Instructors

Education is not merely a means for earning a living or an instrument for the acquisition of wealth. It is an initiation into the life of the spirit, a training of the human soul in the pursuit of truth and the practice of virtue.
Vijaya Lakshi Pandit 

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Laurie Greene,  PhD, RYT-E, YBR - (director). A PhD in anthropology, Laurie has practiced yoga since age 15, having grown up in a "yoga family". Since then, yoga has become her healthy addiction. Always an enthusiastic student, Laurie combines her training in a variety of classical "hatha" traditions, bringing insights and techniques from all these to her eclectic teaching and practice. Training extensively in the Iyengar tradition, emphasis is on safety, technique and proper alignment so that students will get the greatest benefits from their practice, and easily experience the joy that yoga affords every fitness level. Laurie is also certified in Vinyasa flow and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. Her continuing exploration of classical and newer interpretations of Astanga Vinyasa have led her to study with many amazing teachers; and to all of them she is forever grateful. The studio has become a place where many of these and new teachers gather and continue to inspire. Having completed her 500 hour certification with the wonderful Edward Clark & Elizabeth Connelly, Laurie's passion lies in blending many styles into a practice that is passionate, creative and fun.

     

Andrea Sacchetti RYT, CYT has been a student of yoga and holistic studies for many years. She received her certification in yoga instruction in 2004 and has been a certified feng shui practitioner since 2001. She enjoys studying with many different teachers and is open to all styles of yoga. Andrea loves sharing her passion for yoga with people of all ages and levels. She blends her knowledge of holistic studies into her yoga classes which include pranayama (breathing techniques), asanas (postures) and relaxation. Andrea practices yoga on and off the mat and encourages her students to do the same.

 

Steve Whitford (Yoga Instructor ) - A naturalist and environmental planner, Steve takes a break from his life in the woods and swamps of New Jersey to teach a hip and energetic class. Steve blends contemporary and traditional music with flowing vinyasa sequences in the eclectic Yoga Happy Hour. Steve completed teh Yoga Nine 200 hour Teacher Training and is a great admirer of many yoga traditions.

Andee Wimberg (Yoga/Pilates Instructor) - A certified pilates and yoga instructor (Yoga Nine) and Massage Therapist and Reiki Master, Andee combines a variety of perspectives in her warm and light hearted teaching. Andee is also available at the studio for Bodywork, Reiki and Private Pilates Mat classes.

Lori Palumbo (Yoga Instructor) - Lori took her first yoga class a few years ago just to try something new. She was immediately hooked! Ever since, yoga has continued to inspire all aspects of Lori's life. Yoga has encouraged Lori to uphold a healthy lifestyle and savor life's joys. Lori has recently completed her training at Yoga Nine and hopes she can help her students experience joy and serenity through yoga. As a full time educator, Lori is aware of the positive impact yoga can have on people of all ages. 

Sharon Garland (Yoga Instructor) - Sharon began her yoga journey eight years ago. Practicing with various teachers until she met Laurie Greene. Recognizing a rare opportunity to deepen her practice with an exceptional yoga teacher, she began to study with Laurie at Yoga Nine. Joining the Yoga Teacher Training class she studied with Edward Clark, Simon Park, Laura Allard, Doug Swenson, David Romanelli, Brian Kest, and Suzanne Webber to name a few. Her down to earth humor, logical explanations and warmth make her gentle classes fun and informative. She is currently continuing her studies and instructing therapeutic horseback riding, incorporating yoga in what she says is her passion. Sharon wants to help you discover your own practice with caring instruction and attention to individual abilities. 

     

Luisa Cilurrzo (Yoga Instructor) - Luisa took her first Yoga class few years ago and knew that her life was going to change. Her professional path leads her to the worlds of Quality Assurance but her heart and spirit drew her to Yoga. The practice of Yoga was at first a starting point for self discovery during a hardship of life transformation. Yoga helped her bring clarity to her life and inspired her to self growth. Luisa wanted to learn more about Yoga and how to help people find serenity and bring balance to their life. She focuses on melting technique with a rhythmical flow. Her focus is to empower students by building their confidence in the approach of the asanas and to practice with passion and enthusiasm by creating a serene and warm environment. Luisa studied with Laurie Greene to obtain her 200 hour Yoga Certification and continues to practice with Laurie and also studies Iyengar Yoga with Michele Franey in her life long journey of self discovery.

 

Jen Kretzer, RYT, CYT ( Yoga Instructor ) - Jennifer is a certified Sivananda and Children's yoga instructor. She has practiced with many yogis around the world in order for her to broaden her yoga skills and techniques. Jennifer's adult and children's classes begin with a relaxing warm up, followed by breathing exercises, then move into more heat-building asanas. Class ends with visualization exercises and relaxation poses. Breath awareness and pranayama are major components of her classes. She utilizes her experience in various yoga styles to create a welcoming class for everyone. Jennifer believes that teaching is a gift that allows an exchange of energy between people. If you want strength, courage, balance, joy and if you need to reduce stress, Jen believes yoga is for you. Jennifer is a living example of what she teaches.

Naida Burgess, M.Ed., CYT (Yoga Instructor) - Naida is a certified yoga instructor and mother of three. Studying at the Living Yoga School in Austin, Naida approaches yoga in a practical, easygoing, nurturing and fun-loving manner. She shares her down to earth wisdom and her love of life while finding joy and gratitude in serving others. Naida's gentle and restorative classes are a great way for new yogis to begin a yoga practice and for everyone to experience relaxation & rejuvenation.

Laura Goellner (Yoga Instructor) - Laura began practicing yoga in 2003 as a way to stay in shape at college, but was pleasantly surprised to find that yoga had so much more to offer. Since then yoga has become a source of balance for the rest of her life. Laura completed her teacher training at yoga nine and works to convey the therapeutic effects yoga has to offer students of every age and fitness levels. She would like everyone to know that you don't have to bend like a pretzel to do yoga! Laura is currently working toward her master's degree in occupational therapy and plans on incorporating yoga into her career to create a holistic approach to rehabilitation. In the future Laura hopes to earn a specialized certification in therapeutic yoga.

Nina Lucow, (Yoga Instructor) One thing that Yoga has taught Nina is that loss is okay. With any loss there exists opportunity to begin anew and to grow. Not too long ago, Nina began to really live for the first time. This change occurred at the expense of ending her almost lifelong relationship with ED, her eating disorder. Nina's Yoga practice continues to help her stay focused, grounded and present even during challenging times. Nina feels very lucky to have been able to study with Laurie Greene at Yoga Nine and is excited to share her love and respect for Yoga with others. Nina is particularly passionate and excited about offering what Yoga has done for her with other individuals struggling with eating disorder and body image issues..  

Betsy Platanella, RYT, CYT (Yoga Instructor) Betsy has practiced yoga for many years and became a certified Kripalu yoga teacher in 2004. She is a member of the Kripalu Yoga Teacher's Association and continues her studies in the yogic traditions. Betsy has worked as a licensed physical therapist assistant for over 20 years and as a certified massage therapist for 10 years with specific training and concentration in myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy and other forms of therapeutic bodywork

Sharon Fruchtamn-Laffey  (Yoga Instructor) - Sharon began her interest in fitness with her early training in classical ballet. Linking physical strength with movement naturally lead to Ashtanga Yoga practice. Sharon studied intensively with Beryl Bender Birch and Tom Birch in Culebre, Puerto Rico, and also Teacher training seminars in the North east Philadelphia area. Sharon began teaching on the beach in Cape May in 1997. Since, she has taught various levels of Ashtanga Yoga, Kids Yoga, and Yoga for seniors and people with restrictions and disabilities. Sharon Fruchtman-Laffey lives in Cape May with her husband Tom Laffey and their 3 daughters.
             http://www.yogaatthebeach.net

Barbara  Wunder (yoga Instructor) - Dancer and Yogi, Barb combines form and movement in her smooth flowing vinyasa classes. Barb completed her training at Yoga Nine, and runs a dance school and new yoga studio in Mays Landing New Jersey. Mays Landing Dance Works. She is pictured here with the chocolate loving family, yogis all.

Curt Wunder (Yoga Instructor) - Long-time student of yoga, triathlete and business owner, Curt combines his tenacity and curiosity in his rendition of the hip and heavy Yoga Happy Hour. Curt and his wife Barb completed their teacher training at Yoga Nine.

Julia Horn (Yoga Instructor) - Julia is not quite sure when it all began. From the time she was just a squirt, she was swinging from the arms of an om'ing mother. Next it was the limbs of the towering oak in the backyard.
    What ensued was a lifetime of study and exploration of movement, breath and the interior of the self. Her study of dance continued at North Carolina School of the Arts and then on to Tisch School of the Arts in New York City. She's had an eclectic mix of teachers along the way- more than she could name, but to whom she will be ever grateful. Her love of music, dance, literature, sculpture, theater, travel, and nature have all been equal informants to her path of practice.
    Julia grew up in the hills of Cakilaki (translation: Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina) which She stills considers it to be one of the most magical places on earth. She is currently a member of Tripsichore Yoga Theatre, with whom she trots the globe for performances of yogic dance and workshops. Julie divides her teaching time between NYC, Philly and Yoga Nine!

Emari DiGiorgio, MFA (Yoga Instructor) - Legend has it, Emari's long hair must remain un-cut until she removes the ancient curse placed on her bloodline, and the spell has something to do with aligning her hips in Virabhadrasana I. When she's not sunning herself at the shore or studying yoga with Laurie Greene, she is an Assistant Professor of Writing at Richard Stockton College and a New Jersey State Council on the Arts Poet-in-the-Schools. She is a graduate of New York University's MFA program in poetry and a recipient of a 2007 New Jersey State Council on the Arts Poetry Fellowship. She also teaches a monthly creative writing workshop at the South Jersey chapter of Gilda's Club. Whether she's teaching metaphor or Tadasana, she hopes to create a positive and engaging learning environment, where one emerges with greater understanding and skill, a renewed sense of self, and the confidence to take risks.

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