teachers
Anne Finan, MS, CYT, E-RYT - Director
Hello, I am Anne,
the Director of the Ananda Yoga & Healing Arts Center, a place that
allows you to expand your awareness of all that you are!
I am a teacher of Yoga, Meditation, Nutrition and Energy Work. At heart,
I am a gardener with a strong background in environmental and horticultural
issues and love to bring my love of nature and nurture into my classes
as well as my counseling. It is my hope that by healing ourselves, we
will begin to heal the earth and those around us.
I have studied many styles and forms of Yoga (Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram,
Embodied, Iyengar, Katonah Yoga,
Kundalini and Vinyasa) and
am registered with the Yoga Alliance at the Educator-200 hour level, certified
in EmbodYoga
with Patty Townsend at the 500 hour level and certified in Embodied Developmental
Movement in Yoga with the School of Body
Mind Centering™ founded by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen. I love to
combine embodied (where we realize consciousness in body systems) experience
with the knowedge acquired from completing a Master's in Clinical Nutrition
(University of Bridgeport). I attempt to guide students to find what lies
within, allowing this to support their form both physically, immunologically
and spiritually. Through movement, breathwork, toning, (and charts and
pictures at times), students learn to see, feel, and sense more from within,
respecting the wisdom their bodies have to offer.
I am a founding board member of Professional Nutrition Associates (PNA),
a tri-state organization that promotes human nutrition and wellness education
to its members and the public and I continue to attend seminars on health
and healing protocols and supplementation. I have studied extensively
with David Slater in the field of Energy Medicine and the use of Vibrational
Remedies to release the blocks that prevent free flow within the body.
These blocks may be due to inheritance, consumption, exposure, mental,
emotional and spiritual constriction. I received certification in The
5 Elements of Chinese Herbs, The Medicine of Balance & Harmony which
introduced me to tongue and pulse diagnosis. Bringing in the Eastern perspective
and herbal element allowed me to come full circle, back to my root beginnings,
in the garden. As the French poet Voltaire wrote “it is necessary
to cultivate our garden.” It is my hope that the community garden
will flourish. ananda@sportsgig.com
203-273-8364
Linda Andros
Linda’s interests have
led her down many pathways, from the study of music, art, theatre and
dance at Indiana University, Hunter College and the NY School of Ballet
to the corporate world as a Time Inc. publishing executive. Now her path
is devoted to yoga and its therapeutic effects on both the mind and body.
She is a 2006 graduate of Saraswati’s teaching program and credits
Mitchel Bleier, Tracy Bleier and Donna Jackson as her primary yogic influences.
Practicing yoga for 12 years, she studied the yoga styles of Ashtanga,
Iyengar and Anusara. Desiring to incorporate healing energy into her yoga
teaching, she recently became a Reiki therapist and a Phoenix Rising practitioner.
She is a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance and certified in Restorative
Yoga from YogaWorks.
Linda believes that the Yoga experience should be one that is filled with
creative and healing energy. With her background in music and dance, her
classes unfold as a playful mixture of music and movement. Her teaching
mantra…“The world is the play of the universal consciousness,
one who sees it in this way becomes liberated while in the body.”
Avis Baum
Avis's search has led her to intuition and meditation as tools for creating a life of love, light, balance, health, harmony, joy, abundance and gratitude. After graduating from Smith College and later going into finance, Avis became Bank of Boston New York's youngest VP at the age of 27. Avis left banking at 30 to raise her children. She currently resides with her husband in Fairfield County and they have 6 children. Avis's life work is to assist others in finding their own inner voice and in finding out who they truly are and why they are here. As an intuitive, Avis has direct knowing and is capable of accessing all the tools needed to assist others on their path. She has chosen to use teaching , do readings, do medical intuitive scans, and to access many other areas as needed. her gifts were always there but were clarified when she had a near death experience in which she crossed over and came back. After that time, her path to help others, as she has also been helped, became clear. She has studied with many teachers but finds that wisdom is innate, and our process of self discovery of who we are uncovers this wisdom through the discovery of the divine within. Avis always says "the time of teachers and masters is gone" the master is within and others may help us by holding our hand and hearts and guide us along the way on the path of self discovery but we need to do the "work" ourselves. Private workshops available at Ananda: call Avis at 203-847-0644 or avis@avisbaum.com
Laura Beare, MA
Laura is originally from Wisconsin, but received her BA in American Cultural Studies and dance from Bates College in Maine. She recently completed her MA in dance at Florida State University, where her graduate research focused on dance conditioning and women's fitness practices. For the past four years, Laura has taught yoga and Pilates at Florida State University, Columbia University and at various health clubs and wellness studios in Massachusetts, New York and Florida. Laura holds a 200-hour level teaching certification from Yoga Works, which blends the intensity and strength of the Ashtanga system with the focused alignment of the Iyengar system. Some of her primary yogic influences include Barbara Benaugh, Shiva Rea, David Magone, Cyndi Lee and Natasha Rizopoulos. With her anatomical knowledge and strong background in dance, Laura brings strength, fluidity and a grounded sense of ease to her practice and teaching. Having just recently relocated to New Canaan, she's thrilled to begin teaching at Ananda and getting to know the community here. lauraiverson@gmail.com
Courtney Bombeck began practicing yoga eight years ago. She graduated from Skidmore College with a degree is Creative writing and Studio arts and went to to work in New York in the Publishing world as a Graphic designer and digital photographer at Harper Collins Children's Books. She has also been a chef working for Bon Appetit and Martha Stewart. She has studied Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Anusara Yoga. After having her two boys, Xander and Max, she came to teach the vinyasa style heavily influenced by the Anusara practice which she has been studying for the past two years. She regards the practice of Yoga as an incredible gift and feels very blessed to be part of this Kula. cjbombeck@hotmail.com
Kate is a certified hatha yoga teacher who feels that yoga is a gift to share. Yoga bestows strength and flexibility in the body and mind while allowing for a deep recognition of the true nature of the essential self. Kate’s trainings began with Nevine Michaan of Katonah Yoga and her certifications include trainings with Alan Finger now of Ishta Yoga, Gina Norman of OM yoga and most recently Ross Rayburn in the Anusara method. She has also completed Judith Lasater’s “Relax and Renew” restorative workshop. Kate looks to incorporate clear alignment, a meditative mindfulness led by the breath through the asana practice with the desire to empower her students to access deeper openings within their bodies. tassel10@aol.com
Karen Burrows
Karen Burrows has an undergraduate degree from Syracuse University in Education and performance honors, a Masters degree from University of Indiana at Ball State in performance, an Associates degree from the American Academy of Nutrition and her PhD form Clayton College of Naturopathic Health in Holistic Nutrition. She is also certified as a Quantum EPFX Biofeedback Specialist through the Natural Therapies Certificatio Board. For the past eleven years, she has passionately pursued her career in holistic nutrition.
Brian Buturla
Yogi Brian Buturla is a Yoga Alliance, Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher. His principal teachers are Sri Dharma Mittra and Yoganand Michael Carroll. He is a graduate of both the Kripalu School of Yoga and Dharma Mittra 200 and 500 hour Teacher Training Programs. His energy is amazing and nothing short of inspirational. Yogi Brian will lead you to your inner most being and help you make a stronger connection to your Higher Self. PLEASE GO TO Yogi Brian's website for full bio and information. www.yogibrian.com
Adriana DeSousa is an Intuitive Yoga Teacher, Massage and Hands on Therapist. Originally from Brazil but living in Connecticut since 1998 with her wonderful family, Husband and two children.
A skilled professional with over 15 years of experience, Adriana combines
formal knowledge and creativity to deliver a safe combination of many
therapeutic modalities to her clients. Her goal is to promote her clients
general well being, raising awareness, reducing stress therefore strengthening
the immunologic system. Often clients experience deep relaxation, decrease
of muscle soreness and stiffness and a sensible increase of energy level.
“I am immensely grateful for being able to deliver this unique practice
to my clients assisting them to find their inner guidance and promoting
a greater sense of self-awareness, well being and harmony…”
Amy Ferrero has been practicing YOGA for 13 years. She is a certified Vinyasa instructor trained at Saraswati’s Yoga Studio in Norwalk, CT and studied under Mitchel Bleier, an internationally recognized teacher, and the founder of Matrika Yoga Magazine. She was a preschool teacher’s assistant in San Francisco, CA and was a nanny for three years. She is also an artist and a photographer. She has two children and lives in Wilton.
She has a unique approach to connecting with children. She believes the key to being successful when introducing Yoga to young children is in the way it is presented to them. The approach needs to be fun, dynamic, creative, spontaneous and stimulating to the child's imagination. This can be done by threading the many beautiful animal and nature based poses together through movement, sound effects and music. Amy references the holistic and humanitarian nature of Yoga, which nurtures the body, mind, conscious and spirit of the child. Relaxation methods, global awareness and simple life lessons are incorporated in each session. Kid’s yoga allows children to tap into their own natural abilities to gain strength, coordination and heighten their mental accuracy. They become more connected with their own bodies and conscientious of those around them.
Sally
has always had a passion for moving. She began satisfying that passion
as a dancer. Following her graduation from Wesleyan University with a
degree in dance, she spent time dancing in Austin, TX with Deborah Hay.
She later joined the Richard Bull Dance Theater in New York City, with
whom she performed as an improvisational dancer.
After becoming a mom, Sally discovered that yoga was a natural movement
pursuit. She has been practicing yoga now for 8 years and has taught for
more than six years. Sally was first introduced to the vinyasa style of
yoga, studying with such great teachers as Shiva Rea, Sharon Gannon and
Lee McKenna.
Once Sally was introduced to Anusara yoga she was inspired to study further
with its founder John Friend, with whom she has taken workshops and the
Anusara Teacher Training. She has also studied with such revered teachers
as Todd Norian, Ann Greene, Lois Nesbitt. With its unique approach to
alignment, creative asana, and inspiring spirituality, Anusara yoga has
led Sally on a journey to greater joy, grace and enlightenment.
Sally is also a Licensed Massage Therapist. Her teaching combines an understanding
of the body with a deep awareness of the affects of yoga on your body,
mind and spirit.
Annie Hampford
Annie
Hampford is an Anusara-Inspired teacher who has spent her life exploring
the movement of the body, the cultivation of the mind, and the geography
of the soul. She sees yoga as an elegant synthesis of the physical,
intellectual, and spiritual realms and approaches both her practice
and her teaching from this perspective. Annie’s teaching emphasizes
aligning with nature and celebrating the heart.
Currently, she is working with Paul Muller-Ortega to expand her practices
and studies in Neelakantha Meditation. She is eternally grateful to
him and to all her teachers including John Friend and Todd Norian for
their support, kindness, and inspiration. Annie feels blessed to be
able to share her experience and energy with her students
.
Elieth Ameni Harris
MS, RYT is the president of Integrative Wellness LLC, Trumbull CT. He
is a Nationally Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance. Ameni
has been practicing yoga for over 30 years and had studied with Sri
Swami Satchidananda of Integral Yoga
for the past 15 years. He is a master instructor who had taught students
to become certified yoga instructors. Ameni has studied Yoga and Ayurveda
with Dr. David Frawley and is a certified yoga therapist.
In 1994, Ameni was introduced to the health benefits of Qi Gong by Rev.
Luxman at the Satchidananda Ashram. Since them Ameni has studied with
Qi Gong teachers such as Ra Um Nefer Amen, Ken Cohen and Dr, Jerry Allen
DCMC (Doctor of Chinese Medical Qi Gong). Mr. Harris uses the healing
powers of Doshic (constitutional) yoga therapy and medical Qi gong to
help individual clients transcend stressful life styles, build stronger
immune systems, reverse effects of aging, promote longevity and facilitate
peace of mind. He specializes in disease prevention, emotional transformation,
guided mantra meditation, high energy Kaphyoga and Neigong Qigong for
weight loss; controlled breathing (Pranayama) mental concentration and
attention (Dharna and Wuju meditation) for improved sports and work
performance.
Ameni had taught yoga and Qi gong for the past 15 years through out Fairfield Country and Manhattan, NY. He had privately taught a myriad of student at health clubs, the Connecticut Health Net (Faithfully Fit Program), The Westport Senior Center, Life Rx holistic health centers (NY and OH). Ameni recognizes that all people have different lifestyle, health goals and energetic imbalances. Thus individual yoga and Qi- gong protocol can be designed or group classes can be facilitated.
In his spare time, Ameni can be found practicing yoga and Qi gong, cooking, gardening and enjoying the outdoors. eharris05@snet.net
Will Heins
Will Heins has been practicing meditation on a daily basis after attending a meditation intensive course at Kripalu three years ago. He has completed a 30 hour teacher training program in meditation techniques just recently at Kripalu.
Will hopes to bring the practice of meditation to folks in our community as a way for them to manage the stresses that come with life in Fairfield County. As a former Wall Street trader for over twenty years, he knows the challenges that come with trying to balance the often conflicting activities in our lives.
Meditation has been a great tool for Will in integrating those many facets of his life. He hopes it will do the same for you. wheins@optonline.net
Maud Joseph
Maud Joseph began practicing Yoga and Meditation at a very young age. She began her studies in Haiti over 35 years ago and continued in France, Canada and the United States.
Maud received her Baccalaureate in 1972 and went on to study with the Nuns of the Immaculate Conception in Canada for four years. It was there that she studied Psychoanalysis (how to free the Self from fatigue, depression, stress, insomnia, psychology and sexual trouble, anxiety, emotional chaos, aggressiveness, tension, etc.), Sociology and Theology. In the 1970's, Maud began studying reflexology and nursing. Maud has worked in the field of public nursing and social work. By the mid-1990's she devoted her time primarily to Reflexology allowing her to unite the art and science of healing. She has been a member of the International Institute of Reflexology based in Tampa, Florida since 1996. Maud is a unique reflexologist who integrates her field of studies including the realm of spiritual anatomy in order to detect illness beyond. "With the art of Reflexology, we can not only be healed, but also cured. When we heal, there are scars, but when we are cured, there are no traces. Reflexology allows the mental aspect, the spiritual aspect and the physical aspect to be addressed. The physical pain that manifests has been a long time within us. How can we cut a branch of a tree and expect it to live? or stop it from growing?"
In addition, Maud co-hosts and produces the radio program Integrative Wellness at 89.5 FM, WPKN, Bridgeport on Sunday mornings. Maud can be reached at 203-952-1363
Sarah Lee Michaels, CYT
Sarah joins The Ananda Center with a 10 year teaching background in yoga. A former dancer and singer in the professional world of musical theater for over 20 years, her journey to yoga came after a knee injury halted the dance career, and yoga became her healer. Studying in NYC with yogi greats Cyndi Lee, David Life and Leslie Kaminoff, she focused her appreciation on the moving body by exploring vinyasa flow, Iyengar for alignment, and core strength for centering. Baron Baptiste became another inspiration for her vinyasa practice as she studied under his guidance. She received her 200 hour yoga certification in 2003 at The White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA under the expert tutelage of Yogiraj Ganga White and Tracey Rich, adding certification in core strengthening as a Mat Pilates instructor by 2004. After working with many pregnant students and with concern for their growing baby, she trained with YOGA FOR TWO specialist, Mary Barnes, RYT of NYC and became certified in prenatal, postnatal and Mommy and Me yoga. Sarah believes her dharma is to strengthen the body intelligently and peacefully with moving energy and purpose. A former marathoner and fitness enthusiast, her style is upbeat, energetic and creative. Current areas of instruction include yoga in Vinyasa Flow, Iyengar, Prenatal, Postnatal, Mommy and Me; Mat Pilates, Yogilates, Plyometrics, Yoga fitness, and Yoga for the Athlete (e.g. runners, bikers, skiers, tennis). Sarah can be contacted at yogawithsarahmichaels@yahoo.com
Kimberly Motill
Kimberly shares her love of yoga through the gift of teaching. Kimberly is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher, with a 200 hour Hatha Yoga certification. She also holds a 60 hour Pre-Natal Yoga certification with Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa from Goldenbridge Yoga in Los Angeles. Kimberly has also participated in other trainings, including Anusara immersions, a Children's Yoga certification and several chanting and meditation workshops. Kimberly believes that through a regular practice of yoga, meditation and play, we can live life from the heart with a sense of gratitude. kimberlyyoga@yahoo.com
Katie completed her 200-hour training through YogaWorks in New York City with Chrissy Carter. Chrissy inspired in her a love of anatomy and alignment as well as an understanding of the power of the breath. Awareness of the body opens the door to intention in the mind, but the breath is what takes you there. Follow the breath and you will find your Self. Katie leads an intelligently sequenced class combining conscious movement with breath awareness to tap into the innate wisdom within.
Jen O'Connor began her yoga practice fifteen years ago and along the way discovered and felt at home with Anusara Yoga. Today, she is honored to share its amazing benefits with others. Jen is a certified hatha yoga teacher and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance. In her classes, she incorporates Anusara's life affirming philosophy and elegant Principles of Alignment while she encourages students to explore the full potential of their mind, heart and body in a playful and creative way. Jen is grateful to the wonderful teachers who have guided her journey including Jackie Prete, Ross Rayburn, Bruce Bassock, Zhenja LaRosa, and Anusara founder, John Friend.
Suzanne Pyle, MS
Suzanne Pyle holds
a Masters Degree in Clinical Nutriton and has 15 years experience in nutrition
and physical fitness. She is also Treasurer and Board Member of Professional
Nutrition Associates.
Suzanne taught, managed and trained instructors for Aerobic Dancing for
8 years. The lesson she learned from those years was that change (in this
case, becoming physically fit) can and should be fun. For her nutrition
clients, Suzanne uses a symptom survey and a computer analysis for diet
and supplement recommendations. She specializes in how to overcome vitamin
and mineral difficiencies caused by pharmaceutical drugs. "I want
to empower people with the information they need to change and become
healthier. I believe all diseases are caused by some imbalance in the
body."
Suzanne has been trained in Touch for Health Kinesiology and in Digital
Infrared Thermal Imaging. Suzanne offers this modality as a means
to detect early stage breast disease. "What's so great about The
Ananda Center is that it is all about bringing the body back into balance!"
Visit Suzanne's website at: xtorays.com
or contact at suzannepyle@prodigy.net
Wai Leung (Andy) Sinn
Master Andy has studied martial arts since
age 13 and has earned multiple black belts in various arts, notably including
master level ranks in Shotokan Karate, Wing Chun Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon
Do. Before retiring, he trained hundreds of children and adults in the
mental, philosophical, and physical aspects of the "Warrior's Way,"
the discipline, self-confidence, gentleness and mental toughness it fosters
serving many everyday people well in their careers and personal life.
He also trained many American heroes: police officers and members of the
armed forces.
While at the Richard Chun TaeKwonDo School, where he was a general partner
for 8 years, he trained a number of great students, who have become champions
and teachers including the Professional Kickboxing Federation (PKF) light-heavyweight
champion Charlie (The Cream) Cassis.
Master Andy was introduced to healing work and chi gung (qigong) while
still a teenager and has studied Tai Chi Chuan (taijiquan) extensively,
including the Wu and Yang styles, since the age of 22. Humble and always
content to practice in the background, Master Andy has been coaxed to
share his knowledge in the healing and self-healing aspects of qigong
and taijiquan, which he has painstakingly nurtured through extensive research,
analysis, and study both abroad and domestically for over 34 years.