Carissa had her first hands-on encounter with yoga about 17 years ago, and has been hooked ever since.  She has spent the last few years studying asana and yoga philosophy with Jennifer Kohl and other teachers at Lotus Yoga Montclair, where she received her teaching certification in 2007.  Outside of the studio, Carissa owns and operates Harvest Table Fresh Food Eatery in downtown Newark.

Dalien has been serving as an E-RYT 500 level Yoga instructor, sound therapist, PTSD/ trauma healing expert, shaman and adjunct Professor of Yoga & Meditation at Montclair State University in NJ for almost a decade. With 20 years of study, 13
teaching; his style is an alignment inspired practice rooted in a synthesis of Iyengar, Anusara, Qigong, Vini and Ashtanga sensibilities.  Over the years, he’s presented at national fitness / yoga conferences along side other noted teachers like Seane Corn, Amy Ippoliti, Desiree Rumbaugh, to name a few.  Having studied with various master teachers from various lineages in yoga, shamanism, sound healing and martial arts along with a dash of childhood personal adversity, Dalien brings a fun, humbled and informative perspective to the practice.  He’s been best described as Swami Satchananda meets Robin Williams and John Lennon.

Musically and Kirtanally speaking, 13 HANDS, is a two time, Grammy nominated artist, contemporary, world and shamanic musical shape-shifter.  He has released 7 albums and has been immersed in contemporary, healing and world music for over 20 years having shared stage/opened for RUN DMC, Ani DiFranco, Krishna Das, WAH!, Shyamdas, Dave Stringer, Ours, Paula Cole, Mongolian Throat Singers and Laurie Anderson to name a few; along with being the first independent artist to chart simultaneously on the alternative and world music charts with “Big Lie” and “Ganesha” on his last release, “You Are What You Leave Behind”.  Last summer 13 HANDS shared music and chant with 10,000 Yogi’s in Central Park for Flavorpill.com’s “Yoga at the Great Lawn” and his sound is a unique mix of David Gray, Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd coupled with various world chant, Indian and Native American music influences. 

His inspiring healing journey of curing Crohns, Colitis, Chronic upper respiratory, allergy and chemical sensitivity issues, depression, IBS, Seliac Disease, Epstein Barr, Chronic Fatigue, head and spine trauma and other related digestive, endocrine and liver issues took nearly 20 years and enlisted the help of many holistic-based health practitioners, various teachers,  raw/living foods, and other “outside the box” approaches.

The wisdom from this journey became the foundation for his most recent work, THE HEARTT PROTOCOLS TM, a holistic methodology that has been clinically proven to provide physical, emotional and spiritually healing breakthroughs in the treatment of PTSD, improving sleep, reducing the need to be dependent on anti-depressants and other trauma related symptoms in survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse as well.  You can read the trauma report at http://www.healyourheart.net  You can learn and read more at http://www.13hands.com

Heather V. Guarino has been a yoga practitioner over 10 years. Her practice is based in Iyengar and vinyasa. Heather believes that without meditation, the stillness of mind, one cannot grasp understanding, true compassion, kindness, wisdom, and equanimity. She believes life is how we perceive it, therefore, yoga is the tool to reach a higher perception. When yoga is practiced correctly, the practitioner creates the space in the mind and body for the higher Self to reveal itsSelf. With proper alignment of the body and mind one can live in a state of total awareness, leading to unwavering happiness and enlightenment. Heather offers her knowledge and her heart to her students to reach a higher level within themselves.

Heather bows to all of her teachers. May they live a long life and may all beings be happy and free.

Jennifer Kohl is the founder and director of the Lotus Yoga centers in Montclair and Newark, New Jersey, the Lotus In Action Community Outreach program, and the director of the lotus yoga 300-hour and 500-hour teacher training programs.

Jennifer began her career as a merchandising and marketing executive and after five years turned to the health and wellness field as a means to enrich her life and the lives of others. Jennifer has been teaching yoga to children and adults since 2000 and training others to teach yoga through her Yoga Alliance approved teacher-training programs since 2005.

Jennifer believes strongly that one must remain an ardent student in order to be a good teacher and continues to refine and deepen her understanding of the science of yoga by studying under the guidance of her teachers.

Jillian Pransky is Director of Restorative Yoga Teacher Training for Yoga Works NYC and California and co-director Bright Spirit Teacher Training, at Devotion Yoga in Hoboken. She is known as a nurturing guide, with an uplifting and playful spirit. Her teaching weaves together mindfulness techniques and breath based yoga flow, with an emphasis on bringing the practice of yoga and meditation into everyday life.

Jillian leads classes, trainings and retreats at Kripalu, Omega, Feathered Pipe, Fit Yoga Conference and other international venues. She was initiated as a Senior Teacher in the ISHTA yoga lineage by Mani and Alan Finger in 1997. Her teaching is greatly inspired by her studies with Buddhist Nun Pema Chodron, Erich Schiffmann, and John Friend. Jillian’s Relaxmore CD has garnered excellent reviews from many including Oprah’s Dr. Memhet Oz! Visit http://www.yogajillian.com to learn more.

Kanan is a Registered Yoga Teacher, RYT-500. She hold’s a Master’s and License in Social Work. Kanan has been working with clients privately and at studios for many years, utilizing her education, knowledge and creativity to best serve their wellness needs. Kanan’s classes are inviting and flowing to a GREAT playlist and sequencing bringing YOU to your most DIVINE!

Kanan teaches Prenatal/Postnatal, Kids and Vinyasa style Yoga. She is a trained Doula & Birth Mentor, leading Labor and Birth workshops as well as Lotus Kids Summer Camp - FUN!

Kanan has appeared in “Orgasmic Birth” and “Postpartum Yoga with Gurmukh” media. She serves on the Board of Lotus In Action, which offers yoga locally and globally to underserved consituents within various places. She has the highest regard for her educators and teachers both on and off the mat! Kanan was born and raised, early childhood in India - the birthplace of Yoga. Living currently in town, raising two children with the guidance of pure living and well-being for all. 

Kanan is certified in pregnancy yoga through Gurmukh’s Khalsa Way training and especially loves teaching yoga to mothers-to-be and kids of all ages, both privately and in group settings. Kanan embraces a natural lifestyle which includes a yoga practice, homeopathy, essential oils, whole nutrition, and wellness care. Kanan is passionate about creating art and parenting with the intention of pure joy.

Kimma has been practicing various forms of yoga for 11 years but made the decision to change her life, quit the corporate world and become a yoga teacher in 2009.  She received her first training in an intensive 200 hour program through Frog Lotus Yoga in North Adams Massachusetts and completed the 300 hour teacher training at Lotus Yoga in 2010. 

Currently a Yoga Alliance E-RYT 200 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) and RCYT (Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher).  In 2011 Kimma completed certification in Level 1 Foundations of Thai Yoga Massage through the Triple Gem School of Thai Massage and continues her studies in Triaxial Yoga Therapeutics at Yoga Life Society. Her goal is to bring these two amazing healing practices into her classes to help benefit students and provide a well rounded and grounded experience in each class.

In addition to teaching and continuing to study, she makes jewelry, walk dogs, and occasionally picks up freelance marketing work.  Working to find balance in her life so that she can enjoy the company of her loved ones, continue to meet new and interesting people and teach yoga to students at Newark’s YMCA, Newark city schools, and Lotus Yoga Studios in Montclair and Newark.

Kimma is forever grateful to the many teachers in her life and works to honor them in her actions on and off the mat every day. Om Shanti Om!

Marcie Wallace received her 200 hour and advanced teacher training through the Lotus Yoga Teacher Training Program. An avid practitioner in the vinyasa style, she teaches a strong vinyasa flow with an emphasis on alignment. She is also a firm believer that yoga is for everyone. As a result,she teaches to the elderly and disabled population, teen, kid’s, chair, and restorative yoga.

Marcie is forever thankful to her Guruji, Reverend Jaganath Carrera, for guiding her on the Path.  Also much gratitude is extended to Genny Kapuler for her extensive asana wisdom and her gentle spirit and to Jennifer Kohl for her support and friendship. Finally, Marcie would not be traveling the path she is without the support and love of her husband, four children and dog, the true yogis in her life.

Mary Paige Snell (RYT) has an upbeat style of teaching yoga with an emphasis on creativity and rejuvenation. She completed her Yoga Teacher Training with Jyoti Chrystal and has been greatly influenced by Jennifer Kohl as well as David Life and Sharon Gannon. As an actress she has performed at various locations such as Lincoln Center, The Guggenheim Museum, and the Vienna Theater Festival. She can be heard on the Philips Classics recording of a modern opera with Iggy Pop and is currently focused on completing her novel, “The Shaman Factory.” For more information go to http://www.marypaigesnell.com.

Cultivating more connection through movement, music and bodywork, Melinda seeks to serve others in their journey to do the same drawing from several modalities.

Melinda has a degree in Biology, Pre-Med from Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN) and is fluent in Portuguese. She has practiced yoga earnestly since 1998, in 2002 thus began her discovery of Anusara. In 2008 Melinda completed her Level I & II Teacher Training in Anusara with Sue Elkind and Naime Jezzney of Dig Yoga. For the last 9 years, Melinda has been practicing and is an instructor in the beautiful afro-Brazilian martial art of capoeira as a student of Mestre Doutor (ASCAB Capoeira). AcroYoga found her in her front yard in Flagstaff in 2006 and then again in Pennsylvania in 2008. Many immersions, workshops and classes later in three continents, Melinda became a certified AcroYoga Teacher in 2011 (TT7). She looks forward to sharing this joyful practice with anyone, especially those willing to play their edge.

Patti practices and teaches yoga from her heart. She is inspired to help others to rediscover and awaken the joy, beauty and abundance that is always inside them.  She is an Anusara-inspired yoga teacher and is grateful to all her teachers : John Friend, Eric Shiffman, Genny Kapuler, Mary Dunn, Angela Farmer, Rodney Yee, Vishali Varga, Sharon Gannon, David Life,  and so many others. Patti has been teaching yoga since 1996 and put herself through acupuncture school by teaching what she loves. 

She is a Nationally Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in good standing with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and   Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and maintains an Acupuncture Practice, The New Jersey Acupuncture & Fertility Center in Montclair NJ.  She focuses on Reproductive Health including Fertility and Women’s Health (PMS to Menopause) as well as in Musculoskeletal Pain.

Patti is grateful especially to all those who have allowed her to accompany them on their journey to wellness and feels privileged to have their trust in improving their health and vitality.  Please visit her website at http://www.njfertilityacupuncture.com

When Rebecca attended her first yoga class 12 years ago she couldn’t touch her toes. Something resonated and she was hooked. She has since found the practice to be a continual and considerable force in her life that stretches both her body and her mind.  Rebecca completed her 200 hour certiciation in 2004 at Sonic Yoga in NYC and her 500 hour advanced certification in 2009 at Lotus Yoga.

Rebecca teaches a dynamic vinyasa class in which she pulls from many sources of inspiration, including Jennifer Kohl, Rusty Wells, Dharma Mittra, Patthabi Jois, Sundara, Baron Baptiste, Irit and her personal boddhisatva, Turkey Tom.

Stacy’s introduction to yoga began at age 12 when she picked up an old asana picture book in the local library with wide eyed admiration. A mysterious thirst for something in that book led her to take classes here and there at the local YMCA during her teenage years. Later she found herself captivated by the required reading for a yoga college course—Iyengar’s introduction to Light on Yoga. Once again, an inner pull made her long for more, and she embarked on a path of gently and slowly exploring different yoga paths and traditions. Inspired always by the philosophy of yoga, she is drawn to teachers and students who embody Truth. This is how she arrived at Lotus Yoga, which she happily and gratefully considers her yoga home (with deep gratitude to Jennifer Kohl). Stacy believes that yoga is a way of living, and a true and honorable path towards the peace and unity that we all seek. She honors all the teachers past and present who have passed on the sacred teachings, and also gives reverence to the mysterious teacher within.