Teachers

Allison:

Bridget:

(Studio Manager)

Bridget Rawls Peterson, RYT, began her yoga practice in college in North Carolina as a compliment to her dance training. She had been a technically trained dancer for her entire life and the power poses really challenged her in a way her body had never been challenged before. When she obtained her BA in Dance Education, she began teaching movement to people of all ages and physical abilities, incorporating many of the yoga poses she had learned into her teachings. She found a fun way to bring poses to children, a way to challenge professional dancers, and even a gentle way to bring movement to the elderly through yoga. When Bridget moved to NYC to pursue her professional dance career, she kept connected to her yoga training and began to explore more into the many styles of yoga. Bridget quickly attached herself to the Vinyasa style because of the similarity to dance it holds. It is a fluid approach to the traditional yoga poses she had begun to love. The precise attention to alignment and breath also helped her to connect deeper to movement within her performing and choreography. While choreographing and performing with a small dance company, Bridget attended the 200-hour certification program at Om Yoga in NYC under Cyndi Lee. While there she began to delve more into meditation and Buddhist spiritual studies as well. She also obtained her Prenatal Certification while studying at Om Yoga under Janice Clarfield. After teaching in NYC for a time, Bridget moved out of the concrete mountains and into the beautiful scenic landscape of Rockland County. She has been teaching around Rockland and Bergen County and is inspired everyday by the amazing splendor that is the world around us. Bridget recently completed her 500-hour Yoga Teaching Certification at Om Yoga, which included her Restorative, Pranayama, Yin Yoga and Meditation Certifications. She has her Kids Yoga Certification through Karma Kids Yoga in NYC. She hopes to help her students see the beauty and joy that is around them and within them through breath and movement.

Chris:

Chris DeTora is a practitioner of Chinese Martial Arts and Chi Gung. He has been practicing these arts for 17 years. It was a study of the background theories and philosophies which led him to the practice. He has a varied experience in Chinese martial arts, particularly in the internal systems which rely not on muscular force or strength but on a refined body structure and the use of chi. It is this interest in internal systems which led him to extensive study of chi gung, systems of health exercises related to acupuncture theory. Chris uses a holistic and personal approach to teaching, recognizing that we all must work with the bodies we have rather than trying to force ourselves into some ‘cookie cutter’ practice which will yield little to no significant improvement in our health. He seeks to facilitate the process of finding structure, health and balance. Chris has developed a wide variety of classes and trainings for counselors, people recovering from addiction and mental illness and some programs for at risk youth. He has a deep commitment service and a desire to bring these arts where they are needed most.

Elizabeth:

Elizabeth Doberneck is a certified Anusara, RYT teacher who has taught since 1994. She has studied extensively with John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga, and has completed his level II yoga therapeutics training. She has also studied intensively with meditation teacher Paul Muller Ortega, a world-renowned scholar and teacher of the Yoga Tantra. In addition to teaching public and private classes, Elizabeth teaches the Anusara Immersion Levels I, II and III, the in-depth course of study required for those wishing to become Anusara yoga teachers. Elizabeth’s goal in teaching is to inspire students to experience greater freedom in their bodies and in their lives. She brings a deep knowledge of alignment technique and a poetic spirit to her classes.

Karon:

Karon is an Anusara-Inspired Instructor working toward Anusara Certification. Practicing and studying yoga for over 17 years, Karon began her practice in the Iyengar method. In 1997, she met John Friend, founder of Anusara Yoga, which transformed her yoga practice and her entire outlook on balanced living. Karon credits John and Anusara’s Universal Principles of Alignment (TM) with unveiling the spiritual and emotional aspects of her physical practice. She has completed John Friend’s Anusara Teacher Training Levels I and II, as well as his Anusara Therapeutic Training, which focuses on understanding and healing injuries through yoga. Karon also studies yoga philosophy under Professor Paul Muller-Ortega, a world-renowned scholar of Tantric Philosophy. The Tantric philosophy, the foundation for Anusara yoga, is grounded in an understanding of intrinsic goodness. Karon brings to her practice and teaching this intention of connecting to the greater good--connecting to Grace. Encouraging playfulness and creative expression, Karon incorporates The Universal Principles of Alignment in all of her classes and workshops. Her thoughtful and joyful style gently, but perceptibly, raises her students’ practices to the next level, helping them to step into Grace. Karon teaches from the heart, weaving her deep enthusiasm and passion for learning into every aspect of her life. She is grateful to her teachers, students and family for the greatest lessons in life. She would like to thank all her teachers and students for their kindness, inspiration and support.

Laura:

Laura came to yoga after many years of personal fitness development. She recognized the beneficial impact yoga had on reducing the stress in her life and her over-all sense of well-being. She discovered just how empowering it could be when she not only achieved a stronger body but also a more complete mind/body equilibrium and, ultimately, a deeper level of satisfaction and personal growth. From that recognition and discovery came a strong desire to help others with their own personal growth and physical fitness. Laura completed a nationally recognized 200-hour registered yoga teacher training and to date, has taught over 3,000 hours of yoga. Laura is the founder of Creative Wellness Products and her innovative DVD Balanced Yoga with Laura Kallen was released in 2009 to rave reviews. Through her yoga practice, Laura became even more in tune with her body and noticed just how much her nutrition played an integral role in her energy level, mood, sleep, happiness and overall sense of balance and well-being. She is a Certified Holistic Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and SUNY Purchase as well as a member of AADP, the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. As a yoga instructor and health coach, Laura’s mission is to empower her clients to achieve their health and life goals so that they can reach their optimum potential and be their happiest, most authentic selves. Her classes vary from challenging and power generating to the gentle and relaxing but they always provide individuals with the support and tools they need to create a more balanced, healthful life and reach a higher level of self-care. 

Marla:

I am a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in treatment of infants with severe disabilities. I have been working in the field for 26 years and currently I am in private practice doing home care for these children. I completed my yoga certification in 2000 at Yoga Montclaire, in the Anusara tradition. My teaching centers around breath and alignment, presented in a vinyasa flow. I currently teach to all levels, in a wide variety of settings.

Martin:

Martin has been practicing yoga since 2009, and began enthusiastically practicing Kundalini Yoga after being introduced to the teachings while on staff at the Omega Institute in 2010. After a powerful and elevating experience he felt called to teach Kundalini Yoga. In August of 2011, after practicing much Kundalini Yoga, Martin headed to New Mexico to do the Level 1 Immersion course for Kundalini Yoga with Kundalini Research Institute. He began teaching staff classes at Omega institute after the training, this past September and October. He is excited for the opportunity to teach in his home town, Nyack. While not practicing Kundalini Yoga, Martin's efforts are mainly focused on visual arts (Fine Art/Painting). He has found that Kundalini Yoga has aided in transforming his creative energy to more freely express itself. Description of Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yoga is a unique practice that allows you to improve your health & fitness, as well as helping you clarify and achieve your goals. In addition to improving physical strength and flexibility, it also strengthens your nervous and glandular systems. It prepares your mind for optimal clarity and use. It enlivens your sense of awareness, and gives you greater energy to express your creativity. The word kundalini means awareness and the hidden potential of that awareness. It is the greatness of which you are capable. Kundalini Yoga can be practiced by anyone if it is done gradually and by following the instructions. In 1969, an acknowledged master of Kundalini Yoga, Yogi Bhajan, recognized the need to spread these techniques. He began to codify and release these teachings. He also began training teachers to share this yogic technology for human caliber in the U.S. and around the world. As a beginning student, you should go at a pace that suits your flexibility and endurance. Practice at home. If you can practice at the same time each day, you will find that you improve rapidly. Taking a class once a week or more establishes a firm foundation for an effective practice that fits your needs, goals, and capacity.

Meryl:

I took my first yoga class about 30 years ago at a Jack LaLanne Health Club in Queens, where I grew up. Being naturally flexible, I took to yoga easily and loved it. In the years since that first yoga class, I’ve practiced and studied many different types of yoga with many different teachers. As a teacher—and in my personal practice—I combine Kundalini, Ashtanga and Hatha styles of yoga. I’ve also studied and taught Chair Yoga to seniors and have taught Mommy and Baby Yoga at the JCC. Workshops I’ve taken include Therapeutic Yoga, Pranayama Yoga, Yoga for Kids, Philosophy of Yoga, Asana Teaching Techniques, and Meditation and Yoga. My lunchtime class is a gentle flow, and is accessible for anyone-all levels-who would like a break in the middle of the day to do some gentle movement, stretching and meditation. I love teaching yoga, especially when the people who take my classes come up to me and say, “Thank you, I feel so much better now than when I walked in to your class.” Prior to becoming a yoga teacher, I was in the corporate world for over 20 years.

Naomi:

(Owner)

Dr. Pelzig graduated from New York University Medical School in 1980 and did her rotating internship through the Yale Medical School Department of Psychiatry. While working as a public health doctor at Montefiore-Rikers Island Health Services she was exposed to the use of acupuncture with drug addicts at Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx. She was impressed that tiny needles placed in the external ear could help them relax, sit quietly, and get better control over their lives. Dr. Pelzig went on to study Acupuncture in America, Taiwan, and Europe. She has also intensively studied both Chinese herbs and Western herbs, CranioSacral therapy, Reiki, Zero Balancing, meditation, Tai Qi, Qi Gong, yoga, nutrition, functional medicine and positive psychology. She is a warm, sensitive, genuine and honest physician committed to a partnership with her patients. Dr. Pelzig believes in careful use of medication and integrates the best of western medicine with the best of complementary medicine. She is board certified by the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, is currently in the certification program for Zero Balancing and is a meditation student of Dr. Reginald Ray of Dharma Ocean Foundation.

Nicola:

Nicola Weiner graduated with a Master’s of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami in 1999. Nicola received her Pilates Certification in 1998 through Polestar Pilates. Integrating her background in dance, yoga, and massage therapy, Nicola incorporates manual therapy with movement re-education to facilitate greater ease and function in an effort to improve each individual’s quality of life.

Paul:

I started practicing Yoga, in Nyack in 2006 because I believed it would fix me; and Yoga does have wonderful tools to give vibrant health; but what I am most enamored by is the story telling skills it gives all practitioners to tell their own story of peace. It is awesome and fun. :)). Your first class is free and is my gift. Future classes are by donation. I share Dharma Yoga (link) http://www.dharmayogacenter.com/welcome.php

Petrina:

Petrina was first introduced to yoga about 30 years ago. After her career as a professional modern dancer and choreographer ended due to a car accident she immersed herself in studying yoga, eastern & western healing arts (shiatsu, acupuncture, culinary therapy) and meditation (vipassana & shambhala). Over the last 15 years she has assisted hundreds of people of all walks of life to regain their balance of body-mind-spirit as a full time yoga teacher and therapist. In her classes she blends a wealth of knowledge and yoga experience to create a fun, dynamic, deeply challenging or relaxing practice for her students to inspire more vibrant and conscious living. She has studied and practiced Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Iyengar and Anusara Yoga. Among her most influential teachers to whom she is deeply grateful are Desiree Rumbaugh, Zhenja La Rosa, Elizabeth Doberneck, Shiva Rea and Sarah Powers. When not on the mat or creating delicious meals for her family & friends, she loves to garden and hike with two of her favorite beings who make her laugh a lot - her husband and their dog Zizou.

Zumbi:

Mestre Zumbi began training Capoeira at the age of nine in his native home of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He has participated in countless workshops, performances and exhibitions the world over. His journey brought him to the United States in 2000 where he has since taught in numerous schools and universities throughout New York and New Jersey. In 2002 Zumbi became the official Capoeira instructor at Princeton University, founding a program that has been met with a great deal of enthusiasm within the university community. Since that time he has continued his work in the states, founding programs in both Manhattan and Newark. Community outreach and classes for children have long been an emphasis of Zumbi's work both in Brazil and now in the US. Working with local YMCA's, community centers and art coalitions he has worked to bring Capoeira to the local youth as a means for both mental and physical development as well as providing connections with African and Brazilian cultural heritage. With the help of local governments and community nonprofits, Zumbi will continue to expand the social mission of the group in the coming years.

  ** To find out more information on any of our teachers, click on the teacher's name to visit their personal website. **