Teachers Bios & Class Descriptions

• Jason Ackerman (www.bodybyjay.com) has been involved in the fitness industry since the age of 15. Jason competed for many years as an amateur wrestler and bodybuilder. Always in search of ways to challenge himself, Jason found Ashtanga Yoga in 2001. He has studied under David Swenson, Doug Swenson, Sonia Sumar, and many others wonderful teachers. Jason continues to look for ways to challenge not only his students, but himself as well. He is a great example of someone that lives the life he professes.

• Jennifer Bettini - Jennifer's love of yoga blossomed under the tutelage of the world-reknowned yoga teacher, Bryan Kest.  Jennifer brings warmth, humor and precision to her teaching.

• Carol McCord, B.S., R.Y.T, is one of a few teachers in the Northeast that have been Certified by John Friend to teach Anusara Yoga. Her love for yoga began ten years ago and since then she has studied with John Friend, Suzie Hurley, Deb Neubauer, and Todd Norian. She has also completed the Kripalu Yoga 500-hour Professional Certification. She brings warmth, playful strength, and joy to her teaching.

• Robert Cuozzi, RYT (Director) is a dedicated practitioner and student of Yoga, meditation and all things Spirit.   During classes and workshops, Robert draws on insights and discoveries gained from his personal practice, and seeks to get fellow-students fully into their bodies in a relaxed, safe, mindful and fun environment.  Intelligent sequencing and attention to alignment and breath are the pillars of Vinyasa Fusion, an integrative, non-aggressive practice of joyful exertion, precision, self-inquiry, balance and awakening. In addition to over 400 hours in teacher training courses, intensives and assistantships with American Yoga Master Rod Stryker, Robert’s teaching and practice are also informed by the teachings of John Friend, Pema Chodron, Ram Dass and, especially, Cyndi Lee.  Robert is also an avid practitioner of Restorative Yoga, and is a certified by the incredible Judith Lasater, Ph.D. PT as a Relax and Renew™ Trainer.  Other certifications and trainings include Thai Yoga from the LotusPalm School of Thai Yoga Massage in Montreal, Quebec as well as Shambhala Training, The Heart of Warriorship.  www.RobertYoga.com 

• Jennifer Levin 

• Nancy Polachek has been practicing yoga for 25 years.  In 1995 she began teaching the Kripalu style of yoga.  In 1998, as the Capital District's first teacher of Ashtanga yoga, she founded and was the original director of Albany's Washington Park Yoga School.  Her classes are safe, enjoyable, uplifting, and devotional.  She offers deep gratitude, honor, and love for her many teachers, including David Swenson, the Dharma Mittra, and especially Sharon Gannon and David Life.

• Tanya Rigney has been a practitioner of yoga since 1992. She began her studies at the Integral Yoga Institute in NYC and has explored various styles throughout the years. Her teachers include Doug Swenson, Shiva Rea and Monica Batikis-O'Donnell. Currently, she bases her classes and personal practice in the Ashtanga method. Tanya was also a professional ballet dancer and teacher since the age of 16, performing primarily with NYC based companies. She represented the USA in the International Ballet Festival in Seoul, Korea in 1992. A Licensed Massage Therapist of 12 years and graduate of the Swedish Institute, NYC.  She specializes in sports, medical and deep tissue massage.

• Noreen Santa Maria is a retired 21 year experienced elementary teacher from the Guilderland School District. She has studied with Sonia Sumar for Yoga for the Special Child: with Shakta Kaur Kalsa for Giving Children the Gift of Yoga(level1,2) and Heart and Soul Work with Children; with Marsha Wenig for YogaKids. She teaches afterschool yoga at Guilderland Elementary School and Pine Bush Elementary School. Noreen is a practioner of Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga. She continues to teach adult gentle yoga at Gold's Gym Guilderland, and Court Club in Colonie.

• Suzy Sherer - www.SuzyYoga.org

• John Smrtic-  is the Capital District's first and only 300 hour Certified Jivamukti Yoga Instructor.  He offers his love, gratitude and practice to his holy teachers, Sharon Gannon (Tripura Sundari) and David Life (Deva Das.)  John's classes are infused with smiles, fun, love, challenging asana, lively music, yogic scripture, devotion and Self-discovery.

• Tracy Conway-  Certified Usui Reiki Master, Certified Karuna Reiki(r) Master. Training began in 2001 in Raleigh, NC with Reiki Master, Vickie Penninger. During her seven years in Raleigh she also completed coursework in Energetic Healing Techniques, Hatha Yoga and Crystal Therapy. In 2004 she studied under William Rand, Founder of the International Center for Reiki Training and creator of Karuna Reiki(r) in Southfield, MI. "I continue to pursue further education to evolve and grow as a person and healing facilitator. I feel it is an honor to offer Reiki services. It gives me joy and purpose to be able to reach out to others". lunasaholistic@yahoo.com 518.892.6549

Class Descriptions

• Anusara Yoga literally means "flowing with Grace." It combines the celebration of the heart, the art of inner body awareness, and the science of universal principles of alignment. These "Universal Principles of Alignment" keep the body safe as well as open the body to greater strength and flexibility. There is an elegant simplicity to the principles and they remain constant in every pose. Although Anusara yoga practice can be strenuous, it is always fun, playful, and empowering. Themes expressed through metaphor and imagery allow the pose to arise from deep inside.

• Ashtanga 1st Series Practice is flowing and vigorous; for those with some Ashtanga experience.  This class is guided by the teacher with hands-on assists. 

• Ashtanga Train - The wonderful benefits of Ashtanga are greatly enhanced by practicing the entire 1st Series nonstop.  Your teacher will be the "engine" for this follow-the leader class.  Minimal instruction and no hands-on assists.  . 

• Gentle Vinyasa  marries breath and movement in a soothing flow of sequenced postures.  It is both calming and uplifting.  Rather than working with heat and exertion, we will explore our "edge" in the loving context of peaceful abiding, nonaggression, and mindfulness.  

• Hot Vinyasa draws from various styles of yoga to build a practice that will challenge you physically and build heat in the body to get your metabolic fires burning. Begin to cultivate mental well-being while you build a strong, lean and flexible physical body.

• Jivamukti Yoga - The Jivamukti Yoga method is a vigorously physical and intellectually stimulating practice leading to spiritual awareness. Each class focuses on a theme, which is supported by Sanskrit chanting, readings, references to scriptural texts, music, spoken word, asana sequencing and yogic breathing practices.

• Pilates Mat Work unites mind and body to create a direct connection to the muscles. Mind and body work together as one harmonious unit. Muscles are stretched and lengthened while building strength through gentle, non-impact exercises that are designed to flow naturally from one movement into the next cultivating balance, stress reduction, and a streamlined musculature.

• Stress-busting Restorative Yoga utilizes props and blankets to create a series of passive postures that help the body and mind relax into a deeply peaceful and calm state. Gentle, slow and basic yoga postures and stretching exercises will also open up and soften the tight places where we store lots of tension. Meditative, restful and healing. 

• Vinyasa Fusion is an integrative, non-aggressive practice of physical challenge, mindfulness, aligned posture, breath, balance and awakening. Diverse traditions from Tantric Hatha to contemporary forms (OM Yoga and Anusara) are integrated within the vigorous, strength-building vinyasa, or flowing, framework. .

• Vinyasa Yoga  -- Build Strength, flexibility and endurance. Enjoy breathing, stretching and moving along a flowing sequence of poses. Vinyasa Yoga links breath with movement, and is generally considered vigorous and uplifting. 

• YogaKids™ is a unique approach to integrative learning using yoga as a pathway. Reading, storytelling, music, creative arts and earthcare blend with yoga movement to educate the "whole" child. The children will stretch, breathe, relax and enjoy the many benefits of yoga in fun and playful ways.  Saturday classes begin on September 16th.