Amanda Russcol
I was 22, working as a carpenter, and more like an old man than a young woman. My back ached, my knees creaked, my shoulders hunched, I was tired all the time and living in Boca Raton, Florida - a.k.a. Heaven's Waiting Room. I fit right in with all my elderly neighbors.
Then one morning I woke up with tears streaming sideways across my face, my back spasming so intensely I could hardly move. I realized that I needed a change, and I knew that stepping up my yoga practice to more than "sometimes" would help. I couldn't afford indefinite yoga classes, but I found a teacher training program I could afford and started a few days later. The program taught us about all paths of yoga, and vegetarianism was mandatory. After just a few weeks my aches and pains were gone, my digestion was phenomenal, I had tons of energy and I was learning how to work through some major issues in my life. Yoga became my home. I couldn't stay away... I also loved that incredible high that came at the end of each class.
Over the next year, I transitioned from vegetarian to vegan to raw. I enrolled in Life Coaching school, taught yoga nearly full time, and took classes all over town, with as many teachers as I could find. I opened raw and vegan restaurants and started hosting retreats. I studied (and taught) pre/post-natal yoga, kid's yoga, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Sivananda, acrobatic/partner yoga, senior's yoga, yoga for MS, adaptive yoga and more. I traveled to India to get my 500 hour training with Yogi Sivadas in the Himalayas.
And now, ten years since that tearful morning, I am still teaching yoga, still eating veggies, still coaching people to find their bliss, and still grateful for all the joy, clarity, direction and relief that yoga has brought to my life. I like to remind my students to stop waiting for the good parts of life - this moment is your life. Make it fun, or happy, or blissful - or miserable. It's up to you; you are in control.
I was 22, working as a carpenter, and more like an old man than a young woman. My back ached, my knees creaked, my shoulders hunched, I was tired all the time and living in Boca Raton, Florida - a.k.a. Heaven's Waiting Room. I fit right in with all my elderly neighbors.
Then one morning I woke up with tears streaming sideways across my face, my back spasming so intensely I could hardly move. I realized that I needed a change, and I knew that stepping up my yoga practice to more than "sometimes" would help. I couldn't afford indefinite yoga classes, but I found a teacher training program I could afford and started a few days later. The program taught us about all paths of yoga, and vegetarianism was mandatory. After just a few weeks my aches and pains were gone, my digestion was phenomenal, I had tons of energy and I was learning how to work through some major issues in my life. Yoga became my home. I couldn't stay away... I also loved that incredible high that came at the end of each class.
Over the next year, I transitioned from vegetarian to vegan to raw. I enrolled in Life Coaching school, taught yoga nearly full time, and took classes all over town, with as many teachers as I could find. I opened raw and vegan restaurants and started hosting retreats. I studied (and taught) pre/post-natal yoga, kid's yoga, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Sivananda, acrobatic/partner yoga, senior's yoga, yoga for MS, adaptive yoga and more. I traveled to India to get my 500 hour training with Yogi Sivadas in the Himalayas.
And now, ten years since that tearful morning, I am still teaching yoga, still eating veggies, still coaching people to find their bliss, and still grateful for all the joy, clarity, direction and relief that yoga has brought to my life. I like to remind my students to stop waiting for the good parts of life - this moment is your life. Make it fun, or happy, or blissful - or miserable. It's up to you; you are in control.
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Marco Diferreira
Marco was exposed to yoga at a very early age when his dad was trying to quit smoking and took him along. Since then, yoga has helped him to be more in touch with the world and the idea of always evolving to discover the joys and mysteries of life. Being also a musician, he brings his artistic passion to the ancient practice. Marco believes that yoga is much more than uniting mind, soul and body. Yoga is a lifestyle to be practiced and learned on and off the mat. It keeps us present in the moment every time we remember to breathe. As we advance in our yoga practice, we increase our sense of community, compassion, inner peace and joy. By incorporating his own live music in class during shavasana, Marco strives to inspire his students and infuse their practice with creative energy. |
Shelby Lafrinere
I give immense gratitude for the art of yoga, an incredible set of tools that continually heals, grounds, and inspires my curiosity for seeking joy in life. Artist, activist, freelance professional dance artist, and lover of laughter, I began practicing yoga in 1997. As a student, yoga has guided my recovery from addiction, clinical anxiety, and in the continual healing of the severe hyper extension of my entire spine.
I practice and teach the full 8 Limbs of yoga and 9 styles of asana, and have written curriculum for 200 Hr YTT, 300 Hr YTT, and Continuing Education Intensives and workshops, as well as have been published for my sequencing within the national publication IDEA Fitness Journal (2013). My specialties include Injury Rehabilitation, Chronic Pain Management, Breathing Improvement, Postural Repatterning, Meditation, Addiction, and Eating Disorders. I have also held management positions at high volume and high quality yoga studios in Southern California and Ohio, have taught yoga and philosophy as a lecturer at the Ohio State University, and have been employed as an injury recovery specialist and arm balance/inversion coach for professional dance companies.
I began teaching in 2005, and training teachers since 2010, having since accumulated almost 4,400 hours of in-class teaching experience. Having been a professional dancer who suffered a major spinal injury, I have a wealth of modifications in my tool belt, a deep understanding of kinesiology, and an ability to connect on a human level with those who are struggling - we rise together.
Also a certified Polarity Practitioner (integrative bodywork), my offerings pull from personal life experience, the Yamas and Niyamas, as well as the Krishnamacharya lineage, rooted in the belief that yoga “should always adapt to meet the ever changing needs of the unique individual.”
It is an honor and a great joy to share the art of yoga, and this life, with you.
http://www.shelbylafrinere.com/
I give immense gratitude for the art of yoga, an incredible set of tools that continually heals, grounds, and inspires my curiosity for seeking joy in life. Artist, activist, freelance professional dance artist, and lover of laughter, I began practicing yoga in 1997. As a student, yoga has guided my recovery from addiction, clinical anxiety, and in the continual healing of the severe hyper extension of my entire spine.
I practice and teach the full 8 Limbs of yoga and 9 styles of asana, and have written curriculum for 200 Hr YTT, 300 Hr YTT, and Continuing Education Intensives and workshops, as well as have been published for my sequencing within the national publication IDEA Fitness Journal (2013). My specialties include Injury Rehabilitation, Chronic Pain Management, Breathing Improvement, Postural Repatterning, Meditation, Addiction, and Eating Disorders. I have also held management positions at high volume and high quality yoga studios in Southern California and Ohio, have taught yoga and philosophy as a lecturer at the Ohio State University, and have been employed as an injury recovery specialist and arm balance/inversion coach for professional dance companies.
I began teaching in 2005, and training teachers since 2010, having since accumulated almost 4,400 hours of in-class teaching experience. Having been a professional dancer who suffered a major spinal injury, I have a wealth of modifications in my tool belt, a deep understanding of kinesiology, and an ability to connect on a human level with those who are struggling - we rise together.
Also a certified Polarity Practitioner (integrative bodywork), my offerings pull from personal life experience, the Yamas and Niyamas, as well as the Krishnamacharya lineage, rooted in the belief that yoga “should always adapt to meet the ever changing needs of the unique individual.”
It is an honor and a great joy to share the art of yoga, and this life, with you.
http://www.shelbylafrinere.com/
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Amy Allured
A recreational runner, skier and lover of all that Colorado has to offer, Amy began practicing yoga for its physicality as a complement to her active lifestyle. It wasn’t long before her mat became a source of inspiration and a place of solace from the anxieties and expectations of the outside world. When faced with a career transition, she hit life’s curve ball and earned her 200-hour power yoga teacher certification.Amy gives her students the tools to explore the benefits of yoga, increasing body awareness and opening both mind and body. |
Shilah Copeland
At a young age, I discovered a passion for yoga and the way that it always had my back when I needed it; or even when I didn’t think I did. My practice began as more of a physical journey, that helped with my active lifestyle, and delved into a deeper spiritual lifestyle, after I discovered the true benefits of yoga on the mind and body. I obtained some injuries in my younger years which in turn, lead me on the path to yoga and vegetarianism. Wanting to avoid doctors and medications, I turned to yoga to help me get back in tune with my body and learn how to naturally heal myself. Through this journey, I’ve been able to subside my sciatica issues, reduce anxiety and stress, and help my over all digestive functionality. Now, I promote a holistic approach to a healthier, happier lifestyle that starts on your mat. After a long work day, my mat was my favorite thing to turn to for some truly present me time.
The universe was able to open its doors and I took my first 200HR teacher training in Denver under Rob Loud, Geenie Celento and Keith Allen through YogaPod to help deepen my practice. It was there that I discovered a passion for creating a personal, peaceful environment for yogis, especially in this constantly busy life. The gift of truly devoting time to nourish the mind, body, and soul is so very important and I love being able to share with others what we practice on our mats, and take it out into the world.
At a young age, I discovered a passion for yoga and the way that it always had my back when I needed it; or even when I didn’t think I did. My practice began as more of a physical journey, that helped with my active lifestyle, and delved into a deeper spiritual lifestyle, after I discovered the true benefits of yoga on the mind and body. I obtained some injuries in my younger years which in turn, lead me on the path to yoga and vegetarianism. Wanting to avoid doctors and medications, I turned to yoga to help me get back in tune with my body and learn how to naturally heal myself. Through this journey, I’ve been able to subside my sciatica issues, reduce anxiety and stress, and help my over all digestive functionality. Now, I promote a holistic approach to a healthier, happier lifestyle that starts on your mat. After a long work day, my mat was my favorite thing to turn to for some truly present me time.
The universe was able to open its doors and I took my first 200HR teacher training in Denver under Rob Loud, Geenie Celento and Keith Allen through YogaPod to help deepen my practice. It was there that I discovered a passion for creating a personal, peaceful environment for yogis, especially in this constantly busy life. The gift of truly devoting time to nourish the mind, body, and soul is so very important and I love being able to share with others what we practice on our mats, and take it out into the world.
Kara Traikoff
Kara took her first yoga class with her mom when she was in high school. From that moment forward her practice has been her foundation for growth, understanding, happiness and love in her life. Over the years, Kara’s practice has evolved and included regular asana, daily meditation, and mindful awareness. She started teaching informally by sharing her personal practice with friends in the community while living in Guatemala as a Peace Corps volunteer. In 2009 she moved to Denver, completed a 200 hour teacher training with Tina Porter and Karen Lerner, and has been teaching yoga ever since. She has 20 years of experience practicing various styles of yoga and meditation. Her classes now mesh her backgrounds and focus on the role of breath work as our guide in both seated and moving meditation. She continues to practice, study, learn, and travel on a regular basis, and weaves each of these components into the classes that she teaches. Kara’s classes are greatly influenced by her personal mindfulness, meditation, and asana practice and reflect the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Janet Solyntjes, Rod Stryker, Deepak Chopra, and David Ji. She strives to create both a challenging and nourishing environment, where her students can explore the benefits of their unique yoga practices both on and off the mat!
Kara took her first yoga class with her mom when she was in high school. From that moment forward her practice has been her foundation for growth, understanding, happiness and love in her life. Over the years, Kara’s practice has evolved and included regular asana, daily meditation, and mindful awareness. She started teaching informally by sharing her personal practice with friends in the community while living in Guatemala as a Peace Corps volunteer. In 2009 she moved to Denver, completed a 200 hour teacher training with Tina Porter and Karen Lerner, and has been teaching yoga ever since. She has 20 years of experience practicing various styles of yoga and meditation. Her classes now mesh her backgrounds and focus on the role of breath work as our guide in both seated and moving meditation. She continues to practice, study, learn, and travel on a regular basis, and weaves each of these components into the classes that she teaches. Kara’s classes are greatly influenced by her personal mindfulness, meditation, and asana practice and reflect the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Janet Solyntjes, Rod Stryker, Deepak Chopra, and David Ji. She strives to create both a challenging and nourishing environment, where her students can explore the benefits of their unique yoga practices both on and off the mat!
Betsy Cochran
Betsy has been practicing yoga for over 15 years. An avid distance runner, she first turned to yoga as a complimentary exercise and a means to stay limber and strong. At some point, something sparked and yoga became so much more than just the postures. Through yoga and the mind-body-breath connection, Betsy finds joy, grace, focus and enlightenment every day on her mat and off. Betsy became a RYT200 certified teacher in 2013 and is currently working towards her 500 hour certification through Kindness Yoga’s Teacher Training program. Betsy brings enthusiasm and a peaceful energy to her classes and invites her students to explore the light and transformation that yoga offers and that they leave her class refreshed and renewed. Off the mat, Betsy loves to run, cook, travel, bike, read, knit, spend time with her family and friends and explore the light and energy that every day has to offer.
Betsy has been practicing yoga for over 15 years. An avid distance runner, she first turned to yoga as a complimentary exercise and a means to stay limber and strong. At some point, something sparked and yoga became so much more than just the postures. Through yoga and the mind-body-breath connection, Betsy finds joy, grace, focus and enlightenment every day on her mat and off. Betsy became a RYT200 certified teacher in 2013 and is currently working towards her 500 hour certification through Kindness Yoga’s Teacher Training program. Betsy brings enthusiasm and a peaceful energy to her classes and invites her students to explore the light and transformation that yoga offers and that they leave her class refreshed and renewed. Off the mat, Betsy loves to run, cook, travel, bike, read, knit, spend time with her family and friends and explore the light and energy that every day has to offer.
Alexi Neal
"When I was 12 years old, my mom and I started practicing yoga in our living room, with DVD's of Rodney Yee. Yoga quickly became an addiction! Even through my teenage and college years, I always came back to yoga to reconnect with myself and challenge both my body and mind so overcome any obstacle.
I was certified to teach in 2012, and since then I have developed a mindful vinyasa style, that calls on students to embrace their body wisdom and connect to the deeper parts of themselves that we spend too much time shoving away. Yoga can be challenging and it can be sweet; it can be a comfort and it can take us out of our comfort zone. I encourage students to call on the energy they need from the practice, every time they show up on the mat.
I believe that yoga is lifelong learning practice. I continue to grow through my education in Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, and from the many amazing teachers in the Denver area.
When I am not teaching I love to hike, practice yoga as much as possible, play with my kitties and read just about anything."
"When I was 12 years old, my mom and I started practicing yoga in our living room, with DVD's of Rodney Yee. Yoga quickly became an addiction! Even through my teenage and college years, I always came back to yoga to reconnect with myself and challenge both my body and mind so overcome any obstacle.
I was certified to teach in 2012, and since then I have developed a mindful vinyasa style, that calls on students to embrace their body wisdom and connect to the deeper parts of themselves that we spend too much time shoving away. Yoga can be challenging and it can be sweet; it can be a comfort and it can take us out of our comfort zone. I encourage students to call on the energy they need from the practice, every time they show up on the mat.
I believe that yoga is lifelong learning practice. I continue to grow through my education in Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, and from the many amazing teachers in the Denver area.
When I am not teaching I love to hike, practice yoga as much as possible, play with my kitties and read just about anything."
Isabella Saez
Isabella was born and raised in Venezuela. After moving to Colorado she graduated from CU Boulder as a Mechanical Engineer. Isa enjoys moving and always seeks to stay active. She first found yoga in 2008 and noticed her tendency to hold her breath during times of stress. She started feeling the benefits of her yoga practice right away, quieting her analytical mind, bringing awareness to her breath in and out of the mat and feeling comfortable in her body. She quickly realized that she wanted yoga to be a bigger part of her life. After seven years as an engineer consultant, Isa resolved to deepen her yoga practice. She received her 200-hr yoga teacher training and never looked back! Isa strives to make students feel comfortable while moving their bodies while bringing awareness to the breath, find balance, and leave the mat feeling an overall sense of well being.
Isabella was born and raised in Venezuela. After moving to Colorado she graduated from CU Boulder as a Mechanical Engineer. Isa enjoys moving and always seeks to stay active. She first found yoga in 2008 and noticed her tendency to hold her breath during times of stress. She started feeling the benefits of her yoga practice right away, quieting her analytical mind, bringing awareness to her breath in and out of the mat and feeling comfortable in her body. She quickly realized that she wanted yoga to be a bigger part of her life. After seven years as an engineer consultant, Isa resolved to deepen her yoga practice. She received her 200-hr yoga teacher training and never looked back! Isa strives to make students feel comfortable while moving their bodies while bringing awareness to the breath, find balance, and leave the mat feeling an overall sense of well being.
Meridith Antonucci
Meridith was first exposed to yoga by her late grandmother when she was six years old. However, it wasn’t until she moved to Colorado for college that she began to really experience and discover yoga’s powerful and inherent ability to heal the body, mind and spirit. Meridith appreciates that Yoga motivates individuals to delve inward—into their thoughts, habits, fears and tendencies. One of her teachers reminds her that yoga encourages all of us to become independent—dependent upon our inner Selves.
In 2012, Meridith received her 200-hour certification from Yoga Alliance’s approved Root Education Teacher Training Program in Colorado Springs. She loves teaching different types of people because she believes that yoga, in some form, is for everyone. Meridith’s classes emphasize the importance of feeling and experiencing over thinking and doing.
Meridith strives to approach every facet of life as a “beginner” student—with humility, excitement, willingness and sincerity. When Meridith is not teaching, talking about, or doing yoga, you can find her soaking in Colorado’s gifts—ski slopes and sunshine.
Meridith was first exposed to yoga by her late grandmother when she was six years old. However, it wasn’t until she moved to Colorado for college that she began to really experience and discover yoga’s powerful and inherent ability to heal the body, mind and spirit. Meridith appreciates that Yoga motivates individuals to delve inward—into their thoughts, habits, fears and tendencies. One of her teachers reminds her that yoga encourages all of us to become independent—dependent upon our inner Selves.
In 2012, Meridith received her 200-hour certification from Yoga Alliance’s approved Root Education Teacher Training Program in Colorado Springs. She loves teaching different types of people because she believes that yoga, in some form, is for everyone. Meridith’s classes emphasize the importance of feeling and experiencing over thinking and doing.
Meridith strives to approach every facet of life as a “beginner” student—with humility, excitement, willingness and sincerity. When Meridith is not teaching, talking about, or doing yoga, you can find her soaking in Colorado’s gifts—ski slopes and sunshine.
Melissa O'Neal:
I've been a student of yoga since 1977. Introducing people to the joy this rich, multi-faceted practice can bring is truly an honor. I look forward to assisting your journey into an authentic yoga practice.
I've been a student of yoga since 1977. Introducing people to the joy this rich, multi-faceted practice can bring is truly an honor. I look forward to assisting your journey into an authentic yoga practice.
Brittany Hallau
When Britt turned to yoga as a wonderful retreat from an office job, her mind and body slowly began to open up to the practice. She found that yoga not only relieved her stress and made her body stronger and more flexible, but it also gave her a refreshed attitude and awakened her creativity and excitement for new possibilities in life. She was inspired to take Dawnelle Arthur’s 200 hour yoga teacher training at Qi in Denver to learn more about the practice of yoga, and she quickly found that she also loved to teach yoga to others.
Britt teaches to help others discover the freedom that yoga can bring into our bodies and lives. On the mat, we find new physical freedom by trying new poses, or finding new ways to experience a familiar pose. This movement of yoga opens us up to the idea that our lives, like our bodies, can be free to move and flow in ways we never thought possible.
When Britt turned to yoga as a wonderful retreat from an office job, her mind and body slowly began to open up to the practice. She found that yoga not only relieved her stress and made her body stronger and more flexible, but it also gave her a refreshed attitude and awakened her creativity and excitement for new possibilities in life. She was inspired to take Dawnelle Arthur’s 200 hour yoga teacher training at Qi in Denver to learn more about the practice of yoga, and she quickly found that she also loved to teach yoga to others.
Britt teaches to help others discover the freedom that yoga can bring into our bodies and lives. On the mat, we find new physical freedom by trying new poses, or finding new ways to experience a familiar pose. This movement of yoga opens us up to the idea that our lives, like our bodies, can be free to move and flow in ways we never thought possible.
