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Malas for Meditation

Malas for Meditation

by | Feb 11, 2019 | Notes From Paula | 1 comment

  Mala beads have become very popular as a way to adorn the body, and you will frequently see people wearing them as a cool necklace or bracelet, but did you know they are actually a sacred tool for prayer or meditation?   A mala is an effective way to keep...
Springing Forward

Springing Forward

by | Mar 6, 2017 | Notes From Paula | 1 comment

“Winter has always been a time I’ve enjoyed “digging in.” Though I also struggle with wintery blues, I view these colder months as a time to hunker down and finish old lingering projects or prepare for new ones I’d like to take on. The...
Starting With Self-Love

Starting With Self-Love

by | Feb 6, 2017 | Notes From Paula | 0 comments

During this months teacher’s training, we held a forgiveness circle–a beautiful process where you ask yourself for forgiveness. Often times, we let our past impede our healing process, so in this circle we look at ourselves as children, taking ownership...
Looking Ahead With Gratitude

Looking Ahead With Gratitude

by | Dec 16, 2016 | Notes From Paula | 0 comments

Most years I can reflect back and recant my experiences, both good and bad. Yoga, in its many forms, has helped me to gain a deeper understanding and more importantly, acceptance of life’s many shifts. No one seems to be exempt from experiencing both the beauty...
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JANET DAILEY BUTLER
Janet Dailey Butler is a Yoga Instructor, Reflexologist, Singer and loves being barefoot!

Janet Dailey Butler blends yoga, sound healing, aromatherapy, and reflexology into a unique and joyful system of self-care. She came into this work over a decade ago as a direct result of her own healing crisis. Self-healing, addiction, and several other challenging personal experiences led her to this path. Almost 19 years ago, in her first yoga class, Janet experienced great relief, joy, and detox, and was drawn into this form of self-healing.

Janet began her reflexology studies over 12 years ago at the suggestion of her acupuncturist and healer Abdi Assadi. Shortly after, she was certified as a reflexologist with Laura Norman and Associates. Then, she met Dr. Levry, founder of Naam Yoga, and immediately connected with his unique approach to yoga. As a former rock & roll singer, she loved the chanting and connection to sound healing in his practice.

Janet is a 200 hour RYT through Naam Yoga, a Yoga Therapist trained by Paula Tursi of Reflections Center for Conscious Living, and a Level One Wisdom of the Earth Medicinal Aromatherapist working with essential oils and plant essences.

Janet believes in the power of sound, taking time to meditate and connect to nature, and the deep healing that comes with forgiveness and connecting to your heart. “Each day is a gift. I hope to remain curious and open to all of life’s possibilities.”

She leads annual Yoga Retreats and Reflexology workshops internationally. Her mantra release “The Naam Music Project,” is available on iTunes and CD Baby.


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JACKIE FOLEY
Jackie is a yoga instructor, tree climber, lover of poetry/music/art/movement, and being barefoot in the dirt makes her soul sing!!!!

Who did you study with?
I have been blessed with so many wonderful teachers and guides over the years. Currently, I am profoundly grateful to be studying with Johanna Bell, Lisa Benner, and Lauren Hanna.

How long have you been teaching?
While newer to teaching yoga in an official capacity, I have been teaching in the fields of expressive and healing arts for many years.

What other jobs have you had?
I have played flute professionally in orchestra/chamber groups, been a brand ambassador, writer, artist, analyst, office admin, pet sitter, and personal assistant, to name a few!

Favorite place that you have traveled to?
The west coast of Ireland.

List 3 words your students would use to describe your classes:
Inspired, Soulful, Creative.

How does your own practice influence your daily life?
My practice is my life. I hold each moment, each breath as a chance to dance in the wholeness of life, a grand invitation to engage in all of life’s offerings. Each step is a chance to dive deeper, to surrender and open more fully, to inspire and be inspired in the art of becoming.

Favorite asana?
I am fully in love with the transitions between asanas. I hold this space between as a time to tango with breath, unfold mystery, lean into change, and express my voice through my body and breath. The movement between the poses is my playground of magic, discovery, and being.

Who is a teacher who inspires you?
I am continually inspired by the teacher within each of us.

A great yoga class makes you feel…
Just that, it makes you feel!


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VICTORIA GORDON
yoga teacher, nature enthusiast, power walker, 90’s music aficionado and proud “auntie” to niece, Noa and nephew, Owen

Who did you study with?
Nixa De Bellis, Michael Gilbert and the New York Yoga team in 2006, Jennifer Cohen of Little Flower Yoga, and most recently Colleen Saidman and Rodney Yee of Yoga Shanti.

What year did you start teaching yoga?
2006.

What other jobs have you had?
I was an Early Childhood educator and children’s yoga teacher for over 7 years prior to teaching yoga full time. I have also been nannying part time, for over 10 years.

Favorite place that you have traveled to?
I have so many favorites! I lived in Madrid, Spain for a few months after college and loved exploring the cities Granada and Sevilla. More recently, I enjoyed traveling through Israel, Morocco, Prague and Budapest.

List 3 words your students would use to describe your classes:
Fluid, intuitive, softening.

How does your own practice influence your daily life?
Yoga is part and parcel of my daily life. I find that practicing yoga has made me less reactive and impulsive– or at least, I start to notice when my monkey mind starts chattering and can identify those moments I am drawn into the distractions. To me, the physical aspect of yoga is a continual practice of refinement which involves noticing the subtleties and layers within each posture, mudra, mantra, and pranayama. Simply put, yoga is not a skill to perfect but a long term relationship you continue to evolve and grow with.

Favorite asana?
Viparita Karani, or legs up the wall pose. I would be content if it were the only asana I practiced! ? (Oh, and Svasana, but who doesn’t consider Svasana their favorite asana!?)

Who is a teacher who inspires you?
Young children. They are almost always present and are not afraid to fall. Their sense of wonderment and curiosity is a teacher to me. I have already learned so much from my 3-year-old nephew and 9-month-old niece!

A great yoga class makes you feel…
embodied and unencumbered. Like I am home; in my own skin.


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HEDY IANKELEVICH
Yoga instructor, Franklin Method Educator, Conscious Mover, Snowboarder, World Traveler and Crossword Puzzler

Who did you study with?
Yoga with Paula Tursi and The Franklin Method with Eric Franklin.

What year did you start teaching yoga?
2010.

What other jobs have you had?
From the beginning: camp counselor, lifeguard, bartender, office admin, dog sitter, personal assistant, managers of hotels in Buenos Aires, South Africa and NYC and now the manager of Reflections Yoga.

Favorite place that you have traveled to?
So many favorites: Argentina, Greece, Costa Rica, Brazil and Israel.

List 3 words your students would use to describe your classes:
Dynamic, connected and lighthearted.

How does your own practice influence your daily life?
My life is my practice. I no longer consider yoga to be something only done on a mat. Walking, standing, sitting, breathing, snowboarding, dancing, eating, laughing and loving– this is my practice. You can live a life of depth, intention and meaning when you practice moving consciously in your everyday life.

Favorite asana?
I don’t have a favorite pose. I enjoy moving through them intelligently more than remaining static–even the simple movements of rolling up through the spine, soft knees, heavy head, released shoulders to the effortless posture of standing with feet grounded, bones balanced, breath steady, head floating and noticing the natural sway of the body. As long as we are breathing, we are never completely still.

Who is a teacher who inspires you?
Paula Tursi.hew and 9-month-old niece!

A great yoga class makes you feel…
Light, connected, grounded and nurtured.


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SAMANTHA MARTINS
Yoga instructor, personal trainer, musician, and soap maker

Who did you study with?
Michelle Barge (who studied under Paula Tursi), Lori Brungard (who studied under Sri K. Pattabhi Jois), Heather Seagraves, Padmini Veronica Perretti, John Ford, and others at YogaWorks.

How long have you been teaching?
7 years.

What other jobs have you had?
Receptionist, promotional specialist, and I’m also a Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga teacher.

List 3 words your students would use to describe your classes:
Mindful, Fun, Liberating.

How does your own practice influence your daily life?
My practice grounds me and sets the tone for my day. Even if I do not get to my mat for asana, I take time for some aspect of Yoga practice, even if it’s just doing a few minutes of pranayama or meditation. As long as I get some element in, I feel complete. I definitely meditate and pray daily. And I’m always stretching! I try to get in as much asana as I can even if I’m not actually practicing one day.

Favorite asana?
That’s such a hard question! Right now I’ll have to say Eka Pada Urdhava Dhanurasana (One-Legged Full Wheel Pose). It’s such a strong and graceful posture and I always feel liberated getting into and out of it.

Who is a teacher who inspires you?
Also a very hard question! I’m always inspired by the teachers I practice with. Michelle Barge definitely inspires me with her thoughtful Hatha classes. Her knowledge of anatomy is so refreshing and makes me feel like I’m getting to know my body all over again, and her humor and the way she connects the Yoga practice to living life off the mat is so humbling and invigorating.

A great yoga class makes you feel…
in tune with yourself.


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HELENA SCHOUENBORG

Who did you study with?
I am trained in the traditions of Hatha, Ashtanga and Yin yoga. Most of my training has been in India. I have been to that amazing country 5 times! The most known teachers I studied with would be Ana Forrest, Kino MacGregor, Tim Feldmann, R.Saraswathi Jois and Ulrica Norberg.

What year did you start teaching yoga?
2010

Favorite place that you have traveled to?
So many favorites! India! Peru! Ethiopia!

What other jobs have you had?
Apart from traditional healing I have worked as an Addiction Counselor (Harm Reduction Specialist) and as a Chef!

List 3 words your students would use to describe your classes:
Caring – Inspiring – Playful

How does your own practice influence your daily life?
After a great practice I roll up the mat with a positive & calm mind for the day. My practice leaves me with a feeling of balance. Yoga reminds me to share love and kindness with the people I meet during the day! I meditate daily which is essential for me.

Favorite asana?
I love lunge and its many variations! As well as the upside down world.

Who is a teacher who inspires you?
All my students – After each practice I send my gratitude towards all yogis that have attended my classes and inspired me on my journey.

A great yoga class makes you feel…
Unfolded. At peace. In balance.


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EMILY SUSSELL
Vinyasa and Yin yogini, Native New Yorker, Teaching Artist, Harmonium Hugger, Poetry Lover

Who did you study with?
My first teacher was Lana Heintjes in New Paltz, NY. She guided me to Yoga to the People, where I studied with many great teachers including Sam Chase. Today I study with Amanda Harding and Bobbie Marchand.

What year did you start teaching yoga?
2013

Favorite place that you have traveled to?
Thailand! I spent two months there. I loved the people, the beaches, and especially the food.

What other jobs have you had?
I’ve been a nanny and a pre-school teacher and I currently work part-time as a Teaching Artist, guiding yoga, art, and leadership activities for middle school students.

List 3 words your students would use to describe your classes:
Clear, thoughtful, deep

How does your own practice influence your daily life?
In every way. My yoga practice has taught me how to be a human. I think about the yamas and niyamas a lot. More than anything, my practice reminds me to slow down and savor the present.

Favorite asana?
Uttanasana. I could fold forward forever!

Who is a teacher who inspires you?
Amanda Harding. Her classes are magical and transform me every time.

A great yoga class makes you feel…
Blissful


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CHINTAMANI KANSAS

Who did you study with?
I am deeply grateful to have studied with many great teachers, including Paula Tursi in my early days of becoming a teacher! I can’t name them all so I’ll highlight Amy Matthews at the Breathing Project, Cindy Lee at OM Yoga, Kelly Kane at the Kane School of Pilates.

What year did you start teaching yoga?
2011

Favorite place that you have traveled to?
Jamaica

What other jobs have you had?
Restaurant Hostess, Computer Lab assistant, Editor, Office Manager, Compliance Analyst

List 3 words your students would use to describe your classes:
Fun, Energetic, Smart

How does your own practice influence your daily life?
My yoga practice helps me stay connected to my own inner light and my own vows to behave mindfully and kindly–even when it isn’t easy. We have many choices every day to contribute to the suffering of the world or not. I try to reduce suffering whenever possible.

Favorite asana?
Prasarita Padottanasana

Who is a teacher who inspires you?
Amy Matthews has a broad and deep knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology. Amy asks us to look at what we think we know from different perspectives and test our hypotheses to see if they are still true. Amy treats everyone with kindness and respect.

A great yoga class makes you feel…
Yoga has made me feel joy, delight, peace, quiet, tenderness, sorrow—a whole spectrum of human experience. A great yoga class makes me feel safe to be with whatever arises.