Instructors and Practitioners

Kerrie Anczarki
Bio info coming soon.

Katherine Armstrong

Katherine credits her life as a yoga teacher to her very first savasana in the early 90’s where she lived in Los Angeles and worked as an actress for a dozen years.  Fortunate to have yoga studios readily available, it was that first teacher, Brenda Strong, proprietor of Yoga Villa in L.A., that facilitated this deeply profound experience which created a sense of wellness and peace that culminated with the simple truth that you must, as Ghandi said, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’. 

A lover of Eknath Eswaren’s ‘Your Life Is Your Message’ her commitment to yoga, continued through pre-natal and post-natal courses.  After her daughter was born with Down syndrome, she discovered Sonia Sumar’s Yoga For The Special Child program which first prompted her to consider teaching.  When she began studying with Erin Kipe and Kim Miller at Yogasana Studios in New Jersey, this desire became a reality.  A student of Stefani Pappas’ Devalila Yoga, Katherine received her certification in an enlightening, inspiring and delightful 200 hour program. 

Katherine spends much of her time advocating for that which she feels distinctly called, and was appointed by Governor James McGreevey to the State Interagency Coordinating Council, which she now Chairs, advocating for New Jersey’s Early Intervention System serving families with infants and toddlers aged 0 – 3, living with developmental disabilities.  She is also the Congressional District 12 Team Leader in The Peace Alliance national campaign to create a United States Department of Peace. 

Her desire to touch the heart of the yogi with a sense of peace, gratitude, compassion and love, is surpassed only by her infinite devotion to her constant teacher, daughter Lily Grace. 

Douglas Economy
Douglas has been a licensed holistic psychotherapist and life coach in his private practice for more than ten years in Germany. In the summer of 2005, Douglas reopened my practice in New Jersey.

Douglas's initial training was in Switzerland with the renowned Dr. Peter Schellenbaum, a pioneer of modern psychoenergetics. Douglas also studied and trained other students at the International University of Consciousness & Inner Sciences in Frankfurt.

Douglas specializes in Voice Dialogue and couples work. His practice also incorporates Hellinger-related family constellation therapy and the "The Journey" process work.

Dima Gamaleldin
Bio info coming soon.

Ivy Giacchino

Liz Hoffman
Liz Hoffman received her shiatsu certification from the Ohashi Institute in 1994, when she opened her full time practice. Shiatsu studies brought her full circle in her study of Asia, which began with an interest in Asian philosophy. First exposed to shiatsu during intensive training in shotokan karate, she began studying at the Ohashi Institute in New York in 1987.

Liz enhances her shiatsu effectiveness with reflexology and aromatherapy, which she studied at the International Institute of Reflexology and the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy. She sees clients of all ages in New Jersey, Washington, DC and New York.

Before pursuing her holistic career, Liz graduated from Georgetown University with a BS in Japanese, then worked for Nissho Iwai American Corporation for 10 years. She studied and worked in Japan for 3 years.

Pascale Kavanagh

Pascale is a Board Certified Holistic Health Counselor, Registered Yoga Teacher and Founding Director of Feed Your Soul – A Wellness Company, Inc.

Pascale holds sacred the belief that divinity lies in every living creature, and strives to draw that out through gentle encouragement, clear language and a touch of sass. She finds true delight in helping others feed their bodies, feed their minds and feed their souls.

 Pascale offers not just instruction, but inspiration to learn and grow, express and feel heard, evolve. Her breadth of offerings are designed to bring purpose, engagement and authentic joy to her own life and to those around her.  

Pascale draws her inspiration from the many flavors of her life experience. In addition to a degree in chemical engineering from MIT and a 15-year corporate career, Pascale has been a professional dancer, personal fitness trainer, and has been immersed in yoga for over 10 years. She is a professionally trained chef and operated a catering company specializing in health-conscious cuisine. The synthesis of these experiences is seen in her current role as wellness educator, yoga teacher and proprietor of two yoga and wellness centers. Her accreditations include an advanced yoga certification (RYT-500), a Holistic Health Counselor certification from the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, and a graduate certificate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NY.

In her private practice, Pascale counsels those challenged with overweight, low energy, stress-related illnesses, and a variety of lifestyle imbalances. Her clients, including adults, children, families and small groups, are attended on their journeys to health through the cultivation of physical, mental and emotional balance. She has worked extensively with the yoga and wellness communities, as well as conducting ongoing programs with corporate and academic institutions.

Her passion for education drives her to continually advance her studies in all aspects of yoga, alternative medicine, integrative nutrition and holistic health management. In addition to all the great teachers who have shared their wisdom with her, Pascale gives the most thanks to her guru (and daughter), Sofi Bliss.

Erin first came to yoga in 1998 as a Rutgers University student. Amazed by the healing impact that the practice had on her own life, she became certified to teach by Stephanie Pappas soon after her college graduation.

Erin went on to earn her certification in Massage Therapy in 2003, and is currently becoming certified as a life coach.

Erin has had the honor of practicing under the guidance of Ana Forrest, Heather Tiddens, Dharma Mittra and Shiva Rea, along with many more of yoga’s most gifted practitioners. Drawing on her invaluable experience with them, she practices and teaches spontaneous, intuitive, and dynamic sequences, infused with the teachings of her favorite authors, such as Ken Wilbur, Pema Chodron, and Joel Goldsmith. Erin primarily teaches vinyasa yoga as inspired by Krishnamacharya, and in the spirit of his teachings, reflects her fundamental belief that every practice is unique to it’s practitioner.

Having studied anatomy extensively and having taught over 3000 classes, Erin has experienced working with students ranging from 3 years old to 92 years young, and can safely and inventively modify and customize the practice of Yoga uniquely for any body.

Erin’s intention is for the practice of yoga to mirror life, just as life mirrors the practice itself. She treats each of her classes as a microcosm of life; they flow in waves, at times peaceful and reflective, at times exhilarating and challenging, and always, unpredictable. Through each cycle, she encourages her students to approach movement as she practices approaching life; playfully and curiously, with inquiry, observation, awareness, and devotion.

Loring Nagle

Loring has been celebrating the practice of yoga in her life for the past several years. She has found the benefits of an ongoing yoga practice to be of great dimension in her life. It is her hope that by encouraging involvement of yoga in life at a young age, children will be better equipped and prepared to evolve into peaceful, content, and empowered human beings. She truly believes inviting yoga into a child's life inspires growing up with happiness and good health. A path of strong mental and physical capabilities is Loring's wish for children of all ages to experience as they learn to adapt and take care of themselves and a very busy world.

Loring's journey includes participating in A Taste of YogaKids, completing the YogaKids Foundations Training with Marsha Wenig, and currently continuing her study in the YogaKids program to complete her advanced training.

Theresa Pettersen-Chu
Thirteen years ago, Theresa Pettersen-Chu began a soul-searching journey. Looking for deeper meaning in her life and work she transformed herself from interior designer to Certified Rubenfeld Synergist® The Rubenfeld Synergy Method® (RSM) developed in the 1960's is a holistic approach that integrates body, mind, spirit and emotions. Theresa humorously says she practices a new form of "interior design". By helping her clients contact their interior spaces they are able to make profound changes in their lives. Theresa has private practices at the Terra Sky Center for Wellness in Summit and at CenterSpace in Basking Ridge. For more info about Theresa and RSM visit www.comehometoyourself.com

Emily Schultz
Emily Schultz is a certified Ashtanga yoga instructor, receiving her training from Larry Schultz of It's Yoga in San Francisco in 2004. She teaches at many locations throughout New Jersey including studios, fitness centers, community centers and corporations. Her training not only includes traditional ashtanga yoga but also a variation of this practice to include not only the standard poses but also additional poses not included in the primary series. She continues to study yoga and the mind, body, breath connection to not only deepen her own practice but to help her students do so as well.

alissa shaneson
In 2002, Alissa started taking yoga classes in order to alleviate tightness in her back that had come from years of weightlifting and sitting in an office chair.  The yoga not only helped to alleviate the back stress but also began to calm her overactive mind.  
After a few months she was introduced to Ashtanga.  While it was very difficult, the moving meditation really helped her find a calming center.  In September of 2003 she went to her first workshop in Ashtanga.  It was a retreat in Utah with David Swenson for a week.  After that week she realized that Ashtanga was the practice that would transform her life.

By 2004, after being in the chemical industry for 5 years she decided to start on a new path.  She left the industry and began focusing on her practice for guidance.   In 2005 she attended her first teacher training with David Swenson, not to become a teacher, but to deepen her own personal practice.  However, something changed after that training, ultimately leading Alissa to become something she would have never expected to become, a yoga teacher.  

Alissa has studied with some of the great Ashtanga teachers of our time including Wendy Green, David Swenson, Christine Hoar, Nancy Gilgoff as well as many others in and outside of the Ashtanga practice.
 
Alissa’s focus is to help people relax in postures, not to stress over what they cannot do or the challenges they face, just to be in the present moment and breathe. 

Robyn Shumer MPH, CYT
Robyn delights in the joy and wisdom of yoga and its invitation for ongoing self-discovery. She became certified to teach by Stefani Pappas through her 200 Yoga Alliance Certified training. Although having practiced with several well known yoga teachers, Robyn finds her local teachers to be her favorites.

Her classes combine breath awareness, compassion, non-judgmental self-inquiry and laughter. She sees herself as a guide for each student, by helping them to navigate their bodies to create more space, flexibility, strength, and healing. Robyn views teaching as an honor and a way to give back in a small way, the abundance she has received from the practice and all of her teachers. She teaches in a style that's authentic to her silly but curious personality.

Robyn is particularly interested in helping beginners discover the physical and mental benefits that yoga can bring to their lives and in teaching classes that are accessible to everyone. Although a vigorous physical practice, Robyn brings that flexibility for all levels to her Astanga classes as well.

Off the mat Robyn works in medical communications, volunteers in her community and is the proud mom of her Kerry Blue Terrier, Gauss. She is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her 7 month old son, Maxwell, to travel home to her and her husband from Korea.

Natalie Ullmann
Natalie Ullmann began her practice of Jivamukti Yoga in 1993. As she developed in her practice, it became clear that the method developed by Sharon Gannon and David Life was the most powerful and transformative.

Inspired by Sharon and David's example of yoga leading to a creative and fulfilling and spiritually liberating life, in 1997 she began to focus more specifically on the Jivamukti Method. She completed her teacher training at the Jivamukti in New York in May of 2000 and has been teaching at the New York center since 2001.

In April of 2003 she was blessed to do a one-on-one apprenticeship with Sharon Gannon, and then in turn began mentoring with the graduating class of 2004. Natalie has further deepened her experience and understanding of the five tenets of the Jivamukti method through three years of the study of oriental medical theory, physiology and consciousness as applied to the field of bodywork with internationally acclaimed healer and author, Saul Goodman.

Her classes are illuminated by the integration of the understanding of anatomy, physiology, psychology (she received her master's in this discipline in 1991) and their relationship to the evolution of consciousness through the practice of Jivamukti Yoga. In addition she has studied transitioning to the Sattvic Diet, and Healing with Whole Foods with author Paul Pitchford and has developed a workshop on transitioning to a vegan or vegetarian diet which was recently presented at the Jivamukti Yoga School. She has completed formal Vipassana Medition training and practice.

And last, and perhaps nearest and dearest to her heart (literally) is the enriching of her bhakti practice through studies in the "Art of Kirtan" with grammy nominated, heart opening and inspiring soul, Jai Uttal. She is the "hostess" of Jivamukti's "Kirtan Parlour", the only open forum community kirtan program currently in New York City.

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