Nicole Searles RYT 200 When my cousin asked me to take a yoga class with her at Yoga Moves I had no idea what kind of impact it would have on my life. I had practiced yoga on and off in college but didn't really find my practice until I started practicing in a heated room. I guess it's true what they say that there is a type of yoga out there for everyone because after my first heated yoga class I was officially hooked. I loved the feeling of sweating it all out on the mat and would leave the room feeling refreshed and recharged. I completed my 200hr certification with Jen Ryan in May 2012 and began teaching shortly after. I love bringing a playfulness to practice and enjoy pairing fun playlists with creative sequencing to take the mind off of life's everyday stress.
Lori DiChiara RYT 200 I started my yoga journey several years ago with Bikram then Baptiste Power yoga. I was immediately hooked by the hot, sweaty, physical practice. I was not immediately hooked by the spiritual aspects of yoga but once I allowed myself to be present and open, that part of the practice is what really took hold and kept me coming back. As I was going through some personal struggles in my life, yoga was always a place where I felt safe, empowered and found the solace I needed in stressful and painful situations. It was from this place that I decided to enroll in a 200 hour teacher training at Lexington Power Yoga. I wanted a way to give back and help people feel the same empowerment and sense of community that yoga has given me. I hope to continue my training so that I can work with children and adults with disabilities. Linking breath with movement to create a moving meditation my classes will allow you to challenge yourself at any level allowing yoga to meet you where you are today. You will leave feeling stronger and more balanced in body and mind.
Deb Ronga Kids Yoga & RYT 200 I began my yoga journey in 2008; my daughters thought I would enjoy this type of “exercise” (exercise and I have never been good friends). Yoga was strenuous and difficult for me at first, but it was not long before I realized that during those 75-minute classes, I was completely focused on my movement. I continued to explore different types of yoga and found I loved the feeling of a heated flow. Yoga Moves became my second home! As I became physically stronger, I also began to notice the calming effects yoga had on my life. As an Early Childhood professional I wanted to bring the same benefits to the population I love working with. Today’s children have so many stressors in their young lives. I completed a 95-hour children’s yoga teacher training; I left my teaching job of over twenty years and embarked on a new career; I now bring yoga to children in area preschools.
The next step in my journey was completing a 200-hour teacher training program in May with Jen Ryan at The Yoga Loft. Additionally, I became Reiki I attuned in January. As I am beginning to notice limitations of my body, I am adhering to the yoga principle of Ahimsa—do no harm—and I seek out a kinder, gentler yoga. My journey is not complete; I will continue to learn to make yoga accessible to everyone. I stand by the mission statement of the Yoga and Body Image Coalition, “Every body is a yoga body.”
Arleigh Kennedy RYT 200 A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step – Chinese Proverb
I began my live affair with yoga over 10 years ago. A friend suggested I try a class and I thought – I won’t like it it’s too slow. I was so wrong. I fell in love. It wasn’t instant but I kept practicing and building my practice and pretty soon I was hooked. I loved the way it made me feel but mostly I loved the connection of mind, body and soul…. I received my 200 hr RYT under the mentorship of Mary Ellen Goodsir. I have been broadening my study of yoga and focusing on Yin through the guidance of the Summers School of Yin under Josh Summers and Terry Cockburn and hope to complete my 500 hr RYT by the end of 2020. I’ve also recently completed a training in chair yoga and hope to be able to make yoga more accessible to more people.
As I entered my late 40s I started to gain weight and just couldn’t get it off. I never had to worry about my weight but found that now I could no longer put train my diet. With the help of a doctor and a nutritionist I have been able to lose 60 lbs. This was all through diet and exercise – of which yoga played a huge role – mentally and physically.
My classes incorporate this journey. I blend in a mix of exercises to ready the body to come deeper into poses and traditional poses. I focus a lot of functional alignment (how the pose feels on your body) vs aesthetic alignment (how the pose looks). My goal is to make yoga available for everyone – regardless of shape, size or physical ability. My classes will focus on a strong practice that you will feel in your entire body.
Always remember the Chinese proverb – “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Yoga can change your life – you just have to take the first step.
Megan Cunningham RYT 200 I was first drawn to yoga as a way to help cope with my anxiety. After taking my first class, I immediately fell in love with how the practice not only eased my mind, but also challenged my body and lifted my spirit.
Yoga found me (literally) when I needed it most as I was in a transition period, seeking answers and alternatives to the way I was living. In September 2013, I started cleaning the Yoga Moves studio in exchange for unlimited free yoga classes. This encouraged me to go multiple times a week and tap into a place that was striving to be listened to and fulfilled.
The more I showed up on my mat, the more I felt like myself. I became lighter, stronger, more compassionate and aware, all because I was taking time out of my day to find stillness and focus within.
After three years of practicing consistently, I decided teaching would be the next direction in my yoga journey. Recently completing my 200-hour yoga teacher training at Yoga Moves, I’m eager to share the light, love, strength and clarity my practice has given me with others. As a yoga teacher and Reiki level 1 practitioner, my classes focus on pushing your boundaries while opening your heart and encouraging to be true to yourself (all while flowing it out to a killer playlist!)
Elizabeth Lucey "Bizzy" RYT 200 Bizzy began her journey with yoga after retiring from competitive gymnastics and dance. Searching to reconnect her mind and body, yoga was the perfect opportunity. Finding clarity and confidence through yoga inspired Bizzy to commit to the teacher training program at Yoga Moves. Through her training she found a deeper love for yoga and a new sense of self-awareness. Studying under Mary Ellen Goodsir, her style is inspired by classic vinyasa, yin, and restorative yoga. Each class with Bizzy is intended to build strength, provide mental clarity and create a space of inner peace. Her teaching is meant to empower students to challenge themselves while developing a supportive community. Founded in the eight limb path of yoga, these classes are inspired by classic vinyasa while incorporating Bizzy’s personal style. Along with her 200-hour teach training Bizzy is also level one Reiki certified. With this she, is passionate about bringing the light, love and joy that shines in her yoga practice to others with her teaching.
Jeff Sulloway RYT 200 While working for a large public accounting firm, Jeff began his yoga path feeling the need for stress relief. This journey which started with a beginner’s class in Summer 2015, has led him to be more in tune with his mind, his body, and his spirituality. In addition, yoga has helped Jeff integrate mindfulness practices such as conscious breathing, meditation, Brahmacharya (non-excess), and Reiki into his daily life. Jeff now works as an internal auditor for a global software company, and uses these practices to help keep daily balance. He has studied under Mary Ellen Goodsir for his 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training and is also certified in level one Reiki. He has a love and interest in Vinyasa, Yin, and Restorative yoga. His goal is to help people, with all body types and experience levels, feel comfortable on the mat and find their breath. As he, himself, experienced, Jeff hopes to help his students carry their yoga experience off their mat to enrich their whole lives. He is passionate about assisting others through tough poses using humor as well as encouraging yogis to look within to see their unlimited potential. Jeff's practices are designed for everybody and everybody!
Michele Capozzi RYT 200 My true yoga journey started December 2010, when I decided to give Yoga Moves a try. I was having some back issues and decided to try yoga to help alleviate the pain. After a few weeks my back was feeling great and my whole mind/body connection was coming alive I have one of those minds that keeps going but I found myself becoming more in tune with myself and feeling calmer. I have always been a fitness enthusiast and very active and adding yoga to my regime has made life much more enjoyable. Once a school counselor for 20 years now turned PE teacher I wanted to bring yoga into my classes. What better way to do that than to be a trained instructor? I decide to enroll in a 200 hour teacher training with Jen Ryan and graduated May 2018. I am also trained in Mindfulness and enjoy incorporating it into my yoga classes. I love teaching kids and adults and look forward to sharing my knowledge of yoga and mindfulness to the community. In my spare time I enjoy golfing, dancing, reading a good book and spending time with my family!
Teddy O'Connell RYT 200 I discovered yoga in 2001 while employed as a senior manager at a large high tech US corporation. At the time I was pretty stressed and already experiencing some back issues caused by lack of proper exercise. After one class I was immediately hooked – even though I had always preferred competitive sports I found plenty of challenges in yoga, while at the same time realizing that that there was a deeper component that offered more than just the physical practice. Over the years I have practiced a number of different yoga styles including: Hatha, Bikram, Anusara, Ivengar, Yin and Pranvayu, all of which have provided me with tremendous benefits, both physically and mentally. Having personally benefited so much from yoga I wanted to share this knowledge with others and help them to be “in a better place”. Therefore in 2011 I completed my 200 hour teacher training certificate in the Pranavayu style with it’s founder, David Magone.
Lena El-Chehabi E-RYT Offering Private Instruction I started out over 20 years ago as a group fitness instructor. A cancer diagnosis brought me to my knees and to my yoga mat. Yoga helped to ground me during the recovery process. It made me feel strong both physically and mentally. Years later, I am thrilled to say that I am cancer free! My classes focus on proper body alignment and safe transitions, but I also like to play-- my yoga mat is my playground. It is a place to explore. In yoga you move into and out of postures letting the breath be your guide. Does it matter what the pose looks like? Not really… I want to help students find their inner strength and stability. That’s what drew me to yoga in the first place. First trained to teach yoga through YogaFit, Lena completed her 200 Hour RYT Training (Spiritual Path Yoga) with Nicole Grant and Maureen Miller (Yoga Mandala/Yoga NH). She completed her Yin Yoga Foundations Training with Josh Summers and her Reiki Master Degree with Nicole Grant (Usui Shiki Ryoho Certified). Lena continues to deepen her yoga studies with many wonderful teachers including Nicole Grant (chakra-inspired vinyasa flow) and Janet Stone (vinyasa flow and devotion). She enjoys taking classes and teaching classes that are fun, playful, and light-hearted, believing that mindfulness is important, and a good sense of humor goes a long way
Shannon Fitzgerald Shannon is a Massachusetts native and a leader and advocate for the youth wellness movement. She began her yoga training 6 years ago and soon after received a certification from the Holistic Foundation for youth yoga and mindfulness. Shannon is the former owner of “Awake: The Yoga Studio” where she led yoga and created after school programs for elementary, middle and high school students. Currently, Shannon runs youth programs throughout Massachusetts’s both during and after school. Shannon holds multiple certifications in different areas of wellness from Omega institute along with a history of being a first responder in Boston and preschool teacher. Shannon is passionate and connects with our youth in hopes to bring about a strong sense of self-awareness and self-love. She believes these tools with help our youth thrive in our busy culture.
Olga Kukarina Qigong, Yoga, Tai Chi, Meridian Flow
Olgahas been studying different self-healing traditions of the world following her spirit desire and in order to improve her own health for more than 20 years. She is deeply grateful to some wonderful teachers that she met and learnt from and to the United States of America for the diversity and availability of information. She enjoys sharing obtained knowledge with interested individuals and teaches people to understand that their health is in their own hands. During her research she discovered that Qi Gong, China's ancient holistic system of energy medicine, and Tai Chi are the most effective self-healing practices in the world to restore body's original program to health. These practices emphasize harmony and health of body, mind and spirit and cultivate tranquil state of mind. Gentle flowing movement and breathing techniques, self-massage and acupressure, healing visualization and meditations make them enjoyable and effective tool for healing and disease prevention.
Certified Therapeutic Qi Gong teacher; Certified Tai Chi teacher; Certified in completion of the Acupressure Mastery Program with Michael Reed Gach, the Acupressure Institute founder; 7 years of apprenticeship in Sufi techniques, including Dance Meditation; 3 years of Belly Dance study; Yoga Practitioner since 1995.
Jason Gasdick Qigong
While many people come to qigong for its reputation in improving happiness, health, creativity and energy, it was pain that got me to qigong. My work as a consultant to high-pressured high-tech clients was very successful. But I spent way too much time curled over my laptop. I developed a serious condition in my neck and arms and I lost the use of my right thumb. Western Medicine struggled to help. Relief came with acupuncture and my acupuncturist pointed me to qigong as “acupuncture without the needles.” I have learned from two very different teachers, one steeped in modern western science the other steeped in traditional eastern healing practices.
Initially being very skeptical I studied with Dr. Yang and his Evidence Based Qigong. He was an engineer in China where he also was a revered Tai Chi (a type of qigong) competitor. He completed a PhD in Kinesiology at the University of Illinois where his research focused on mechanisms and benefits of qigong for geriatric patients. His work, published in scientific peer-reviewed journals, has helped bridge the gap between western medicine and eastern traditional practices. His qigong teacher training course was wonderfully beneficial and fun.
The positive experience from Evidence Based Qigong inspired me to explore a more traditional eastern qigong teacher, Robert Peng. Robert is a very well-known teacher focusing on using qigong for healing oneself and others. After studying qigong with Robert Peng for a few years my qigong adventures really began to take off.
2 years ago Robert invited me to be his assistant as he taught a week long Yi Jin Jing retreat at Eastover. Assisting Robert was so enlightening and fun. The experience inspired me to found QigongVacations.org. A year later he invited me to assist him for the 14 day Qigong Healer training at Omega. This was truly a transformative experience where I developed powerful techniques and strengths I didn't imagine I possessed and made wonderful friendships. We had so much fun together as Robert taught on Qigong Vacation's Farm Adventure for a week 2 years in a row. Robert and I have shared many great dinners filled with so much laughter, happiness, and fun. He has guided me, as he has with so many of his students to a new place in life. He has helped awaken in me a deep connection to the universe.
Practicing Qigong has brought even more love into my life as my friendships became stronger and more meaningful. I feel happier, wiser, more powerful than I ever have in life. With Robert's encouragement and blessing I have completed his Qigong Teacher Training and I am now certified and empowered to teach!
MEET OUR WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS
Judy Bousquin, Meditation, Reiki teacher/practitioner/Collaborative Healing with Spirit RT200 Many moons ago, Judy discovered meditation through her yoga practice, ever since she has been practicing sitting meditation, Yoga Nidra and exploring the various traditions of quieting the mind and finding the still-point within. Judy began teaching sitting meditations and Yoga Nidra when students and private clients expressed their challenge with stress in their lives. Inspired by the natural accessibility of meditation to be a self-care took, Judy made a commitment to assist people in becoming engaged in their internal, well-being and thus feeling empowered within their lives instead of wondering “when the next shoe will drop”. Judy believes, “A meditation practice can help us feel better, think clearer and lie in alignment with our values.” Judy also practices and teaches Reiki and yoga; beautiful complements to meditation. When not practicing, Judy finds joy in being with her family, reading, writing and wandering in the woods.
Kelly Glendye Licensed Therapeutic Massage Therapist, Certified in Pre and Perinatal Massage, Oncology Massage, Reiki and Breath Work As a passionate practitioner of whole-health wellness, Kelly believes in the fundamental link between our physical body and mind. Massage and self-care are an important part of our overall health, and regular massage can help prevent injury, reduce stress, and improve flexibility and circulation. Each massage session with Kelly is a unique and tailored experience. At the start, Kelly reviews any new body issues, pain points, stress, stiffness, etc. Then through an integration of several massage modalities, Kelly creates open space and healing within the tissues – leading to improved health and wellness in both body and mind. Kelly has been a licensed massage therapist for more than 13 years and has an established and thriving personal practice. Also an active Yogi and outdoor enthusiast, she is excited to now be a part of the self-care practice at YogaMoves.
Jan Tino CranioSacral Therapist, Licensed & Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Reiki Master As a CranioSacral Therapist (CST) Massage Therapist, and Reiki Master, I practice CST which is a gentle light touch therapy that encourages the body to heal itself. I believe in the wisdom of the body and see my role as a facilitator to assist my clients in achieving their goals. Together we accomplish assisting the body in releasing physical pain by releasing dura, facial and muscular restrictions. In addition to relieving physical pain, this work can be used to relieve emotional pain that is trapped within the body. This si called SoranecoEmotionalRelease (SER). I have received training from the Upledger Institute in this modality as well. Combining all my knowledge and training from Massage Therapy, Reiki, CST and SER, I provide an integrative approach to bodywork. I continue to study and learn new methods to deepen my understanding of the human body in order to promote my clients’ health. My clients’ goals include; relieve their mind, body and spirit of daily stress; relieve pain; encourage and promote healing (recovery from injury and emotional pain) ; improve body awareness
Laura Hackel, Resident Shaman
I love my work. I love the relationship that I have developed with the Crystal Bowls where I know I can count on them to bring the exact right vibrations to bear for each individual in the room., whether it’s two or 44 people. I love the point when I am playing where I suddenly “get” what the message is, why we all made it on that particular day. Recently I added Crystals, Nature Powerful Healers to my collection of offerings. Selecting them was a bit daunting when I thought about it, but really it was just my mind getting in the way, the reality was, I knew which ones were right and was able to get some real beauties to offer. It's all in your vibration. Take care of yours today for a joy filled tomorrow.
