Charlotte Chandler Stone

Charlotte is the founder and director of the Stone Center for Yoga & Health. She began her yoga journey in 1973, while a student at the University of Zurich. Charlotte holds certifications in Structural Yoga Therapy, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, Cardiac Yoga, and Wellness Coaching, and has completed professional trainings in Osteoporosis: A Comprehensive Treatment Strategy, with Sara Meeks, PT, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, with Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. and Saki Santorelli, Psy.D. Her work blends the teachings of Structural Yoga with three respected lineages: the breath-centered, highly adaptive approach of Viniyoga, the time-honored wisdom of Ayurveda, and the organic movements of Feldenkrais. These come together to help reduce stress, alleviate pain, and enhance well-being on every level.

Charlotte gives workshops on yoga and stress management in a range of settings; she has taught at the NYU Cancer Institute, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and Englewood Hospital. Her work has been featured on New Jersey News, Holy Name Hospital's Health First TV program, and in numerous articles and online magazines; her studio was recently voted #1 in Bergen County. A member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, she offers Yoga Alliance-accredited trainings at her studio in Teaneck, NJ. Her teaching comes from deep within the heart of her own practice, as she shares her adaptive yoga style and path of self-discovery with earthy warmth, compassion, and humor.
 

Robin Abrett

Robin Abrett is an advanced certified Kripalu Yoga instructor and highly experienced Yoga Alliance-registered Yoga specialist (E-RYT500), a certified personal trainer and Seniors-certified personal trainer, and a certified Pilates mat instructor. She has also taken the certification course, Osteoporosis: A Comprehensive Treatment Strategy, with Sara Meeks, PT, MS, GCS, KYT, Richard Miller's i-Rest program for guided relaxation, and she will soon be certified in the Leadership Training Program of the National Arthritis Foundation.

JoAnn Chell

JoAnn’s approach is heart-centered; she has a deep desire to help all of her students to experience the healing, joy and peace of yoga.  She makes this accessible by offering asana classes that range from gentle to lightly challenging.

Over the years she has experienced many different yogic styles such as Kripalu, Anusara, Iyengar and Viniyoga, but feels that Structural Yoga best meets the individual needs of each student and most aligned with her notion of how yoga should be enjoyed and taught.

JoAnn is eternally grateful to all of her yoga teachers, especially, Charlotte Stone.  She is especially delighted to be able to share yoga with others in the same place she studied and continues to study.

JoAnn balances her love of yoga, with an active lifestyle, which includes rowing, hiking, reading and playing with her grandchildren.

Claudia Colombo

Claudia strives to uphold the integral and essential tenets of yoga (seva and ahimsa - service and non-harming) in all facets of her life: in her teaching and practice, as well as in her beauty and wellness business; in her work as a holistic nutritionist; and in community activities. She is a member of Yoga Activist, an outreach organization that helps allay the suffering of people in need through yoga. She is an ASPCA Ambassador - promoting, raising awareness and supporting the ASPCA in it's steadfast commitment to end animal cruelty. She is careful to use only cruelty-free products at Fábula, her natural skincare center in New York City. Her dream is to continue learning, evolving and sharing inspiration and resources about this way of life.

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.

Diane Kappes

Diane Kappes, RYT, is a certified Stone Yoga teacher and registered Yoga Alliance instructor. She was first introduced to yoga at a time in her life when she needed to focus on her own well-being. Yoga impacted her life so much so that she wanted to deepen her practice; this inspired her to take the Stone Yoga Teacher Training program in 2011.  Diane teaches in the respectful, joyful approach in which she is certified, and she invites her yoga students to enjoy the many benefits (on and off the mat) she finds in her own yoga practice: greater strength, increased flexibility, and a calmer, more mindful, healthy lifestyle. She is deeply committed to providing a safe environment for her students, be it in the practice of the yoga poses (asanas), the breathing techniques, the relaxation techniques, or meditation techniques.
 
Diane recently reached her 10 year anniversary with her 9-5 employer, where she is the Benefits Administrator and Chairperson for the company's Wellness Program,  promoting wellness across the organization. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is an organization she holds dear and has been supporting for over 14 years. She resides in Bergen County with her husband and two Beagles.
 
She is grateful for the relationships she has developed at Stone Center and the wellness community.
 
“It is exciting to know that this journey can go wherever your heart wants to take it.  There is no end.”

Ellen Mendelsohn

A student of yoga for over 25 years, Ellen Mendelsohn, 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.

Liz Millner

Liz Millner has been active in the fitness and wellness industries for 22 years. She is an AFAA certified aerobics and group exercise instructor, Johnny G certified Spin instructor, certified personal trainer, and IMEX Pilates instructor. As a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Liz combines her knowledge and love of food, nutrition and exercise, and delivers it all together with a common sense message.

Liz provides a safe environment for students of all levels to be who they are, and to work on achieving the strength, flexibility and prowess to which they aspire. Her philosophy of having fun while you are working makes her Pilates classes approachable and palatable to students of all levels.

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.

Sharon Pingitore

They call me Mamaste. I am a Bergen County native and presently live in Englewood.
 
For the past 13 years, I have been studying various traditions of yoga including Iyengar, Hatha, and Viniyoga; most recently I became a Stone Yoga certified Yoga Teacher. I bring mindfulness, respect and fun to the mat.
 
I believe that yoga is personal and each practice is your own, which is why Krishnamachara’s words "I teach the person, not the pose” have become my teaching philosophy. It doesn't matter if you're a seasoned yogi or brand new to the practice...there is a yoga for you! You start where you are, the practice will meet you there.

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 has completed a Vinyasa Flow teacher training as well as an 'Off the Mat, Into the World' training with Seane Corn. 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-harming), which she feels are the most integral and essential tenets of yoga.

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, breathwork, imagery, self-inquiry, personal growth, warmth and compassion and her adaptive style combines a flowing sequence of postures in a challenging, yet accessible vinyasa flow class.

Judy Watkins

Judy Watkins, RYT200, is a certified Stone Yoga teacher and registered National Yoga  Alliance instructor. Yoga called her to the mat about six years ago, and her passion for this mindful, yet powerful practice has continued to grow, sustaining and supporting her through times of challenge and triumph. Yoga has truly become part of her life on and off the mat. In her teaching, she especially enjoys sharing her accessible approach to yoga with those who believe that yoga may be too difficult for them. Judy believes that everyone can do yoga, and that it enriches people’s lives on every level -- physically, mentally and spiritually. With her unique combination of skill, detailed instruction, and quirky sense of humor, she helps each student find their optimal practice, safely and respectfully. Judy continues to study with Charlotte Chandler Stone, and is delighted to have the opportunity to bring the practice she has come to appreciate so deeply to the Stone Yoga Center.   

Our Extended Family

Hillary Bispham

Hillary Bispham, RYT, is a certified teacher of Structural Yoga, a tradition that was developed by Mukunda Stiles and inspired by the teachings of the prominent yoga master Krishnamacharya. Hillary is guided by the philosophy that yoga should be accessible and enjoyable for everyone.  Her teaching style reflects her belief in the transformative healing power of a safe and balanced yoga practice. In addition, Hillary is trained in Thai yoga bodywork and is nearing completion of certification with the internationally renowned Lotus Palm school.

Rochel David

Rochel S. David, Ph.D., RYT, is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years’ experience working with children, adolescents and adults helping them lead more satisfying lives. After being an informal student of yoga and meditation for many years, Rochel pursued more formal training and certification in Structural Yoga at the Stone Center for Yoga and Health, to deepen her knowledge and practice, and enable her to bring the rich tradition of yoga and breathwork to her healing work with individuals. Rochel brings her sensitivity, compassion and wisdom to all aspects of her work and creates a safe, supportive environment for growth and exploration. Rochel teaches group yoga classes at the Stone Center as well as private and group classes at community centers and corporate sites in Bergen County, Manhattan and West Hampton Beach.

Ilene Gagliardi

Ilene Gagliardi RYT, is a certified Structural Yoga teacher and registered National Yoga Alliance teacher. She has been working in the fitness industry part time since 1987 as an ACE certified group fitness instructor.  Eight years ago, Ilene began to venture into yoga, first as a way to complement and balance her own fitness routine, then as a teacher.  She has grown to love and appreciate the balance yoga brings to life by focusing on the connection of mindful breathing while improving flexibility and strength.  Ilene recently completed a certification in Structural Yoga. Ilene is a full time public school teacher, with a master's degree in Educational Technology, a mother of three, and loves to share and expand her knowledge of yoga while making it accessible to all.

Jessica Ergener

Jess is a certified Structural Yoga teacher and registered Yoga Alliance teacher who continues to study with Charlotte 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 movement activities an integral part of her work with children in the classroom setting. She created Leonia School District'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. She recently completed Osteoporosis: A Comprehensive Treatment Strategy Level 1 with Sara Meeks, P.T. and is enjoying sharing the Meeks Method with individuals of all ages.

Naama Meluban

Naama Meluban RYT, is a Structural Yoga Instructor. She completed her teaching training at Stone Center in 2007. Naama focuses on teaching Gentle Yoga, Chair Yoga, and Yoga for Bone Strength. In her earlier years, Naama studied many forms of dance including ballet, contemporary, and jazz. She completed her degree as a dance and movement teacher in Tel Aviv’s Teaching Academy in Israel. During her studies, she became familiar with the anatomy and physiology of the human body. With ten years of yoga experience and her background, Naama makes yoga safe and accessible to all. Among her many teaching venues, Naama teaches Chair Yoga for seniors at the Allendale Community for Mature Living, in Allendale, NJ, as part of the Stone Yoga Center's "Yoga-to-Go" program.

Chris Murphy, RN

Chris Murphy is an Oncology-certified, registered nurse with more than 20 years devoted to the practice and care of Oncology patients and their families.  After discovering the many benefits yoga brought to her life, she chose to further her education and pursue certification as a yoga instructor with the hopes of sharing yoga with her patients and others.  Chris obtained her certification in Structural Yoga in 2008 after completing studies with Charlotte Stone at the Stone Center for Yoga and Health.  She is also a Yoga Alliance registered teacher.  Chris teaches group classes in the hospital and studio settings as well as private classes.

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.

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.