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 has always loved to move. Born and raised in Westfield, NJ, she was a competitive gymnast as a youngster, then moved on to modern, jazz and contemporary dance in San Francisco, where she performed and taught for 17 years before moving back home. Soon after taking her first “real” yoga class at Satsang in 2007, she realized that the benefits of yoga went far beyond the physical practice; she likes to say she “came for the asana and stayed for the yoga.” In 2011, Julia completed her RYT 200 through Satsang/Yoga Manjari, and in 2017, she completed her RYT-500 with Bo Forbes at the New England School of Integrative Yoga, where she focused on emotional balance and recovery from alcoholism/addictions. Julia is also a certified Y12SR (Yoga for 12-Step Recovery) spaceholder with Nikki Myers and serves on the Y12SR staff. She has taught in studio, outpatient rehab, hospital, corporate and private settings. For Julia, 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. She has mad gratitude for Ellen Kaplow, Trisha Wheeler, Andrea Magda, Sally Narkis and the rest of the Satsang crew for their inspiration, love 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!
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.
