Teachers

The Best Thing About CMYI Is The Quality Of Its Teachers!

	Lucy Cimini , *BA, R.Y.T. (500 hour)* has a background in Education and Social Rehabilitation with over 15 years of experience teaching therapeutic to advanced yoga classes. She is the founding director of Central Mass Yoga Institute. CMYI is one of the most popular and established studios. For the past several years, she has expanded her teaching to include a 200hr. Yoga Teacher Training program, recognized by Yoga Alliance. She has developed outreach yoga programs for combat veterans (Yoga, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Mind-Body Connection), recovering addicts and prison inmates. These “outreach” programs have been so successful that she has held workshops for other yoga teachers and laypeople interested in PTSD. She has recently integrated formal instruction on PTSD in the teachers training program. The veterans program has been the subject of local, national and international yoga and news articles. Lucy studies with local and internationally known master teachers, but relies strongly on her own personal practice and intuition to influence her teaching. Her teaching incorporates a strong knowledge of alignment and sequencing to ensure safety while allowing students to develop to their full capacity in the posture. She is an initiate in the Tantric tradition of Swami Rama of the Himalayas.
	*Jeanette Allen, R.Y.T. (200 hour)* is a recently certified Hatha Yoga teacher from the Central Mass Yoga Institute where she trained with Lucy Wagner. Her holistic approach to health and well-being flows from the combination of her yoga studies with her 14 years of experience as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
	*Katie Cohen, CYKF* is a Certified YogaKids Facilitator (310 hours) and Yoga teacher. A former social worker and preschool teacher, Katie studied and trained with Marsha Wenig, author, and creator of YogaKids International. Katie engages people of all ages (from tots to adults) with her passion for yoga. She presents yoga in a fun and creative way.
	*Janet Colantuono,* *R.Y.T. (200 hour)* recently completed teacher training at CMYI. Janet comes to yoga with a background of competitive and recreational sports – currently her recreational passion is horseback riding. She enjoys sharing with her students, the bliss and wellbeing that yoga brings to her life. Janet is also a Reiki practitioner for both two-legged and four-legged animals.
	*Eileen Driscoll,* *R.Y.T. (200 hour)* completed her teacher certification at the Central Mass Yoga Institute in June 2006. Eileen has studied Prenatal yoga with master teacher Janice Clarfield and was certified in Prenatal Yoga by Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in May 2007. Eileen is thrilled to share the physical and mental benefits that yoga has to offer with her students.
	*Gina Engel, R.Y.T. (200 hour)* is a certified yoga instructor and Reiki Master. She began teaching yoga in the mid 90's, but fell in love with yoga as a teenager. Gina continues to be passionate about yoga both as a student and as a teacher. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her enthusiasm for yoga with her students.
	*Cheryl A. Johnson* R.Y.T. (200 hour) is a graduate of the Central Mass Yoga Institute. Cheryl has been practicing yoga and studying yoga since 1999. Her love of all styles include Hatha, Astanga, Power, Gentle, and Yin Yoga. She loves teaching in a class format as well as one on one. She continues her studies in yoga and pranayama. She loves to share her enthusiasm and joy for yoga in her classes. Cheryl is also a Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master.
	*Joan Egasti Platt,* *R.Y.T. (200 hour)* is a lifelong learner, completing her 200 hour teacher training at CMYI in 2005. Additionally, she has trained with healing and restorative experts Judith Hanson Lasater And Nischala Joy Devi. Her mission is to facilitate peace and healing, especially for those dealing with physical or emotional challenges.
	Colleen Stam, R.Y.T. (200 hour) completed CMYI’s teacher training program in June of 2006. From her first yoga class (at CMYI), Colleen knew that yoga would be an important part of her life. Colleen finds great inner peace in practicing yoga, as well as enjoying the physical benefits of strength and flexibility that yoga provide. Colleen enjoys the journey that is yoga as continuing practice brings new paths to explore. Colleen wants to help her students find their own inner peace and strength with yoga.
	*Karen Shadbegian, B.A., J.D.,* R.Y.T. (200 hour) has been a student and practitioner of yoga for over twenty years. She began teaching at Central Mass. Yoga Institute in May 2008. Her psychology background inspires her to apply the principles and practices of yoga to emotional as well as physical challenges. She believes that a true yoga practice can lead anyone to a more relaxed and fulfilling lifestyle.
	*Uzma Sufi ,* *R.Y.T. (200 hour)* As I surrender to the moment to be with my breath and sensations invoked by a yoga posture, I feel closer to my spirit, my true self and who I am. I experience awakened peacefulness. By faithfully practicing yoga I continue to lose my separation and become one with my truth, my highest inspiration and potential. I hope my yoga classes will help you free your own awakened peacefulness. May it be to celebrate your own beauty, harmony, brotherhood, generosity, kindness or whatever resonates with you.
	*Mary Beth Woodward,* *R.Y.T. (200 hour)* graduated from the CMYI teacher training in 2007. She has 3 daughters and is an accomplished dancer. Her yoga teaching philosophy is to encourage her students to find inner peace though the body, mind, and soul connection that yoga offers. Yoga is her passion, and her goal is to allow students to discover their own inner strength and confidence through their practice.

Each teacher brings their own style to their teaching. We encourage students to try various teachers until they find one who best meets their needs and suits their personality.

"Learn and become an original person in your own practice." Iyengar His Life and Work.