INSTRUCTORS
Andrea Magda: Owner, found that self discovery can be serendipitous. An avid runner, she initially found yoga to be a complement to her exercise regimen and as a way to increase her overall fitness. But she discovered the more she practiced yoga the more it subtly changed her life. Because of that change, Andrea completed her 200-hour teacher training certification through Yoga Manjari, spring 2011 and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. She believes her journey, teaching and sharing yoga has really only just begun. She encourages novices as well as daily practitioners to strive for their best and continuously seeks to spread a positive yogic experience without taking it all so seriously. In her own practice Andrea struggles to be fearless and to embody “bodhichitta” — making a warm connection with all human beings. Like all warriors, she creates tapas for herself, her practice and others. She believes in getting the most out the spiritual quenching. She is passionate about conditioning the inner athlete—linking body, mind and spirit to breath. She currently lives in Westfield, NJ with her husband and two sons; and is grateful to them and all her teachers especially Ellen Kaplow for her inspiration, guidance and friendship.
Ellen Anderson, PT, PhD, RYT has been a physical therapist for over 30 years and a yogi for half of that. She is an associate professor of physical therapy with a strong background in therapeutic exercise, and has written a book, several articles, and many book chapters on the use of complementary therapies in rehabilitation. She teaches anatomy for yoga teacher trainings and has taught workshops on safe practice, yoga for back pain. Ellen is also a registered yoga teacher and regularly teaches Foundation classes for persons new to yoga or those wanting to practice yoga in ways that can address their physical concerns.
Ellen believes that her greatest accomplishment is realized through her marriage to Scott for over 30 years and their loving and adventurous children who are happily living their lives and like all of us, are trying to make sense of the world. Ellen loves to travel and enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities.
Donna Bacich began her passion for yoga when she took her first Ashtanga class back in 1999. She completed her RYT 200-hour certification through Yoga Manjari in 2011. Donna teaches a vinyasa style class with focus on breath and alignment. She believes that by integrating breath and movement one can experience flexibility, strength and create stillness in the mind. Donna is grateful to be given the opportunity to share this ancient practice with others. She is thankful for the blessings of her teachers, Ellen Kaplow and Sally Narkis and the loving support of her Satsang family. Donna is also grateful for the guidance and inspiration of Baba Harihar Ramji and her SI Sangha.
Amy Cabral had an A-Ha moment in 2007 when she walked into her very first yoga class. She left feeling alive and present in her own body thinking, “this is it.” She studied ballet intensively during her youth so the combination of breath, movement and alignment was like being home again. In 2011 Amy completed her RYT-200 through Satsang’s Yoga Manjari Training. She considers herself to be a student first, always eager to learn about the practice and ultimately herself. She approaches teaching with an open heart and her classes are a well rounded mix of alignment and flow. Amy is so grateful to Ellen Kaplow, Sally Narkis, Trish Wheeler, Stacy Newfeld, Micki Weissbard and all the wonderful teachers and students that make up the Satsang Community.
Julia Ruth Dillon walked through the doors of Satsang in spring 2007, not knowing she would one day be a teacher there. Born and raised in Westfield, Julia has always loved to move: she was a competitive gymnast as a youngster, then a musical theater performer, and finally a modern dancer. After college, Julia moved to San Francisco where she danced, performed and taught modern and jazz dance for 17 years. Upon returning to Westfield, she was encouraged to take a class at Satsang by a California friend who told her how “totally awesome” the studio was. He was right. Julia completed her RYT 200-hour certification through Yoga Manjari in 2011. She likes to say that she came for the asana (the physical practice) and stayed for the yoga (the whole shebang – spiritual, mental and physical). For her, the yoga practice is as much about unlearning as it is about learning, and she believes that in yoga, as in life, it’s best to have a sense of humor. Julia gives big ups to Ellen Kaplow, Trisha Wheeler, Sally Narkis and the rest of the Satsang crew for their inspiration, love and support – and for helping her to learn to sit still, which is a miracle unto itself.
Jordana Edelstein has a goal to help all students find and practice the type of yoga that makes them feel empowered and at ease with their bodies and thoughts. She strongly believes that yoga is not about touching your toes, its about what you learn on the way down. About your body, your thoughts, how you react, how you feel when you practice. And what you’ll learn, over time, will transform into a set of tools you can use both on and off the mat to bring more awareness and mindfulness to each moment of your life.
Her teaching is grounded in the notions of clarity and care-offering precise, approachable instruction and guidance alongside compassionate understanding of people’s varying needs and abilities. Jordana’s classes are heavily influenced by her studies of biomechanics and anatomy and how they inform alignment and healthy movement within the practice of yoga.
She is a graduate of Integrative Yoga Therapy’s 200 hour training program and is a certified Yoga Tune Up(R) teacher with a focus on therapeutic yoga and practical application of yoga philosophy. Jordana is registered with the Yoga Alliance and is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.
As a wife and mom to a little boy and a Wheaten Terrier, Jordana is incredibly grateful for her family’s inspiration and support.
Ellen Kaplow, E-RYT is Satsang Yoga’s E-RYT 200 / 500 RYT creative director, YogaManJari Teacher Training. Ellen has been a well sought after ACE certified fitness instructor, teacher trainer and group fitness director for over 25 years. She discovered yoga (or yoga found her) over 18 years ago and the rest as they say, is history. In the words of Rodney Yee, “We come to yoga either from inspiration or out of desperation — for Ellen it was both.” After meeting her dear friend and mentor, Pam Flynn of Shakti Yoga, Ellen knew that this was a path she was meant to follow. Ellen completed an Anusara style teacher training with Molly Fox and Amy Ippoliti and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. She has studied extensively with Baron Baptiste, Sharon Gannon and David Life of Jivamukti Yoga, Maty Ezratry and Chuck Miller, Nancy Gilgoff, Lino Miele, Ana Forrest, Beryl Bender Birch , John Friend, Kofi Buscia, Christina Sell and Noah Maze; and as of September 2013, Nikki Costello. So many wonderful teachers along the way.
She continues to study with and be inspired by her primary teacher Rodney Yee, (completing advanced teacher trainings with Rodney first in 2003 and each year since). Ellen has been included in, and had the privilege of being part of a small retreat at Heathen Hill open only to Rod’s senior students. (not AARP members). Being at Heathen Hill with Rodney, Colleen, Lippy and the rest of the crew of esteemed teachers — while doing what I love — is truly a gift. It has been an amazing journey.
Ellen‘s classes are a perfect blend of alignment, vinyasa and fun. Each experience is meant to allow the individual to discover his/her greatest potential. Ellen is grateful every day for the inspiration of her students and fellow instructors, the gift of practice, her devoted staff and the love of her family (her three fabulous children, husband Rick and her three sweet pups. Ellen would also like to give a special shout out to Sally Narkis for urging her to step into the world of Teacher Training and retreats. Most of all great gratitude to the Satsang community, and teachers for their support, wisdom and love over the past 12 years. Namaste.
Stacy “Anuttara” Newfeld, E-RYT a spirited modern dancer began and continues her life journey a student of siddha yoga and gurumayi chidvilasananda. In 1991 she completed hatha yoga training in the Iyengar tradition and led classes in both South Fallsburg and Manhattan Ashrams. In 2005 she studied asana and pranayama and completed certification with Integral Yoga Institute, Next Generation Yoga in New York and began her exploration in prana flow with river guides, Shiva Rea and Twee Merrigan with whom she still trains. She is also certified in reiki, massage and ayurveda, most recently in India with Dr. David Frawley and Yogini Shambhavi. Her classes flow with breath, heart inspired intention and conscious movement. Yoga is for everyone regardless of age or physicality, its divine teachings are a gift to be shared among us all. With great respect and love I thank the entire Satsang Kula, Jai Ma!
Mary Roth has found that yoga and a healthy lifestyle have given her positive energy and balance, even in hectic times. She is passionate about sharing her love of yoga, good food and healthy living.
Mary has been a Registered Yoga Teacher since 2006 and a Registered Dietitian since 1993. There is a yoga path for every age and every fitness level and Mary enjoys encouraging others to tap into their own energy for optimal health.
Mary trained in Soul Sweat Asana with Wendy Pinto and is a certified Relax and Renew Trainer in Restorative Yoga through Judith Lasater. She is certified to teach kids yoga through Next Generation with Jodi Komitor. She currently teaches many styles of yoga including vinyasa flow, basic, gentle, restorative yoga and kids.
Mary emphasizes the importance of taking time to unplug from our busy lives to slow down, breathe deeply, and move mindfully. When Mary is not teaching yoga she enjoys cooking, reading, writing and hiking. She treasures spending time with her husband and three children, her extended family and friends and her favoritefour legged pups Charli and Lacey.
Tammy Spiewak found yoga in New York City in her early 20’s as a form of exercise, but quickly discovered that the practice was much more than a trendy way to stay in shape. As she navigated through career changes, marriage, a move to the suburbs, and the onset of motherhood, her yoga practice became a way for her to stay grounded, find peace, and ultimately connect with her Self (with a capital “S”!) In 2012, Tammy completed her 200-hour certification through Yoga Manjari. A former NYC school teacher and preschool teacher, she recently left the academic classroom for the yoga studio. Tammy believes everyone can benefit from yoga regardless of age or physicality. Her classes focus on linking movement with breath and are designed for students of all levels. In addition to her 200-hour training, Tammy is trained, by Kidding Around Yoga, to teach yoga and meditation to children. She is currently studying and deepening her spiritual and meditation practices under the guidance of Gabrielle Bernstein. Tammy is eternally grateful for her teachers Ellen Kaplow and Sally Narkis, for their inspiration, guidance, and unwavering love and support. She feels blessed to have the opportunity to share her love of the practice at Satsang, the kula of her heart.
Michelle Weintraub fell in love with yoga in 1998 when she discovered Anusara; which in a nutshell is yoga from the inside out. “Instead of trying to control the body and mind from the outside, the poses originate from a deep, creative and devotional feeling inside, from the essence of divine goodness within.” Michelle continued to show up on her mat regularly and for years knowing the time would come to deepen her practice; ultimately sharing and teaching others. In 2012, Michelle found Tara Madore; certified Anusara teacher, chiropractor and owner of Inner Light Yoga Center, with who and where she completed her 200-hour teacher training — but the training never really ends. Since that time, Michelle has learned that we are all beginners every day. She hears regularly and from many all of the reasons someone cannot “do” yoga. Words like “I’m not flexible, I need to sweat, it’s not a workout…” And then the famous, “I can’t touch my toes”, leading her back to her daily words, “Yoga is a breathing practice, that’s all it is. If you can breathe you can do yoga. The physical effects of yoga are all just fringe benefits and stem from the breath. And that glow. Talk about an oxygen facial.
In Michelle’s classes you can expect to breathe into, move with and listen to your body (and some great music!). If something feels good, do it; if it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it. There is always another pose, a modification or refinement. Skipping a pose to hold the one you are in because it feels good is the message and once you get “the message” you are “doing” yoga.
Michelle thanks all of the yogis she has met on this amazing path. The teachers and students alike because at the end of the day, we are all teaching and learning together. A special thank you to Tracy and Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki, who dragged me (yes dragged – kicking and screaming) to my first yoga class ever. I will forever love you both.
When Michelle isn’t on the mat, she is mom to Drew & Jack, who she learns from every single day. In her spare time, Michelle manages her own business, forevergreen soaps, where she has been creating handmade soaps, candles & body products for 18 years.
“Yoga is a breathing practice; that’s all it is. The asanas (poses) are forms the physical body takes allowing it to “open up” giving the breath more room to move, expand and grow. Yoga is for everyone — if you can breath, you can “do” yoga”. These are the words Michelle repeats in every single yoga class she teaches.
Micki Weissbard is a certified yoga instructor having completed the Yoga Synthesis Teacher Training program with Raji Thron in 2002. She received her prenatal certification in 2004. She has completed advanced teacher trainings with Rodney Yee every year since 2007 and continues to study with him. She has also studied with such inspiring teachers as John Friend, Doug Keller, Kofi Buscia, Mukunda Stiles, Paul Grilley and Aadil Palkhivala. Micki holds a BS In physical therapy and is a registered member of Yoga Alliance. Her classes incorporate a creative synthesis of different yoga styles emphasizing breath and movement integration, proper alignment, meditation and relaxation. Micki extends a heartfelt thank you to her friend and first yoga teacher Ellen Kaplow for bringing the gift of practice into her life. She is also deeply grateful to her students for allowing her the opportunity to share her love of yoga.
Trish Wheeler has been teaching yoga since 2005 when she completed her 200-hour teacher training at Laughing Lotus in New York. A glutton for bliss, she recently finished the 300-hour Laughing Lotus advanced teacher training. Her classes celebrate the transformative power of music, movement, poetry and song on each of us. For Trish, the ritualized space we share in class (lokah samaste) functions as a lab where we can experience being happy, divine beings (sukino bhavantu) and then transfer that experience into in any situation in the “real” world. She is trained in the art of vinyasa or flow and her classes use the breath rhythms to move in and out of the asanas. Her daily yoga practice, dog walks and meditations guide her. She continues to be inspired by her teachers—both at the Lotus and at Satsang — by her students at The Pingry School where she teaches and by her children, Michael and Sophie. She lives in Kearny, NJ, comes from a modern dance background (MFA in Dance — The University of North Carolina at Greensboro) studies Cuban dance, and would like to say she gardens, but puttering is more honest. Lokah samaste sukino bhavantu.