 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Emily
Gretz
Emily is co-owner of Crofton Yoga with Shelbi Miles. Emily brings a career in Education to her role as studio owner and yoga instructor for adults and children. She holds a Masters in Education and is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) in the Pranakriya and Kripalu styles. Additionally, Emily is certified to teach prenatal students and children. Emily fell in love with yoga seven years ago and finds that each day brings opportunities to deepen her practice. She is passionate about providing opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the benefits of yoga. Emily and her family live in Crofton. |
|
 |
|
Shelbi
Miles
Shelbi is a 200-hour RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher)
in the Kripalu and Pranakriya traditions and is the
co-owner of Crofton Yoga with Emily Gretz. She is now
studying toward her 500-hours in the Pranakriya tradition
with her teacher, Yoganand Michael Carroll. Shelbi
believes that her regular yoga practice has been
instrumental in maintaining her health, optimism
and inspiration and she strives to help others find
this for themselves. She has a strong sense of
self and purpose and she is committed to helping
her students find the joy, serenity and vitality
that a yoga practice can bring. Her background
in Psychology and detailed knowledge of Anatomy & Physiology complement
her fun loving and cheerful teaching style. Shelbi
is also certified in Prenatal Yoga, Power Pilates
beginner Mat, and is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)
with extensive training
in CranioSacral Therapy. (Click
here for more details)
She lives in Crofton with her husband and their
two daughters. |
|
 |
|
Darlene Bergener
Darlene is registered with Yoga Alliance as a 500-Hour RYT after completing her training with the Himalayan Institute in traditional Hatha Yoga. Darlene also holds a 200-Hour certification in prenatal and postnatal yoga through Colette Crawford, co-founder of the Seattle Holistic Center. Darlene began her yoga journey in 1998 during her 12 year career as a mechanical engineer, turning to yoga to maintain her own health and sanity. As the benefits of yoga had such a profound affect on her, she knew she had to share it with others. With a strong knowledge of anatomy and a good sense of humor, Darlene encourages students to have fun while maximizing their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, learning yoga tools for life, not just in the classroom. Darlene is also a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) with certification in prenatal and postnatal massage. Darlene and her husband live in Elkridge and are happily celebrating the recent birth of their first child, a beautiful baby girl! |
|
 |
|
Pam Blum
Pam brings a background rich in knowledge, teaching experience and a
dedication to wellness. Her passion is teaching people how to listen to and align their bodies, encouraging them to explore their boundaries and
potential. Beginning with modern dance and fitness in 1981, she's studied with many gifted teachers over the years and challenges herself to continue to grow and explore. In 2009 Pam completed her 200 hour Yoga training through the Pranakriya School of Healing Arts. Yoga has been the greatest
gift she has received in her journey, helping to keep her grounded and vibrant. She is currently pursuing her 500hr certification. She's been the
Group Fitness Manager for the Severna Park Racquetball and Fitness Club since 1997. Pam's experience includes:
American Council on Exercise Group Fitness Certification
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America Group Fitness Certification
Power PilatesR System Level I Certification
Master Presenter for SpinningR and Resist-a-BallR
Resist-A-Ball Circle of Excellence 2003
Body Training Systems (BTS) Group PowerR Instructor
200-hour RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) in the Pranakriya tradition |
|
 |
|
Eric Brown
Eric is a multi-certified 200-hour RYT in the Kripalu, Pranakriya and Kundalini Yoga traditions. For over 25 years, he has practiced various styles of yoga — Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, and Kripalu. Originally certified to teach Kundalini yoga, he has branched into teaching in the Pranakriya style originated by Yoganand Michael Carroll. He is known for his playful, relaxed style, and creating an environment where his students can learn, grow and feel. “Yoga has been one of the greatest gifts in my life and I’m passionate about sharing it. My goal is to get to know each of my students and help guide them to their own flexibility, healing, wisdom, and strength. Peace and Love.”
|
|
 |
|
Yoganand Michael Carroll
Yoganand Michael Carroll is a Master-Level teacher in the Kripalu Yoga tradition. Through many years of intensive study and practice of the Kripalu approach to yoga, Yoganand has gained a profound facility to distil and interpret esoteric yoga texts and techniques. After studying with Kripalu Yoga masters in India and America, Yoganand taught at Kripalu Center for more than 15 years before founding Radiant Well-being Yoga Center in North Augusta, South Carolina, where he leads Kripalu and Pranakriya Yoga Teacher Training and a variety of other programs. Yoganand is registered with the National Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT500 level teacher. |
|
 |
|
Janice Corrigan
Janice earned her Bachelors in Elementary Education from Elizabethtown College in 1989. Additionally, she earned her Early Childhood certificate from Millersville University in 1998. She brings with her 18 years of experience teaching Preschool and Kindergarten. Currently she is a Kindergarten teacher at the School of the Incarnation. Her journey to yoga began several years ago when she experienced some medical issues and was searching for alternative ways to heal and became convinced of the positive benefits of yoga. From there she began to incorporate yoga into her classroom. She has found that yoga offers a natural and healthy way for children to exercise, relax and focus. Convinced of her experiences and positive benefits of yoga, she became a certified Radiant Child Yoga Practitioner (RCYP-2). |
|
 |
|
Marybeth Cully
Marybeth came to yoga to learn to adjust to her changing physical abilities. Her interests include boating, reading and scrapbooking. She also loves to cook and thinks tea goes well with everything. Marybeth believes that life brings lots of changes - some easy, some more difficult, but each piece part of your own unique journey. She believes yoga practice is a process without a right or wrong way and sometimes the end result is very different than you originally envisioned . . . it doesn't have to be perfect - just yours. Her wish for each of her students is that they can embrace their own journey and all of its imperfections with peace, vitality, and a heartfelt smile! Marybeth is a 200hour Registered Yoga Teacher in the Pranakriya Yoga Tradition. |
|
 |
|
Karen Field
Karen is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) in the Pranakriya Yoga tradition and is working toward her 500-hour certification. Karen’s search for a release from the stresses of work and everyday life led her to yoga. With a background in dance and training in dance therapy, yoga was a natural transition. She is continually grateful for the calmness and vitality that yoga brings to her life. Karen’s goal for her students is for them to be accepting of themselves as they explore their limits, to have fun, and to look at the lighter side of life since we all tend to take things a little too seriously at times. Karen lives in Crofton with her family. |
|
 |
|
William Hufschmidt
William's journey with healing began at age 14 as he recovered from a car accident. Meditation and breath awareness were his primary methods of pain management. Progressing through traction, wheel chairs, casts, and crutches, it took William two years to regain control of his body. This early experience fortified his belief that we can heal from anything if we consciously navigate our healing process. In 1989, William took his first yoga class with Lorna Brown, and subsequently taught classes under her guidance. In 2001, William completed the 200-hour-level Yoga Teacher training at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, and in 2007, completed Kripalu’s 500-hour training. William has also earned the Pranakriya 500-hour Yoga Teacher certification. William began Thai training in 2002 with Patricia Kilpatrick and Saul David Raye, and in 2006 trained in Thailand at Wat Po and with Chiang Mai’s “Mama Lek” Chaiya. He has been strongly influenced by Yoganand, Saul David Raye, and life itself. As a teacher, William empowers students to explore their edges and potentials. “We all do not walk the same path towards self-discovery. However, we are all storehouses of infinite wisdom and creativity, and through the practices of yoga, breathwork, sacred touch and play, we can tap into inner reservoirs of energy and possibility.”
|
|
 |
|
Elaine Lahn
Elaine has lived in Crofton since 1969, long before there were any yoga studios nearby. She became a regular at Crofton yoga which appeared just in time to fill a much needed gap. “Home practice is good and adding class practice is twice as good….Local is wonderful.” The nurturing environment of Crofton yoga encouraged her to move deeper into practice by taking the Pranakriya Yoga Teacher Training. Elaine didn't intend to actually teach, but found teaching students to be rewarding, fun and a new way to practice. "There is so much to learn about myself, others and yoga that is interesting and energizing and I intend to continue it always. If you think of yoga practice as a forest, I want to learn about each of the trees, their ecology and their individual quirks."
|
|
 |
|
Niisa Morton
Niisa is a certified 500-hr Pranakriya Yoga Instructor and completed
her 200-hr teacher training in the Pranakriya and Kripalu styles. Her passion for teaching comes from seeing the positive benefits her
students receive from their practice. She feels the opportunity for change comes from within and yoga provides us the tools for that
change. In addition to yoga, Niisa holds certifications in Personal Training (AFAA/AAAI), Pilates Mat & Reformer (Power Pilates/Balance
Body), YogaEd and Prenatal Health & Fitness (HealthyMoms Perinatal Fitness/Pranakriya Prenatal Yoga Teacher). |
|
|
 |
|
Jacci
Reynolds
Yoga is a practice that affects every aspect of Jacci's life both on and off the mat. A 500-hour Kripalu instructor and 200-hour E-RYT, Jacci has been practicing yoga since 1997 and teaching since 2001. An instructor of many modalities during adulthood her yoga practice is what has brought her the greatest sense of aliveness in her body and life. Amazed and inspired by the changes yoga brings to the body, mind and spirit, Jacci traveled to the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health to complete her 200-hour training. She also completed her 500-hours with Kripalu and continues to train with her teacher, Yoganand Michael Carroll, in the Pranakriya tradition. Jacci is the prior owner/operator of Crofton Yoga in Crofton, MD and is currently a Director of the Pranakriya™ 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. She also directs the Prenatal Teacher Training Certification program for Pranakriya Yoga. Jacci is dedicated to creating an environment of compassion, permission, acceptance and patience guiding each person in the experience of being present in their practice and their life. She brings a strong sense of self and humor to her teaching. Jacci also has a Masters of Health Science from The George Washington University. |
|
 |
|
Aimee Seal
Aimee began practicing Vinyasa Flow yoga in 1996 as a fun way to work out. She quickly became excited by all of the benefits that yoga brought into her life and went on to become a 200-hour RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) and is about to complete her 500-hour RYT. Her most recent trainings have been in the Anusara and Para styles of yoga and she previously received training in the Swaroopa style of yoga. Beginning her group fitness career as a step aerobics and muscle conditioning instructor, she is certified with the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Over the years, her passion for yoga has grown as it has brought flexibility, strength, balance and serenity into her life. She takes great pleasure in sharing her enthusiasm and devotion to yoga with others. Upon completing her 500-hour training, Aimee plans to travel and continue her studies of yoga and spirituality. She also works in the field of Special Education and earned a B.A. in Psychology and Social Work from UMBC. |
|
 |
|
Jessica Sunder
Jessica has completed 200 hours of training as a yoga teacher and has participated in both yoga and pilates classes at various studios through the years focusing on personal health and fitness goals, while nurturing her spirit. She felt it a natural progression for her to learn how to adapt such skills to helping others. As a teacher, she hopes to impart techniques for increased physical health as well as self care. Her philosophy is to be in the moment and allow stress to dissipate while rejuvenation, relaxation, and increased energy are promoted. She teaches students to hold postures and move through physical sequences, increasing strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance. In addition to certification in pilates, Jessica is certified through AAFA, AAAI, FITTOUR, and Yoga Fit Kids. Jessica is also a Registered Art Therapist (ATR). Having such training allows her to aid others with creative expression, self discovery, and emotional enrichment. “Feeling good is a direct result of one's emotional and physical health. Nurture yourself and enjoy!” |
|
|
 |
|
Marlysa Sullivan
Marlysa is a professional physical therapist and Yoga instructor. Her experience in becoming a yoga teacher and her pursuit of further knowledge in meditation has shown her how building awareness and knowledge of the body and mind can empower a person in their own healing process. This has led her to practice therapy in a way that focuses on mind and body awareness through traditional therapeutic treatment combined with Yoga, breathing and meditation. By helping her patients and students find a path of inner knowledge, they can unlock their own potential for helping themselves as well as having the tools to continue addressing physical, mental and spiritual challenges as they come up throughout their life. Marlysa continues to research and develop new methods for integrating Yoga and physical therapy. She is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and is pursuing further certification and study with Yoganand. Marlysa is an instructor of Advanced Anatomy and Therapeutic Yoga for Pranakriya Yoga Teachers and collaborates with therapists across the country on the integration of Yoga into current therapy practices. |
|
 |
|
Beth Williams
Beth Williams is a certified Hoopnotica HoopDance Level 1 & 2 instructor and is working toward certification with Hoop Revolution through their Mentor Training Program. Beth has been HoopDancing since 2007 and loves the mind, body, spirit aspect of the hoop, as well as the fact that any-body can do it! She feels it has transformed her life, bringing confidence, increased self esteem and spirituality that was never there before. "If you are feeling challenged in the hoop and are able to push through it and find "flow", you can translate that to your life and face other challenges. It's empowering!" Beth is also becoming interested in the chakra cleansing possibilities of HoopDance, and is very excited to spread her love of hooping. She lives in Bowie with her husband and two fabulously amazing daughters who are also awesome hoopers! It's a great activity to do with your kids! |
|
 |
|
Steve Wolf
As a teenager, Steve got his first exposure to yoga from his Brazilian aunt who had studied for many years in her home country. After experimenting with an assortment of classes over the years, his yoga practice solidified in the 1990's when he realized how much it benefited his other passion, Aikido. A devoted student of this philosophical Japanese martial art for over 25 years, Steve is now head instructor at Northern Virginia Ki Aikido. This art's rich philosophy and emphasis on centered movement and balance strongly influences his yoga teaching style. Steve's active teaching schedule has resulted in an E-RYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) rating with the National Yoga Alliance. He completed his initial 200 & 500-hour requirements with Yoga West near Houston, Texas, and he now pursues a second 500-hour certification in the Pranakria tradition with master teacher, Yoganand Michael Carroll. He is also on the fitness staff for American University and Maryland Parks. For over 40 years Steve has been a professional musician performing throughout the U.S. and Europe. Visit Steve's yoga/aikido website: (www.traditionsinmovement.com) |
|
|
|