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Justin Axel was first introduced to his Yoga mat down on the beaches of Maryland in 2000.  Ten years later, he became serious about his practice and infused yoga into his life to help create balance.  He completed his 200-hr certification at Sacred Rivers Yoga studio in 2013.  Justin has spent the past fourteen years working with high school, collegiate and professional athletes of various different sports as he holds a degree in Exercise Science, is an NSCA certified strength and conditioning coach, and has been fortunate enough to have coached four NCAA championship teams.  As a full-time job, he works as a collegiate lacrosse coach and Director of Sports Performance.  Justin uses yoga to help athletes better understand the mind-body connection both on and off the field, mat or court.  Justin uses a combination of humor, working with your edge, and enthusiasm to help create a great experience in his classes.

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A passionate yoga student since 1998, she completed her 200 hour teacher training at Sacred Rivers Yoga in 2007. She fell in love with yoga because of the peace and acceptance that each practice brought to her. Yoga has taught her to bring breath and energy into everything she does, and it provides her with an overall sense of calm and well being.

Her class provides careful instruction on alignment and breath, and encourages each student to become aware of their physical and emotional self. Students are encouraged to listen to their bodies as they explore different levels of poses. Students will find stillness by holding poses longer.

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Catherine Crocket started her yoga journey ten years ago on Martha’s Vineyard and completed her first teacher training with Erich Schiffmann in Santa Barbara, CA. Soon after, she obtained Certifications in Yoga for Golfers, and Yoga for MS. She continued her studies with Rodney Yee, Shiva Rea, Tias Little, Matthew Sanford, and many more wonderful teachers. In 2009 she completed her 200-hour training at The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in the Berkshires. In addition to her yoga training, Catherine is also a Certified Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Catherine is committed to supporting people in being their healthiest, happiest self. Having offered both private and group instruction on Martha’s Vineyard, and in Plymouth, Kingston, and Marion, Massachusetts, Catherine recently moved back to her roots in Connecticut. She is currently residing in Manchester, CT where she continues to practice and teach yoga, along with offering nutritional health coaching to clients.

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Elaine is always looking to improve her own practice and knowledge of yoga and is eager to share with others.

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Laurie Frucce first experienced yoga as an undergrad at the University of Vermont and has continued with it ever since. Holding a Masters Degree in Education and working with toddler-age children, she long had the desire to bring a yoga program to young children, but it wasn’t until she began taking Itsy Bitsy Yoga classes with her own son that she realized this was a possibility. Laurie trained with Helen Garabedian, founder of Itsy Bitsy Yoga, to become a facilitator of IBY for both babies and Toddlers. Having done the program with her son since he was 14 weeks old, Laurie knew from experience and love that, in addition to its many other benefits, it creates an incredible parent-child bonding, promotes healthy living from very early in life, and builds wonderful friendships between children and parents alike. “I feel amazingly lucky to be able to bring such a wonderful program to the area.”

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Annette Guasp attended her very first  yoga class in college hoping to learn how to meditate and destress from a rigorous schedule.   She was immediately drawn to the positive effects that yoga had on her mind, body, and soul, which kept her coming back to the mat time and time again.  After graduation, looking for a way to strengthen the body and calm her mind, she rolled out her mat established her own daily practice. Yoga became an amazing influence, helping her to stay calm and focused both on and off the mat.   With the support of her husband, Annette completed a 200-hour teacher training at Sacred River Yoga studying with Paula Scopino and is currently working on completing her advanced 500-hour teacher training.  She encourages everyone of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and abilities to come to class and give each pose a try.  Annette hopes to bring the gift of yoga to as many people as possible, especially those whom don’t feel that yoga comes “naturally”.   She believes that there is something for everyone in yoga, no matter what their backgrounds or physical limitations are. It’s all about the journey.

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Driven to deepen his personal practice, he was accepted into the Sacred Rivers Yoga teacher training program under the direction of his serene teacher, Paula Scopino, ERYT500. Upon graduation he was invited to teach classes at Sacred Rivers where he also continues to learn from Paula and others. Some of the highlights of his education have been a mass audience with His Holiness, the 16th Dalai Lama and the Yin Yoga / Yoga Anatomy seminar with Paul and Suzie Grilley.

John's uniquely fun, invigorating and spiritually uplifting class style is a reflection of his own humor, athleticism and love of nature. Prepare to be challenged, entertained and coaxed to your edge, physically, mentally and spiritually. The class unfolds at many levels so that everyone from novices to experienced Yogin will find something of value. As John says, "Sometimes it is what we leave on our mat that matters most, and sometimes it is what we take from it that counts more."

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The most powerful teaching experiences for me, however, have occurred during a series of Shakti experiences while gazing at a flower, the sky or embracing the energy of a sacred site. In a moment of clarity several years ago at an ancient temple in Teotihuacán Mexico, I was literally struck down and my mind stopped dead in its tracks. In the vast stillness that arose when the mind chatter dissolved I did not know who I was - there was no point of reference, no movement and a sense of coming home.

By standing my ground in that shaky state of being, the identification with the story of "me" broke down, and everything that my mind created was lost. In that place of stillness and peace, in the absence of old patterns or dreams, the Truth of who I really am was revealed. And, it is in that place of Truth that everything ends and all efforts to be someone or to find something cease. Then, and only then, was I able to be fully embraced by the fundamental and vibrant essence of life - spacious and full of unconditional love!

I have learned that surrender to what is in the eternal now is the process of yielding to, rather than opposing the flow of life. If we go to battle with whatever arises in "our" consciousness, we reinforce those old and stale definitions of that which we "believe" we are. However, if we yield and refuse to go to battle, the war is over and peace breaks out. All that we really let go of is a story of "me", an illusion of our true nature.

Eventually we all lose everything that our mind has created and awaken to who we truly are. It is only when our love and desire for Truth outweighs our personality's compulsive need for security that we begin to stop struggling and allow our soul essence to be swept up into the arms of an ever unfolding revelation of the Truth and Freedom of our divinity. I am thrilled that Sacred Rivers Yoga is hosting the Friday evening meditation satsangs that I facilitate. Each Friday evening we sit together in a sacred circle of unity. Initially, we do so in silent reflection. We then engage in an intimate investigation into the nature of spiritual awakening and living an awakened life.

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Wendy believes everyone can foster more joy, greater health, enhanced mental clarity, and a more positive outlook on life through the practice of yoga and meditation. She encourages students in her classes to listen to their bodies, and allow the flow of breath to sweep away the obstacles, finding rejuvenation and growth in all areas of their lives.

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Amy Lawson has practiced yoga since 1999 and is a 200-hour certified teacher.  She earned her 200-hour teaching certificate with Suzanne Manafort and Karen Miscall-Bannon in Newington Yoga Center's Embodyoga (TM) Teacher Training Program.  She is studying in the Embodyoga (TM) 500-hour teacher training certification program with Patty Townsend at Yoga Center Amherst.  Amy approaches teaching yoga the same way she approaches her own yoga practice - with gentle enthusiasm, strong curiosity, and a sense of humor.

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Jack has also studied with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Ana Forrest, Nancy Gilgoff and Doug Swenson. Through Continuous study and practice he is able to offer not only primary and second series Ashtanga classes, but also unique classes inspired by these other distinguished teachers.

You will enjoy the way Jack's sense of humor and compassion puts you at ease while fostering a safe environment in which to work the body.

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Stephanie Manning is a registered yoga teacher (E-RYT200, RYT500), as well as a registered prenatal yoga teacher, with Yoga Alliance. Trained primarily in the traditional Ashtanga style, her teaching focuses on proper technique and alignment, integrating detailed knowledge of kinesiology into hands-on dynamic adjustments. She has taught students in Singapore, where she trained under Masters Paalu Ramasamy and Satya Chong Wei Ling, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and across the US.

Stephanie's specialization in Prenatal Yoga is complemented by her studies to become a Birth Doula with Childbirth International. Set to music, her prenatal classes focus on improved circulation, creating space in your body for your little one, and strengthening the muscles necessary for giving birth. Her classes are both energizing and educational as you learn tools to get you through all stages of pregnancy and labor.

Outside of the yoga world, Stephanie is a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy and holds a USCG Third Assistant Engineer’s License.

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Peter V. Oliver, Ph.D., founder of Learn2bMindful, is a state licensed (CT) and nationally certified Professional Counselor with extensive experience in Mindfulness meditation and the healing arts.

In clinical practice he has witnessed the pain of suffering caused by stress and stress-related illnesses. On a personal level, Peter has experienced the beneficial effects of Mindfulness in alleviating his own physical and emotional pain, and also witnessed that instruction of Mindfulness can remarkably improve people’s health and wellness.

A devout student of meditation, Peter has received intensive foundational training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction through the Center For Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine. He has participated in retreats, conferences, and seminars with pioneers in the integration of meditation and health care, including Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., Saki Santorelli, Ed.D., and Eckhart Tolle.

Besides private practice, Peter has been a professor at the University of Hartford for the last 23 years where he teaches psychology courses to undergraduate and graduate level students.  Peter is married and has a young son, Kyle.  They live in Connecticut.

www.learn2bmindful.com

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Kristin Pancavage was introduced to yoga during her second pregnancy. She explored different teachers and various schools of yoga, pranayama and guided meditation. Kristin felt her "calling" to learn more about her love of the mat and enrolled in Yoga Alliance Teacher Training at Sacred Rivers Yoga where her inner teacher emerged. Kristin shares her excitement for the power, strength, agility and serenity of yoga in her class.

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Mario Pare "I took my first Yoga class in 2001 and immediately fell in love. As with most things I enjoy, I jumped in with both feet and discovered that Yoga  allowed me to explore a deeper sense of self and to nourish its growth.  Having a background in Martial Arts, gave me a basis of self-control and self-discipline.  Yoga has given me the tools  to cultivate peace and tranquility in my life. Through teaching Yoga,  I hope to guide students to experience all that Yoga has to offer.

I completed my Yoga Teacher Training at Samadhi Yoga Studio in 2011. I enjoy hiking and kayaking with my rescue dog, Maggie."

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Maeve is a certified Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at West Hartford Yoga. Her teachers have included: Kathryn Budig, Seane Corn, Raphael Cushnir, Ellen Heed, Judith Orloff, Sarah Powers, Shiva Rea, Barbara Ruzansky, Sharon Salzberg, David Swenson, and MC Yogi.Maeve has taught at Lady of America (Windsor, CT), UConn Women’s Center (Storrs, CT) and The GYM (Bloomfield, CT). She currently teaches yoga at Sacred Rivers Yoga (Glastonbury, CT), and Rasa Yoga Studio (West Hartford, CT).

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Catherine Sarni “Yoga has become an anchor during a time of significant change in my life.   My mat is a place I return to again and again to quiet my mind, connect with body and breath, and to be reminded that I am a part of something much bigger than myself.”  Catherine began practicing yoga ten years ago as a way to effectively deal with stress and later experienced yoga’s power as a health system using it to strengthen and heal an injured shoulder without surgery.  “My practice has expanded to include not only asana but also breath work, meditation, and the study of yogic philosophy.  Each day presents an opportunity to continue the challenging journey of learning to live my yoga both on and off the mat.”

Catherine received her 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Certification from Sacred Rivers Yoga and is continuing her study in the 500-Hour program.  She has explored a variety of styles including Iyengar, Anusara, Kripalu, Svaroopa, Yin, and Embodyoga.  Related interests include Ayurvedic medicine and healing energy.  Her classes are student centered with a focus on the interplay of movement and breath topped off with a dash of humor!

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Stacey Pepper Schwartz started her career as a professional dancer and choreographer in NYC.   A dancer friend introduced her to yoga as a way to increase strength, stamina and flexibility.   After a dance ending back injury, Stacey turned to yoga as a way to recover and find peace on and off the mat.  Now she can't imagine a day without it. 

Stacey was inspired to become a registered yoga teacher after her mother was hospitalized due to complications from multiple sclerosis.  Stacey and her mom did yoga in chairs to help her mom regain mobility, manage stress and combat fatigue.  This profound experience brought Stacey to the teacher training program at Sacred Rivers where she trained and became a 200RYT.  Her love of yoga deepened as well as her belief that yoga is truly for every body. 

Stacey's yoga classes focus on the mechanics of movement, alignment, mental awareness, and the balance of effort and ease to feel the power and benefits of each yoga posture.  She encourages her students to challenge themselves physically as well as to connect mindfully to their practice.   

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Paula Scopino

Paula has taught in many different settings, including corporations, hospitals, and fitness and rehabilitation centers. She currently teaches Yoga Therapy in the Pulmonary lab at Hartford Hospital. With the help of Susan Bisbee at Hartford Hospital and Sharon O’Brien at St. Francis, Paula has established internship sites at both hospitals. Students in the Sacred Rivers Yoga for Every Body Yoga Alliance 200 and 500 Hour Schools have the option of teaching Yoga Therapy in the pulmonary, cardiac and oncology labs. Paula has studied many different yoga styles all over the country and has been inspired and influenced by numerous wonderful teachers. Her love and interest of yoga, movement, and energy led her to study massage therapy, Reiki, Feldenkrais, and Pilates.

Paula is a Registered Yoga Alliance Teacher - 500 hour, and is a certified Cardiac Yoga Teacher, having studied "Yoga of the Heart" with Nischala Joy Devi (the stress management portion of the Dr. Dean Ornish program). Paula teaches yoga therapy for heart disease and cancer, and yoga therapy for chronic conditions, back problems, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. She teaches prenatal yoga, yoga for children, and yoga for 60, 70 and beyond. She is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists (www.IAYT.org).

Paula graduated from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in 1989 and is a Connecticut licensed massage therapist and member of the American Massage Therapy Association. She also assists her brother, Rick Haesche in teaching the Art of Traditional Thailand Massage in massage therapy schools as a part of their regular and continuing education curriculum. In addition, she is certified in Karuna and Usui Reiki. She is a licensed massage therapist and has maintained a private practice in massage therapy since 1989.

Paula Scopino recently attended two of the IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists) Symposium on Yoga Research. The first on October 1-3, 2010, at the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. This historic meeting was the first comprehensive and widely publicized academic research meeting in the West devoted to Yoga therapy research. Paula also attended a pre-conference workshop on the basics of yoga research. It offered a unique opportunity for research trainees, yoga instructors, and therapists to learn the basics of Yoga research, establish connections for possible future research projects, and meet professional researchers and colleagues. In October of 2011, Paula attended the SYTAR at the Asilomar Conference in Pacific Grove, CA.

The SYTAR weekends included Yoga research :oral and poster presentations by leading scientists, opportunities to interact and dialogue with active yoga researchers , and a comprehensive pre-conference workshop on the basics of yoga research. The symposium for yoga research was a single track academic research meeting that included keynote speakers, Lorenzo Cohen, Dean Ornish, Shirley Telles, and Bessel van der Kolk,. Oral presentations were invited from other senior researchers. There were also multiple poster sessions and ample opportunities to interact with other scientists, experts and professionals in the field.

"May the Yogis of old, and the teachers of all the great spiritual traditions, from whose words we have learned wisdom and knowledge, bless the path you take and look after your wanderings, and may your personal God, even a God unknown to you, shine its light upon you, and bring you safely home to your heart."

Paula would like to acknowledge the following teachers with deep thanks and gratitude:My Parents, my Son, Richard Hittleman, Clare Matthews, Ruth Bender, Baron Baptiste, Bikram, Viraj, Beryl Bender Berch, John Schumacher, Doug Swenson, Larry Payne, Lilias Folan, Judith Lasater, Rama Berch, Nischala Joy Devi, Dr. Dean Ornish, Ram Dass, the Iyengar Institute of San Francisco, Anya Foos, Patricia Walden, Bo Forbes, Barbara Benagh , Ravi Singh, Kripalu, Seane Corne, Shiva Rea, Paul Grilley, Gary Kraftskow, and so many others too numerous to mention...Paramahansa Yogananda and others in Spirit.

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Laurel Soper, a 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified teacher, has been practicing yoga since 1999. She has studied under Kripalu, Iyengar, Anusara and Ashtanga trained teachers. "In the past, yoga has helped me recover from a meiscus and ACL surgery, and recently to navigate the shift as an empty nester. It has given me the tools to be happy and comfortable in my body as it ages, realizing that the old standard of failing health and attitude of resignation of decline is not inevitable."

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Temple Symonds has been teaching yoga since 2005 at yoga studios in Connecticut and New York. She brings her reverence for the practice as well as her humor to her classes, and is very grateful to be back with Sacred Rivers Yoga. She is also a contributor in the forms of yoga poetry and memoir writings with elephantjournal.com. Learn more about Temple at templeOMyoga.com.

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Sonia Tulyani comes from a family of yoga instructors—her father and grandfather were both yoga instructors in India.  She has been practicing yoga for eleven years and recently completed her 200 hour certification with Paula at Sacred Rivers.  The ability of yoga to calm the body and mind is what initially attracted her to yoga, but through her studies she has learned so much more.  Sonia is a research scientist by day and brings her inquisitive nature into her yoga practice.  She hopes to share the wonder of self-discovery with her students.

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