Through objective observation of her life experiences, she could not deny the power of transformation that was happening inside her, all around her and how deeply and mystically rooted we actually are to the Natural and Spirit World. She quickly jumped on board to learn this medicine in order to help her friends, family and community, as she wants nothing more than to help others fully heal from the wounds that cover the own light within themselves, empower them to find themselves and shine their light to the world. Philia has also earned her B.S. in Cell Molecular Biology and Genetics and served as a therapist for autistic children and as a cancer researcher. For a time she pursued medical school but feeling that this wasn’t the path for her, she began an ever-important journey of self-discovery by going within to find her deepest passions and dreams. What emerged was a self-taught fashion business called pH by phillia. This led her to becoming a successful real estate agent and now social-entrepreneur with her newest endeavor, Live Love Collective ( www.livelovecollective.com). Her mission is to be a bridge between the wisdom of our ancestors to the modern world that can benefit greatly from the power of this healing medicine. Armed with the knowledge and secrets of the Universe that aligns with her scientific background, she believes that by healing yourself, you raise the internal vibration within yourself you can heal the world through an actual frequency that can cause ripple effect of Love and Gratitude.

She met yoga in 1998 in a Washington D.C. gym and fell in love with the stress-relief it provided, going on to study at local studio, Unity Woods. Moving to NYC in 2002, she was blessed to have had Summer Quashie, Nancy Allen, and Julianna Tackacs as early teachers at Greenhouse Holistic who first introduced her to the deeper, spiritually-alligned practice that yoga was and can be,
and which she gratefully practices today. After 15 years as a student, she became certified to teach yoga herself in 2012 through the Greenhouse Holistic teacher training program where she trained with Summer Quashie, Leigh Evans, & Steve Prestiani. Teaching a style that incorporates alignment-based Vinyasa & Hatha yoga, yogic philosophy, introspection and awareness through meditation and sound–she teaches yoga as an accessible and rich tool for empowering the Self to explore one’s own unique body, being, and potential for transformation and growth.

Her emphasis is on developing mindfulness through the yoga practice, inviting you to witness the shifting sensations of the body and attune to the inner unfolding of each asana. Since 1985, Leigh has practiced Yoga in the Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Viniyoga traditions in the U.S. and India. Her classes are influenced by her studies in Ayurveda, Insight meditation QiGong, and Thai massage, as well as Indian Odissi dance and Butoh. Her dedication to Asian forms of healing and dance arises from her desire to share the meditative and transformative states of consciousness awakened through these practices.She is grateful for the guidance of her teachers, Dharma Mitra, Sarah Powers, Rodney Yee, Lisa Walford, Barbara Benagh, Mary Paffard, and Ramanand Patel.Leigh is the director and co-founder of Yoga Sukhavati, a spiritually aligned hatha vinyasa practice, infused with Ayurveda, Tibetan Buddhism and anatomical precision that specializes in practices to nourish the stages of a woman’s life. Yoga Sukhavati offers 200 Hour and 500 Hour Teacher Training Programs. She is also director of the Greenhouse Holistic Teacher Training Program in Brooklyn. She teaches workshops and retreats nationally and internationally. Visit www.leighevansyoga.com for more on Leigh.

She do this by incorporating a variety of techniques, including: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Bodywork, Shiatsu, Sports Massage, Polarity Therapy, and the use of Hot Stones. Leah is a graduate from the Finger Lakes School of Massage. Leah is a professional contemporary dancer, holding a BFA in Dance and Minor in Movement Science from the University of Michigan. This training has given her a keen awareness of anatomy and experience with a variety of injuries. Leah’s massages have been said to create a greater feeling of connection in the body, relieve pain, have a dynamic flow, and strike a great balance between relaxation and strategic specific work.

In 2006, she graduated from the Iyengar Yoga three year teacher training program. In 2007, she moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina where she began teaching. In October of 2009 she relocated to NYC where she feels blessed to have discovered a wonderfully warm yoga community. In September of 2012, she passed the Introductory II level of certification in the Iyengar Yoga method under the mentorship of her primary teacher Brooke Myers. Leslie holds a B.F.A in Art from Calarts. She is a student of North Indian Classical music for the voice and a children’s media artist who is passionate about creating alternative media that supports the creative and spiritual education of our youth. For more info visit: www.leslielowderyoga.com and www.bewonderkids.com.Iyengar Yoga is based on the teachings of the living yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar, author of many books including the classic yoga treatise “Light on Yoga”. Iyengar Yoga is one of the world’s most widely-practiced forms of yoga and is known for it’s emphasis on correct alignment of the whole body within each yoga pose. Iyengar Yoga develops strength, endurance, optimal body alignment, flexibility and relaxation. Practitioners develop self-awareness, intelligent evaluation, and profound inward reflection. The attention to detail and cultivation of awareness is meant to not only maintain physical safety in the practice but to develop the mental benefits of a complete meditation in action. Iyengar Yoga is also known for its use of props (blankets, blocks, straps and chairs) which allow all practitioners access to the benefits of the postures regardless of physical condition, age, or length of study.

Jeremy has studied under many masters and teachers of meditation, healing arts, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong. He became a Reiki Master Teacher in 1995. He received certification in Shiatsu Massage in 1998. He studied shamanic healing in the Ecuadorian Amazon in 2000. And he received certification from the International Institute of Medical Qi Gong in 2008. For 17 years he has studied and practiced Yang style Tai Chi and many forms of Qi Gong under senior teachers and masters of several lineages. He has trained in Taoist meditation practices, Vipassana meditation, and has spent time studying and in retreat at Zen monasteries, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and with numerous teachers of Advaita (non-duality) teachings. He has traveled from the jungles of Ecuador to the Himalayas to the monasteries of Japan to meet with great teachers and absorb their wisdom teachings. He also works as a documentary film writer and director, and believes that films can and should be tools used to heal and awaken the consciousness of the world.

Jennifer believes that yoga is an experience – a whole – and that the lessons learned in our yoga journey (through practice and patience) are invaluable lessons that we carry with us into our daily lives. What brought Jennifer to teaching was the wish to share these lessons and the love for life that yoga can awaken in us.

Mary has been a master trainer and group exercise instructor, as well as Group Exercise Coordinator and Sports Clubs for Kids Manager at New York Sports Clubs in Manhattan since 2002. She has been a gymnastics instructor at Hamilton Dance School in Brooklyn since 2003. She is currently certified in Zumba Basics 1 and 2, Zumba Toning, Aerobics and Fitness Association of American, and National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer. Inspiring others to be passionate about health and fitness is what continues to drive Mary to stay in the fitness industry.

Laura studies Mysore Ashtanga yoga with Guy Donahaye. She teaches an Ashtanga inspired Vinyasa class with focus on alignment, breath, and bandhas. She connects to the ancient tradition of yoga practice and the respect it holds for silence and stillness. Laura’s class offers a deep dialogue with the body and encourages breathing through mental and physical resistance while exploring and discovering patience, compassion, and strength.Laura is a Yoga Alliance Certified instructor and a Reiki II Practitioner. She is inspired and humbled by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Ramana Maharshi, and Burning Man. Laura is the co-founder of Buddha Chocolate, a Brooklyn-local raw chocolate company that rules her time off the mat.

Continuing his studies, Rodrigo traveled to the Sivananda Yoga Retreat in Paradise Island, Bahamas, becoming a Certified Yoga Nidra Instructor in 2011 and completing the Advanced Yoga Teacher training program in January of 2012. Rodrigo then studied Thai Yoga Massage through the Lotus Palm School of Massage in Montreal.Rodrigo combines his knowledge of Yoga, Ayurveda and Massage to offer his clients a wide range of techniques for health and well being. From Meditation to Massage, Rodrigo is dedicated to helping others. Rodrigo has a strong intuition and sensitive touch, and believes that all people share a deeper connection beyond the superficial.

He instructs classes as he learned from Mahayogi, holding each posture for an extended period of time, focusing on the exact alignment for each individual dependent upon their present physical capabilities, focusing on a specific rhythmic breathing pattern, and focusing attentively with the eyes for each posture, to acutely increase ones ability to concentrate. Every posture is then alternated with repose in savasana (also called “the corpse” or “rest pose”). The two hour class concludes with approximately 10 minutes of pranayama (breath retention, or control) and a 15 minute seated silent meditation. Though the class is intense, it operates as a “one room school house”, open to all levels of practitioners, from first time beginners, to those physically challenged, to those highly advanced. Each will receive modifications appropriate to their level of practice. Steve’s teaching credentials include 4 years for the Mahayogi Yoga Mission, 2 years at the Kearny Correctional Facility with incarcerated women, 3 years for the Multiple Sclerosis Society with wheel-chair bound, chair ability, and mat capable members, 2 years at the Earth School with primary school children, 1 year with AHRP for those mentally-handicapped, including training the staff at AHRP to work independent of his person, 10 years and running with a community class run by donation at the Sixth Street Community Center in the Lower East Side, and 2 years and running at Greenhouse Holistic. He also teaches privately from his own home in the Lower East Side.

The Yoga Sutras (writings) say that what you can achieve in 12 years of Hatha Yoga, plus 6 years of Raj Yoga, plus 3 years of Mantra Yoga, plus 1 year of Laya Yoga can be accomplished in a single year of perfectly practiced Kundalini Yoga.Kundalini Yoga is designed for the active person with responsibilities in school, work, family and the world. It was maintained as a secret oral tradition for thousands of years which protected the techniques from abuse, but also created an unnecessary image of mystery. Kundalini Yoga can be practiced by anyone if it is done gradually and according to the instructions.As our society becomes increasingly technological, our world becomes more intimately connected and influenced by its numerous cultures. The pace of change is on the rise and the stress on our body’s nervous system is increasing. The science of Kundalini Yoga allows us to tap into a technology that helps us cope with this escalating change. The inner science of the mind is the tool that will enable us to cope with the pressure of these changes. It is the mind that interprets our outer and inner worlds and it is the mind that we must train to guide us through the flow of change.
As a beginning student you should go at a pace that suits your flexibility and endurance. As you feel more comfortable with the exercises taught in class, begin to practice at home. If you can practice at the same time each day, you will find that you will improve rapidly.

After several years of studying vinyasa and ashtanga yoga she found that through elegant principles of Anusara yoga she could express her heart and body. She has been teaching Anusara yoga only since completing her immersions and teacher training in 2008, but directs her gratitude to all yoga teachers that contributed their time and knowledge to share the vision of the yogic path.

I added to my knowledge with the American council on exercise (ACE) and east coast athletics (ECA), aswell as AFAA. I have done work with the NAACP, YMCA and Teen Ministries. I have been a fitness director for new york sports club a group exercise director for bally total fitness. I have trained athletes, competitors, artists and professionals alike. I have helped to design and develop and even market video exercise programs. Here at awakening I find an open door, one that allows me the opportunity to truly nurture, teach, coach and inspire in a well rounded and virtually complete environment.

As a student Elizabeth focused her studies and research on women’s health which in turn led to prenatal massage training. Elizabeth is certified in Bodywork for the Childbearing Cycle through Niara Healing Arts. She uses her knowledge of clinical therapeutic massage and her nurturing intuitive nature to affect healing in her clients. Working with pregnant and postpartum women is a true joy for Elizabeth. She believes that with each massage she gives she is able to honor the divine wisdom of the feminine in addition to helping new & expectant mothers better care for themselves and therefore care for their babies.

This environment allows for a deep relaxation to occur, fostering awareness and balancing the body, mind, and heart. She continually cultivates her clients’ own healing process bringing forth relief from pain and increasing clarity, insight and emotional stability thus creating an opportunity for optimum revitalization. Ewa finds that craniosacral therapy provides a structure and framework that incorporates all of her skills, interests and abilities into one unified whole. Ewa has also been fascinated with eastern methods of treatment and healing. She is a Third Degree Usui Reiki Master.