OUR TEACHERS
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Reflections Center for Conscious Living
“Living consciously is seeking to be aware of everything that bears on our interests, actions, values, purposes, and goals . . . it is the quest to keep expanding our awareness and understanding, both of the world external to self and the world within.” – Nathaniel Branden.
Reflections is a community hub for self-exploration. In our courses, we ask you to take a deeper look at who you are. If you don’t like what you see, we can help you change direction. If you are comfortable with what you find, we can support your current self and help you continue to evolve.
Our classes stem from the traditional roots of Yoga and are designed to help you understand the deeper meaning of your practice. In each class, we focus on breathing and meditation. We use asana as tools for healing and health, rather than power or rigor. We have Yoga for everyone from beginners to advanced, from a slow and meditative practice to a more vigorous flow, and from youth to senior citizens. In addition, we extend beyond Yoga with educational courses on conscious communicating and our creative classes for kids.
We offer the space and time for you to unite the mind, body, and soul . . . and HEAL!
We encourage you to leave competition and judgement at the door. Get ready to de-stress, soften, and simple BE YOU.
JACKIE FOLEY
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!
T’AI JAMAR HANNA
T’ai Jamar first learned intuitive touch via her parents, both Doctors of Oriental Medicine, when she was a young child. Her parents offered foot rubs and head massages to her as a child, and, in essence, she discovered Reflexology and Reiki as part of her developing sense of touch.
In 2014, T’ai Jamar Hanna became a LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) and “Licensed to touch” in NYC. Her touch is intuitive and informed by the individual’s healing process. Her practice is personal and instinctual, based on each person’s capacity to heal themselves.
In the last twelve years in NYC, she has been an agent, personal assistant, producer, and event coordinator. After 5 years in the fashion industry, she trained to become a 200-hour registered yoga teacher with Paula Tursi and Peter Kaaberol Kristensen of Reflections Yoga in 2006. It was then she discovered the art of Thai Yoga Massage. Since 2006, she has obtained over 300 hours in advanced yoga therapy and 200 hours in advanced Thai techniques, studying with David Lutt of Osteo Thai College, Nerve Touch Chaing Mai, Thai Massage Circus in Laos, and the Thai Institute in Virginia. T’ai has completed several other mind-body trainings including Yoga Tune Up, Anya, and Body Tuning. Concurrently, she obtained a Masters in Nonprofit Management at Milano, The New School, 2010 and completed the Eastern Massage Therapy program in 2013 at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
T’ai Jamar is a senior teacher with Reflections Center for Conscious Living and the founder of Integral Healing Arts, offering international and domestic workshops, trainings, and classes in yoga therapy, Thai Yoga Massage, and dynamic movement. Whether on a table, in the floor, in a classroom, or within her personal relationships, T’ai believes in the power of love and kindness.
Alana Kessler
Alana has been a yoga practitioner for almost two decades, and has taught in New York City for 10 years. Her practice includes Yin Yoga, traditional Mysore style Ashtanga Yoga, Mindfulness Meditation, Ayurveda & Chinese medicine. She holds an e-ryt through Yoga Alliance and is currently completing her 500 hour Yin Yoga, Mindfulness and Buddhist Psychology Certification with her teacher and mentor Sarah Powers through the Insight Yoga Institute. She continues to commit herself to this path-consistently uncovering deeper layers of truthfulness, softness, courage and love with gratitude and humility.
HEDY IANKELEVICH
Who did you study with?
Yoga with Paula Tursi and The Franklin Method with Eric Franklin.
What year did you begin 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 Yoga Teacher.
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.
A great yoga class makes you feel…
Light, connected, grounded and nurtured.
JENNIFER PARKER
Who did you study with?
I am grateful to have studies with any inspiring teacher. My yoga teacher training at New York Yoga was under the guidance of Michael Gilbert.
What year did you start teaching yoga?
2014
What other jobs have you had?
Formerly, I worked in the fashion industry. Currently, I also teach Pilates on both mat and apparatus, as well as Meditation.
Favorite place that you have traveled to?
Greece & Turkey
List 3 words your students would use to describe your classes:
Creative, Challenging, Playful
How does your own practice influence your daily life?
From the way I communicate and interact with others, to my internal dialogue with myself, to the food I eat, to the decisions I make, my yoga practice influences my life in more ways than I can count. I have learned to show up with intention, brush myself off when I fall down, and be open to trying new things.
Favorite asana?
Pincha Mayurasana (forearm stand) is my all-time favorite, but I also love a good heart-opener like camel pose.
Who is a teacher who inspires you?
Every teacher I’ve had the pleasure of taking class with has influenced me in one way or another. A couple of teachers who I am currently inspired by are Ron Stryker and Kathryn Budig.
A great yoga class makes you feel…
At ease
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
What other jobs have you had?
Apart from traditional healing I have worked as an Addiction Counselor (Harm Reduction Specialist) and as a Chef!
Favorite place that you have traveled to?
So many favorites! India! Peru! Ethiopia!
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.
JANET DAILEY BUTLER
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.
Katie Cavanaugh
Who did you study with?
Carla Stangenberg and Ramit Kreitner at Jaya Yoga Center in Brooklyn
When did you start teaching Yoga?
2015
What other jobs have you had?
Editorial assistant at McCall’s Magazine, Information Technology-the puzzle-solving nature of making software work for people fascinated me, COFFEE: years ago I made great coffee at three old-school coffee houses in three states, on two coasts (three if you count north-east Ohio as being on the Lake Erie coast) in Oberlin, Ohio, San Francisco and Brooklyn
Favorite place that you have traveled to?
The temples at Ajanta and Ellora, in India, followed by New Mexico and I have a great personal connection to the UK and London in particular.
List 3 words your students would use to describe your classes:
Engaging, thoughtful, thought provoking
How does your own practice influence your daily life?
Practicing yoga helped save my life. Teaching yoga gave it purpose in a way I never understood before.
Favorite Asana?
Vrksasana- Tree pose, with all its many variations, all the microscopic ways in which it is different for me each and every time. It’s constantly interesting, often restful, challenging and unifying. Tree is capable of bringing rooms of people together even as they stand apart.
Who is a teacher who inspires you?
I’m inspired by Cyndi Lee’s great expansiveness and ability to share the practice with the world. Honestly, as cheesy as it sounds, all teachers inspire me. There is something so compelling about how a class connects you to a teacher in a way that exposes every person’s gifts.
A great yoga class makes you feel…
Right-sized within the world-my perspective shifts; my body takes its appropriate place in my universe, alongside your body, our thoughts and our actions.
Eliza Hansen
Who did you study with? My most influential teachers for yoga have been Paula Tursi and Jared McCann. I am also a certified Pilates instructor and personal trainer.
What year did you start teaching Yoga? 2017
What other jobs have you had? I also teach Pilates classes and do freelance design.
Favorite place that you have traveled to? So hard to choose one favorite! My most recent trip was to Jamaica, which I loved. Beautiful scenery, great food, and loving people.
List 3 words your students would use to describe your classes: Uplifting – Opening – Energizing
How does your own practice influence your daily life? Physically, yoga strengthens my body and brings my awareness to my body’s natural alignment. I have found that this awareness and soft strength brings balance to my mind and spirit. Favorite asana? I could hang out all day in a headstand!
Who is a teacher who inspires you? For my teacher training, I spent one month with the most amazing group of yogis from all over the world. Their love and light still uplifts me every day!
A great yoga class makes you feel… Strong, open, and balanced.
SAMANTHA MARTINS
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.
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? 2001
What other jobs have you had? Restaurant Hostess, Computer Lab assistant, Editor, Office Manager, Compliance Analyst
Favorite place that you have traveled to? Jamaica
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.
LISA KAZMER
Who did you study with?
I did my initial training at Cyndi Lee’s OM Yoga Center; an alignment-based vinyasa studio rooted in mindfulness. Since then I’ve made three trips to India; the first in 2009 to practice Ashtanga Yoga in Mysore and subsequent trips to study Iyengar Yoga in Pune with Geeta Iyengar, daughter of B.K.S. Iyengar. Over the years I have learned from a wonderful array of talented and compassionate teachers; Jennifer Brilliant, David Hollander, George Dovas, Jacqueline Ospovat, Anjani Shah, and Peter Thomson as well as influential dance teachers; Curt Haworth, Jennifer Binford-Johnson, Darlene Myers, and Doug Varone.
What year did you start teaching yoga?
I started teaching Yoga in 2007 and have been teaching Prenatal Yoga since 2008.
What other jobs have you had?
Birth Doula, Modern Dancer, Yoga Studio Manager, and Wedding Officiant.
Favorite place that you have traveled to?
I lived in Asia for three years, first in Hong Kong and then Singapore. During that time I was able to explore most of South East Asia but my trips to India are by far my most memorable. On the other hand, Galapagos Islands and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef were pretty amazing as well!
List 3 words your students would use to describe your classes:
Hands-on, precise, and energetic.
How does your own practice influence your daily life?
The body has always been my entry point to connect with spirit. My yoga practice soothes the tight, cranky, and disconnected areas in my mind, as well as my body.
Favorite asana?
Handstands!
Who is a teacher who inspires you?
Wise, bright, and bold yoginis like Bobby Clennell and Amy Matthews
A great yoga class makes you feel…
connected.
Paula Tursi
Founder
Paula Tursi is Founder and Director of Reflections Yoga and the internationally renowned Reflections Yoga Teacher Training Program. She has been working with alternative healing practices in New York City and internationally for over twenty years. Paula developed Reflections Yoga as a way to integrate what she found most inspiring in other practices with her own personal truth.
Paula began her training at Integral Yoga, where she studied Hatha and Restorative Yoga. She went on to work with esteemed teachers ranging from John Friend to Rodney Yee and Angela Farmer. She has also worked extensively with Leslie Kaminoff and Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen in the art of yoga, breath work, anatomy, and movement awareness practices. She is certified at the 500-hour level with the Yoga Alliance and is an affiliated Anusara teacher. Most of her current studies are at the Body Mind Center with Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen.
Paula’s work focuses on the alignment of mind and body, understanding that we move not only from our muscles and joints, but also from the support of our inner body. Movement or asana can start from the inner or outer body, however, movement initiated from the inner body can bring awareness and health to deeper systems of the body. Her teaching and insights are born of the ongoing study of anatomy and kinesiology with master teachers such as Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Irene Dowd, Tom Myers, and Gil Hedley.
Paula holds a Masters degree in Psychology from Columbia University and a Masters degree in Education from Hunter College. She completed her clinical post-graduate training at the Milton H. Erickson Society for Psychotherapy and Hypnosis. Paula conducts biannual Teacher Trainings in New York City and Latin America, teaches workshops nationwide as well as in Europe. She teaches ongoing classes, holds corporate workshops, and offers individual instruction in breath awareness, partner yoga and yoga for body ailments.
Services by Paula:
Vortex Healing Energetic Therapy
Vibrant Yoga Therapy/Spiritual Counseling
Breath Therapy and Energetic Healing
MEET OUR
STUDIO
Paula Tursi is the Founder and Director of Reflections Center for Conscious Living & Yoga as well as the internationally renowned Reflections Yoga Teacher Training Program. A yoga teacher for 20 years and a student of Body-Mind centering for over a decade, Paula began her training at Integral Yoga, where she studied Hatha and restorative Yoga. She went on to work with esteemed teachers such as Angela Farmer and Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen in the art of asana, movement, breath-work and meditation.
Paula developed Reflections Yoga as a way to integrate inspiring elements of several practices with her own personal truth–her work focuses on the alignment of mind and body, and understanding that we move not only from our muscles and joints, but also from the support of our inner soul.
Paula holds a Masters degree in Psychology from Columbia University, a Masters degree in Education from Hunter College, and completed her clinical postgraduate training at the Milton H. Erickson Society for Psychotherapy and Hypnosis. Throughout the year, Paula conducts biannual Teacher’s Trainings in New York City and Latin America, hosts workshops across the globe, teaches ongoing classes, holds corporate workshops, and works as a Spiritual Counselor meeting with individuals and couples. Paula has also been voted one of the top ten meditation teachers in New York City.
