teachers
Anne Finan, MS, CYT, E-RYT - Director
Anne is a gardener with a strong background in environmental and horticultural issues, including years as a board member of both Darien Garden Club and The New Canaan Environmental Club. It is Anne’s hope that by healing ourselves, we will begin to heal the earth and those around us. She brings her love of nature and nurture into her Yoga classes.
Anne has studied Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, Embodied, Iyengar, Katonah, Kundalini and Vinyasa styles and forms of Yoga. She is 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. Anne continues to study Katonah Yoga with Nevine Michaen and Body Mind Centering ™ in the area of human anatomy covering the organ, fluid, nervous, and glandular systems in addition to the muscle and skeletal systems that we are more familiar with in movement. Combining embodied (where we realize consciousness in these systems) experience with her Master's in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport, Anne is able to guide students to find what lies within, allowing this to support our 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.
Anne is 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. Anne has also 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. Anne is certified in The 5 Elements of Chinese Herbs, The Medicine of Balance & Harmony. Bringing in the Eastern perspective and herbal element allows Anne to come full circle, back to her root beginnings, in the garden. As the French poet Voltaire wrote “it is necessary to cultivate our garden.” With the emergence of the Ananda Center, it is Anne’s hope that the community garden will flourish. ananda(at)sportsgig(dot)com 203-273-8364
Hello, I am Ann
Brett, co-owner of Avenue Massage Therapy Associates. I am a graduate
of NYU and the Swedish Institute, NY, a Licensed Massage Therapist and
Professional Yoga Therapist. I have always had a keen interest in health
and in the optimum use of energy in order to live a vital life. My extensive
massage and yoga trainings have given me fantastic insight into the body,
affording me the wonderful opportunity to land myself in a career I am
passionate about. l have taken multiple trainings in beautiful parts of
the world e.g. Traditional Thai Massage in Thailand, Part of my Yoga
Therapy Training at Joseph and Lillian's IYT Yoga Center in Brazil, Myofacial
Release Training with John Barnes in Sedona, Arizona, Orthopedic Massage
with James Waslaski's Pain Management Center in Texas, also, in the Beautiful
Berkshires, Meditation trainings with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Thich Nhat Hanh.Currently,
I am immersed in Anusara Yoga Teacher
Training which I am absolutely passionate about - I use my Yoga Therapeutics
training when I take my clients from the massage table to the yoga mat
and show them how to take charge of their own alignment.
Education: 1995 Graduate NYU, 1996
Graduate in Massage, Swedish Institute, NY, NY
Certifications: 1997 Certification in Sports Massage and Soft Tissue Injuries,
Swedish Institute & James Hackett Seminars
1997 Certification in Prenatal Massage, Elaine Stillerman
1999 Certification in Reflexology 200 Hour program, Omega Center, NY,
NY
2001 Thai Massage Certification 250 Hour Program with Jonas Westring and
Master Pichet Boonthamme, USA and Thailand
2004 Integrative Yoga Therapy Teacher Certification 1250 Hour Course
2006-2007 100 hours of training in Orthopedic Massage with James Waslaski
Licenses: Licensed Massage Therapist Connecticut State and NY State, Certified
by The National Certification Board for
Therapeutic Massage And Bodywork Affiliations: American Massage Therapy
Association Professional Member
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
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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
Karyn Bennitt, RYT
Karyn Bennitt received her Yoga Teacher Certification from Kripalu and has been a practicing yogini for over 7 years. Her mission is to help people relax, slow down, and come into their bodies. She fully immersed herself into yoga while spending three months in the Spiritual Lifestyle Program at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts, cultivating a deeper awareness of the yogic lifestyle and practicing Karma Yoga (the yoga of action). Karyn has studied and participated in a variety of yoga styles including Anusara, Vinyasa, Ashtanaga and Bikram. She also graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor. In addition to teaching at the Ananda Center, Karyn is director of a soon to open Yoga Studio in Greenwich (Fall 07). She can be reached at: kebennitt@yahoo.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
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
Formerly
a dancer, Jody Kesten has been a yoga enthusiast for over 12 years. She
has studied Hatha yoga, Pranayama, and yoga therapeutics from Todd Norian,
Amy Ippliti, Elena Brower, and Ross Rayburn to name just a few. Jody has
studied extensively with John Friend, founder of Anusara
Yoga, and has been designated an Anusara-Inspired yoga teacher carrying
with it very high standards in the yoga community. Additionally, she has
studied philosophy
with Tantric scholar Douglas Brooks.
Jody is direct and clear in her life affirming teaching style and in her offering of the amazing alignment principles. All the while she provides a safe environment for students to move at their own pace and explore their own potential.
Sarah Lee Michaels, CYT
Sarah has been teaching many forms of yoga for the past 7 years. A former dancer and singer in the professional world of musical theater, she made an easy switch to yoga after a knee injury in 1992. She began focusing on her practice while living in NYC, studying with renowned yogis as Cyndi Lee of OM YOGA, with Sharon Gannon of Jivamukti Yoga, and Donna Farhi at the Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA. After inspiring study with the dynamic yogi Baron Baptiste, she began focusing on a strong vinyasa style practice that took her to incorporating Iyengar for alignment with added intensity of energetic Vinyasa flow. She later worked with Baron as a fellow yogi on NBC’s TODAY show yoga segment for his new book, “My Daddy is Pretzel”. Upon moving to Connecticut in 1998, she began teaching classes in Ridgefield, Wilton and South Salem, NY. She became teacher certified in 2003 at The White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA under the expert tutelage of Ganga White and Tracey Rich, and has since added certification with Kripalu and as a Pilates instructor with STOTT Pilates. Her yoga style includes a fusion of many yoga forms that has benefited her over the years. She also created her own flow style dance yoga in 2005 while summering with her daughter at Nutmeg Ballet. Her latest certification in prenatal and postnatal yoga was with YOGA FOR TWO prenatal specialist, Mary Barnes, RYT in NYC. Her yoga business hOMe Yoga Fitness is expanding all around Fairfield County where she teaches private yoga and fitness sessions to all ages of clientele at all levels of fitness. She continues to teach her yoga classes throughout Fairfield County in many accredited and fantastic yoga studios. If you are interested in meeting or talking with Sarah about your yoga training, please call her at (203-216-0995) for a consultation or email at yogawithsarahmichaels@yahoo.com
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
Ken is trained in Gestalt therapy and a certified teacher of the Enneagram, has been working with various healing modalities for 20 years including shiatsu, cranio-sacral and energetic healing.
Porter began her yoga practice 3 years ago. After graduating from Brown University in 2005, she went on a 4-month long soul-searching jaunt around the Pacific Rim. While staying at a hostel in Fiji, a fellow backpacker offered a free class, which she was instantly attracted to. When she got back she found a wonderful studio and later completed her 200 hour level teacher training. As a performing singer, songwriter, and pianist, she has found her yoga practice to be the perfect complement to her art. Her classes incorporate vinyasa, alignment, and breath awareness, with sound. Her favorite pose is headstand.