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 Anne Gilbride. Anne discovered yoga 13 years ago in Dallas Texas, while completing her Doctorate in Chiropractic. She came to yoga as a competitive athlete and initially loved the external physical gains that her body made in flexibility and strength. She soon realized that the true "power" in yoga lies in its ability to cultivate the internal aspects of emotional balance and clarity of mind. Anne has attended teacher training with Baron Baptiste and more recently has been traveling the world from Costa Rica to Greece attending retreats with Shiva Rea. Shiva's style of practice allowed Anne to develop a unique blend of Power and spiritual yoga termed Prana Flow. Anne has been a Chiropractor for 10 years and has lived and worked in Marblehead for the past 6 years. Her undergraduate studies included biomechanics and exercise physiology. Her extensive knowledge of the body and patterns of dynamic movement give give her a unique insight into yoga Asana. "The discipline and practice of yoga has led me to the understanding that my experiences on my mat mimic my life! I come to class with the intention of sharing all that I am in hopes that I may inspire others to Dive On In To Yoga! The water is beautiful ... trust me" |
 Danielle Jacobs. Danielle is a 200-hour certified instructor with both Baptiste Power Yoga Institute in Boston and Ahahata Yoga in Rowley. Fourteen years ago, feeling the need to investigate the ancient practice of yoga, Danielle began taking classes wherever and whenever she could. She began with an Iyengar-based practice that focused on breath, movement and alignment, and soon after, began pursuing her teaching certification. In 2005, hoping to deepen her practice, she took a class at the Baptiste Studio in Boston and knew that she had arrived. The Baptiste practice was challenging, yet compassionate, creative, consistent and cleansing all at once. A love for yoga and the Baptiste process has inspired her to share this practice with everyone. In addition to teaching at the Yoga Loft, Danielle has also trained and taught yoga to cancer and Parkinson's disease patients at Penny's Circle of Hope and the Salem Wellness Community. |
 Demetri Veleskakis. Demetri first got into Yoga as a way to heal a back injury and improve his performance as a competitive cyclist. Soon the power of the practice healed and revitalized his body, melted his stress, opened and cleared his mind (not to mention he got faster on the bike!). "During class, I strive to teach the most potent methods that yoga has to offer. My goal is to strengthen, renew, and uplift students to their maximum potential in body, energy and mind." In addition to having met the requirements for his 500 hour certification, Demetri is also a certified Trance Dance instructor as well as an AFFA certified Personal trainer, and a USCA certified cycling coach. Demetri's style is Shiva Rae influenced and his classes have a wonderful flow to them. His words are deep and inspirational and his energy is uplifting. |
 Elaine Wintman. Elaine loves yoga. She is a longtime yoga practitioner and a registered yoga teacher at the E500-hour level. She began to practice yoga in the mid-1970s. Her first training was in the Iyengar method and she has been teaching since 1994. Influenced by alignment principles, Astanga training, and Body-Mind Centering®, she uses experiential anatomy to encourage students to move from within. By emphasizing breath, humor, embodiment and mindfulness, she helps students develop a compassionate and intimate relationship with their bodies as well as a committed yoga practice. Elaine is a Registered Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist, and a graduate of the four-year Practitioner Program of the School for Body-Mind Centering®. She assists her teacher, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, and teaches in the BMC® yoga training programs. Beginning in January 2009, she is training yoga teachers through Swallowtail Yoga, a registered yoga school at the 200-hour level. Elaine lives in Salem with her 28-part, full-size human organ model and half of a disarticulated medical grade, plastic human skeleton. |
 Evie Fessenden. Evie came to yoga in 1995 looking for relaxation and nourishment and found exactly what she was looking for. Evie's first teacher certification course was in 2000, followed by her second course in 2004, meeting the requirements for the Yoga Alliance 200 hour certification. She has taught Hatha yoga to students from ages 2 to 90 in a variety of settings, but claims "The Yoga Loft is the loveliest setting that I have taught in." Her style is slow, detailed, meditative and light-hearted. Her class is a great place for newer practitioners to learn the ropes, or for those who are seeking a gentler class. |
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Andrea's Vinyasa classes are challenging and powerful, yet always graceful and accessible to all students. She enjoys sharing her light and enthusiasm with her students. Andrea is thankful to and inspired by many wonderful teachers, including; Baron Baptiste, Jonathan Fields and Lauren Hanna of Sonic Yoga, Shiva Rea, David Life and Sharon Gannon of Jivamukti, and David Magone. |
 Ivana Meyran. Ivana shares her vibrant joy of living and love of yoga with each student. She focuses on creating a quality of life from the inside out, with the desire that the awareness found within the yoga practice, be taken off the mat and into every life moment. She's inspired and deeply grateful to her current teacher, John Friend, founder of Anusara yoga. Anusara, "flowing with grace," is a style of yoga in which the postures are enhanced by a set of alignment principles and inspired by a heart-centered theme. Her classes are challenging while suitable to all levels. Ivana, her husband Mike, and their daughters Emily and Mia currently live in Marblehead where they sail onboard the "Wild Goose." Some of her favorite books include: Meditate by Swami Muktananda, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, and Moving into Stillness by Erich Schiffmann. |
 Jerry Urban. Have you ever come into something that you knew would change your life forever? This was yoga for Jerry. It was not an immediate change or something readily apparent, at first ... it was a slow and steady progression through years of practicing and quitting and practicing some more, slowly gaining little awakenings, transitions and transformations, and on occasion, even recognizing them. Each time he went away from yoga, there was always something bringing him back, usually a girlfriend. And then one day, it just stayed with him. And he's been thankful ever since. Though his primary influence is Shiva Rea, it would be hard to exclude any instructor that he's ever practiced with or any number of styles of yoga that he's touched upon. Inspiration comes in many different forms and occasionally it requires a change or shift to find where it's hiding. Each teacher sharing their inspirations and practice provides a new and different avenue of thought or perhaps, a new path to follow. So come and do a little digging with Jerry, you might like what you find. |
 Julie Pottier-Brown. Julie came to yoga 12 years ago while expecting her first child. Luckily she was already fit as she walked right into the Astanga practice - and promptly fell in love! A few years later while pregnant with her second child, Julie began teaching the Astanga Primary series. Julie holds a certificate in EmbodyYoga Astanga Teacher Training, and is currently expanding her credentials to be certified at the 200 hour level through Swallowtail Teacher Training. Deeply influenced by Astanga, Julie also brings to her classes influences from Iyengar, Kali Ray Tri Yoga, Sivananda, and Body Mind Centering. Though her classes are more commonly Vinyasa (flow) now, one never knows what will be spotlighted week to week - breathwork, hip/shoulder openers, or inversions at the wall. Julie also manages a local organic produce co-op, volunteers with La Leche League International, drives monthly into Boston for the Salem Pantry, but most importantly is Mom to two active boys. |
 Kat Mansfield.
Kat Mansfield took her first yoga class while pregnant with her first child. That baby is now a teenager and Kat’s passion for yoga continues unabated. A curriculum developer by training, Kat has always been fascinated by how we learn. Just as there are many paths in yoga toward the destination of samahdi , there are many learning styles – and teaching methods to match them – to make yoga practice safer, more accessible and more sustainable over the long, long years of practice that are the great joy of yoga. Her classes are a work out, but, importantly, they are accessible to everyone, whether you’re a raw beginner or a long-time yogi looking to ramp up your practice. New comers inspire us with beginner mind. Experienced sannyasins show us the beauty and reward of long-term practice. Kat explored several yoga modalities before finding her home with the breath and dynamic movement of Vinyasa yoga. Nationally certified, she gratefully acknowledges the influence and support of all her teachers, both inside and outside the discipline of yoga. A former high school English, History and Theatre Arts teacher, Kat holds an Ed.M from Harvard University. www.katmansfield.com |
 Katie Mahan. Katie has been a student of Pranayama (breathe techniques) since 1996 and found a regular practice of Power Yoga in 1998. After catching the yoga bug she found the personal benefits of weight loss, stress reduction, goal setting and the sutras through her commitment to her practice. In her professional career and personal love of traveling, Katie has had the honor of practicing yoga at studios around the world and decided to complete a certification in Ashtanga Yoga in 2004. Since that time, she has taught at multiple studios around the Northshore of Boston. A consummate student, Katie continues to indulge in related literature and assorted workshops to improve her own practice as well as find inspiration to bring to her classes. Specifically Katie has studied Iyengar with Patricia Walden, Anasura at studios of John Friend and guided meditation with Cindi Lee to compliment her Ashtanga roots. A new mom, Katie is ecstatic to bring her renewed energy & light hearted approach to classes here at The Yoga Loft. |
Lisa has integrated both the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga into her daily life and enjoys sharing that with others. A sense of humor and curiosity are integral to her classes. She hopes that the “lessons you learn on your mat are ones you will carry with you into the rest of your life”. |
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 Sarah McCormack. Sarah is a certified 200 hr yoga instructor (through Yoga Bohdi) and has been teaching in the fitness industry since graduating from college -- she won't say exactly how long that is, but now she has kids in college! Over the years she has been inspired and influenced in many seminars with master instructors such as; Beryl Bender Birch, John Friend, Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea, David Magone, and many more. In addition to her yoga certification, she holds certifications in Zumba, P.A.C.E, Spin/Cycle, TRX, Kids Yoga, and Body Pump. Sarah blends all of her teachings together with her personal life experiences and challenges (she has plenty of them with her four children), to create a fun, powerful and spiritual practice. |
 Susan Himml. Susan's interest in athletics led her to the practice of yoga to gain strength and flexibility. She quickly acquired not only physical benefits but emotional and spiritual benefits as well. Her passion for yoga inspired her toward the path of teaching others, where she has combined natural teaching ability with learned training skills from her background in corporate training. She teaches with patience and compassion and encourages her students to see beyond their self-imposed limitations. Susan studied with Patty Townsend of the Yoga Center Amherst, where she completed her 200 hour certification program and continues to study. She also completed Astanga teacher training with David Swenson and is a registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance. |
 Vito Politano. Vito took his first class at Baptiste's studio in Cambridge to help with neck strain. From that first class, he didn't know what hit him but he kept going back to find out. What initially felt more like a physical endeavor, challenged his mind, heart...and life. Vito is primarily inspired to teach and assist in order to share this healthy, powerful and transformative practice. He aims to keep class challenging while stressing safe alignment to inspire a sustainable practice...and never taking things too seriously. Vito also enjoys incorporating cool music into the class. Vito completed his 200 hour Teacher Training with Natasha Rizopoulos in the YogaWorks method -- inspired by a synthesis of Astanga, Iyengar, and Viniyoga. Vito is also inspired by and has trained with Seane Corne. Vito's lives in the North End and also enjoys his "day job," doing marketing and development work for TLM (a manufacturer's rep firm) helping to promote enlightened, sustainable and natural living products. |
 Willa Worsfold. Born in NYC, raised in the Berkshires and schooled in the Midwest, Willa found her yoga soul in Chicago. It was there that she discovered
the power of Astanga, the alignment of Iyengar, and the lift of the Universal Style. She has explored multiple styles through advanced workshops with Tim Miller, Richard Freeman, Anna Forest, Shiva Rea, Seane Corne, Dharma Mittra and most recently, teacher training with David Magone in Boston. Willa has taught privately since 2003 and having two lovely daughters of her own, delights in teaching teen and children's yoga as well. Landing on the East Coast in 2004, Willa was introduced to Baptiste Yoga and most recently to David Magone and the PranaVayu Style of Yoga. Pranavayu is a cutting-edge style of vinyasa yoga that blends creative sequencing with a unique and transformative system of alignment. This new wave of training principles emphasizes efficient skeletal positioning through imagery. PranaVayu Yoga is grounded in one simple philosophy: Change your Body, Free your Mind. Classes close with a delicious 15 minute guided meditation and savasana. In 2007 Willa completed her PranaVayu teacher training with David Magone and now teaches a unique style of PranaVayu yoga accompanied by refreshing alternative music. |
Randy & Laurel Sigler - Owners. Randy and Laurel came to yoga through varied fitness backgrounds, including having owned Phoenix Fitness Center in Marblehead. After running a full service fitness center, and wanting to stay connected to the Health and Wellness community, they saw the need for a quality yoga studio in town. With an experienced and diverse group of instructors (see below), the studio has developed a wonderful and supportive following of students. Randy and Laurel are thrilled to be able to offer this unique experience to all who are interested in the benefits that yoga has to offer.
Lisa Faia. Lisa has been a student of yoga since early 2001 when her company started offering weekly Iyengar yoga classes. She quickly discovered the many benefits that yoga had to offer on and off the mat. With a few years of practice under her belt she started exploring various styles of yoga and found a new love with the sinuous movement of power yoga. After 8 years, Lisa decided that it was time to deepen her practice and knowledge of yoga asana and yogic philosophy by enrolling in a training program. She completed her 200 hour certification with Yoga Spirit Studios and is a registered teacher with the Yoga Alliance. Lisa’s style is a fusion of form and flow that is both graceful and powerful. With a strong emphasis on linking breath to movement Lisa invites her students to work towards their edge. She offers variations to satisfy the spectrum between the novice and advancing practitioner. She considers herself to be a perpetual student of yoga who loves to share her passion. Lisa spends her days working in research and development as a Product Development Manager for a footwear Company in Newton.