Instructors

Teacher Feature - Summer 2008: Autumn

When people ask me what I do, I say that I teach yoga to kids. But, in reality, that is not what any of us yoga "teachers" do. We are more like what Montessori education calls "guides." I am simply a guide to help kids and their parents tap into the yoga that is inside of them already, and it is a beautiful thing. My follow-up comment when I tell people what I do is, "I'm so lucky!"

How did I get this lucky? If anyone had asked me ten years ago where I saw myself in 2008, I never could have imagined. Ten years ago, I was playing Division I volleyball at the University of Maryland, while pushing myself to take 18 credits a semester, pull straight A's, and still work on theatre productions. The words compassion and surrender, at least referring to myself, were not in my vocabulary. But certain lifestyles are not sustainable, and, soon enough, I found my body battered and my spirit weathered.

I must have been calling out to the Universe at that point for some kind of change or even a sign because in walked my soon-to-be partner and now father of my two children, Alex. Alex was (and still is) the perfect balance for me, and he introduced me to yoga. My body and spirit slowly rebuilt themselves with the help of my new yogic guide.

When we were expecting our first child in the summer of 2005, it was actually Alex who started exploring yoga for children. Already working solely as a yoga teacher, Alex wanted to learn more about how to share the practice he so loved with the child we were awaiting. He soon discovered a book about yoga for infants and toddlers by Helen Garabedian and signed up for her teacher training. I found myself debriefing him every evening after the training, soaking in all the information about child development and the more spiritual teachings about children's connection to yoga. I was hooked. Before long, I was taking trainings in DC and in Boston and then leading classes myself.

As soon as I began teaching young children and their caregivers, it felt right. Living my own experience as a mother right alongside the students in my classes continues to make it all the more special. Every class is a journey we take together as parents and caregivers, connecting with our children in more profound ways, becoming more attentive to the subtleties of little bodies, and honoring our often forgotten selves amidst it all. After years of guiding families on their yogic journeys, the beauty of it all has never faded.

Even now, I am often moved to tears in class - a child beaming with joy when she jumps for the first time, a dad sharing an affirmation with his toddler, 10 little voices singing with all their might, "I am FREE!" We all have yoga inside us, but children are the purest demonstration of that truth. They live in the moment and their bodies are without the years of stress, strain, and habit that adults often carry.

So, I do not really teach these big people in little bodies anything. I simply guide them and the grown-ups that love them along a path that acknowledges, cultivates, and celebrates the yoga within. And, of course, I learn from them.

I am so lucky!

Previous teacher features
Winter '08	Cheryl
Fall '07	AJ
Summer '07	Pat
Spring '07	Cinema
Winter '07	Lucy Lomax
Fall '06	Sara Shelley
Summer '06	Lynn Matthews
Spring '06	Tyagan Attaway
Winter '06	Susi Crespo
Fall '05	Kelly Fisher
Summer '05	Sheree Mullen
Spring '05	Kathy Carroll
Winter '05	Elizabeth Cosgrove
Fall '04	Vivian Campagna
Spring '04	Sommer & Paul
Winter '04	Amy Outman
Fall '03	Maria Hamburger
Summer '03	Sheree Mullen
Spring '03	Molly Ciampa
Winter '03	Anna Sullivan
Fall '02	Robin Carnes
Winter '02	Kate Miller
Fall '01	Moses Brown
Summer '01	Karin Wiedemann

Suzie Hurley » Suzie Hurley is the founder and Director of the Willow Street Yoga Center, which she opened in 1994, and has been teaching yoga since 1981. Suzie is a Senior Certified Anusara Teacher and gives Anusara workshops and trainings nationally. Along with her extensive Anusara training she is an Advanced 500-hour Kripalu teacher. Her 28 years of yoga practice include 16 years of Iyengar study, principally with John Schumacher. She is a certified Phoenix Rising practitioner. View Suzie's Summer 2008 classes. View Suzie's Spring 2008 classes.
AJ McIntyre » AJ McIntyre, Anusara-Inspired, RYT, brings a sense of energy and inspiration to all of her classes, encouraging her students to find their inner child and invite a sense of play into their practice. A former high school teacher, AJ found teaching yoga as her true calling, and enjoys learning from her students everyday. She is a graduate of the Willow Street Yoga Center Anusara Teacher Training, and continues to be inspired by her primary teachers Suzie Hurley, Kate Miller, Jenny Otto, Desiree Rumbaugh and John Friend. When not on the mat, you can find AJ knitting in a corner, or kayaking down a whitewater river. View AJ's Summer 2008 classes. View AJ's Spring 2008 classes.
Annette Zabolotsky » Annette Zabolotsky, RYT, is a graduate of WSYC's YTT program. She is a teacher of Belly Dance, a graduate of the IM School of Healing Arts, and continues to deepen her study of yoga with John Friend, Rod Stryker, Suzie Hurley and other senior WSYC teachers. She brings a playful spirit, and a deep knowledge of breath, alignment, and energetics to her students. View Annette's Summer 2008 classes. View Annette's Spring 2008 classes.
Autumn Wilson » Autumn Wilson is a former Division I volleyball player who began practicing yoga in 2004. Her background in sports and theatre (in which she holds a BA from the University of Maryland) has given her many opportunities to work with young people over the years. She has always enjoyed inspiring creativity and encouraging physical activity in children, but becoming a mom in 2005 made Autumn even more committed to teaching children. Autumn holds certifications in Itsy Bitsy Yoga, Radiant Child Yoga, and Yoga 4 Teens. She aspires in her classes to create a safe, fun space where both children and adults can see themselves and each other in new ways. Visit her website www.yogachai.com. View Autumn's Summer 2008 classes. View Autumn's Spring 2008 classes.
Batya Metalitz » Batya Metalitz combines playfulness and sensitivity in teaching the art of yoga. Originally from the DC area, yoga has been a guiding force in her life since her early teens. Batya found her home and place in Anusara yoga relatively early in her studies. Through Anusara yoga she has grown and blossomed in her practice, her teaching and her life. With the close guidance and wisdom of her teacher, John Friend, she continues to transform herself and those who come into contact with her powerful and dynamic teaching. View Batya's Summer 2008 classes. View Batya's Spring 2008 classes.
Carrie Ganz » Carrie Ganz loves to share her delight in Anusara yoga with her students. She is a recent graduate of the Willow Street Yoga Teacher Training Program and continues to study and learn with her teachers. Her classes emphasize empowerment and joy and are imbued with a sense of creativity, play and freedom. View Carrie's Summer 2008 classes. View Carrie's Spring 2008 classes.
Cheryl Catranbone » Cheryl Catranbone, RYT and Certified Anusara Teacher, began her practice in 1993. Teaching since 1996, Cheryl combines loving sincerity, warm humor, Enthusiasm and a step by step approach to guide her students into a practice of authenticity. Each class empowers and encourages her students to deepen their awareness and open to their own unique beauty, joy and strengths. View Cheryl's Summer 2008 classes. View Cheryl's Spring 2008 classes.
Christine Freeman » Christine is Anusara Inspired and working towards certification. Christine received her 200-hour certificate from the Ashtanga Yoga Center (Washington, DC), her 500-hour from WSYC, and has been practicing yoga since 1978. Christine has apprenticed with Suzie Hurley and Jenny Otto, has experienced K. Pattabhi Jois in New York City, and continues to study with John Friend and other nationally known yoga teachers. Christine strives for beauty and balance in her Anusara yoga practice and thinks yoga is just plain fun. View Christine's Summer 2008 classes. View Christine's Spring 2008 classes.
Cinema Wood » Cinema Wood is a graduate of the WSYC YTT program. She is inspired by her teacher Pandit Rajmani Tigunait and continues to study with Anusara Teachers. Cinema loves to travel, especially to Pow Wows and sacred sites. She invites her students to travel in the healing currents of their true nature. View Cinema's Summer 2008 classes. View Cinema's Spring 2008 classes.
Elizabeth Goodman » Elizabeth is a certified Anusara yoga instructor. Her study of yoga is informed by her work as a government lawyer and her commitment to citizen advocacy and volunteerism. Her classes express her belief that the practice of yoga helps to bring us in alignment with our true nature, enabling us to be more compassionate and generous to our living planet, all other beings and ourselves. She was raised in a meditative tradition and took her first yoga class over 25 years ago. She is also a Reiki master. View Elizabeth's Summer 2008 classes. View Elizabeth's Spring 2008 classes.
Ify Nwokoye » Ifeoma (Ify) Nwokoye, Anusara Inspired and Kripalu certified , RYT discovered yoga through her love of movement and a desire to honor and celebrate the sacred within. She emphasizes empowered, authentic expression with self- awareness and compassion. Ifeoma enjoys holding space for the unfolding of her students as they open to the boundless gifts of yoga. She has been teaching yoga full-time since 2004 and continues her passion for yoga and Self discovery everyday. View Ify's Summer 2008 classes. View Ify's Spring 2008 classes.
Jenny Otto » Jenny Otto, E-RYT500, RYT500 is co-founder/director of Golden Heart Yoga and founder of Body Balance Yoga. A student of John Friend since 1994, she is a Senior Certified Anusara Teacher who is well-known as a master teacher and yoga therapist, offering workshops nationally and internationally. Jenny brings detailed expertise of anatomy and physical alignment as well as lots of creativity to her teaching, and uses sound, breath, mudra and meditation to enhance her classes. View Jenny's Summer 2008 classes. View Jenny's Spring 2008 classes.
Jessica Sloane » Jessica Sloane’s path to Pilates led her through many years of training, performing and teaching ballet and modern dance before finding Willow Street and Roberta's Pilates classes. She is certified in Intermediate Mat and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for Pilates with her students. View Jessica's Summer 2008 classes. View Jessica's Spring 2008 classes.
Joe Miller » Joe Miller draws upon his 20 years of yogic exploration and study of anatomy to recognize and celebrate our endless potential to align with the rhythms of nature and truth flowing within and around us. Joe uses his deep understanding of Anusara Yoga, Tantric Philosophy, and Ayurveda to support every student in connecting to their innate wisdom and discovering their own greatness. Joe has been teaching for over 10 years, is an integral part of the WSYC Teacher Training program, and continues to deepen his own practice by studying with his principal teachers, John Friend, and his amazing family. View Joe's Summer 2008 classes. View Joe's Spring 2008 classes.
John Hurley » John Hurley was introduced to chanting the Gayatri by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait at the Himalayan Institute, then studied with Sri Karunamayi in 2002, and began his current practice during a visit to ShantiMayi in India in 2004. He brought this back to a weekly group chanting of the Gayatri at Willow Street and feels blessed by the opportunity to participate with other like-minded people in this practice. View John's Summer 2008 classes. View John's Spring 2008 classes.
John Acton » John Acton, Anusara –inspired, RYT, brings an eclectic background to the yoga mat. John is a practicing RN specializing in Arthritis and Rheumatism, a musician, a pilot, and a motorcycle safety instructor. He brings a great love of life to yoga and to his students. John has had extensive training in yoga therapeutics with John Friend and Jenny Otto, and was recently certified through the Duke Medical School’s Department of Integrative Medicine as a Yoga for Seniors instructor. John’s primary teachers are Moses Brown and Suzie Hurley. View John's Summer 2008 classes. View John's Spring 2008 classes.
Jordan Bloom » Jordan Bloom is a Certified Anusara yoga teacher committed to “seriously” playful transformation and the celebration of life through the powerful practice of yoga. Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Jordan has been living in the United States for the past decade, teaching and studying yoga with many great and inspirational teachers. Using his diverse life experiences and his playful sense of humor, Jordan brings fun, laughter, and intensity to his classes. Jordan has been blessed to study with many great teachers, in particular, John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga has been a mentor and major source of inspiration and growth for Jordan in his practice and his teaching. He is skilled in working with both students and teachers alike and also therapeutically as well. Jordan currently teaches classes, workshops and trainings locally, nationally and internationally. View Jordan's Summer 2008 classes. View Jordan's Spring 2008 classes.
Julia Goodwin » Julia Goodwin first turned to pilates to strengthen her core and back muscles and never stops being surprised at how much the flowing movement continues to strengthen and stretch her entire body. Julia is certified by RSA Studios and studies with Roberta Stiehm Allen and others trained in authentic pilates to deepen her own and her students’ understanding of the work. She loves to see her students grow through the challenges of pilates and encourages them to have fun and surprise themselves at what they can do. View Julia's Summer 2008 classes. View Julia's Spring 2008 classes.
Kathy Carroll » Kathy Carroll, an Anusara Affiliated teacher, has been Suzie Hurley’s student for almost 20 years. She is a professor in a MEd program, a writer of educational books and musical CDs, and a Vibrational Kinesiologist. A teacher and healer, Kathy helps students experience the joy that comes from integrating yoga into daily life. View Kathy's Summer 2008 classes. View Kathy's Spring 2008 classes.
Kelly Fisher » Kelly Fisher is a Certified Anusara Yoga instructor, and her teaching is rooted in 17 years of yoga and meditation practice. This practice is the foundation of everything she does -- from her ongoing yoga studies to her musical exploits, from getting the groceries to hiking in the woods. Her goal is to help each of her students develop a similar foundation so that they might flow with Grace in every moment. View Kelly's Summer 2008 classes. View Kelly's Spring 2008 classes.
Laura Delaney » Laura Delaney, a Takoma Park native, is an advanced certified YogaRhythmics/ DansKinetics instructor. She also holds a MA in English as a Second Language and teaches ESOL at a MCPS elementary in Silver Spring. Whether her students are kids or adults, she creates a nurturing and playful class laced with sparks of exuberance. Laura sees her role as a guide, supporting her students to ever deepening self-awareness and leading them to their own wise inner teacher. View Laura's Summer 2008 classes. View Laura's Spring 2008 classes.
Lex Ulibarri » Lex Ulibarri found in Anusara Yoga the right combination of spiritual exploration and attention to alignment. He trained at WSYC, with John Friend, Suzie Hurley, and other senior instructors. In 2005, Lex participated in a workshop initiation to the Gayatri Mantra conducted by Shanti Mayi. Lex continues to share his love of yoga, encouraging his students to discover the joy of creating beauty, and the fulfillment of a practice that is vigorous and safe. View Lex's Summer 2008 classes. View Lex's Spring 2008 classes.
Lucy Lomax » Lucy Lomax, RYT, a Certified Anusara teacher, credits yoga with keeping her balanced in a frenetic world. She retired early as a financial policy analyst to be a yoga teacher. Believing that yoga is a metaphor for life, she teaches the importance of moving from a position of strength and inner wisdom of the body/mind. Lucy infuses her teaching with a sense of lightheartedness and enthusiasm. View Lucy's Summer 2008 classes. View Lucy's Spring 2008 classes.
Maria Hamburger » Maria Hamburger, RYT and Certified Anusara Yoga teacher, continues to be inspired by her first yoga teacher, Suzie Hurley, as well as John Friend and other senior teachers. She danced and performed professionally for many years prior to teaching yoga. With great enthusiasm and clarity, Maria helps her students find a place of love, acceptance and courage within each class. View Maria's Summer 2008 classes. View Maria's Spring 2008 classes.
Marion Griffin » Marion Griffin is both an Anusara and Kripalu certified teacher. Her first yoga teachers were Rikki Middleton and John Schumaker. She taught High School for 30 years, and is a water colorist and an oil painter. With love, a smile and inspirational words Marion invites her students to look at and enjoy the deeper aspects of their yoga practice. View Marion's Summer 2008 classes. View Marion's Spring 2008 classes.
Mary Bauer » Mary B. Bauer practices yoga nidra to calm and quiet her mind and thereby enable her to bring out the best in herself by bringing out the best in others. She has studied yoga nidra under Robin Carnes for 3 years and has completed Richard Miller's Level 1 Teacher Training. View Mary's Summer 2008 classes. View Mary's Spring 2008 classes.
Milt Pugh » Milt Pugh is certified by Roberta Stiehm to teach Pilates. He believes that Pilates is an appropriate choice for anyone; it increases core strength which is a foundation for everything from walking to serious sports. Athletes have reported a reduction in injuries and improved performance by supplementing their activities with Pilates. He teaches his classes with humor and respect. You have to check out his Magic Socks! View Milt's Summer 2008 classes. View Milt's Spring 2008 classes.
Moses Brown » Moses Brown believes that yoga should be a heart-opening experience that is supportive as well as empowering to the student. His teachings create an approach that is physically dynamic, mentally stimulating and therapeutic. Moses brings focus, concentration, and mindfulness to his classes, weaving them together with playfulness, joy and FUN!! View Moses's Summer 2008 classes. View Moses's Spring 2008 classes.
Naomi Gottlieb-Miller » Naomi Gottlieb-Miller, RYT, began her study of yoga in 1999 to take the edge off of living in NYC. A graduate of WS YTT Program, she continues her yoga study with senior Anusara teachers. Naomi brings lightness and play to all her classes, encouraging students to invite a healthy dose of laughter into their practice. She is inspired by the joy her students bring to their mats and considers teaching yoga the best gig ever. View Naomi's Summer 2008 classes. View Naomi's Spring 2008 classes.
Natalie Miller » Natalie Miller is new to the faculty, but not to Willow Street - after six years of study here, she found her yoga practice and her pregnancy to be so mutually transformative that she was inspired to learn to share Pregnancy Yoga. Natalie endeavors to offer her students what Anusara Yoga boundlessly gifts to her: a loving and supportive community, a reverence for the inherent wisdom of body, and ever-new revelations of the beauty within and around us. View Natalie's Summer 2008 classes. View Natalie's Spring 2008 classes.
Pat Blum » Pat Blum, RYT 500, is a graduate of the WSYC YTT, AYTT, an Anusara Inspried teacher and continues her Anusara and Para yoga studies with dedication. She is a life long teacher and a lover of adventure and travel. Pat brings enthusiasm and compassion to her early morning class with the goal of assisting each individual in reclaiming their bodies, and opening their hearts. View Pat's Summer 2008 classes. View Pat's Spring 2008 classes.
Rebecca Gitter » Rebecca Gitterhas trained with Itsy Bitsy Yoga® founder Helen Garabedian in both New Jersey and Texas and is a certified Itsy-Bitsy Yoga® facilitator. Rebecca has been practicing yoga for more than 8 years. She is currently studying towards her 200 hour yoga certification at the Yoga Center of Columbia and expects to become a registered yoga teacher in 2006. She is the mother of 2 children and has seen the benefits of yoga shared with her children. View Rebecca's Summer 2008 classes. View Rebecca's Spring 2008 classes.
Roberta Stiehm » Roberta Stiehm is a dancer, teacher, and yoga student living in Takoma Park. She has danced and taught Modern and Ballet professionally for 20 years, and danced and sang on Broadway. She is certified in "Authentic Pilates" and trains and certifies teachers in Pilates Mat through her studio, RSA Studio. View Roberta's Summer 2008 classes. View Roberta's Spring 2008 classes.
Robin Carnes » Robin Carnes discovered yoga at age 18, and it has gradually become the center of her life. She completed her Anusara teacher training at WSYC and is also a certified YogaRhythmics and Kripalu DansKinetics instructor. As a life coach, Robin loves working with groups and individuals to help them create more joy, passion and purpose in their lives. View Robin's Summer 2008 classes. View Robin's Spring 2008 classes.
Sara Shelley » Sara Shelley specializes in Yoga and Meditation for the childbearing years. She empowers her students to cultivate greater trust, confidence and ease during this transforming time of life. Sara holds a Masters degree in Dance Movement Therapy, is a Certified HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator, and the mother of 2 boys. View Sara's Summer 2008 classes. View Sara's Spring 2008 classes.
Sheree Mullen » Sheree believes strongly in the power of yoga to transform the mind, the body and the spirit. Her fun, enthusiastic and playful teaching style is balanced by her knowledge of alignment, meditation, breathwork and the therapeutic benefits of the practice; all offered with clarity and inspiration. She is a Certified Anusara teacher, RYT, and continues her studies with John Friend, Rod Stryker, and others. She has a Masters in health education, is the mother of three daughters, a dog and cat, and has trouble matching her socks. View Sheree's Summer 2008 classes. View Sheree's Spring 2008 classes.
Susana Crespo » Susana Crespo is a graduate of WSYC's Teacher Training program and has a Masters' from Clark University in International Development and Social Change. Off the mat, she explores the geography of global problems through the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems). On the mat, she explores the inner landscape of the body-mind with a sense of discovery, joy, and freedom. Brimming with enthusiasm for Yoga's power of transformation, she is half-Ecuadorian and speaks Spanish. View Susana's Summer 2008 classes. View Susana's Spring 2008 classes.
Tara Lemerise » Tara Lemerise, RYT, teaches fun and rejuvenating classes with clear, patient and encouraging instructions. Yoga is an essential part of her busy life and she is dedicated to helping all of her students find ways to connect their practice on the yoga mat to their lives off the mat. Tara took her first yoga class in 1999 and completed teacher training at Willow Street Yoga in 2005. She continues to study Anusara and is a devoted student of Kriya Yoga meditation with DC's own Swami Abhipadananda and Swami Jyotir Vakyananda. For more about Tara, visit her website: www.yogataraonline.com View Tara's Summer 2008 classes. View Tara's Spring 2008 classes.
Tyagan Attaway » Tyagan Scott Attaway is an Affiliated Anusara teacher and loves the spiritual teachings of Swami Satchidananda. He believes that a good yoga class leaves students feeling better about themselves. Tyagan, his spiritual name, means unconditional love and is a helpful reminder that the key to happiness is to serve and love all life. View Tyagan's Summer 2008 classes. View Tyagan's Spring 2008 classes.
Vanessa King » Vanessa has been doing yoga for many lifetimes! She is honored to share these empowering teachings and invites all students to experience their infinite potential.Her classes balance effort without tension and relaxation without dullness. She thanks her principal teachers: Ron Reid(Vinyasa), John Schumacher (Iyengar) and Moses Brown (Anusara). View Vanessa's Summer 2008 classes. View Vanessa's Spring 2008 classes.
YTT . » As one of the leading Anusara Yoga Teacher-Training studios in the country, Willow Street Yoga is proud to have both Yoga Teacher Training Program graduates and current participants leading our Free Community Class. View YTT's Summer 2008 classes. View YTT's Spring 2008 classes.
imcw. org » The Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW) is a spiritual community teaching and practicing Vipassana meditation. Contact Rose Monsell for more information. View imcw.'s Summer 2008 classes. View imcw.'s Spring 2008 classes.