learned the value of interweaving yoga philosophy into the Hatha Yoga practice and the healing benefits of savasana and meditation. Since that initial training she has studied and trained in a myriad of yoga styles, including vinyasa, restorative and yin. She has a love for the chakra system and for deepening the awareness to the subtle body. Sarah has conveyed her knowledge to her students in a variety of settings including, the classroom, one-on-one, workshops, retreats and through online video instruction. She was a teacher-trainee instructor at Jaya Yoga for multiple years. Currently she is studying yoga and the chakras with Tias Little and will participate in his SATYA training this year. Along with the yoga, Sarah is a reiki practitioner and has completed the Shinpiden level with Frans Steine, with whom she continues to study and practice. She has a BFA in dance from College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Her household sangha includes her husband, two children, a cat and a dog.
Brynt Beitman
Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Brynt Beitman is a graduate of The Juilliard School and has worked internationally as a professional dancer, dance teacher, and choreographer. Brynt has taught Pilates since 2014 at Groundfloor Exercise, where he completed their Teacher Trainee Program. He is a graduate of Soma Psyche Institute (180 hour Beginner Program) and Polarity Therapy Institute (675 hour Advanced Program), where he had transformative experiences of the subtle body while learning Polarity Therapy from Ellen Krueger and Brian Jansen. He is a 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, having received his certification from Yoga and Ayurveda Center. Brynt’s yoga and Polarity Therapy practices inform one another; weaving together physical, mental, energetic, and emotional exploration. He uses present-time embodiment and somatic inquiry to give his yoga classes an underlying emphasis on nervous system regulation and inner resource building. mettamindbody.com
Julie Dohrman
Julie Dohrman has been teaching in locally and internationally for almost 20 years and is one of New York’s most sought-after teachers. Widely known for her inspiring, intelligent, and practical approach to yoga, Julie has an infectious passion for the practice and views yoga as a means for personal transformation and growth. Her classes are deeply layered, often combining mythic stories and sage teachings from varied lineages with clear instruction, smart, progressive sequencing, plenty of challenge, nuance and depth. Julie is Certified in Anusara Yoga, ERYT-500 / YACEP, and teaches in Brooklyn and NYC. shaktiyogany.com
Jason Orrell
Jason has been teaching yoga since 2009 and has over 1000 hours of training, specializing in yoga for back health, strength and mobility training, anatomy and biomechanics. With clear instruction, humor and innovation, he aims to make yoga fun and accessible to students of all ages and abilities while imparting a sense of wonder about the body and mind. He believes that in teaching us to strengthen and align our bodies, yoga helps us also to strengthen and align our relationship to the social and natural world. Jason holds certifications from Kula Yoga with Schuyler Grant, David Regelin Yoga, Yoga Union with Alison West, Functional Range Conditioning, Kinstretch, and Animal Flow among others. He leads anatomy intensives for Yoga Teacher Trainings and has taught for Alo Yoga, Equinox, YogaWorks and other prestigious locations throughout the city.
Jon Sint Ziff
Drawing from a family of yoga practitioners and teachers, Jon was introduced to yoga early but took his time to fall in love with the practice and make it his experience. That love was initially propelled by the physical practice and the defiance of gravity but is now defined by the power of the breath + mind, the complexity and brilliance of the human form. Jon’s classes are designed to connect the muscular with the mystical body, the physical practice to the imagination. His classes are centered around mindful alignment, creative sequencing, self-awareness, pranayama, offer a physical challenge, and are constructed to offer to be experiential. Jon's training ranges from extensive study with The Sacred Fig and Katonah Yoga to work with Threes Physiyoga, Kula Yoga, AcroYoga, Meridian Yoga Therapy and various bodywork modalities. Jon splits time between New York and Cocoon Portugal, his home away from home. https://www.cocoonportugal.com
Kathryn Meany
Kathryn Meany has been utilizing the PIlates Method for her growing movement community for over 17 years in New York City. Her approach is inspired by universal and individual body conditioning for optimal mobilization and integrated strength both on and off the mat. Kathryn loves using unique visualizations and cueing as well as progressive modifications on classic Pilates choreography for students to dial up on the details of their kinesthetic journey resulting in more organization and noticeable results.
Three Merians
Three Isha Merians is a yogi, activist, and attorney from Woodstock, New York. Raised in a Yogic household, Three and her father are devotees of Sri Swami Satchidananda, in the Sivananda lineage. In 2015 Three earned her 200 hour yoga teaching certification from Kashi Ashram in Atlanta, GA. Since then, she has studied with and earned additional certifications from Bryan Kest Power Yoga, Mahasiddha School of Tantra, and the Integral Yoga Institute. Three is an active member of the Yogaville Ashram, leading workshops and Q&As on a range of topics including anti-racism, and the recognition of joy as a form of activism. Three's classes incorporate her background in dance with the American Ballet Theater and the Los Angeles Ballet, and her love of Vipassana meditation with a strong Vinyasa flow to create a deep, graceful, and powerful practice. Three believes the eight limbs of yoga are a roadmap to personal, community, and Universal liberation, and seeks to empower and inspire other yogis in their practice both on and off the mat.
Cristina Tarantola
Cristina sees the practice of yoga as an offering of the heart, where movement and breath are the tools to connect deeper with the truest sense of Self and attain a higher sense of consciousness. In 2009, she had her first 200-hour training at Yoga Union for Back Care & Scoliosis. Alison West taught her how to balance impeccable instruction in alignment and Pranayama. Her rigorous Iyengar inspired program included a certification in teaching on an Iyengar-style rope wall and Yoga for Back Care. Following with a 75-hour advanced intensive training for experienced teachers with Schuyler Grant on The Art of Teaching Kula Style Yoga, she deepened her knowledge of anatomy and with a yearlong course with Leslie Kaminoff at the Breathing Project. Cristina was on the faculty of Katonah Yoga, studied with Zach Dacuk for a deeper understanding of the human anatomy and the dynamic of body movement to create intelligent sequences in a yoga flow class. She seeks to create space and strength in the body and in the mind in order to create space in life through a grounding, challenging, expansive and uplifting practice. Her dedication to yoga is deeply fueled by the great inspiration and gratitude for her teachers, Alison West, Schuyler Grant, the Kula community and many others who have deeply touched her heart. Yoga is her life long journey
Kristen Davis
Kristen’s teaching is a blend of her somatic practice and study over the last 30+ years. Her approach is meditative, compassionate, playful, and precise as she looks to uncover the physical habits and conditioning that create obstacles in the body-mind-heart. Kristen was owner and director of Yogasana Center in Brooklyn, NY from 2003-2017. As a dancer, Kristen began studying and teaching Yoga and Alexander Technique in 1995. Her yoga studies have been predominantly in the Iyengar tradition, most importantly with her yoga teacher and mentor, senior Iyengar teacher, Donald Moyer. Kristen was first certified by Alison West and Yoga Union. She went on to study intensively at the NY Iyengar Institute and graduated from the Yoga Room Berkeley's Advanced Studies / 500hr Teach Training Program under Donald Moyer and Mary Lou Weprin. Kristen completed her original 1600-hour Alexander Technique training in 1999. She went on to do a post-graduate Alexander training in the Art of Breathing with Jessica Wolf in 2006. Kristen is a committed practitioner of Soto Zen Buddhism, having received the precepts in 2017. As a senior student at Brooklyn Zen Center, Kristen serves in the role of Jisha, assistant to lead teacher, Laura O’Loughlin.
Anna Vomacka
Anna is a yoga teacher / practitioner and dance maker / performer based in Brooklyn. She began her formal yoga training with Iyengar teacher Genny Kapular when she was a teenager. In 2017 she began an Ashtanga practice under the direction of Eddie Stern. Anna completed her 200hour yoga teacher training under the direction of Sondra Loring of Sadhana Yoga in Hudson, NY in June of 2018. annavomacka.com
Liza Toft
Liza has been teaching yoga in NYC since 1998. She has studied various forms of yoga but kept getting drawn back to the art, science, and philosophy of Iyengar Yoga. She committed to getting certified in the method by enrolling in the teacher training program at the New York Iyengar Yoga Institute in 2015 and becoming certified in 2018. Having a background in fine art as well as having a masters degree in creative arts therapy from Pratt Institute, she sees Iyengar Yoga as a creative art form. There is a focus on precision and alignment in the method, but her teaching encourages students to use the technique to go deeper to find the transformational power of yoga. lizatoft.com
Yvonne Ambrée
Yvonne was introduced to Yoga shortly after moving to NYC in 2011. Being a frequent traveler due to her profession as a Singer/Vocal Coach she was looking for a practice that brought some regularity and felt grounding at the same time. Through the years as she recognized the transformative and sacred components of yoga, her practice became an integrated and important part of her daily life. Yvonne holds a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training from Joschi Yoga (NYC) and a 300 hour Teacher Training from The Shala (NYC). She is also a certified Yoga Nidra teacher from Sacred Sound Yoga (NYC). Her classes are a creative mix of ashtanga-inspired vinyasa, breath awareness, yoga philosophy and meditation. yvonneambree.com
Tara Tonini
Tara is a yoga and meditation teacher, Birth Doula and Master Reiki Healer approaching each modality through a trauma- informed lens. She is a founding member of The Center For Yoga & Trauma Recovery and served for five years as Director of Curriculum and Mentoring for Exhale to Inhale. She is currently working towards a Masters Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In each offering she strives to build a community where people can connect and experience the healing arts of yoga, meditation and energy medicine. taratonini.com/
Lisa Sack
Lisa Sack, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, C-AHC is a certified ViniyogaTM therapist: The Vedic Sciences teach us that joy is our birthright. This principle underlies her work as a yoga teacher and therapist, somatic movement coach, and Āyurvedic health counselor. Everyone can learn to move, breathe and live with ease, so that life is free, joyful, productive, and full of possibility. Lisa meets her students where they are using the tools of these ancient traditions. She is a long-time practitioner, student, and teacher of yoga and meditation in the lineage of T.K.V. Desikachar, who emphasized a breath-centered approach to practice adapted to the needs of the individual. Her Āyurvedic training is in the lineage of Dr. Vasant Lad. She discovered Hanna Somatic Education several years ago: in her opinion, a “micro-mini Viniyoga” that uses gentle, effective and slow movements to relieve chronic pain and muscular contraction. If you’re ready to make lasting changes in your life and find the joy that is your birthright, choose any one of these disciplines to lead you forward. They all invite us to quiet the mind, hone our awareness, and bring spaciousness and the sacred into everyday life.
Lea Abraham
Lea offers yoga, movement and meditation classes to help people develop a connection with their most authentic Self and find balance in body, mind and spirit. She found movement in her mid-twenties as a way to move away from anxiety and fear and bring in presence, acceptance and love. In her classes, Lea encourages students to take the seat of the observer to acknowledge, accept and eventually let go of any stuck energy or feelings. Besides a 200 hour yoga teaching certification, Lea holds a certification in nutrition and healthy living from Cornell, and is a certified personal trainer. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Physical Education with the goal of offering movement, health and wellbeing in schools. Lea loves the ocean, ecstatic dancing, going birding and film photography.
Logan Crusan
At age 15 Logan was introduced to yoga through Bryan Kest’s Power Yoga and began incorporating an asana practice into his daily life. From his years of studying with different teachers and lineages, Logan has integrated his unique set of influences to create a powerful and dynamic experience for his students Logan received a 200 hr. Yoga teacher training at Kripalu Institute in 2013, then, in 2015, a 300 hr. Yoga Therapy training at Integrative Yoga Therapy under Joseph LePage
Dan Shuman
Daniel Shuman is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher and a Certified Yoga Therapist. He began to practice postural yoga in 2004, and began teaching in 2009. In July of 2019, Daniel spent a month in Pune, India, studying with the Iyengar family. From 2014 until 2020, he apprenticed with senior teacher James Murphy. Daniel is a faculty member of the Iyengar Institute of New York. Additionally, Daniel holds a B.A. in Jazz Studies and Performance from William Paterson University. His bass playing is well-documented on over 40 recordings in genres ranging from Americana to metal. As a musician, he has toured most of the continental United States, as well as much of Europe and the U.K. danshumanyoga.com
Emily Faber
After a lifetime of inflexibility, Emily came to yoga hoping to gain the ability to touch her toes, but she ended up finding so much more. Although, yes, yoga improved the tightness of her hamstrings, it also provided her with a space to discover more about herself through the exploration of shapes, breath, and meditation. Before becoming a teacher, Emily started her yoga journey as a yoga portrait photographer, documenting the personal practices of yogis across the New York City area. She completed her 200 hour training at New Love City in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where she fell in love with learning about all things yoga, from the asanas to far beyond. https://emilyfaberphoto.format.com/home In her classes, expect a playful and creative vinyasa flow set to music, with additional elements drawn from Kundalini and yin. As a teacher, she hopes to create an experience where students can get in touch not only with their physical bodies but with their emotional bodies as well.
Danielle Foley
Danielle is a 500-hour yoga instructor specializing in clinical yoga therapy, certified with the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She was drawn to yoga in late 2010 after college eastern philosophy courses and a personal need for healing piqued her interest in a practice that felt refreshingly true, direct, and kind. She quickly fell in love with the core principles of yoga and continues to do so. To Danielle, yoga is holistic, compassionate, liberating, and pulls us out of rutted patterns. When practicing, the body and mind become a personal workshop - each individual is simultaneously the subject and the scientist in their personal lab, exploring. In her classes, she emphasizes curiosity and agency to build the skills of mindfulness and discernment. She received her 200-hour training from an organization called YogaMedics in 2013, and her 500-hour from the International Institute of Yoga Therapy in 2018 - both located in Southeast Michigan. She has also practiced the Afro-Brazilian martial art of capoeira on and off since 2010, and has a side project called Yoga for Gamers where she teaches occasionally at video game conventions.
Rachel Feinberg
Rachel began practicing yoga in 1999 after graduating with a BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA. She started teaching yoga in 2004 and found the Iyengar method in 2007. Her first teachers were Genny Kapuler and Tori Milner. Rachel was initially inspired by the precision, depth and adaptability of the Iyengar method. It challenged her on every level, which was both humbling and exciting. She went on to complete Iyengar teacher training, to travel to India to study with the Iyengars, and to become certified in the Iyengar method. She continues to study with her primary teachers, Michelle LaRue and James Murphy. Having taught in studios, office settings, homes and hospitals, Rachel’s love of yoga and her passion for teaching are evident. She believes that students of all ages, levels of ability, and body types can learn and profoundly benefit from the practice of yoga.
Carolyn Christie
Carolyn has practiced yoga since 1988. She was introduced to both yoga and the Buddhist dharma while living in Thailand serving in the Peace Corps, 1987-89. On her way home from Thailand, Carolyn traveled to India to learn more about the land in which both Buddhism and yoga originated. She continues to return to India to study both spiritual paths, which she feels complement each other. Carolyn regularly goes to Pune to study with the Iyengar family. Mary Dunn was Carolyn’s primary teacher in the States. Carolyn continues to study with Patricia Walden and Gabriella Giubilaro. Carolyn strives to teach in a way that the students feel they are doing to learn and not doing to do. She feels the Iyengar method, thanks to the brilliance of BKS Iyengar, is an amazing method to learn yoga. “We spend time with our teachers to learn. But ultimately we must learn from our practice.”
Georges Piette
Space and Movement have always been a driving interest to Georges and has led him to the study of dance, architecture and photography. Over twenty years ago, unsurprisingly, it led to the study of Yoga. Georges is forever grateful to Vivekan of Bodhisattva Yoga for reopening the door to Dharma, to Prema Yoga’s Amanda Harding and her team where Georges completed his RYT200, as well as the Shantideva Center for providing the training to become a Meditation Leader.