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CMY is a "Sacred Link Affiliate of the Himalayan Institute" ™

Teachers

The Best Thing About CMY 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. CMY 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.

Sawrah Amini,  R.Y.T. (200 hour) is a 2009 graduate of the CMY teacher training program. She first experienced yoga in college and was immediately drawn to the exploration of body and mind and universal connectivity. Coming from a competitive sports background, this was a welcome change for her. Sawrah is an avid traveler, photographer, and student of life. She has traveled to 23 countries and is always looking for her next travel experience. Sawrah believes that yoga is for everyone and is inspired to teach others to live their yoga both on and off the mat.

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.

Erin Bradley, R.Y.T. (200 hour) has had the privilege of studying yoga with many great teachers; practicing with many great friends; and now teaching with many great students! Erin’s practice has grown from Vinyasa, Hatha and Power traditions, and her instruction is designed to meet students where they are in each moment. She believes that like life, yoga is best experienced by going with the flow; that in every yoga practice humor and music have as much a place as deep exhales and sweat; and that with each practice we don't become closer to perfection but to ourselves. Always a student, Erin learns something new every time she steps onto the mat and is very grateful for the opportunity to guide others to their mats. ebyoga.yolasite.com

Danielle Elise Bigda,  May 2010 graduate: R.Y.T. (200 hour) As a dancer her whole life, Danielle found that yoga helped her gain the same peace and clarity. She has been practicing heated Hatha yoga for the past 8 years and it has been and continues to be a staple in her life. Her love of heated yoga has had an incredible impact on her life and has taught her to “Live in the Moment”. She hopes as a teacher she will be able to have a positive influence on the lifestyles of her students, helping them to develop & discover their physical and mental strengths through their guided practice. Her goal is to introduce her students to a moving meditation that will challenge and improve their mind and body. Her class allows students to gain all of the great benefits that yoga provides and leads them to find trust in yoga for healing, health, and happiness of their mind, body and spirit.

Caitlin Borsini,  R.Y.T. (200 hour) Caitlin tried many different forms of physical fitness before coming into a Baptiste power yoga class with a friend. Taking the attitude "I'll try anything once!" It was physically challenging in a way most activities weren't, integrating core strength, weight training (using your own body as weights), aerobic activity, and muscle lengthening in one class. After taking many power yoga classes, the spiritual and emotional aspects of yoga became apparent. Caitlin was so enthusiastic about power yoga, nearly everyone she knew wound up at a class one way or another. Caitlin took Shawn Shaw's level one training in 2008-09, and completed a 200hr training with Teri Leigh Schmidt in 2010 for her RYT. Teri Leigh is a Baptiste teacher and chakra energetics expert. Caitlin is thrilled to use teaching as a way to share her love of yoga. Teacher training was transformational, allowing an inner confidence and higher awareness.

Katie Cohen,  CYKT, RYT is a Certified YogaKids Teacher/Trainer(310 hours) and Registered Yoga Teacher teacher (200hr) with Yoga Alliance. She has recently received additional training and certification as a Prenatal Yoga Teacher, and YogaWarriors instructor. Katie's background as a social worker and former preschool teacher provides her with a strong personal understanding and respect of each individual's challenges, but more importantly, their gifts and positive personal attributes.

Katie studied and trained with Marsha Wenig, author, and creator of YogaKids International, and with Lucy Cimini of CMY, along with various other yoga teachers to develop her unique personal style that engages people of all ages, from tots to adults, and in all stages of life. Katie has a passion for yoga and her unique energy shines through in each and every class.


Janet Colantuono, R.Y.T. (200 hour) brings a relaxed, fun-loving approach to teaching. She subtly integrates all aspects of yoga into her classes and loves to see her students ‘blissed out’ on the yoga mat. Janet teaches Hatha, Yin, and Restorative yoga in a variety of settings: one-on-one, studio, or corporate classes. One particular focus is working with athletes to enhance performance through yoga—for equestrians she currently offers Yoga for Riders workshops at CMY. Janet is a certified equine massage therapist and a Reiki practitioner for humans, horses, dogs and other pets.

Eileen Driscoll,  R.Y.T. (200 hour) has been practicing yoga since 2001. Three years ago she decided to take her yoga practice to a new level by completing her 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification at CMY with Lucy Wagner. She was first drawn to yoga because of the feeling of well being and peace that yoga brought to her life. Her caring, yet challenging approach to yoga makes Eileen’s classes appealing for beginners as well as seasoned practitioners. Eileen looks forward to sharing her appreciation of yoga with her students. Eileen currently teaches yoga at CMY, fitness centers, and at an alcohol/drug rehabilitation facility. She continues to study yoga at CMYI and in the Boston area.

Stephanie Earls,  R.Y.T. (200 hour) is a Reiki Master, DONA trained birth doula, and mother of three. Through 10 years of practicing Hatha, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, and Anusara yoga I found myself intuitively sharing yoga with my children, relatives and friends. Becoming a certified Hatha instructor was a fulfilling step on my path and it is the purity and comprehensiveness of both Hatha yoga and CMY’s program that resonate with me. Through yoga and meditation I have continued to open my heart, heal dis-ease, experience a joy so pure it is truly unexplainable and I am inspired to share it. My approach is compassionate and encouraging. Come share yoga with me, connect to your breath, listen to what you hear in your heart and see where it brings you. It is my honor to teach at CMY and be a part of your path!

“Approached with love and compassion, our bodies and minds can be a celebration, our vehicles to uniting with our spirit and living joy, love and peace.”

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.

Jozie Ewart,  R.Y.T. (200 hour) is a certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor. Jozie is a member of the Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association. At the age of 15 Jozie was introduced to Kripalu yoga. She attended a workshop at the Kripalu Yoga Center that was heart opening, and powerful. She knew that someday she would return to train as a Kripalu yoga teacher. In the summer of 2009 Jozie did return for a month-long intensive program to receive her 200-hour teaching certification. The experience was again heart opening and powerful, and she has been sharing the light of yoga with students ever since. As a former dancer, Jozie has found a new way to move through space that is full of awareness and compassion. Sharing Kripalu yoga with students is something that Jozie is passionate about and loves to do. The teacher in Jozie loves to break down poses, answer questions, explore new ways to do things, and celebrate achievements. The dancer in Jozie loves to play and have fun. In a Kripalu yoga class with Jozie you can expect to do all of these things while connecting to your own source in a graceful and light filled experience.

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.

Wendy O'Leary, R.Y.T. (200 hour), M.Ed., Health Educator  has an extensive background in youth development, holistic health education and parenting support programming. Certifications include: Radiant Child Yoga (level 2), Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Certification (level 1).

Joan Egasti Platt, R.Y.T. (200 hour)  began practicing yoga at CMYI in January of 2002 and has since transformed her attitude toward life and relationships with others through the practice. She completed her teacher training at CMYI in June of 2005 and earned Yoga of the Heart certification from Nischala Joy Devi in August 2005. In October of 2008 she received Yoga Warrior certification at CMYI.

Her first teaching experience was with the Combat Veterans group, still meeting weekly, from whom she reaps a heart full of love every week. In the five years since, she has taught recovering addicts at an inpatient rehabilitation setting, elementary school teachers, private classes for individuals with breathing issues and scoliosis, as well as beginner, moderate, chair, healing, and restorative classes at CMYI.

Her strong interest in the therapeutic benefits of yoga has led her to develop and teach workshops for those with TMJ, headache, insomnia, anxiety, and bone loss. She also facilitates a food based spring cleanse program at CMYI every year.

She enjoys studying with master teachers to continue to expand her knowledge base. During spring 2010 she studied with Bo Forbes, Rod Stryker, Gary Kraftsow, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, and Judith Lasater. Part of the joy of these experiences is the sharing of it with her own students.

Cheryl Ross, R.Y.T. (200 hour) Cheryl is a Registered CMY Yoga Teacher (200-hr) and a Certified Spin Instructor who loves the yin and yang of a spin workout and yoga practice. She loves the balance of the two and her classes will reflect that. Cheryl believes yoga provides the means to bring out the best in each individual. She understands that each student is different, so the practice will vary accordingly. Cheryl also trains with Gina Engel.

Laurie Stokes, R.Y.T. (200 hour) graduated from the CMY teacher training program in 2009. She began practicing yoga more than 8 years ago. She was initially drawn to yoga for physical health reasons, but has come to enjoy the peace that yoga has brought to her life. She encourages everyone to try yoga because she feels that the physical and mental benefits of yoga are necessary in today's stressful world.   

Elaina Wagner, R.Y.T. (200 hour) has her Bachelors of Science in Psychology. At the age of eight, she began practicing yoga with her mother and owner of Central Mass Yoga, Lucy Cimini. The practice of yoga became increasingly important in Elaina's life as a tool for healing, physical/mental discipline and spirituality. In 2006, Elaina graduated from CMY with a 200-hour certification in Hatha yoga. Elaina realizes the process of yoga and importance of yoga as a self-care technique. In her classes, she encourages people to listen to their body's needs and practice at their own pace. With the mix of holding postures, flow, diaphragmatic breath, and relaxation, Elaina hopes that her student’s will leave feeling revitalized, refreshed and joyful!

Mary Beth Woodward, R.Y.T. (200 hour) graduated from the CMY 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.

 

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