Kristen Luther - E-RYT 500

Head Yoga Teacher/Creative Director

 

Following the birth of her second child, Kristen discovered yoga as a way to introduce a level of calm and grounding into her day. After practicing under the guidance of Nina

Antolino for some time, the inspiration to teach became too strong to ignore and Kristen found herself immersed in the 200 hour YTT at Saraswati's Yoga Joint in 2010, and again in 2012 for an additional 300 hours with teachers, Donna Jackson, Tracy Bleier and Mitchel Bleier. It was both a challenging, but fulfilling experience.

 

It was during this time that she became good friends with physical therapist, Dave

Plonsky, who had helped her through shoulder tendinitis and a herniated disc in her low

back. Among helping with injuries, Dave has helped to fill in the blanks around education

in anatomy and physiology. He is both friend and mentor to Kristen. This friendship would shape her approach to teaching yoga going forward and start her questioning the way yoga has been taught for decades, resulting in the development of a yoga hybrid that merges both aspects of yoga and physical therapy to create a more balanced and symmetrical practice that is healthier for the body, making it less susceptible to injury.

 

Kristen's classes will guide you to a better awareness of how you move in your body

and the postures that you hold out of habit both physically and mentally. You will come

to understand the relationship between mind, body and spirit and how that relationship

shapes your body and your movements.

 

Credentials:

BA in Psychology - Roger Williams University 1997

RYT 200 & E-RYT 500 - Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher - 2010 & 2012

Reiki 1 & 2 Certifications - 2012 & 2014

Restorative Yoga Teacher Certification - 2014

Michelle Didner - RYT 200

 

Michelle turned to yoga for healing, empowerment and compassion 12 years ago while

balancing the joy of being a new mom with the challenge of treatment for breast cancer.

 

After completing her (RYT-200) with Saraswati’s Yoga Joint in Norwalk, CT in 2006, she

moved to Argentina and Geneva, Switzerland where she taught for 4 years. She

continued to study with master teachers internationally and in 2012 completed an in

depth anatomy and physiology course with the Breathing Project – NYC. Returning

home, she graduated from Elena Brower’s Art of Attention advanced teacher training in

2014. Michelle’s yoga mat has followed her around the world, a reminder that yoga

brings us home no matter where we are living or what we are living through. She shares

her love for yoga with teaching that is breath centered with attention to alignment that

follows the organic architecture of the body. Her classes are nourishing, generous and

joyful inspired by philosophy, art, and poetry.

 

Emily Tully - RYT 200

 

Emily has been dedicating her time to her yoga practice since 2008. As an athlete, she started yoga to balance a rigorous physical schedule. Since then, Emily has witnessed such beautiful and inspirational mental shifts that have instilled wholeness and unity, on and off her mat. This transformation permeates into her teaching. Emily has received her 200 hour RYT through MByoga and is passionate about the belief that yoga is simply a dance that brings inner and outer connection. Her classes are sweet and cultivate the process of finding and/or strengthening self awareness and belonging through each breath.

 

Wendy Banbury - E-RYT 500

 

You will find Wendy's classes thoughtful, inspirational, and authentic. She will see you and speak to you. So much in life is universal to all of us and my teaching is focused on the shared beauty of physical asana, healthy alignment, moving meditation, and compassionate wisdom. She won't have all the answers but to Wendy, yoga is a safe space to ask questions, and to heal and challenge our beliefs. Transformation is possible at any time in our lives.

 

She values the breath tremendously in practice and her goal as a teacher is to give her students an opportunity to become strong and confident enough to bring their yoga into their lives and their relationships.

 

She took her first class at Saraswatis in January 2010 and was immediately inspired. She completed her 500-hour RYT training with Donna Jackson, and Mitchell and Tracy Bleier in 2012. She remains grateful to this day for their intelligent philosophy, incredible alignment instruction, and their wisdom.

 

Wendy loves teaching yoga; it as an honor and a privilege. She treats each and every student as a gift.

 

Dana DiCerto - RYT 200

 

Dana came to yoga in an attempt to heal a chronic injury and learn to find peacefulness after a busy day, and was immediately hooked. The physical and mental changes happened quickly, and she knew that yoga would always be a big part of her life. She continues to be amazed by the transformations that can be experienced both on and off the mat through a regular practice, and she loves to share that with her students. Her classes are inspiring, playful, and accessible to all. You'll be sweetly challenged and leave with an open body, a quiet mind, and a deeper connection to yourself.

 

Nina Antolino - RYT 200

 

Nina found yoga and meditation 15 years ago, this led her to the Nosara Institute in September 2000, where she received a 200 hour Yoga Certification in Interdisciplinary Yoga. She has continued her training with Rodney Yee, Shiva Rea, John Friend, Gary Kraftskow, Sarah Powers and more. She also received a training certification in Prenatal Yoga in April 2009. Whether teaching a vigorous Vinyasa class or a relaxing Yin class, her experience and passion for helping others learn and grow is present as she guides her students to self-exploration and self-acceptance. Nina is also a Reiki Master and Empowerment Life Coach.

 

Steve Forlano - RYT 200

 

"Be your own Guru"

 

Through the exploration of yoga, Steve likes to help guide you to yourself and the realization that you are your own best teacher. In his class you will explore how breath and movement allows you to have a more intimate relationship with yourself. You'll develop flexibility and strength, not only in your body but in your mind and spirit as well, unleashing your inner voice.

 

Steve is a 200 hour RYT receiving his teacher training from Saraswati's Yoga Joint/MB Yoga in 2011. He has practiced since 2004 and studied with Donna Jackson, Mitchell Bleier and Tracy Bleier, Power Yoga workshop with Bryan Kest and Yin Yoga with Joe Barnet.

 

He is also the lead singer/harmonium player with The Bindu Band, a Bhakti/Mantra Music group offering a call and response Kirtan experience throughout Fairfield County.

Steve is also a 3rd degree black belt in the Tang Soo Do tradition of martial arts receiving his promotion to 1st Dan in 1999, instructing students since 2008 combining traditional Martial Arts and Yoga philosophies in his teaching.

 

Kathleen Gallagher - RYT 200 & 500

 

Kathleen has been studying and teaching yoga for over 10 years. She began with her

200-hour certification at Kripalu and continued on with a 500-hour certification in

Integrative Therapy through the Urban Zen Foundation. Her roots in Kripalu guide her

towards a compassionate style of teaching and her background in Yoga Therapy

reinforces the truly healing power of the practice.

 

Some of her teachers include: Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman (Urban Zen); Todd

Norian (Anusara); Leah Kalish (Yoga for Kids); Gary Krafsow (Yoga Therapy); Nikki

Meyers (Yoga for Recovery); Judith Lasater & Ana Margaret Sanchez (Restorative

Yoga); Sharon Salzberg (Mindfulness).

 

She holds a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and is a Human Resource professional by

day and feels it is a privilege and a responsibility to bring yoga and meditation to into

the business world, her church and her community.

 

Amy Van Arsdale - RYT 200

 

Amy started her journey with a Vinyasa practice in 2002. What began as a fun and

challenging way to center and sweat, has since developed into something much

deeper than physical. In 20013, Amy engaged in a Kripalu 200 hour certified training.

She knows that a consistent and sincere Yoga practice has the power to show how to

live mindfully, clear and transform the mind along with the soul and body. Through love

of highest self, Amy strives to live her practice on and off the mat in all aspects. She

enjoys sharing this Light with her students in life and Yoga. For her ongoing training

and guidance she gives eternal gratitude and love to her teachers Michele Delbac and

Jay Kalinski at Kripalu and Rodney Yee/Coleen Saidman at Yoga Shanti in Sag Harbor,

New York. Amy teaches Open Vinyasa and gentle light-hearted and alignment based

classes. She is also a Myofascial Release Therapist. Amy is a certified MELT

METHOD instructor. Releasing and hydrating the fascia helps to allow our muscles to

glide over the bones when doing asanas in any yoga practice.

 

Amy's goal is to teach students to see a new perspective from within their vast world,

leaving them feeling more centered, spacious, and relaxed than when they first arrived

to their mat.