Charlotte Chandler Stone (Hamsa)
Charlotte is the founder and director of the Stone Center for Yoga & Health. Charlotte began her yoga journey in 1973. After many years in the corporate world, teaching yoga part-time, she experienced a calling while at Kripalu Center that changed the course of her life, and she embraced yoga and yoga therapy full-time. Her teaching comes from deep within the heart of her own practice, as she shares her adaptive yoga style and path of self-discovery and personal growth, with earthy warmth, compassion, and humor.
Charlotte is certified in Structural Yoga Therapy and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. She is an advanced registered Yoga Alliance teacher with special training in Thai Yoga bodywork, and she has received professional training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. and Saki Santorelli, Psy.D. Charlotte works in the tradition of Krishnamacharya, using breath-centered movement and personalized adaptations to reduce pain and stress, and enhance well-being. Her principal teacher is Mukunda Stiles, author of Structural Yoga Therapy, and she continues to study and work closely with Mukunda, deepening her understanding of yoga therapy, ayurveda, and healing. She has also studied with Gary Kraftsow, Sara Meeks, P.T., Donna Farhi, Cheri Clampett, and others, maintaining a dialogue with those at the forefront of yoga, yoga therapy, and healing. In her private practice, she incorporates yoga, yoga therapy, Thai Yoga bodywork, meditation, imagery, breathwork, coaching, and education to help her students find their optimal healing path. She specializes in working with clients with stress, back and neck pain, postural issues, osteoporosis, scoliosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, cardiac disease, stroke, childhood trauma, and sexual abuse.
A member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, Charlotte is a sought-after yoga teacher trainer who coaches teachers and therapists nationally and internationally. She offers Yoga Alliance-approved teacher trainings at her studio in Teaneck, New Jersey.
Charlotte gives presentations and workshops about yoga and stress management in a range of settings, and she has been a guest presenter at the NYU Cancer Institute. Her work has been featured on New Jersey News, Holy Name Hospital's Health First TV program, and in various articles and online magazines. She has over thirty years experience with yoga, meditation and stress management. Her mission is to help those on a healing path discover their innate potential for wholeness, self-understanding, and personal growth.
Carol Berlin
Carol Berlin, RYT, combines creative, flowing sequences of postures with dynamic
stillness, in a challenging yet accessible vinyasa flow yoga class that cultivates
strength, fluidity, vital energy, joyful self-expression, and relaxed being.
Her very personal approach invites students to experience an organic freedom
of movement that liberates the natural flow of the body-mind's spontaneous
intelligence. Carol brings a uniquely fluid, artistic style to her yoga practice
and teaching -- a graceful style that is steeped in her background in dance
and music, informed by her education in visual communications, and grounded
in her longstanding studies of Ayurveda and vibrational medicine.
Carol is a certified Structural Yoga teacher who is deeply inspired by yoga
master teachers Shiva Rea and Angela Farmer. These teachers embody aspects
of the feminine, fluid energies of yoga, and Carol makes these teachings come
vibrantly alive with uplifting and soulful music from around the world. Her
classes are in every way unique and inspiring, empowering and liberating.
Michael S. Caldwell
A native of western Pennsylvania, Michael was introduced to yoga on the blissful coast of Down-East Maine in the summer of 1993. Returning then to his home in New York City, where he also works as a musician, he happened upon what was then known as Yoga Zone and began studying in earnest.
Ten years later, after studying karate and achieving a green belt within this discipline, and continuing yoga studies, Michael became certified at Be Yoga and began teaching immediately. He is affiliated with Yoga Alliance at the 500-hour level.
Some of the hallmarks of Michael's teaching philosophy are: that we are journeying into and through the practice rather than competing with ourselves or with others; that mindfulness in breathing is the cushion within which the physical practice of asana can be safely experienced; that music can heal and guide us through our practice; that body, breath, mind, and spirit can indeed be drawn together, reunited, and expanded.
As Michael proceeds along his own yogic journey, he challenges himself to draw elements from yoga out into other arenas of his life's pathway. He derives great joy in bringing real-life experiences to his students, and hopes that by opening even a small window into the vast and marvelous world of yoga, they will be inspired to begin their own journeys of discovery and bliss.
Lina Carpenito
Lina graduated from Drexel University with a B.A. in Fashion Design & Merchandising.
During her college years, she developed a love for physical activity as a release
from the stress of her demanding schoolwork. For fun, she worked part time
at the Campus Gym and local Fitness Facilities. Shortly after graduation she
was faced with an injury that left her with a long road to recovery. Her healing
process put her on a new path, and she began to study Yoga and Pilates to help
support her injury. She quickly realized this was something she loved, and
in 2005, she completed a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training certification in Structural
Yoga™ at the Stone Center for Yoga & Health. Shortly after that she
received her Pilates Mat Certification from the Physical Mind Institute in
NYC. She continues to deepen her studies of healing works at the Stone Center,
where she completed a course in Stress Reduction through Mindfulness Meditation & Yoga,
and, most recently, the Cardiac Yoga® Teacher Training with M. Mala Cunningham,
Ph.D.
Lina is an AFAA certified personal trainer who integrates Yoga and Pilates
techniques in her work to help clients develop a balance of strength, stamina,
and flexibility. Her personal healing journey has allowed her to understand
and work with the limitations of the body, while tapping into the limitless
healing potential of the mind and spirit. She brings this holistic mind/body
approach to exercise and believes that we all have the ability to heal ourselves,
work hard, and have fun at the same time.
Tami Crupi
Tami Crupi is a registered nurse as well as a certified teacher in the Svaroopa
style of yoga. Tami's first introduction to yoga and meditation was through
books when she was ten years old. She continued to practice yoga on and off
throughout childhood and as a young adult. Over the years, she started to search
for more, and in 2000 went to California to study with Rama Berch, the founder
of Svaroopa Yoga. Tami felt that the physical openings of the Svaroopa Yoga
poses created an inner shift and opening in her entire being. Tami has continued
to study with Rama through advanced teacher trainings, and she is certified
in prenatal and gentle (Senior) yoga, and in the deeper studies of Svaroopa
Yoga.
Tami is an avid meditator and practices Integrated Amrita Meditation (IAM).
IAM is designed to reconnect us with our inner self in a way that lets us experience
true joy and peace. Tami brings compassion and a meditative style to her classes,
creating a nurturing atmosphere for her students to safely experience well-being,
inner awareness, and an understanding of the true self.
Bridget D'Arco
Bridget D'Arco received her BS in Nursing from SUNY at Downstate Medical Center in 1985. She is the founder of Core Essentials Network, which provides a broad range of holistic wellness services. Bridget brings a wealth of knowledge to her work. She has taught over 1500 Reebok Core classes in the last 5 years throughout the Northeast. Bridget is a certified and registered Structural Yoga teacher, as well as a certified group exercise and personal trainer. She is dedicated to providing yoga, fitness and wellness programs that help students attain their goals safely and enjoyably, in a supportive and empowering environment. Bridget motivates students to tap their inner resources as they work toward self-understanding and personal growth on every level.
Jessica Kennedy
Jess Kennedy, RYT, is a certified Structural Yoga teacher and registered Yoga Alliance teacher who continues to study with Charlotte Hamsa Stone. She teaches adults and children in group classes and privately – in the studio, and in private homes. In her work with adults, she focuses on helping her students find an accessible yoga practice that they can incorporate into their daily lives. Jess teaches with warmth, enthusiasm, and creativity. She sees yoga as a practice that can be strengthening, invigorating, relaxing, healing, and fun; her mission is to make this contemplative and beneficial practice accessible to all. As an elementary school teacher with a Masters degree in education, she makes yoga an integral part of her work with children in the classroom setting. She recently created Leonia's first after-school yoga program for children in grades two through five. Jess is an avid meditator, and she enjoys integrating meditation techniques in her teaching.
ADELLE LEVY
Adelle Levy, RYT is a certified Structural Yoga and registered Yoga Alliance
teacher who has been practicing Yoga for over 25 years, from California to
New York to Jakarta, Indonesia to Hong Kong. She has studied numerous styles
of Yoga, and her broad and diverse experience of various schools of Yoga enriches
and inspires her work. Adelle teaches private and group classes, and is delighted
to share her deep understanding of yoga with her students. Adelle teaches with
precision, insight and sensitivity, and a joy for the breadth and depth of
all that yoga can offer: fundamental poses, flow (vinyasa) yoga, as well as
more advanced practices.
Ann Minoff
Ann Minoff, DC, RYT, graduated from New York University with a degree in Philosophy and continued her education at the National College of Chiropractic in Illinois, where she received a Doctorate of Chiropractic in 1982.
Ann has been a student of Yoga and meditation for many years. Since 1984 she has studied the relationship of mind and body, the art of meditation, as well as the different sacred traditions of the Far East and Kabbalah. She has been a student of Gurumayi (Swami Chidvilasananada) since 1984 and a student of John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga, since 1997.
Ann practices Siddha Yoga Meditation, which emphasizes meditation as a means to awaken one's spiritual essence. She has also trained in Reiki, Polarity Therapy, and other healing techniques.
She loves Anusara Yoga because following a car accident, it was Anusara Yoga that helped her to slowly and gently rehabilitate her body, mind and soul. She credits Anusara Yoga with giving her back her enthusiasm and sense of well-being, and she enjoys sharing this yoga practice with others.
Emma Nelson
Emma Nelson is a Columbia University graduate with a B.S. in Biology. She is also an A.C.E. certified personal trainer, USA Cycling Coach and Category 2 road racer, and she will be receiving certification as a Structural Yoga instructor on July 20, 2008. Emma coaches dedicated recreational cyclists and bike racers, and is the co-owner, together with her husband Andy, of Get Fit NYC LLC.
As an athlete and cyclist, Emma understands from personal experience the demands that sports puts on the body and mind. Yoga has been an essential part of her healthy, active lifestyle, and she credits Yoga not just for her successful cycling career, but also for her healthy pregnancy and the drug-free labor and delivery of her son, Sebastian. For Emma, Yoga permeates every aspect of life – on and off the mat.
Sue Pearly
Sue brings 23 years of yoga and meditation experience to her work. She has
studied extensively in the Iyengar tradition, and has completed a 200-hour
yoga teacher training in Structural Yoga, which she uses to adapt yoga classes
to the needs of each student. She is a 200-hour registered Yoga Alliance teacher.
Sue has completed the twelve semester course give by the New Jersey Metaphysical
Society. In addition, she has studied shamanism for the past seven years and
has become a Medicine Woman and a Reiki practitioner. She sees yoga, meditation
and spirituality as a holistic path for healing and wellness, and enjoys sharing
her love of yoga with her students, teaching with joy and compassion.
Our Extended Family
Marina Bardash
Marina Bardash is a certified Structural Yoga teacher. She also holds several
professional degrees: MCS, RN,AFAA. She has trained in the areas of Ballroom,
Flamenco and Belly dancing. Marina teaches Yoga, Pilates and Belly dancing
classes around Bergen county with enthusiasm and humor. She continues her study
of yoga philosophy with teachers of different yoga traditions.
Ellen Mendelsohn
A student of yoga for over 25 years, EllenMendelsohn, RYT, is a Certified
Structural Yoga teacher. She also brings to her yoga teaching her background
in music and dance. She believes that music, dance, and yoga are all connected
because mindfulness and the flow of breath are so important in these disciplines.
Ellen's passion for yoga is evident in her teaching.
She works to make yoga accessible to all, and to that end she has started
in-service yoga classes for her teaching colleagues in the Bergenfield School
District
Trena Rauner
Trena Rauner , RYT is a certified Structural Yoga and Cardiac Yoga (R) teacher
and registered with the Yoga Alliance. She completed her teacher training
with Charlotte Stone in 2007. She believes that mindfulness, movement and
breath have powerful healing, strengthening and stress reducing effects.
Gentle guidance, focus on alignment and modifications for all body types
and health concerns can make yoga accessible to all. Trena teaches using
these guidelines and brings yoga to those in need of healing, those wishing
to improve strength and flexibility and to all who wish to access the stillness
that lies within them. Helping establish an active mind/body connection is
Trena's goal in teaching yoga. Her style of classes include gentle, fundamental
and vinyasa.
Using humor, music and compassion, she hopes to share her love of yoga
with her students.
Trena has a Masters in Teaching degree and has taught English, Writing
and ESL. She has been practicing yoga for 10 years she views the
peaceful benefits of yoga as a gift to teach and is grateful to all
her teachers for shining the light on yoga.
Tara Steccato
Tara Steccato RYT, is a certified Structural Yoga teacher and registered National Yoga Alliance teacher, who continues to be inspired by and study with Charlotte 'Hamsa' Stone. In addition, she recently completed a Vinyasa Flow teacher training with Seane Corn at Kripalu. She is deeply inspired and influenced by yoga master teachers Seane Corn, Sharon Gannon and David Life. These teachers embody the aspects of Seva (selfless service), Bhakti (devotion), and Ahimsa (non-violence), which she feels are the most integral and essential tenets of yoga.
Her love of selfless service brought her to 'Kula for Karma' a non-profit organization of yoga teachers uniting their efforts to serve the greater community, whose mission is to offer Yoga to those among us whose spirit has been challenged by illness, abuse, neglect, addiction and other life obstacles.
Now an Advisory Board Member for Kula, besides teaching weekly 'Karma' yoga classes, she is working with their Executive Board to implement a proposal that would make Seva (selfless service) work or 'Karma' Yoga a part of every yoga teacher training, nationwide.
Inspired by the strong belief that the practice of yoga provides an opportunity for true and authentic healing of the body, mind and spirit, to occur, Tara's classes unite meditation and breath work with a challenging, yet adaptive vinyasa flow sequence.
Sharyn Tondel
Sharyn Tondel, RYT, completed a 200 hour Structural Yoga teacher training
with Charlotte Stone in 2004. Sharyn has been inspired by Charlotte in her
work as an Advanced Holistic Nurse Practitioner to teach Nurses at the Hospital
for Special Surgery. She uses Gentle Structural Yoga to promote nurse's self
care to reduce their stress and strengthen their back muscles to avoid back
injury. She works with patients as well as staff using Guided Imagery and Yogic
breath work to reduce pain, and stress.
She has continued her study of yoga with Cheri Clampett, Sara Meeks PT, Rodney
Yee, and Gary Kraftsflow in the Urban Zen Project. Sharyn is dedicated to promoting
self care through yoga to promote healing.
|
