Classes

April became interested in movement when she realized that regular conditioning can not only aid in everyday life, but can enhance creative movement and breathing. She studied Theater Arts at Portland State University and went on to complete a degree in Music at Hunter College in Manhattan. When April stumbled across the opportunity to be involved in the teacher training program with Ellie Herman at her Brooklyn studio, she was please to witness all of her educational skills come together. Pilates enforces and sharpens many important tools April used in dance, theatrics, and vocal performance. She learned to be aware of the body, breath, and alignment through an even more precise avenue. April uses this personal interest to introduce new clients to the Pilates world, as well as, challenge advanced clients to enhance their skills. April is always inspired to further her education and continues to take workshops in both Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Warm and generous, with rigor and discipline, my yoga class is an integration of many years as a dance teacher of young and old and my experiences on and off the mat. The Vinyassa and asanas are an opportunity to be alive and authentic and to know ones voice. Having grown up in a large family I know that community and support are crucial for transformation. Within each class I create a situation to churn up deeply held thoughts and physical experiences and over time the practitioner can address these issues in a safe yet challenging environment.

Chris Maddox- Using her knowledge of subtle body, anatomy, alignment, yogic philosophy and western psychology, Chris aims to help her students bridge the gap between their yoga practice and their life off the matt. She is a graduate of Yogaworks’ 200 hour Teacher Training program in San Francisco and is currently in apprenticeship with Fay Simpson, creator of the Lucid Body Technique, a movement technique for actors based on the seven chakras. “Everything you do will be insignificant but it’s very important that you do it”-Ghandi

A Philadelphia native, Dina recently finished her MFA in dance at Temple University, following a BFA in dance performance from the University of the Arts. Dina's teaching credits include Temple University, Muhlenberg College, Koresh School of Dance, The University of Pennsylvania, DaCi International,The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, American College Dance Festival, and Black College Dance Exchange. Dina has also been asked to teach at Drexel University and Cedar Crest College. Dina is based in New York and has recently worked with choreographers Kariamu Welsh, Charles O. Anderson, and Kota Yamazaki. While receiving her MFA Dina's work was selected to be performed as part of a juried performance at ACDFA at SUNY Buffalo and she presented work in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Dina's work has also been set and performed with Dance Theatre X and Danse4nia Repertory Ensemble.

Upon finishing graduate school, Dina was profiled in the Temple Times among outstanding graduates. Most recently, Dina joined the nEW Festival artist residency at the University of the Arts, in which she premiered her latest solo work Spirit/Song.

Elise Espat is dedicated to the ongoing practice and study of the traditional Ashtanga yoga method. She has studied here in New York City as well as in Mysore, India with the Jois family at the Shri K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute.

Haley:

Wake up. Smile. Asana. Train Ride. Smile. Pranayama. Eat. Laugh. Meditate.

My yoga is to share my practice as fully with my friends, teachers, students, and strangers as I can each and every day. Yoga found me as a release from the stress and anxiety I had placed upon myself as a performer, and consistently acts as my reminder of who and what I belong to. I try to give my students the ability to be as playful and free in their minds and bodies while offering a strong set of challenges and goals to build to. My classes are inspired by my teacher, David Magone’s, effort to “change the body, free the mind.” Come play!

Uprooting herself from earthy Northern California planting new invigorating roots in gritty Brooklyn, Jennifer found her true voice through her dedication to yoga. Embarking on a vigorous journey to what life presents, she analytically relates the past to the present in an exploration into future rhythmic aspects of the body with ecstatic chanting, mudras, asana, philosophic teachings and poetry of histories great gurus. Trained at Laughing Lotus in Vinyasa and Restorative Yoga with Dr. Judith Lasater she understands the necessity to connect to the human experience. Jennifer believes our physical bodies are vessels that carry our souls into our dharma. A steady yoga practice combined with conscious thought, propel her vibrating spirit to share the importance of unifying a compassionate heart with freedom in the mind. Om Shanti.

Lisa is a fitness coach certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and is excited to be a part of the Green Fitness team. She has been on the teaching staff at New York Circus Arts Academy since the summer of 2007, specializing in aerial silks. While she is very patient, she has helped many people of all fitness levels execute impressive feats of agility and strength. Her coaching style emphasizes proper form, progression, and fun.

Lou was introduced to yoga at a very early age by her father, who had a daily morning practice. At 16, she stumbled upon Iyengar yoga and took her first official yoga class. By the time she was 19 she just couldn't get enough and soon joined "Studio Yoga's" teacher training program in New Jersey taught by Theresa Rowland, who holds several Iyengar Yoga certifications. In 2002 she started teaching full time, which she would do for the next 5 1/2 years throughout Northern New Jersey. Lou has taught yoga for Athletes (weekend warriors and semi-pro football players), Restorative classes (relax and renew), Power yoga, yoga for Seniors and older adults, Prenatal yoga, yoga for kids and teens, beginners and intermediate classes amongst others. She is a 200hr certified yoga instructor. It is her love for people and her passion for yoga that make for a truly fulfilling experience when taking her classes. She is an enthusiastic, positive, upbeat and patient person who is not afraid to challenge her students while always making sure to keep them safe from injury. Lou recently moved to New York and is loving the energy and vibrancy of the city, as well as expanding her yoga family within this "new" community.

Lou was born in Venezuela, spent her very early teen years in France, and has been in the United States since she was 14 years old.

Originally from upstate New York, currently Rachel resides in Brooklyn. While growing up she was constantly involved in sports attending and placing in the NYSPHSAA track and field indoor and outdoor state championships for three years. In 2005 she graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a BS degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. While there she was part of the schools track and field team in which she still holds school records for and captained her senior year. In 2005 she stayed with the team assistant coaching the sprints squad.

After a brief stint in Southern California Rachel moved to New York City to pursue her passions. Rachel is a NASM certified trainer working also as high school track and field official and in the field of photography. Rachel also plays on a soccer club based out of Astoria, Queens which is part of the New York Metropolitan Women’s Soccer League.

A beautiful Hare Krishna once told me that the word sara in Indian tradition means essence. To me, this connected instantly to why yoga entered my life in the first place. The philosophies and tools that yoga provides are both practical and magical, a daily practice which creates routes for the mind and body to the consciousness, to the essence underneath it all. My classes incorporate the teachings of yoga and an understanding of the deepest benefits of the poses, as well as the importance of proper alignment, thoughtful breath, and a feeling of freedom and calm in the body. Inspired by my background as a dancer, I hope to create classes that bring my students to movement, in all its manifestations, and to allow my students the space to attune their minds to themselves, to their personal path in this practice. As students of yoga, we challenge the body to do more, we challenge the mind to find stillness, and we challenge ourselves to meet every day a little more thoughtful than the day before. Let's get to the point, together.

I teach the type of classes I want to take, and train people the way they need to be trained. I love teaching a sweaty Vinyasa or Spin class to an indie rock playlist, or feeling that sweeeeet burn in a Pilates class. I'm inspired by my past and current students, just as much as my past and current teachers. I love music and food and animals and life!

My Beginnings: Humble, introspective, energetic, limitless.

My Journey: After years of certifications and teaching in different places, I appreciate everyone that comes into my life, and feel so grateful to have a job where I can share my passion for fitness with students and clients.

My Goal: To be a guide who uplifts others through the gift of wellness. To be the person who inspires someone to take the next step. To learn just as much as I teach. I want to change lives.

Teresa has been a fitness nerd for quite some time now. She long ago realized how fun it is the teach your body new tricks and has spent years exploring and experimenting with various forms of dance such as jazz, tap, modern, and contact improv, She also dabbled in capoeira classes in L.A. and Chicago. She even played around in some circus aerial classes of trapeze and silks for a bit. Throughout all these flirtations with these various forms of body movement two things have remained consistent, her dedication to Yoga and Pilates. For years Teresa has trained with yoga studios in L.A. Toronto and Chicago. She found her teaching passion in Pilates. She studied and was Certified at Chicago Pilates: Golden Wellness Center for Conscious Conditioning. She feels that the understanding that she gained through her Pilates training of how the body moves and works most efficiently, has become the base for all other physical activities in which she engages. The use of the core muscles, is the core element to achieving efficiency, longevity and beauty of the human body.