Teachers
Alex
Alex received his 200-hour teacher training certificate in 2015 from The Giving TreeYoga Studio in Astoria. He came to yoga at 35 years of age after taking a class with a close friend. Instantly he appreciated the mindfulness of the movements even though the physicality was more than he bargained for. One breath at a time Alex fell in live with yoga and yogic philosophy. Alex is a student first and still finds time to roll out his mat at every opportunity. This student first approach informs his teaching style. Alex believes that yoga needs to be accessible to every student that walks into his class. Recently Alex graduated from MMTCP, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Program. A two year long training program into the world of mindfulness meditation. He regularly goes on silent retreats to further deepen his own practice. Yoga and meditation are linked and while we work on our physical practice we can also cultivate the skill of paying attention. Cultivating this awareness, science is now proving to us one study at a time is linked deeply to our own well being. Ultimately, yoga, mindfulness, and meditation are a chance to become a better friend to ourselves and to our community.
Andrea
Andrea comes from a background in Classical ballet, Butoh dance, and Vipassana meditation. At age 11, her father was her first yoga and meditation teacher.
A former instructor at Integral Yoga Institute in New York, where she taught Yoga for Vets, Hatha yoga, restorative yoga, chair yoga, meditation and pranayama.
She is a longtime and devoted student of Sri Dharma Mittra, having studied with him for over ten years in NYC. She has also studied Ashantga Vinyasa Yoga as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and has had a Mysore practice for many years.
Her teaching style is steeped in Dharma Yoga - a challenging, yet devotional, graceful form of yoga, that is heavily influenced by vinyasa, lots of inversions, arm balances, and some held poses. This practice can be quite strong and vigorous, though it is meant to be practiced in a gentle, graceful manner. This will aid in creating concentration, deep healing, relaxation, and meditation. Enhancing flexibility (of body and mind), strength, balance, and compassion.
Anna
Anna has over 3000 hours of teaching experience. In addition to studio classes she’s teaching private and corporate sessions. She’s been teaching yoga to scientists and led yoga retreats in and outside of New York City. She continuously sets time aside for selfstudy and further education to grow as a teacher and student.
In her classes Anna puts the emphasis on breath awareness as a way to deal with the physical and mental challenges responsibly. She also stresses how individual the practice is; infinite opportunities open up when one chooses to follow ones own path, trust in the body’s immeasurable knowledge about itself, and make the exploration more internal than external. That allows the practice to meet you where you currently are and take you to where you need to go. In that vast ocean of possibilities we can at the same time, while on our own journey, find solace and strength in the undeniable truth our practice reminds us of time and time again: we're all inherently interconnected somehow.
Anna studied yoga under the tutelage of Sam Chase, to whom she's infinitely grateful and continues to be inspired by, and breath technique under Cecilia Berefeldt in Sweden and Mirka Yementsakis in Greece. Anna holds a master in fine arts from The Stockholm University of Drama and Acting.
She lives in Astoria with her husband and ukulele playing 7-year old son.
Casey
After moving to NYC to pursue a career as a professional dancer, Casey stumbled upon her love for yoga. She maintained a steady practice for several years before deciding to pursue a career as a yoga teacher. She received her 200hr certification from Yoga Vida in 2019 and she is currently in the process of gaining her 300hr certification. Casey has a passion for teaching creatively sequenced vinyasa classes with a focus on linking breath with movement. She hopes to continue to learn from and grow with all of her students!
Cassie
Cassie is a certified Katonah Yoga teacher with further training in Vinyasa, Breathwork, Reiki, Restorative Yoga and Hatha. Since 2015, she has been fortunate to study and mentor with Nevine Michaan, founder of Katonah Yoga, and Abbie Galvin of The Studio, on Bowery.
Cassie has a BA in Performing Arts & Dance from The University of Tampa and over ten years’ experience teaching dance.
She discovered yoga at age 17 via a dusty 1980’s Power Yoga VHS and an empty dance studio in her small hometown of Oklahoma. In 2009 she moved to NYC and quickly began working and touring as a Musical Theater Professional. It was here that she faced injury that led her into the healing arms of therapeutic yoga and deeper study.
Class with Cassie will creatively explore formal yoga technique and allow space for release and revelation with the goal of intelligently and intentionally manipulating the bodies chemistry to tap into a little alchemical Magic. Together we will weave together Mind, Body and Breath to find Joy on and off the mat.
Find her on Instagram @practiceyourmagic and sign up for her email list to stay in touch: https://practiceyourmagic.com
Gili
Gili believes that movement and meditative practice are vital ingredients for personal and collective wellbeing. Her classes combine imagination and measurement in a practice that is playful, invigorating and ultimately pragmatic. Her hope is to facilitate a space for exploration where each student can drop into their present surroundings and cultivate self-connection.
She was first introduced to somatic practices through her training as an actor and theatre-maker at NYU’s Experimental Theatre Wing. In 2017, she received her 200-hour certification through Sky Ting Yoga where she later studied with the mentorship of Alex Sharry. Much of her Katonah Yoga training has been through her apprenticeship at The Studio with Abbie Galvin. Gili is currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Social Work at The Silberman School of Social Work, at Hunter College.
Greg
Greg is a Queens native who found his way to yoga after stints as an entrepreneur and accountant. An avid gym goer, he was drawn to the challenge that the physical posturing can offer. He quickly realized that the body is just the starting point to tap into the mental and spiritual levels of yoga, which now inform his practice and teachings. Greg’s practice is steeped in self-love and compassion for oneself. The practice is truly for anyone that is open to receive its blessings. It does not discriminate based on the physical, mental, or spiritual state that you are in. He believes that yoga always meets you exactly where you are. It has the healing ability to support and nurture, as well as the discipline to ignite purpose in your life. You can expect a balance of these forces in his classes. It is up to you to decide which one serves you in this moment. After his class, you should feel light in the body, still in the mind, and elevated in spirit.
Jodi
Yoga, mindfulness, and movement teacher for more than a decade, Jodi is passionate about the body-mind-breath connection and how yoga and meditation practices can have a positive impact on health, posture, and mental well-being. Her classes include creative sequencing with the intention of finding a sense of ease in the midst of movement, and her private sessions and mentorship offerings are personalized with a focus on functional movement, somatic stress reduction, and body connectivity.
Certified as a pilates teacher from the Kelly Kane Kinected School and as an Interdisciplinary pelvic Health Specialist trained by PT Isa Herrera, Jodi has received her 200 hour Yoga Teaching certification from Sonic Yoga, completed meditation trainings with Ishta Yoga and Tara Brach, Yoga Nidra workshops with Rod Stryker, A Pelvic Health Mentorship and Prenatal Yoga Education with Juliana Mitchell and has privately studied the Linklater and Alexander techniques.
Jodi has served on the faculty of the Living Now Yoga 300 Hour Teacher Training, co-leads seasonal sold-out retreats with Mindful Wilderness and co-owns the online studio Waking Space Yoga. She works with pelvic floor physical therapists helping clients to find ease, strength and pelvic connection, and hosts core strengthening and yoga for pelvic floor workshops throughout the year. For more about Jodi, upcoming retreats and workshops, or to work with her privately email her at practicewithjodi@gmail.com or go to practicewithjodi.com
For Kids: Jodi is the creator of the online video series, “Jodi the Yogi”, a yoga and music program for preschoolers. Through this program she has shared yoga with thousands of children all over the world. She has also consulted for children’s yoga training programs and has worked with hundreds of kids, both typically developed and with special needs, throughout the New York city area. For free videos: Jodi the Yogi
Josh
A performer from a young age, Josh has always had an interest in movement as a form of expression. While receiving his BFA in Musical Theatre, he was exposed to multiple forms of dance but was never really a ‘dancer’. He arrived in NYC in 2005, attended his first yoga class, and found that it was the right speed for a ‘mover’ while being just as expressive and beautiful as classical dance. Adding in the deep intellectual and emotional connections had him immediately hooked.
Following years of exposure to awe-inspiring instructors, he found himself full to the brim, and the only option was to start putting it back in the world. He received his certification in 2014 and has been upwardly expanding since. His goal in teaching and practice is to cultivate multiple levels of awareness while aligning the physical body with the heart’s intention. By creating a safe, healthy environment for the exploration and play of dynamic asana, he aims to weave the depths of ancient philosophy with the demands of modern life, allowing for a yogic approach to any situation the every day might present.
Juan
Juan received an undergraduate degree in English and Communications in New York, and pursued a successful career in corporate marketing spanning 15+ years. His passion for yoga led to his pursuit of an alternate career path. He holds a certification in Yoga recognized by The Yoga Alliance and is committed to living the principles of Yoga on and off the mat, continuous study and practice.
Increased stamina, reduction of anxiety and stress, increased clarity of thought, general well-being, and an overall sense of serenity are just the some of the rewards the student will find practicing with Juan. Possessing in-depth experience in teaching both groups and individuals, he is bilingual in English and Spanish, and conducts classes in both.
With the belief that Yoga, if practiced mindfully, can be a transformative experience leading to increased self awareness, Juan’s mission is to support his students in developing their own practices, ultimately identifying their own inner teacher. Whether a beginner, intermediate or advanced student, he invites all to share in the gifts yoga has to offer.
Juan is proud and grateful to be part of the Yoga Agora community and be in the company of such a special group of teachers and students. Namaste!!!
Facebook page: Juan Pablo Yoga
Kelley
When Kelley moved to NYC in 2007, a dance colleague suggested she try a vinyasa class as a way to move, breathe and relieve tension in a non-competitive, judgement free environment. She loved the physical and mental challenges, paired with blissful relaxation and inner clarity. After 5 years of steady practice, she completed a 200-hour training at Yoga Vida. Kelley has since completed advanced trainings with Kat Fowler, Gina Menza, Domenic Savino and Dana Slamp.
Her classes are challenging yet light-hearted, and sequenced to make sense in the body. She believes in finding contentment in going with the flow without expectation or attachment to the outcome. Yoga is a lifelong journey, so enjoy the process!
You can also practice with Kelley on Vimeo.
nick
Nick is a Jivamukti yoga instructor trained under Rima Rabbath and Jules Febre. His classes emphasize mindful movement with space for deep breaths. He has also trained in Transcendental Meditation.
In addition to his mindfulness practice, he is a community activist in support of small business development and low- and middle-income tenant protections. He is an executive steering committee member of the Justice For All Coalition based in Queensbridge public housing, and a member of the Western Queens Community Land Trust group.