About
I am a yoga instructor with over 28 years of experience. Since 1990 while studying at Temple University I began learning and practicing yoga. In 2003 after receiving my teacher training at Kripalu Yoga and Health Center, I began teaching and studying many different styles or methods of yoga with some of the best instructors around the world.
The experience I have attained over the years has allowed me to understand what is necessary for a beginner or intermediate level student to learn as they begin their yoga journey.
I am a lifetime student that wishes to teach yoga to anyone that is willing to listen and practice its healing powers. It is the choice of each student to listen to their heart and find their own path.
In 2008 after a year of Research and Development I created 3D Yogis and Yoginis "Box of Poses" to help people share the gift of yoga with children, family and friends. Check it out at http://3dyogisandyoginis.com
Yoga Instruction allows me to help others feel a sense of empowerment. My detailed instructions help build confidence and strength in others. Teaching yoga allows me to do the two things I love most (helping others and doing yoga).
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I ask there background and what they are seeking. Why they want to learn yoga? I like to know what they want to learn and in what time frame they expect to be able to learn from their own practice.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Since 1990 I have been doing some form of yoga. My trainings have given me over 500 hours of in class learning or experience. My trainings with different schools of yoga are as follows: 200 hours teacher training with Kripalu, 100 hour teacher training with Shiva Rea/Vinyasa Flow, Over 100 hours of Kundalini Training at Summer Solstice Events, Over 100 Hours of Ashtanga Yoga Training with David Swenson, David Williams, Richard Freeman, Manju Jois and Sharath Rangaswami; Son & Grandson of Master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.
I have also studied frequently with Erich Schiffmann, Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman Yee, Seane Corn, Ana Forrest, David life, Sharon Gannon, Desiree Rumbaugh, Patricia Walden, Baron Baptiste, Sri Dharma Mittra and Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa.
I have taught over 10,000 hours of classes to groups of people at corporations, Hotel Hershey events, personal trainings and other small gyms or facilities.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My standard is $60.00 per hour but I am willing to discuss this with student depending on amount of time and travel distance. In order to get started I ask "what you can you afford"? and "what amount of learning are you looking for" ? I am able to structure pricing and the amount of meetings to fit each students needs and affordability if it is reasonable. I have also done two people at a time for $80.00 to $100.00 split in half. But all the numbers have to consider time, travel and the details of what is being done.
How did you get started teaching?
After 13 years of practice I just new it was time. I fell in love with yoga. It fit every need I had to find a deeper self and a higher purpose. It grounds me and makes life easier to appreciate. It is challenging enough to keep me curious and always learning.
What types of students have you worked with?
Elderly, and middle age students mostly. I have taught many children classes too. I have taught 20-30s as well frequently, but find they want to do to many things that I do not think of as yoga. Yoga is a simple method. You can add some things to it that are great additions, but most of what is yoga has been around for many many years. I am a purist. There are so many poses that have been in system for years and they all compliment one another. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. It rolls and is doing just fine.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I taught a large corporation event at Hotel Hershey a few years ago. It was about 80 people. We had it in one of the most elegant rooms up at the Hotel. It was the largest I had ever done there. We had a great time mainly because they were just enjoying having fun with something most of them never did. It was a light hearted event that made many laugh and learn all at once. I worked for the Hotel Hershey for over 12 years teaching yoga. Did many large events for wedding groups, corporations, Bachelorette parties, Women's Business Groups and Wellness Events.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Tell them what you want and are looking for. Make sure the teacher has at least a 200 hour teacher training from a large yoga school and not just a studio that is locally owned. Teacher training is easy to find these days mainly because local studios with little training offer the trainings to earn money and stay afloat. This may sound critical but in truth a teacher training should have a very large staff of at least 5-8 teachers training you on how to teach yoga. The course for teacher training should cover anatomy, breathing techniques, posture alignment, Yoga history, meditation, poses & names in Sanskrit & English. There is so much that is important to understand about Yoga. It is experience that teaches you but a quality teacher can give you a method to learn safely and quickly. You must have patience. Always making certain you work within yourself loving and respecting yourself as you make your path to good health. Yoga is a connection of all things within. Body Mind and Spirit. Breathing, Extending, Aligning, Relaxing, Balancing, Clearing, Focussing, Letting Go, Holding and so much more.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Know what you want to achieve. What is your intention? What do you think you are lacking in fitness or health? Do you have back issues or tight areas that you wish to improve? Know your strengths and weaknesses or at least think about what is needed to make you find contentment. You find out once you get started that some weaknesses were not what you expected. Yoga will make you understand so much more about your body and mind. It really gives you a synchronization with the areas that you may have never truly connected with. It helps you better understand how you can improve the areas you never thought you could.