MEET OUR YOGA INSTRUCTORS

CINDY MASTRY

Cindy Mastry was introduced to yoga by her Grandmother Ann Ree Colton in the 60’s, and began practicing at an early age, first with Lilias Folan on TV and with Vishnudevananda’s classic yoga text on her own. Cindy has a background in dance and also worked in the fitness industry on and off since the late seventies, always maintaining a home yoga practice. Today, focused only on Yoga, Cindy is the co-owner of the studio. She is a registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance (E-RYT) trained in classical Ashtanga Yoga at Mount Madonna Institute in California, home of the globally respected teacher and spiritual leader Baba Hari Dass who inspires “teach to learn”. Cindy has also studied with Kate Potter, Sharon Gannon and David Life, Larry Schultz, Gary Kraftsow, Jon Kest, Bryan Kest, and Tias Little. She is currently enrolled in Georg Feuerstein's 800 hour History and Philosophy of Yoga Teacher Training. Her style blends knowledge learned from all her teachers to encourage practicing the principles of yoga with self awareness and balance, without competitiveness in order to reach the underlying vibrational life force energy and true essence of yoga. Cindy is an instructor for the Exalted Warrior Foundation which is a yoga program designed for wounded warriors in military and veteran hospital facilities.

JEN LOWERY

Jen is immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to complete her teacher training with master teacher, Jonny Kest. She also has studied extensively with Jonny’s brother Bryan, Shiva Rea, David Williams, and others. When Jen began seeking to further her yoga study a few years back, she discovered that most teacher training programs weren’t set up to go into great detail about yoga philosophy. So, she sought out the nation’s leading yoga philosopher, Georg Fuerstein, and participated in his 800 hour Yoga Traditions Philosophy course. She believes this intense philosophical study gives her a strong foundation from which to continue to grow her own personal practice and a deeper understanding of the principles and history behind her chosen spiritual path.

Jen loves to teach a strong, sweaty, and spiritual yoga class while at the same time remembering not to take the whole thing so damn seriously! She believes that having fun on the mat is much more important that than the position of our fingertips and toes, and that we should use our yoga as a path to strengthen our joy, gratitude, and compassion above everything else. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with getting a nice yoga butt in the process! Yoga has awesome side effects!

MARISSA SEGUNDO

Marissa Segundo is a native of St. Louis, Missouri where she first fell in love with yoga more than 10 years ago. She has been fortunate to travel the world from Morocco to Holland and living in Spain and Mexico. Her travels have provided Marissa with the opportunity to experience diverse yoga styles and practices. She incorporates her yoga practice into every aspect of her life and daily mediation. Influenced by yogic philosophy and teachings she brings the yamas of harmlessness and compassion into the union of yoga.

KRISHNA BHARTI (ANIL PRASAD)

In the human body, there exists a power that is inactive. This power or energy can be activated through the practice of yoga. The main energy centers in the body are called chakras where this power is heated. All chakras have different kinds of powerful energies. You can activate all energy through the practice of Pranayama (breathing practices) and Asana (postures). Pranayama activates the chakras by hammering on them. Asana help the energy to center the body. After creating energy through Pranayama, Asanas provide the space for the power and energy. Once the energy is created, you can easily tap into your inner journey. Without first creating energy through the chakras, it is impossible to make an inner journey.

Anil Prasad( Krishna Bharti) has practiced and taught yoga and meditation in the Himalayas for over 20 years. We are fortunate to have his expertise here in the US. Let Anil help you tap into your own personal journey.

ERIN JANUS

Balancing mind, body and spirit empower those that are suffering to feel whole and free. The tools you'll learn in her class will help you create a new, fun and positive life, no matter your level. Most importantly, learn how to heal by releasing self judgment and perfectionism.

DOUG HARWOOD

Doug began practicing yoga at his local gym in 1998. After several years of exploration, he took the plunge and obtained his RYT-200 certification from Joyful Yoga in Bonita Springs in March, 2009, under the enlightened tutelage of Jackie Chiodo and her family. He taught at Mid-Cape Health Club and at Joyful Yoga until he moved to St Petersburg in June, 2009.

He has taught yin and flow yoga, and currently practices vinyasa, yin, restorative, and power yoga.

JULIE HEPPE

Julie has been teaching a variety of yoga styles for many years. Her styles incorporate the teachings of Kriya, Kripalu, Anusara, Iyengar and many others. She has enjoyed the knowledge of many great teachers including GoswamiKriyananda from the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago where she is an ordained Swami (Yogic priest).

She is excited to bring these spiritual teachings into her classes. Julie's classes combine gentle and restoring movements with breath and meditation. Her classes can be adapted to any level of student on their journey of yoga! She is most passionate about bringing yoga off the mat and into our daily lives. You will find Julie love to keep learning and will bring many yogic teachings to her students in the class room, in one on one consultations and in workshops.

JENNY MILLER

Jenny believes that yoga is for everybody. Within all of us are great capacities for compassion, renewal, and healing, and deep reserves of energy, strength, and peace. Jenny loves to see these inchoate qualities begin to emerge and grow in her fellow yogis. She teaches power classes emphasizing self-awareness and focus, leaving you feeling strong, connected, and happy. She is RYT-200 Yoga Alliance-certified.

Shila Tirabassi

Shila Tirabassi received her BFA from The Juilliard School in NYC for modern dance. She later toured internationally for 12 years, primarily with the Stephen Petronio Company, where she also served as rehearsal director and taught master classes. As a compliment to her dancing, Shila discovered yoga and its many benefits. This led her to completing OM Yoga Center’s teacher training program, directed by Cyndi Lee, where she taught for 6 years and developed the core yoga program. She has also completed trainings in Pilates with Kelly Kane, functional anatomy with Irene Dowd, Restorative Yoga with Judith Lasater, Fitness Through Pregnancy with Debra Goodman and Thai Yoga massage with Jonas Westring. Shila integrates her various disciplines into a vinyasa style class, which focuses on alignment and breathing techniques designed to bring about a deeper awareness within the body.