Meet the Teachers
We are honored to host an inspiring group of professional teachers, including both local and visiting instructors with impressive experience and credentials.
Armand Altman
Armand Altman, Ph.D Transpersonal Psychologist & Mediator, brings a wealth of experience from global living and community service in third world countries for over 30 years. His work is deeply connected to the desire in all of us to find balance and kindness. Arman has consulted for large NGO's over the years as well as street children in Cambodia and India. His humor and storytelling will be evident in the opening ceremony Friday evening.
Laura Bozarth
Laura Bozarth fell in love with yoga and has been practicing for 14 years and teaching for six. She is in the process of earning a yoga teacher certification. Her practice and classes are in the spirit of ashtanga and vinyasa yoga, focusing on strength, flexibility, and stamina. Laura's workshop will lead you through the ashtanga system based on six series of poses, each of which is always taught in a specific sequential order.
Robert Brower
Robert Brower has been teaching yoga since 1992. His classes are centered on the principles of radical self-acceptance and witnessing what is going on in your mind, emotions and body without judgment. His classes are gentle, meditative, and are appropriate for beginners to experienced practitioners. At the core of Robert's heart-centered practice is compassion and radical self-acceptance. Gentle wake-up Kripalu inspired yoga class emphasizing building a routine for low back/hips care. Class includes very gentle, meditative, core-strengthening practice integrating breathwork, gentle movement, and meditation. Robert brings a deep understanding to classes that embraces the yearning in all of us to be understood! All levels welcome.
Anjali Budreski
Anjali Budreski, owner of Yoga Mountain Center in Montpelier, Vermont, has been in love with yoga since taking her first yoga class in 1994. Anjali's practice blossomed from doing yoga on a small Southern Vermont farm in a one room cabin to teaching at a Burlington yoga studio. Passionate about sharing her love of yoga with others, she enrolled in Kripalu's 200 hour teacher training, where she met Todd Norian, who later introduced her to Anusara Yoga, which means "flowing with grace". Come follow the trail heads and paths with Anjali's workshops that wind and beckon on your own life's journey, while also settling deep into the authentic home of yourself here and now. We'll learn to honor the impulse to reach outside of ourselves, and yet to also abide in the home within our very own hearts, ever present and waiting to be felt and seen. Sacred Pulse is a mixed-level, moderate class will focus on both standing and seated twists, hip openers and deep forward folds. Some yoga experience or strong body awareness recommended. Not appropriate for total beginners. Restorative Yoga is a very gentle and healing yoga practice for every-body.
Mary Flemming
Mary Flemming has been teaching yoga since 1993 in central Vermont, where she directs Mad River Yoga. Mary’s teachers are from the Iyengar Method. Having spent the last 33 years as a nurse her wealth of knowledge of the physical is integrated with the philosophy of yoga. Her teaching empasizes the spiritual physical connection for which the Iyengar method is known. For details visit madriveryoga.com Mary's class on the menstrual cycle honors a woman's most basic earthly rhythm. Students work with a sequence of essential poses to be practiced during the menstrual period and learn which poses are specific to hormonal balance.
Kevan Gale and The Grass Gypsys
PranaVayu Yoga is an American school of vinyasa yoga, founded by David Magone in 2001. PranaVayu Yoga blends specialized vinyasa sequencing, a unique system of skeletal alignment principles, guided meditative practices, and a Buddhist-inspired philosophy of universal interconnectedness. Kevan Gale is a senior PranaVayu yoga instructor and co-owner and Mind/Body director at Stil Studio in Dedham, MA. www.kevangale.com
The Grass Gypsys are husband and wife musical duo, Colleen and Justin Kleya. They perform their original music and Mantra renditions with intention for opening, releasing, and healing. The Grass Gypsys have released two full-length albums and have toured nationally. www.thegrassgypsys.com
PranaVayu instructor Kevan Gale and musical artists The Grass Gypsys offer a two hour yoga workshop with live music. You will experience PranaVayu breathing techniques, vinyasa sequences, a twenty minute guided meditation with Kevan and an extended sivasana, while The Grass Gypsys perform from their stunning and heartfelt catalogue of original music and mantra interpretations.
Robert Gold
Robert Gold – After decades of sports-based wear and tear on body and mind from an over-active lifestyle, Rob was introduced to Svaroopa® yoga in 2006 and the fresh paradigm of the body's workings. The supportive and easily approachable poses began unraveling layer upon layer of core tension with remarkable efficiency leading to a rapid reduction in physical pain and relief from chronic stiffness. He has served Swami Nirmalananda Saraswati, the founder of Svaroopa® yoga as a means of continuing his training and education. He is continually amazed at the simplicity, power and accessibility of this practice and shares this passion in service to students and clients. Svaroopa® yoga is deeply gentle and restorative. Classes aid in releasing deep layers of tension along the spine, fostering a state of pure bliss and spinal opening. For details, visit www.riversgraceyoga.com
Meredith Hart
Meredith Hart's search for understanding of her true Self has led her to the study of many yogic traditions and from various spiritual teachers; however it is Svaroopa® yoga that has provided the deep structural changes, healing, and transformation that facilitated a rapid advancement in her search for the more that yoga offers. Meredith has been teaching yoga since 2000 and holds over 1000 hours of yoga instructor and yoga therapist training combined. She is honored to share her knowledge and passion in service to her students and clients and is devoted to the power and the grace of the Svaroopa® yoga teachings. Additionally, Meredith has earned a Certificate in Massage Therapy & Bodywork and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Transpersonal Psychology. She concluded her time of three years with the Ayurvedic Center of Vermont as the lead panchakarma therapist in late 2009 to open a yoga studio, River's Grace Yoga, with her partner, Rob Gold. Meredith continues to explore Ayurveda and is currently enrolled in a practitioner certification program with Dr. David Frawley. She also studies with Vaidya Mishra and Mother Maya. Svaroopa® yoga is deeply gentle and restorative. Classes aid in releasing deep layers of tension along the spine, fostering a state of pure bliss and spinal opening. For details, visit www.riversgraceyoga.com
Chelsea Hastings
Chelsea Hastings first encountered yoga as a teenager and was transformed by the positive power it had to shape her perspective. While obtaining her degree in Cultural Studies in California, Chelsea trained with Anusara yoga teacher, Robin Smith. Her own teaching is greatly influenced by Anusara's therapeutic alignment principles and heart-centered philosophy. Chelsea's intent in teaching is to share the basic yogic principles of aligning body, breath and heart in such a way that her students will affirm their own sense of vibrancy in body and in spirit. In addition to teaching yoga, Chelsea is completing her training to become a midwife. Chelsea's workshop will be part of the Yoga Jubilee.
Jane Jarecki Lanza
Jane Jarecki Lanza offers classes rooted in yogic foundations. The mission of Jane Yoga is to engage as many open ears as possible. Jane was asked to teach in 2004 and was certified at Kripalu in 2006. Jane Yoga helps people connect inward with their true self and outward with the world. Jane co-founded and co-creates the Liberate Music & Yoga Festival & the Burlington Yoga Conference & Laughing River Yoga. Jane's classes provide yogic techniques to enhance your health and wellness, to develop internal awareness, and cultivate skills to stay relaxed and connected in the world. This Kripalu-based, flowing practice will help you with self-acceptance, trust, and love. Simply show up on your mat...as you are.
Libby Kellington
Libby Kellington has had the opportunity to study closely with a variety of beloved and gifted teachers. She is a certified Kripalu Yoga instructor (her beginnings), a certified Power Yoga teacher with Baron Baptiste, a Vinyasa/"Freedom Style" yoga teacher with Erich Schiffman, and an Inner Body Flow teacher gifted by the grace and wisdom of teachers Angela Farmer and Donna Farhi. Libby's classes take the student to the inner sanctums of body and spirit. She weaves Power Yoga, Vinyasa/"Freedom-Style" and Inner Body Flow to take students on a deep, delicious journey through your body, mind and soul.
Coby Kozlowski
Coby Kozlowski, CPCC, is a professional life coach, inspirational speaker, yoga teacher, and expert in transformative leadership. Through the integration of progressive coaching techniques, yoga, Ayurveda, and expressive arts, she guides individuals in finding clarity to live the life they dream of. She is the founder of Simple Rhythm Coaching LLC, cofounder of Souluna Life Coach Certification training, and a faculty member at Kripalu Center. As an instructor in Kripalu’s Semester Intensive program, she specialized in working with young adults. www.simplerhythm.com Through Coby's highly experiential workshops you will begin to: embody the Yoga of Leadership; understand a radically new and powerful leadership model, based in yoga philosophy that can be used both personally and professionally; connect to a personal calling and have the tools to act on it; discover what it means to live an authentic life and be responsible for the impact of living authentically; begin to see life clearly; without the story; take the courageous inward journey and discover the leader within.
Katy Leadbetter and Dan Streeter
Katy Leadbetter is a Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher. She started her journey at age 12. A disciplined and dedicated Martial Artist, receiving her 3rd degree black belt by the age of 20. She has been practicing yoga for 14 years and teaching yoga and Pilates for 6 years. Her classes offer an brings an eclectic blend of yoga, dance and martial arts. This blend brings creativity to all her classes. Katy now operates Fusion Studio in Barre, VT. Visit www.fusionstudio.org Katy's private Healing Therapy practice focuses on Deep Tissue Massage, Assisted Yoga Massage, and Reiki. Dan Streeter is a yoga enthusiast and has been practicing since September 2008, when he attended a Yoga & Hiking
Retreat at Kripalu. His practice includes several traditions - Kripalu, Vinyasa, Anusara-Inspired, Ashtanga & Bikrim. Daniel is a Kripalu Certified Yoga Teacher. He is passionate about leading students to explore yoga's multiple benefits and yoga as a way of life. Their Partner Yoga classes build on basic yoga postures, incorporating a partner to increase strength, flexibility, energy and balance. Partner yoga creates trust and compassion as students discover how natural it feels to deepen a connection with others. Suitable for all levels. Bring a friend! or Partners and individuals welcome.
Amy LePage
Amy LePage dabbled in yoga on and off for many years. After re-emerging from
infant/toddler momma-hood, she realized how integral yoga was for reconnecting with
herself and how it continues to positively radiate outward, affect her life off the mat. She has completed her Kripalu 200-Hour Yoga Certification. Her classes emphasize breath work and fluid movement through and within posture. Amy is a member of The Montpelier Movement Collective, which explores various forms of dance including improvisation, as a means of choreography. She is also a long-time lover of Contact Dance Improvisation.
Lea Longo
Lea Longo is a Kirtan chant artist, singer/songwriter and a Kundalini Yoga teacher. Lea travels with her musician Rad, sharing the Bhakti Yoga & devotional song mantras. Her new CD, "Peace Chants" is a collection of sanskrit, english and gurmuk mantras blended with world beats, melodic guitars,traditional persian and turkish instruments. Lea's voice is captivating and pure, leading the listener to a peaceful and meditative state of bliss. For details and to listen visit www.lealongo.com
John McConnell
John McConnell has been practicing and experiencing yoga for nearly 10 years. In his classes John interweaves a combination of humor, light-heartedness, and intensity - while maintaining a keen emphasis on celebrating the true joy of life! John teaches an invigorating yoga class accompanied by live percussion music! Percussion accompaniment is by world-class percussionist Steve Ferraris. John’s classes interweave a combination of humor, light-heartedness, and intensity – while maintaining a keen emphasis on celebrating the true joy of life! Steve has played and taught percussion across the US as well as in Europe with a diverse range of musical groups. Steve will accompany the class on a wide variety of percussion instruments – creating a groove and energy that will make a for a truly unique and fun yoga experience. Some yoga experience helpful.
Lydia Russell-McDade
Lydia Russell-McDade is a certified Anusara-Inspiredtm Yoga Teacher. She has been practicing yoga since 1996 and teaching since 2005. She is honored to have studied intensively with various renowned Anusara teachers, including John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga. Deeply influenced by Tantric yoga philosophy, as well as by the shamanic traditions of her own European ancestors, Lydia’s uplifting teaching style is rooted in the cycles and rhythms of the Earth, and is a celebration of the delicious gift of embodiment. Through a blend of precise alignment instructions and fluid posture flows, her playful, community-oriented classes inspire the student to discover his or her own potent source of grace, power, and radical freedom. Visit her at http://sapremayoga.blogspot.com. Lydia's workshop, "Coming Home to the Hearth of the Heart," will focus on heart-opening backbends. Reveal the brilliance and power already housed within each one of us: the tejas, or "divine essence of illumination" through this uplifting and challenging asana practice. Come home to the luminosity and healing power of your own true nature as you dwell in the radiance of your own heart. This will be a vigorous class, not appropriate for beginners or those working with injuries.
Patrick McAndrew
Patrick McAndrew became a serious student of yoga at age 17 when he had an oceanic experience learning Hamsa Sohum meditation from the dancer Margaret Beals, a devotee of Swami Muktananda. In pursuit of deepening that connection, he has practiced with many great teachers through-out California, Vermont, and his native New York City. He is a graduate of the Kripalu 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and Goddard College. He leads the musical ensemble American Raga, which has been holding Kirtan with an omni-talented group of musicians and ritual facilitators that have developed a tight friendship through this process.
Edgar Mesquita
A native of Portugal, Edgar Mesquita started practicing yoga in 2000. Immersing himself in the discipline, he became a certified Swasthya Yoga teacher in 2001 and has taught classes and workshops in Portugal and throughout the Americas. Over the years he has explored other styles of yoga as well, and received a Svatantrya Yoga certification in 2003. Through his years of teaching he has realized the importance of freedom in daily growth, and brings an awareness of lightness and flexibility to his personal practice and classes. This Freedom Yoga class includes pranayama (breathing techniques), chanting (vocal techniques) and asana (yoga poses) to attain a deep body/mind/spirit connection.
Lori Mortimer
Lori Mortimer discovered the joy of Yoga in 1994, while completing a degree in film studies at SUNY Purchase. Upon graduating, she found Omega Institute and became staff photographer there, also going through Interdisciplinary Yoga Teacher training in 2000. For the next 10 years, Lori dedicated her life to yoga, founding Sattva Yoga and teaching yoga classes and workshops in NY and Vermont, through UVM, Champlain College, Yoga VT, Yoga Mountain, Sky Meadow, Dreaming Mountain and Omega Institute. Influenced by Universal Yoga, Acro Yoga, Yin and Restorative practices, as well as Bhakti/ Devotional forms of Satsang and Kirtan, Lori exudes a wealth of wisdom, care and enthusiasm in teaching yoga. www.sattvayoga.word press.com
Victoria Negrete
Victoria Negrete has been oriented toward a path of internal transformation for the last 8 years. She has studied many different spiritual arts including various forms of energy healing, massage, breathwork, and dance. For the past 6 years she has been devoted to the study of the Pneuma System and has been certified in transpersonal psychology and Pneuma Breathwork through the Pneuma Institute in Mexico. Victoria has led Pneuma Dance sessions in Mexico, California and Italy. Victoria's workshop incorporates various meditative and breath techniques directed toward the awakening of the numinous energy of the Sacred Feminine. The objective of the dance is to bring the dancer into an experience of profound authenticity and connection to the infinite beauty and fluid grace of their own essential nature and in this way to learn to flow with the breath of Spirit.
Martin Pincus
Martin Pincus, an attorney, mediator and yoga teacher, has taught yoga to the Muslim population in San Quentin state prison, at half-way houses in Oakland, CA, and at the Dale women's facility in Waterbury. He was a part of the original Kripalu yoga movement and continues to inspire students of all levels. His free classes will be available at the Community Forum for those who think they don't have time for yoga!
Prem Prakash
Founder of Green Mountain School of Yoga, Prem Prakash has been practicing yoga and related arts and sciences since 1979. In 1990, his yoga guru, Baba Hari Dass, gave him permission to teach others. Prem Prakash and his wife, Ambika, (Lesley Gibbs) have studied formally with teachers from several different lineages, and together they serve as Co-Directors of the Green Mountain School of Yoga in Middlebury, Vt. Prem is a publsihed author with his most recent work titled "American Yoga". His teachings have appeared in many well known yoga publications.
In 2007, Prem Prakash was honored by the Institute of the Himalayan Tradition with their Annual Service Award. In 2008, the Institute recognized him as a Yogiraj, "an accomplished yogi who lives in the world."
Gowri Savoor
Gowri Savoor is a visual artist working in environmental sculpture and works on paper. Born and educated in the United Kingdom, she has exhibited both nationally and internationally. Her heritage is from South India which she keeps alive through her teaching and practice of traditional Indian artforms, including Rangoli amongst others. For more information, please visit her website, www.gowrisavoor.com and for more information on Rangoli, visit www.rangolibygowrisavoor.wordpress.com/
Glenn Scherer
Glenn Scherer is a 200-hour certified Kripalu Yoga instructor, and also certified in Trauma Sensitive Yoga (with a focus on treating trauma symptoms such as anxiety and depression). In Glenn's classes you'll learn mindful breathing techniques that will help you flow slowly and gracefully from pose-to-pose to help you relax, enhance flexibility, improve form, and gain strength. His classes focus on the meditative aspects of Yoga, allowing one to go inward to explore the mystery of healing that arises from the unification of body, breath, mind, emotion and spirit. Glenn's classes coordinate mindful movement and traditional yogic breathing and flows slowly from pose-to-pose to reduce stress, enhance form and flexibility, and build strength.
Nina Shoenthal
Nina Shoenthal is a lover of life, an artist and a free spirit dedicated to the healing path. She received her first professional training as a deep tissue massage therapist on the luscious island of Kauai in 2001. This was only the beginning of an ever-evolving personal and professional life full of practicing, studying and sharing various forms of body-mind healing and movement arts. She has recently expanded her professional practice to include Somatic Expressive Therapy and Yogadance, and is completing her clinical hours to be certified as a movement therapist. With YogaDance, you will nurture your body and shake your soul in this dynamic, playful class that weaves together the ancient tradition of Hatha Yoga, with dance and rhythm.
Nina's art will be on display and for sale in the Chapel during the Festival.
Sukhada Repass
Sukhada Repass has been involved in the Healing Arts for ten years. Sukhada is a Holistic Wellness Practitioner & mother of 3 young kids. She lives in Johnson, Vermont. Sukhada founded her own business Ray of Light 3 years ago. She is the Regional Co-Ordinator for the Morrsiville Area of the Vermont Reiki Association. She teaches both Usui & Karuna Reiki and offers monthly Restorative Reiki Yoga Workshops in her local area. Sukhada does the following Therapies : Reiki, Hot Stone Reiki, Flower Essences, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Cranial Sacral, Crystal Healing & Sound Healing.
Ferris Buck Urbanowski
Ferris Buck Urbanowski, MA, has taught mindfulness meditation since 1980 and is currently adjunct faculty at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. While teaching at the Center for Mindfulness, she worked with the general public and coordinated and taught professional training programs. An honorary lecturer at the University of Wales, she has also taught at Antioch New England. Since 1999, she has instructed professionals in the teaching of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. In addition to working with professionals in academic and business settings, she leads courses and retreats for the general public. Ferris will lead a hands-on workshop designed to give participants support and structure for creating their own home practice of meditation.
