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, thirteen 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, thirteen 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.
Katie Jaffe:
I discovered yoga in 2007 after sustaining a traumatic head injury following a horseback riding accident. In place of medication, my neurologist wrote two words on a prescription pad, “Yoga & Meditation.” The following day, I attended my first vinyasa yoga class and instantly felt the tremendous healing capacity of asana, pranayama, and meditation. Through this journey into mindfulness and embodied movement, I have been able to work through years of anxiety and stress and it is my heartfelt wish to go out into the world and empower my community to do the same. There is healing outside of western medicine and I am honored to be able to offer this practice as a means to empower others to heal themselves.
Born and raised in New York, I attended my first 200-hour teacher training in 2012 at Yoga High NYC. Since then, I have been committed to educating myself on alternative health practices and in 2018, I became a certified an Advanced Reiki practitioner. I am also nearing the finish line of a second 200-hour Prana Vinyasa teacher training, a Tantric approach to yoga. My classes are creatively and energetically sequenced. Incorporating essential oils, Reiki, and breath work into each of my classes, I hope to give students tools on their mats that they can take out into the world. I am passionate about the medicinal qualities of yoga and meditation and am thrilled to join the Yoga High Denver family!"
I discovered yoga in 2007 after sustaining a traumatic head injury following a horseback riding accident. In place of medication, my neurologist wrote two words on a prescription pad, “Yoga & Meditation.” The following day, I attended my first vinyasa yoga class and instantly felt the tremendous healing capacity of asana, pranayama, and meditation. Through this journey into mindfulness and embodied movement, I have been able to work through years of anxiety and stress and it is my heartfelt wish to go out into the world and empower my community to do the same. There is healing outside of western medicine and I am honored to be able to offer this practice as a means to empower others to heal themselves.
Born and raised in New York, I attended my first 200-hour teacher training in 2012 at Yoga High NYC. Since then, I have been committed to educating myself on alternative health practices and in 2018, I became a certified an Advanced Reiki practitioner. I am also nearing the finish line of a second 200-hour Prana Vinyasa teacher training, a Tantric approach to yoga. My classes are creatively and energetically sequenced. Incorporating essential oils, Reiki, and breath work into each of my classes, I hope to give students tools on their mats that they can take out into the world. I am passionate about the medicinal qualities of yoga and meditation and am thrilled to join the Yoga High Denver family!"
Abby Roemer
I began yoga in the midst of my junior year of college in 2008 in Ohio. Having walked by the only studio in town on a daily basis, it had noticeably been drawing upon my curiosity more and more strongly each day. During this time I was experiencing for the first time in my life a very life-force inhibiting and lingering state of depression. I'd never experienced anything that desolate before, but I knew it was a direct result of the pressure of competing and working endlessly on projects in a major that I never felt certain was meant for me. One day I finally dropped into a free community class, feeling nervous and uncomfortable in this unfamiliar experience; going into it without a hand to hold. Through poses I immediately made a connection to my gymnast background, but ultimately attribute my decision to return to another class to a shift in sensation at the end of class that simply felt better than what I had felt before entering.Thus began my journey of experiencing the transformative healing power of yoga. Above all, it's allowed me to consciously evolve into and embrace my authentic self. I completed a 200 hr "Empowerment Yoga Teacher Training" in Denver 2013 and then completed another 200 hr training in 2015 at the Nosara Yoga Institute (RYS) in Costa Rica. I'm inspired by a broad range of yoga lineages and enjoy many styles of classes. I'm thrilled to begin the journey of teaching this life-changing practice with both new and experienced students.
My other lifestyle hobbies include snowboarding, gardening, cooking, biking, camping, hiking, traveling, and supporting my passion for human health & wellness, the humane treatment of animals and the environment through volunteer opportunities and making thoughtful dietary choices.
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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 feel 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, professional dancer, and lover of laughter, I began meditating in high school and practicing yoga in 1997. As a student, yoga has guided my recovery from addiction and severe PTSD and has remained a continual healing companion post a traumatic brain injury and the severe hyper extension of myentire spine in 2003.
Teaching since 2005, I teach the full 8 Limbs of yoga and nine styles of asana and have written curriculum for 200 Hr and 300 Hr Yoga Teacher Trainings, Continuing Education Intensives, and workshops. I have worked as a Yoga Therapist in both private practice and in clinical settings since 2007 with focus on Injury Recovery, Chronic Pain and Stress Management, Breathing Improvement, Postural Re-patterning, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, and Eating Disorders. Additionally, I have held management positions at high volume and high-quality yoga studios in Southern California and Ohio, taught yoga and philosophy as a Lecturer at the Ohio
State University, was employed within professional dance companies as an injury recovery specialist and arm balance/inversion coach, and have had my work published in the IDEA Fitness Journal.
Also a Personal Trainer and certified Polarity Practitioner (integrative bodywork), my instruction is an accessible blend of science and philosophy reflecting the wisdom of the Krishnamacharya lineage that states “yoga should always adapt to meet the ever changing needs of the unique individual."
It is an honor and a great joy to share life and yoga with you.
www.shelbylafrinere.com
I feel 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, professional dancer, and lover of laughter, I began meditating in high school and practicing yoga in 1997. As a student, yoga has guided my recovery from addiction and severe PTSD and has remained a continual healing companion post a traumatic brain injury and the severe hyper extension of myentire spine in 2003.
Teaching since 2005, I teach the full 8 Limbs of yoga and nine styles of asana and have written curriculum for 200 Hr and 300 Hr Yoga Teacher Trainings, Continuing Education Intensives, and workshops. I have worked as a Yoga Therapist in both private practice and in clinical settings since 2007 with focus on Injury Recovery, Chronic Pain and Stress Management, Breathing Improvement, Postural Re-patterning, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, and Eating Disorders. Additionally, I have held management positions at high volume and high-quality yoga studios in Southern California and Ohio, taught yoga and philosophy as a Lecturer at the Ohio
State University, was employed within professional dance companies as an injury recovery specialist and arm balance/inversion coach, and have had my work published in the IDEA Fitness Journal.
Also a Personal Trainer and certified Polarity Practitioner (integrative bodywork), my instruction is an accessible blend of science and philosophy reflecting the wisdom of the Krishnamacharya lineage that states “yoga should always adapt to meet the ever changing needs of the unique individual."
It is an honor and a great joy to share life and yoga with you.
www.shelbylafrinere.com
Liz Mott:
My name is Liz, and I've been passionate about yoga for the last 10 years. At a crossroads in my life, I joined a friend for a 6am vinyasa class and never looked back. That hour, to me, was my church, when everything outside those walls was a mess. Yoga became a time where I could connect, move in ways my body craved, and finally take a deep and healing breath for myself. Knowing i wanted to give back, I invested in a yoga teacher training during winter of 2015 in Paris, France.
My passion for yoga took me to Goa, India for several weeks where I dove into more breathwork, meditation & movement, and eventually into different outlets. I started a company and went to homes and schools all around Paris teaching kids English & Yoga. After about a year, I moved to the suburbs of Philly and worked for 2 years at various yoga studios, gave workshops, got certified in meditation & stress management and became a reiki master. I love incorporating everything I've learned into a class.
Through a journey of breathwork, meditation and vinyasa movement, my goal is that my students leave class just feeling better. My hope is to make yoga as accessible and approachable as possible, to anyone who's interested.
My joy is creating space for anyone to just be as they are and challenge themselves to take steps to love who that is.
My name is Liz, and I've been passionate about yoga for the last 10 years. At a crossroads in my life, I joined a friend for a 6am vinyasa class and never looked back. That hour, to me, was my church, when everything outside those walls was a mess. Yoga became a time where I could connect, move in ways my body craved, and finally take a deep and healing breath for myself. Knowing i wanted to give back, I invested in a yoga teacher training during winter of 2015 in Paris, France.
My passion for yoga took me to Goa, India for several weeks where I dove into more breathwork, meditation & movement, and eventually into different outlets. I started a company and went to homes and schools all around Paris teaching kids English & Yoga. After about a year, I moved to the suburbs of Philly and worked for 2 years at various yoga studios, gave workshops, got certified in meditation & stress management and became a reiki master. I love incorporating everything I've learned into a class.
Through a journey of breathwork, meditation and vinyasa movement, my goal is that my students leave class just feeling better. My hope is to make yoga as accessible and approachable as possible, to anyone who's interested.
My joy is creating space for anyone to just be as they are and challenge themselves to take steps to love who that is.
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.
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.
