Staff

Mark Nelson
Director
Teaching since 2008
Vinyasa Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Yin Yoga, Gentle Yoga

Mark has been practicing yoga since 1991. Early on, he fell in love with the feeling of openness and focus that comes from yoga. Where the spirit leads, the body will follow, and he soon discovered that he could move in ways he never thought possible. That combination of mindfulness and movement drew him deeper into the practice, studying Ashtanga Yoga with such renowned teachers as David Swenson, Annie Pace and Jill Manning; Yin yoga with Paulie Zink; and Vinyasa Yoga with Cyndi Lee and Corina Benner. Read More >>

Mark teaches yoga as a personalized healing science and a profound life-changing philosophy. His classes unite the flow of breath with the flow of the body, guiding students to a creative blend of physical exploration, inward focus and real-life philosophy. Mark has directed the Yoga Garden studios since 2010.

 

Lisie Abrams
Teaching since 2004
Inner Fire Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Gentle Yoga

Lisie’s first experience with Yoga came as a result of a serious health crisis. Her first teachers were Bikram and Rajashree Choudury, who guided her back to health. She has never looked back since. In 2004 Lisie decided to make Yoga a central part of her life and obtained her teaching certification from Yoga on Main in Manayunk.
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In class, Lisie strives to create a welcoming and caring environment for all students, helping them to face the challenges they currently face in their lives. She teaches Yoga as a discipline designed to connect each person to the universal spirit within.

 

Lisa Ciccotelli
Teaching since 2003
Gentle Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga

Lisa began to dance as soon as she could walk, and continued for sixteen years. She began practicing yoga in 2000, something she saw as a natural progression from dance and an alternative way to heal a lower back injury. Read More >>

Initially drawn to the physicality of yoga she was instantly impressed by the incredible effect it had on her body and mind. Inspired to share this practice and its life-changing effects with others, Lisa became a certified level 1, 2 and 3 yoga instructor through the International Sports Medicine Association in 2002. She trained at Kripalu to become a restorative yoga teacher, and Yoga on Main to become a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance.

Lisa believes in yoga as a modality of healing the person as a whole. A class with Lisa is challenging and energizing with flowing movements and a focus on breath, opening the body mindfully, and calming the mind through meditation.

 

Kim Eckler
Teaching since 1999
Pre- and Postnatal Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga

Kim began practicing yoga in 1989. As a philosophy student and dancer, the mind-body connection of yoga resonated deeply with her. In subsequent years, yoga remained a useful tool as she pursued martial arts and motherhood, keeping her body and spirit in balance. Read More >>

She became certified through the Yogalife Institute in 1999, studying pre- and postnatal yoga with Patricia Cornielus. Kim is also a postpartum doula. She feels privileged to share in people’s happiness as they grow their families.

Kim believes that anybody can practice yoga. Practicing with intention of purpose and sensitivity to the body keeps one present in their focus, and helps to avoid self-defeating behaviors such as competition and self-criticism. A class with Kim begins slowly and softly in order to synchronize body and breath, then builds in intensity. There is a focus on stability through the legs and hips, and softness in the neck, chest and arms, thus being grounded yet open. For prenatal classes, there is a reinforcement of the connection between mother and child.

 

Lauren Foster E-RYT 200
Teaching since 2008
Vinyasa Yoga, Power Yoga

Lauren Hanna Foster began practicing yoga in 2007 and teaching in 2008. A Pittsburgh native, Lauren moved to Philadelphia to complete her Masters degree in Social Work at Bryn Mawr College. A social worker by day and yoga ninja by night, Lauren teaches group and private vinyasa classes inspired by Ashtanga and the many variations of Vinyasa Yoga. Her classes are grounded in a playful combination of flow, structure, tradition and joy.

 

Terry Fox
Teaching since 2006
Meditation, Mindfulness-Based Stress Management

Terry’s meditation practice is rooted in the contemplative prayer and silent retreats of her youth. As a young adult, she expanded her meditative inquiries to include the spiritual centers of the major world traditions. Read More >>

In the 90’s, she gravitated to the teachings of Zen Buddhist monk ThichNhatHanh, the mindfulness model of Jon Kabat-Zinn, and the supporting research of the scientific community. Terry holds a Master’s degree in counselor education and counseling psychology and has worked as a teacher and counselor in a variety of settings, including schools, sheltered workshops, and social service agencies.

Terry teaches meditation as a journey of self-discovery that’s undertaken by settling into silence and listening with one’s whole being. The journey cultivates a sense of calm, ease, and well-being, deepens insight into self and others, and leads to a realization of one’s true Self. Terry’s classes consist of instruction, practice, and discussion. She encourages her students to embrace their meditation experience with curiosity and kindness and to respect the unique unfolding of their individual journey.

 

Maureen Heil E-RYT 200; RYT 500; RCYT
Teaching since 2009
Inner Fire Yoga, Viniflow Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Children’s Yoga, Ayurveda

Maureen was the director and teacher of a private non-profit school and came to yoga after a family member’s prolonged illness and fell in love with the practice and the profound healing it brings. She started with teaching children, and just dived in- and has taken like a duck to water! She has studied with Gail Silver, Shiva Das, David Newman, Sue Elkind, AcharyaPremanand (Ed Zadlo) and Vishnu. Read More >>

Using Ayurvedic principles of breath work, mantra, meditation, & asana to bring the practice to meet the individual on the mat in her adult classes, and her expertise with children in her kid’s classes, a class with Maureen is a playful, energetic, and heartfelt experience.

 

Rachael Hunter
Teaching since 2011
Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Power Yoga

Rachael began practicing yoga in 1996 when she moved to Princeton, NJ for postdoctoral studies. Learning an Iyengar-style practice as well as Vinyasa flow, she completed her teacher training at Verge Yoga in Wayne PA. Through her teaching as well as her personal practice, Rachael recognizes the power of yoga heal old injuries as well as prevent new ones. She leads her classes with careful attention to alignment and slow mindful movement.

 

Phyllis Hurwitz
Teaching since 2008
Personal Training, Bootcamp, Body Sculpting, Spinning, Sculpt and Strength

Phyllis became serious about exercise and fitness after the birth of her first son in 2002. She was immediately drawn to the Jillian Michael’s style of fast, intensely focused interval training. Without a lot of time for exercise, the short bursts of cardio combined with strengthening moves worked, and after each pregnancy, Phyllis worked even harder and continued to see results. It was after she began running that she fell in love with fitness forever. Everything came together for her as she discovered the balance of Yoga. Her background as an elementary school teacher and her love of fitness became a new life path. Read More >>

Phyllis now teaches and trains women, men and children with the same techniques that worked for her; quick, efficient, safe and fun. A particular focus on form and postural awareness throughout class, along with a connection of the breath and movement, maximizes results both in class and out. Phyllis provides variations and modifications for all levels, while challenging each student to push past their comfort zones. Phyllis’s classes are fun and interactive, always providing new moves and new opportunities for change!

 

Noah Julian
Teaching Since
Vinyasa Yoga, Liquid Flow Yoga

In the style of Simon Park’s Liquid Flow (which fuses Prana Flow and Dharma Vinyasa) Noah brings a unique and fun approach to the practice by incorporating experience with several movement modalities, spanning over a decade, while adhering to the roots of Vinyasa practice. Read More >>

In a slow and highly challenging flow we will find each movement’s responsibility, creating a dance-like quality to the practice, which transforms an art form into a moving meditation.

 

Bevin Lustman
Teaching since 2012
Power Yoga

Bevin began her yoga journey back in 2009. In 2011 she enrolled in the vinyasa yoga teacher training program through Dana Hot Yoga and has been teaching power vinyasa yoga ever since. Read More >>

After finishing her collegiate athletic career, power vinyasa yoga was the only activity that kept her strength level challenged while continuing to grow the connection between her mind and body. Through her own practice and teaching, she has cultivated a profound passion for teaching her students how to gracefully deepen their practices while simultaneously continuing to deepen the connection of mind and body. Bevin’s classes are an energizing collaboration of power vinyasa flow, pranayama and reflection.

 

Rena Potok
Teaching since 2010
Gentle Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Yoga & Writing

Rena began her journey in the realms of body and spirit as a dancer at age 14, and later became a professional modern dancer and choreographer. She studied dance at Temple University, the University of the Arts, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Rena started practicing yoga in 2002, and immediately connected with the spiritual and physical transformative properties of yoga. She completed the Whole Self Yoga Teacher Training with master Kripalu teachers Ed Harrold and Rudy Peirce at Comfort Zone Center for Whole Self Healing in Lewes, Delaware. Rena is a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance. Read More >>

For Rena, yoga is a tool for personal transformation, a pathway to stretch and strengthen the body and to calm the mind. Her classes offer a deep physical and spiritual practice with sustained posture holds, rigorous pranayama, seated meditation, and safe, gentle hands-on adjustments.

In addition to teaching yoga, Rena has a PhD in Comparative Literature and an MA in Creative Writing from UPenn. She is a published writer, and she teaches English literature and writing at Saint Joseph’s University.

 

Johnathan Raiss
Teaching since 2008
Vinyasa Yoga, Liquid Flow Yoga, Prana Flow Yoga

Johnathan was introduced to yoga through the practice of Ashtanga and hot yoga at the vulnerable age of sixteen. He has been involved with athletics and martial arts for much of his life, but yoga truly helped to expose him to levels of qualitative, therapeutic, and informative movement beyond what he knew possible. Read More >>

Deep meditative awareness, and self-realization began to become aspects of his life through yoga practice, and he feels these things have served to develop an empathic bond with the planet and humanity as a whole. Simon Park, Dharma Mittra, Phillip Askew, David Regelin, Shiva Rea, Richard Freeman, Ido Portal, and Alex Holmes are great influences in his practice and teaching.

Johnathan teaches a dynamic flow that fluctuates between subtlety and vigor. He seeks to share a challenging yet therapeutic practice that can beneficially transform one’s life both on and off the mat.

 

Alberto Robayo
Teaching Since 2005
Gracie Jiu Jitsu

A certified Gracie Jiu Jitsu black belt with over ten years of experience, Alberto was an instructor at the Gracie Academy for four years. Since 2009, he has been teaching adults and children along the Main Line.

 

Marie Roberts
Teaching since 1992
Viniyoga, Meditation

Trained in viniyoga, which emphasizes the connection of breath and movement, Marie now teaches in a style that combines viniyoga with flow and chakra yoga as a meditative whole. Read More >>

Marie considers herself a ‘recovering intellectual’ who came to yoga as a way to live healthily in her body instead of just in her head. She holds an M. A. in World Religions, an M. S. in Counseling Psychology and has been an ordained Presbyterian Minister since 1982. Marie is also published poet and author of two books: ‘Out of Your Mind and Into Your Heart: Using Love Energy to Heal your Life’ and ‘Life Lessons and Soul Skills: Learning from Your Mistakes the First Time Around.’

She strives to help her students experience the beauty of this moment through breathing and stretching, knowing that we can only be more than our bodies by living in our bodies. She emphasizes an integration of body, mind and spirit as she guides students to work from the inside out. Marie’s classes have a meditative atmosphere punctuated with humor and laughter. She breaks down the individual components of postures so people can work at their own level of ability that day. There are moments of challenge interspersed with moments of integration and meditative awareness.

 

Lauren Robertson
Teaching since 2010
Children’s Yoga,Gentle Yoga

Lauren began her practice of yoga in 1995 and was certified in 2010, studying under Bob and Kristen Butera. Lauren’s teaching philosophy is strong and organic, stemming from eight years’ teaching experience in art education. Read More >>

Her creativity and love of learning inspire her teaching, beginning each class with an intention to inspire and awaken the mindfulness in each student.

Lauren is honored to be part of the Yoga Garden team. Her goal is to make yoga’s process accessible to her students. Her classes provide them with enhanced flexibility, strength, balance and endurance, both mental and physical.

 

Sarah Rogers
Teaching Since 2006
Hatha Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Yoga for Seniors, Gentle Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Kripalu Yoga

Sarah first learned about yoga from her mom and began practicing formally in 1999. She received her 200 hour Hatha Yoga Certification from The Spirit of Yoga in January 2007 where she learned about various styles including Forrest, Ashtanga, Kripalu, Baptiste, Iyengar, Kundalini, and Prenatal yoga. In 2010, Sarah spent four months volunteering at The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health as the Guest Yoga Team volunteer where she coordinated, taught, and assisted classes. She has much gratitude for all of her teachers including Pam Walsh, Deanne Caputo, Judy Curiel, Jurian Hughes, Devadas, Randal Williams, Grace Jull, and Danny Arguetty. Read More >>

Sarah brings a calm, soothing presence to her yoga and meditation classes. She is interested in teaching her students to cultivate not only improved physical health but also an inner stillness and a tranquil spirit through their yoga practice both on and off the mat.

 

Rebecca Saline
Teaching Since 2006
Hatha Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Yoga for Seniors, Gentle Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Kripalu Yoga

Teaching Vinyasa Yoga and Power Yoga since 2003. Rebecca’s yoga journey began in 2001 when her older sister took her to her first vinyassa yoga class. During that practice, Rebecca felt the physical challenge of yoga lead to a spiritual awakening. From there, she devoted herself to yoga under the instruction of renowned yoga instructor, Baron Baptiste. In 2003, she became a certified yoga instructor at Philly Power Yoga. Read More >>

In addition to teaching yoga, Rebecca has a B.A. in Psychology from George Washington University, a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Temple University and a Reading Specialist Certification from the University of Pennsylvania. Rebecca’s classes embody the belief that yoga is a moving meditation. She strives to challenge her students through a vigorous physical practice while helping them keep a peaceful mind. Rebecca feels her classes are an opportunity for each student to connect with their true inner self and is grateful to guide them.

 

Colleen Schoenhard, E-RYT 500
Teaching since 1988
Classic Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Meditation (as taught by Yogi Bhajan), Yoga Nidra, Gentle Yoga

Colleen began meditation while in college, yoga soon followed. It felt great to get out of the “head” and stretch and tone the body, calm and focus the mind, give space to witness emotions, realize the power of breath, and to be aware of the connection with unlimited possibility. Read More >>

This transformed her life professionally and personally and it helped when life’s serious challenges came. Colleen is grateful for her study with some profound individuals: Yogi Amrit Desai, founder of Kripalu Yoga, and Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health- her long-time teacher of Classic Yoga/Meditation; and GurumukhKalKhalsa, HariKaurKalKhalsa, Hari Kirin KalKhalsa from the Kundalini tradition. Workshops with: Yoganand Michael Carroll, Tara Brach, Shiva Rea, Paulie Zink, Beryl Bender Birch.

Colleen is an experienced, knowledgeable teacher who knows the body/mind well. She teaches yoga as a practical, transformational tool, a technology (with heart) to explore and develop the unlimited creative potential within each and every one of us. She asks the students to begin exactly where they are and be present and “witness”. Breath is consciously used to connect body and mind. Students cultivate focus, courage, non-judgmental awareness (mindfulness) as well as strong, flexible bodies. Each class leads the student through a comprehensive, balanced sequence beginning with an opening meditation; warm-ups; sun-salutations; standing, balancing, and mat poses; and final relaxation. The experience is calm but can be challenging at times. Various stages of some postures are given so that individuals can make poses as challenging or simple as they need, allowing for an all-level group to benefit. This is a complete workout inside and out, leaving students feeling happy, whole, empowered and recharged.

 

Dawn Weisbord
Teaching since 2001
Qi Gong, Sheng Zhen Wuji Yuan Gong

Dawn began practicing and studying yoga in her early twenties. This practice piqued her interest in transformation through mindful breath and movement. She began formal study of acupuncture and qi gong in 1997 at the Traditional Acupuncture Institute. Read More >>

There, Chan Zhang was Dawn’s first qi gong teacher. She now studies extensively with Master Li Jun Feng. Master Li has certified Dawn to teach shengzhenqi gong. She’s studied with various other wonderful teachers including Kimberly Rigsbee, Ken Cohen, Francesco Garripoli, Master Wu Zhongxian, and Li Jing. She’s a lifetime member of the National Qi Gong Association and of Peaceable Dragon. Dawn teaches acupuncture and qigong at the WON Institute of Graduate Studies in Glenside, PA. She holds the credentials of M.Ac.,Dilp.Ac., and is a certified qi gong instructor.

Finding the practice of qi gong to be transformational and evolutionary in her own life, Dawn loves to share her joy of practice through teaching. Anyone can learn and practice the simple and profound movements of qi gong. Dawn’s classes are relaxing and energizing. With mindful movement and breath students learn to cultivate and move qi energy and can create healing, health, well-being and transformation. Students practice standing, sitting and non-moving meditative forms as well as qi self-massage. Classes are designed to benefit students of all levels.

 

Chae Yang
Teaching since 2006
Vinyasa Yoga, Prana Flow®, Prenatal Yoga, Therapeutic Alignment Yoga, Hatha Yoga

Chae Yang Bullock has been a student of yoga since 2001. In February of 2006, she took her first module with Shiva Rea in Prana Flow® Energetic Vinyasa, which led her to complete two Vinyasa Teacher Trainings by 2008: Shiva Rea’s Advanced Training and Dhyana Yoga. Her studies of Vinyasa include assisting Shiva Rea, Maria Garre and Twee Merrigan in Prana Flow Teacher Trainings and Workshops. Read More >>

Commited to learning, Chae pursued studies in Anusara Yoga (200 Hours Training) with Michelle Synnestvedt; Prenatal Yoga with Laurel Hicks; and Yoga Therapeutics in the Anusara and Iyengar methods. She is a registered teacher with Yoga Alliance as ERYT®500, RYT®500 (Prana Flow®), and RPYT. Her continuing studies include Vinyasa with Shiva Rea; Alignment and Therapeutics with Michelle Synnestvedt; Sadhana (Spiritual) Practice studies with Shiva Rea and Michelle Synnestvedt; Ayurveda with Maria Garre; Subtle Body; and Divinity Studies with renowned teachers.

Chae teaches yoga full time and is dedicated to serving the community through yoga having lead classes that benefit families of cancer patients and the homeless in Philadelphia since 2007. She has also been leading global Yoga Retreats “by the sea” since 2009. The private, group and retreat practices offer individual challenges but are filled with laughter, ease and compassion. She continues to study and share yoga full time and is a householder.