Instructors and Practitioners

Amy Chu

“Namaste, in sign language, is - from within my heart I grow to honor your heart and bow to you.”

 Amy began her yoga journey in 2002 to help reduce stress and was immediately drawn to the physical challenges of Ashtanga.  She was never an athlete because she had asthma and did not enjoy mundane exercises such as running or sports.  After several years of Ashtanga practice, she started to incorporate more vinyasa flow into her practice, then became more intrigued with the subtle energies and spiritual side of yoga.  She went through Reiki training and worked with various individuals to learn about energy and healing. 

When Helen Hsu, another certified yoga teacher, approached her about bringing yoga to the Deaf community, she became inspired to become a yoga teacher herself.  Having family who are Deaf, she was exposed to the Deaf community since she was a child and completed a Deaf Studies Certificate program in college.  She completed her Vinyasa Teacher Training program with Tracey Ulshafer at One Yoga Center.  Upon graduation, she has been teaching various classes to the Deaf and hearing communities.

Outside of yoga, Amy works full-time in the finance field.  She spends her time with her family and friends, volunteering for Make-A-Wish Foundation and various Deaf organizations, taking on craft projects, and teaching American Sign Language to kids.

Ashley Corrallo

Coming soon...

Christine Bodnar

“I take great pleasure in enhancing my students' lives through Yoga by creating classes that bring peace, joy, and well being. I love to witness the transformation that Yoga brings into all aspects of life.” 

Christine believes in remembering our powers as co-creators and incorporating this belief into her own yoga practice. Her Vinyasa postures flow together in a seamless, harmonious sequence for a total-body workout. Physical grace and balance are synchronized with the deepened breath in each move.  

Christine received her certification through Marguerite Baca in San Diego, CA in 2004. In addition she received a Yoga Posture Adjustments Workshop Certification through Stephanie Pappas in 2007. Christine attended Self-Awareness workshop classes through her Tai Chi Chuan teachers, and continues her studies through a variety of teachers and books. She has 12 years of professional dance training in ballet, toe, tap, and jazz and spent time as an assistant dance teacher.
Christine worked in the Computer Technology field before she received her Yoga training.  Christine graduated from York College of Pennsylvania with a degree in Philosophy and Religion which increases her understanding of the Yogic philosophy. 

One of her favorite Yogis is Erich Schiffmann and recommends his book YOGA: The Spirit and Practice of Moving Into Stillness which inspired her to delve deeper into the spiritual side of Yoga. She has practiced with many teachers including Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden, and loves to witness the transformation that Yoga brings into all aspects of life.

Being outdoors and experiencing the beauty of nature brings her joy. Christine enjoys activities that require focus, balance, and coordination. She loves the ocean and water sports including waterskiing, knee boarding, and surfing. She also adores snorkeling and scuba diving because they bring her into a meditative state.

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.

Jeannette Smith

Coming soon...

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 15 years.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. In addition, Pascale has a strong understanding of the pressures of the commercial world, parenting, running a household and finding the truth of one’s life. 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, psychology, personal development and holistic health. 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.

“My favorite saying “Life is a journey on a long and windy road and it never ends” aligns with various yoga principles and philosophies. I am constantly growing and learning, not only from my yoga practice but also from my yoga students.”

Karen is a newly retired music teacher from the Westfield School System after 33 wonderful years! For the last 15 years Karen has practiced and teaches yoga, her second passion in life after music. Her background is in Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and she just recently received her third yoga certification in Anusara Yoga. She is Anusara influenced and studied at Yogaphoria in New Hope, P.A. with Naime Jezzeny and Sue Elkind. Her foundational training was with Nicole Mode at Nicole's Yoga Center in Garwood.

Karen found yoga at a time when she was dealing with a very difficult health issue and it transformed her life. She attributes her remission from M.S. to her connection to yoga/meditation. Karen couldn't get enough of yoga and wanted to share this feeling of well being with others, so being a music teacher for 33 years, it felt natural and right to train and share her love of yoga with others as their guide.

Karen traveled to California to study Hatha Yoga for a month at Ananda Yoga Center in 2002. Karen also took many week long workshops with Erich Schiffmann in Montana, Gurmukh in Upstate New York, and in Manhattan she did Omega weekends taking classes from Seane Corn, Rodney Yee, Baron Baptiste, Cindy Lee, John Friend and other great yoga masters.

Karen loves to combine her music and yoga skills in presenting chanting classes to students as well. She currently teaches a stress management yoga class for the teachers of the Westfield School district along with teaching at CenterSpace Yoga Studio in Somerset. Karen gives gentle flow classes and strong Anusara style classes for those that want a bit more of a challenge.

Shannon Hurley

"A quote I try to live by is 'You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.' ~ Buddha"

To Shannon, yoga is an eye, mind, and heart opening practice. She is passionate about sharing with students the importance of accepting the present moment, embracing who we are right now, and learning how to relax not only in class, but in life. Shannon encourages her students to listen to their body and their inner wisdom while exploring their edge.

Shannon found her way to yoga after becoming overwhelmed with stress and insomnia in college.  She found yoga's focus on the moment to be liberating and enlightening and began to practice regularly.

While pregnant in 2007, Shannon became more serious about her yoga practice, using it as a way to embrace her new body, to connect with her growing baby, and prepare for the challenges that were ahead. After her pregnancy, she explored a variety of yoga styles, including Jivamukti, Ashtanga, Bikram, Hatha, Kripalu, Gentle, Baptiste Power, Anusara, Restorative and Laughter, finally being called to study Vinyasa Flow under Cheryl Delaney in 2010 at Princeton Center for Yoga & Health. Shannon received her 200 hour certification in February 2011, having found the unique dance of body movement and breath in Vinyasa Flow to be beautiful and inviting. Now registered with the Yoga Alliance, Shannon works to bring the valuable lessons of yoga to her students. 

Before pursuing a holistic career, Shannon received a BA in Public Communications, then went on to work at a New Jersey public relations agency, as well as a prominent national charity. After becoming a mom, she decided to set an example for her son and follow her dreams to share yoga with others. 

Leslie Lippencott

"Life is the flower for which love is the honey."
Victor Hugo

Leslie Miller is a classically trained ballet dancer and holds a BA in dance from Rutgers/Douglass University. She was drawn to dance at the age of 5 and this passion lead her to a life of movement, teaching ballet, kick boxing, step aerobics and creative movement. It was the day she walked into Soma center in Highland Park NJ that she took her first step into a life of inner exploration. It took one class, just one class, and she was "sold". After a year of study she began an intensive teacher training with Bobbie Ellis.

Leslie believes that daily practice should be as much a part of a person life as brushing your teeth. She encourages students to incorporate breathing, chanting, and meditation, even if only for 5 minutes. She believes that taking time to ground one’s self and set an intention for ones day is important and powerful. "We are capable of preparing ourselves each day before we enter the world with these simple tools" she says, "creating a gentle protective barrier to keep us grounded and calm no matter what the world throws at us".

Training in the Radiant Child Program with Shakta Khalsa has lead Leslie to teaching yoga to hundreds of children. It was a perfect addition to her appearances as "Willow The Faerie" at birthday parties, where she tells stories and paints faces and a variety of other fun and silly things! Working with children is an honor and a great joy to Leslie and she brings that same sense of playfulness into her adult classes as well. Aside from teaching yoga and being "Willow The Faerie", Leslie is also heavily involved in The New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo NY, another great passion of hers and a place of laughter, love, and joy, three words that truly describe Leslie.

Love, Light, and Laughter

teresa haggerty

“I am committed to facilitating yoga experiences that invite the participant to explore their own style of practice by weaving together asana practice, spiritual reflection, and song/chant.” 

Teresa is a well-rounded exercise professional with over 18 years of experience. Spring-boarding from an accomplished college scholarship athlete, she started her wellness career as a Certified Fitness Practitioner where she incorporated group fitness classes, wellness workshops, and personal training.

After suffering a serious injury, Teresa was introduced to yoga and the healing power of the practice first-hand. Yoga became the “silver lining” during this dark cloud event. Yoga became the healing modality that restored and enabled her to resume a highly active lifestyle that includes half-marathon and triathlon participation, as well as adventures such as skiing in the Alps, and trekking through the rainforest.

Teresa’s formal certification training is from Kripalu, studying with Devarshi Hartman and Megha Buttenheim, yet she also blends in her experience with Jivamukti, gained through years of practice in New York City. Along with a degree in Psychology, studies in Theology and Ontology have helped Teresa translate heady concepts into down-to-earth approaches of self-empowerment.

Teresa has also been a licensed Christian minister and is a licensed Avatar Master. In leading her yoga classes, Teresa integrates elements of mind, body, and spirit in her descriptive narration to provoke life realization and change.

Toni Porello

“I urge my students to remember, while yoga and pilates are serious practices, most of all it is a time to get to know yourself, to enjoy all the benefits, and to have fun!”

Toni was first introduced to yoga and pilates by her sister years ago. She left the first class feeling invigorated, with a sense of peace and accomplishment. Right away, she began a regular yoga practice.

Before she had started yoga, Toni could barely touch her knees when folding forward. After just three months, she was able to touch the ground. That was just one of the many positive changes she began to notice throughout her body and mind.

Working years for a chiropractor, Toni always had a deep understanding of the body and of the importance of fitness and health, but now yoga personally had touched her and she knew it would be a life-long practice. After years of deepening her practice she realized what a great opportunity it would be to share yoga with others through teaching.
Toni has her 200 hour certification through Balance Yoga. After enjoying her yoga training so much, Toni decided to get certified in Pilates as well. She had an awesome opportunity to train under her sister, Carly Porrello of The Regeneration Institute of Pilates and Yoga.

Toni also has her BA in English and MFA in Creative Writing. She is a singer/ songwriter and you can listen to her original music at www.myspace.com/tonirosemusic. 

Sharon Jig hong

“My classes are an eclectic blend of flow, primarily focusing on Hatha principles coupled with breathing techniques and yoga postures which allow the body to flow effortlessly in and out of stillness.” 

Sharon has a family history of back problems and decided to try a Rodney Yee video that her roommate suggested one day in 1993.  She was hooked and started taking classes at a local gym and eventually moved towards a community shared by other yogis at Yogasana studio.  The feelings of happiness or "soaring" transpired after each class and she discovered many health benefits over the years. 

In 2006, Sharon received her 200 hour yoga teacher training under Stefanie Pappas’ Devalila school which allows each student to play, to be creative, to be aware of each student’s energy and to use proper adjustments when necessary.  Sharon chose to teach smaller classes after graduation and focused on mother/daughters yoga, monthly deaf yoga and eventually progressed to share with her students the “soaring” feelings of the chakra energies. 

Sharon is also a certified Thai Yoga Massage practitioner from the Lotus Palm School.  She customizes a client’s Thai Yoga session using ayurvedic principles of the body type to help unblock tension.  
 
Sharon is most thankful to all the teachers and continues to be a student of yoga. Her favorite mantra is “Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu” or “May all beings be happy and free”.

For additional information

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