Our Instructors

Ajit Joshi (RYT-500) is a ParaYoga Certified teacher whose eight years of dedicated study and practice in the Himalayan and ParaYoga traditions have given him a framework for life. He brings this joy and gratitude for these life changing, rich aspects of yoga to his teaching. He continues to study with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, who initiated him into the Himalayan lineage, and Panditji's senior teacher Yogarupa Rod Stryker, who founded ParaYoga. Learn more about Ajit here.

See all of Ajit's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Amy loves to share the joy of yoga with children of all ages, filling her classes with play, creativity, socialization, learning and fun. She believes that kids are natural yogis and eagerly take the skills practiced in class into their daily lives. Amy is a certified ChildLightYoga teacher, RYT and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She is the mom of two elementary school-aged children who inspire her teaching every day.

See all of Amy's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Anna Benfield is a Takoma Park native who has long enjoyed the serious play of falling out of yoga poses. Since returning to the DC area in 2008, she has rediscovered the power of yoga to reconnect us with our own sense of possibility, as we find the courage to face ourselves fully, reckon with our broken places, and celebrate the deep joys of being alive. A graduate of Willow Street's teacher training program, Anna brings the therapeutic tools and life-affirming philosophy of the Anusara method to classes that are both sweet and rigorous. She continues to be grateful to the many teachers and fellow students who inform and inspire her practice. Off the mat, Anna is a garden-based educator, working with young people to rediscover the magic of seeds and soil.

See all of Anna's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Batya Metalitz combines playfulness and sensitivity in teaching the art of yoga. Originally from the DC area, yoga has been a guiding force in her life since her early teens. Batya found her home and place in Anusara yoga relatively early in her studies. Through Anusara yoga she has grown and blossomed in her practice, her teaching and her life. With the close guidance and wisdom of her teacher, John Friend, she continues to transform herself and those who come into contact with her powerful and dynamic teaching.

See all of Batya's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Bita's approach to yoga is intelligent, playful, and heart-based. She emphasizes awareness, the breath, core principles, alignment, and integrating both movement and stillness to access our true nature. Cultivating a sacred space to open the body, free the mind, and connect with spirit, she aspires to ignite the magic of our existence and the bliss of living this presence. Bita can appreciate all of the stress we accumulate in our fast-paced lifestyles. Her intention is to offer down to earth techniques and ways to incorporate them into our daily lives to help minimize stress, heal our bodies, and focus our minds. Self-transformation and awakening within has guided Bita to teach from a place of love, respect and integrity.

See all of Bita's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Carrie Ganz loves to share her delight in yoga with her students. She completed the Willow Street Teacher Training Program in 2006 and continues to deepen her own practice by studying yoga and therapeutics. Carrie believes that yogis come in all shapes, sizes and ages and that yoga can be a powerful tool for healing and wholeness.

See all of Carrie's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Cheryl Catranbone, RYT and Certified Anusara Teacher, began her practice in 1993. Teaching since 1996, Cheryl combines loving sincerity, warm humor, Enthusiasm and a step by step approach to guide her students into a practice of authenticity. Each class empowers and encourages her students to deepen their awareness and open to their own unique beauty, joy and strengths.

See all of Cheryl's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Elizabeth is an E-RYT 500 as well as a certified Anusara yoga instructor. Her study of yoga is informed by her work as a government lawyer and her commitment to citizen advocacy and volunteerism. Her classes express her belief that the practice of yoga helps to bring us in alignment with our true nature, enabling us to be more compassionate and generous to our living planet, all other beings and ourselves. She was raised in a meditative tradition and took her first yoga class over 25 years ago. She is also a Reiki master. See more about Elizabeth at her website: rosegardenyoga.com

See all of Elizabeth's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Isis fell in love with Anusara Yoga years ago and is a recent graduate of Willow Street's YTT. She is so grateful to both her Spiritual Master Jivanjili and her yoga teacher Suzie Hurley for filling her life with incredibly bright days. Her foremost intentions are to playfully and respectfully guide students to awaken to their own luminosity and to live from the heart. To that end, her teachings are infused with sweetness, awareness, laughter, and fun.

See all of Isis's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Jenny Otto, E-RYT 500 founder of Body Balance Yoga has been teaching therapeutically since 1981. She is a certified structural integrator and a certified Anusara Teacher who is well-known as a master teacher and yoga therapist, teaching workshops nationally and internationally. Her knowledge of anatomy and physical alignment gives her a rare understanding of yoga's effect on the body. Jenny brings detailed expertise and creativity to her teaching using sound, breath, mudra and meditation to her classes.

See all of Jenny's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Jessica's many years of training, performing and teaching ballet and modern dance led her to Pilates and Willow Street. She is certified in Classical Pilates technique and continues to study the method with teachers trained in Authentic Pilates. She enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for Pilates with her students and seeing their joy in what the method brings.

See all of Jessica's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Joe Miller draws upon his 20 years of yogic exploration and study of anatomy to recognize and celebrate our endless potential to align with the intelligence of the body. With humor and lots of individualized attention, Joe uses his deep understanding of Hatha Yoga, Tantric Philosophy, and Ayurveda to give students practical tools to experience fully this gift of life. Joe co-leads Willow Street's Immersion program, and continues to deepen his own practice by studying with his principal teachers and his amazing family.

See all of Joe's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

John Acton, Anusara-Inspired, RYT, brings an eclectic background to the yoga mat. John is a practicing RN specializing in Arthritis and Rheumatism, a musician, a pilot, and a motorcycle safety instructor. He brings a great love of life to yoga and to his students. John has had extensive training in yoga therapeutics with John Friend and Jenny Otto, and was recently certified through the Duke Medical School's Department of Integrative Medicine as a Yoga for Seniors instructor. JohnÂ’s primary teachers are Moses Brown and Suzie Hurley.

See all of John's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Jordan Bloom is a Certified Anusara yoga teacher committed to "seriously" playful transformation and the celebration of life through the powerful practice of yoga. Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Jordan has been living in the United States for the past decade, teaching and studying yoga with many great and inspirational teachers. Using his diverse life experiences and his playful sense of humor, Jordan brings fun, laughter, and intensity to his classes. Jordan has been blessed to study with many great teachers, in particular, John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga has been a mentor and major source of inspiration and growth for Jordan in his practice and his teaching.

See all of Jordan's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Kath Meadows brings a sense of enthusiasm and engagement to her yoga classes both as student and teacher. Her love for anatomy drew her to the alignment-based principles of Anusara yoga and it was here that she found a balance between her deep connection to yoga and her love of teaching. Her graduate studies at Gallaudet University and on-going friendships have served to reinforce her sense of commitment to equal access for all. She enjoys sharing her love of yoga with Deaf and hearing students alike. Kath likens the study of yoga to reading a wonderful book that does not have an end. In that spirit she continues to deepen her studies with her Anusara teachers Cheryl Catranbone, Lucy Lomax, Naomi Gottlieb-Miller and AJ McIntyre.

See all of Kath's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Kathy Carroll, an Anusara Affiliated teacher, has been Suzie Hurley's student for almost 20 years. She is a professor in a MEd program, a writer of educational books and musical CDs, and a Vibrational Kinesiologist. A teacher and healer, Kathy helps students experience the joy that comes from integrating yoga into daily life.

See all of Kathy's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Katie Myer, RYT-200, is an Anusara-Inspired yoga teacher committed to helping you create the life you love. Katie approaches yoga from both an intellectual and creative perspective, infusing her classes with mindfulness, a playful spirit, and a connection to the heart. Anusara yoga has helped Katie uncover her most joyful, most authentic version of herself; her classes inspire others to consciously reveal their most authentic selves, while having a blast on the mat. Katie's teaching is informed by her recovery from a back injury using the Anusara Universal Principles of Alignment, and she delights in empowering students to free themselves from pain. Katie's thirst for knowledge drives her to advance her understanding of yoga through regular studies with senior Anusara teachers. She is thankful for their unbounded generosity in sharing the gift of yoga. Learn more about Katie at www.yogakatie.com

See all of Katie's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Kelly Fisher, E-RYT 500, teaches a grounded style of yoga that is both challenging and calming at the same time. Her instruction is rooted in her many years of meditation practice and her study of Anusara Yoga, tantric philosophy, and ayurveda. She emphasizes proper alignment so that her students can efficiently release tension while also building energy and strength. The human body contains an innate wisdom that we each have an ability to access if only we have the right tools to unlock it. Through practice of yoga asana and breath work, her students are gently guided to deeper and deeper places within their own hearts, bodies, and minds so that underlying knowledge can manifest in their daily lives. The subtlety of creative power is enchanting, and in Kelly's classes, thoughtful sequencing enables students to open to new poses as well as new levels of awareness within themselves. It is at once empowering and fun. This embodiment is a gift of the universe and in Kelly's classes, students have a safe space to celebrate that gift.

See all of Kelly's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

After over 20 years of dance training and performing, Pilates seemed a natural progression for Laura Grace to dive deeper into her awareness of the body and its strength. Laura Grace believes that Pilates can build core strength, create length and tone all while enhancing confidence in the ability of the body. A 2nd Generation Romana trained teacher, Laura Grace is dedicated to teaching authentic Pilates and is grateful for the training of her primary teacher Roberta Stiehm Allen. Also a dedicated Children's Yoga teacher, Laura Grace believes that yoga can draw in, nurture and deeply impact the energy that children create and offer to their own world; she brings to her kids classes enthusiasm for movement and play and a sense of nurturing for their own creative spirit.

See all of Laura Grace's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

In 2004, Lauren Sims accidentally walked into a yoga class instead of a martial arts class and never walked out. Lauren is passionate about helping her students awaken to the wonder of their own bodies and minds, and believes that the most profound teaching yoga has to offer is the great adventure of becoming an active, joyful participant in your own life. A graduate of Willow Street Yoga's teacher training program, Janice Clarfield's Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training and Certification for Conscious Birthing program, and a black belt in Kokikai Aikido, Lauren's teaching is infused with enthusiasm, warmth and humor. She continues to actively explore all facets of yoga with an unquenchably curious spirit.

See all of Lauren's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Lizzie has experienced firsthand the transformative healing power of Anusara yoga, both physically and psychologically. With warmth, humor, and lightheartedness, she invites her students to discover the delight of making their practice an offering of beauty. A graduate of WSYC's Teacher Training, Lizzie continues to be blessed with the wisdom and inspiration of her primary teachers Maria Hamburger and Suzie Hurley.

See all of Lizzie's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Lucy Lomax, E-RYT 500, began meditating and practicing yoga in the 70's, and teaching yoga in 1999. From early studies in Iyengar Yoga she was naturally drawn to the solid alignment principles of Anusara Yoga. A Certified Anusara Yoga teacher from 2004 to 2012, she credits Anusara's elegant biomechanical principles and integrative body/mind/heart focus with informing her practice and teaching. Ever the student, Lucy continues her studies exploring practical applications and integration of therapeutic yoga with Western medical approaches to healing. Lucy teaches with light-heartedness and enthusiasm grounded in strength and inner wisdom of body/mind.

See all of Lucy's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Maria, RYT 500 and Certified Anusara Yoga teacher, is inspired and delighted by her first yoga teacher, Suzie Hurley, as well as many wonderful senior teachers. Maria uses breath work along with meditation and asana to explore the vast understanding of our relationship with ourselves and with each other. Prior to teaching yoga and becoming a mom, Maria danced and performed professionally for many years. She considers teaching yoga to be one of her greatest blessings. With kindness, enthusiasm and clarity, Maria helps her students find a place of love, acceptance and courage within each class.

See all of Maria's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

A graduate of Willow Street Yoga's teacher training program, Mary Barnes' Yoga for Two Pre and Postnatal teacher training, and Kripalu Yoga teacher training, Marianna has taught prenatal, postnatal, yoga for labor and delivery, and regular yoga since 2000 (E-RYT 200, RPNYT). She has studied with many senior Anusara teachers, including John Friend, Moses Brown, Betsey Downing, Suzie Hurley, and Maria Hamburger. Her classes invite students to playfully connect to their innate strength and goodness. For expectant mothers, she focuses on harnessing that strength to sweetly guide the mother along the journey to childbirth. Marianna is the mother of two daughters and, during their infancy, was a La Leche League leader, counseling mothers in the art of breastfeeding. She has two granddaughters and, in 2007, had the honor of being present for the birth of her first granddaughter.

See all of Marianna's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Marion Griffin is an Anusara, Kripalu and ParaYoga certified teacher. Her first yoga teachers were Rikki Middleton and John Schumaker. She taught High School for 30 years, and is a water colorist and an oil painter. With love, a smile and inspirational words Marion invites her students to look at and enjoy the deeper aspects of their yoga practice.

See all of Marion's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Moses Brown believes that yoga should be a heart-opening experience that is supportive as well as empowering to the student. His teachings create an approach that is physically dynamic, mentally stimulating and therapeutic. Moses brings focus, concentration, and mindfulness to his classes, weaving them together with playfulness, joy and FUN!!

See all of Moses's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Naomi Gottlieb-Miller is a Certified Anusara Yoga teacher. She began her practice of yoga to take the edge off of living in New York City, upon moving there in 1999. It was yoga that chose her path, taking her from NYC back to Washington, D.C., her hometown, to study how to teach yoga to others. She continues her yoga study with John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga, Amy Ippoliti and Ross Rayburn, focusing specifically on the Therapeutic benefits of yoga, as well using yoga to help an already healthy body become even more fit. Naomi infuses her classes with lightness, spirit and a great sense of play, encouraging her students to invite a healthy dose of laughter into their practice. Every class invites her students to play their personal edge and empower themselves to do things they never thought possible. She is inspired by the courage and humor her students bring to their mats and considers teaching yoga the best gig ever.

See all of Naomi's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

For Natalie Miller, yoga is powerful because it generates manifold revelations of the beauty within and all around us. Natalie's teaching blends creative, fluid sequencing with precise alignment instruction, and her ability to weave attention to the breath throughout practice instills a profound experience of body's inherent wisdom. With humor and eloquence, Natalie's classes inspire her students to bring the power of their yoga into the way they roll in the world - to love who they are and be in awe of who they're becoming. Her own practice is grounded in the extraordinary everyday of mothering three young and powerful girls, living in vibrant Takoma Park, and co-directing Willow Street Yoga with her lovely husband, Joe.

See all of Natalie's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Olga Rasmussen (ERYT 500) has been gratefully teaching yoga since 1997, and her extensive professional training includes study with many world-class teachers and systems, and certification in the Anusara style. Presently, her instruction is the synthesis of the spiritual teachings and yoga traditions she has found most nourishing. Olga invites her students to embody greater alignment and grace, and connect more deeply with their hearts through joyous, compassionate living. Olga holds a doctorate in spirituality and education and taught academically for over 25 years.

See all of Olga's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Pat Blum, RYT 500, is a graduate of the WSYC YTT, AYTT, and a certified Para yoga teacher. She continues her yoga studies with Rod Stryker. She is a life long teacher and a lover of adventure and travel. Pat brings enthusiasm and compassion to her early morning class. With sri vidya and the teacher in her heart, she leads her life as she has been led in love and balance.

See all of Pat's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Philip Bender places breath, asana and meditation at the core of practice. He integrates these three powerful tools with the principles of alignment to create classes that emphasize inward transformation as much as outward. Philip is a graduate of Willow Street's YTT and continues to be schooled on and off the mat at Willow Street thanks to likes of Suzie Hurley, Joe Miller, Maria Hamburger and its awesome faculty and staff. Philip is a dedicated student of Rod Stryker and is working toward certification in the ParaYoga system.

See all of Philip's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Rebecca Gitter, RYT, is delighted to share the wonders of yoga with the littlest yogis and their caregivers. After training with Itsy Bitsy Yoga founder Helen Garabedian, Rebecca became a certified instructor for Babies, Tots and Tykes. She completed her 200 hour teacher training in 2006, and recently received additional certifications in pre- and post natal yoga. She continues her study of yoga with many teachers in the area. Her classes create an environment where kids can safely discover yoga through age appropriate poses, songs and play. As the mother of 2 school aged children, her first yoga students, Rebecca understands the challenges of parenting and knows yoga can bring balance and support in raising healthy and joyful kids.

See all of Rebecca's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Regina believes that through deliberate movement, we collect knowledge about ourselves and the universe. With consistent practice, we intelligently become aware of the choices that we have in life, while individually expressing our unique interaction with the world around us. After receiving a BA in Physical Therapy, Regina began studying the healing art of Movement, and has completed 200-hour trainings in both Vinyasa Flow and in Anusara Yoga. She is currently an Anusara Inspired teacher in Baltimore and has been studying the art of Hooping as a form of healing in the body and the mind. Regina uses knowledge from all of her studies to create a safe, fun and healing environment for students. Learn more about Regina at www.yogaonwheels.org.

See all of Regina's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

After years of struggling with back pain, Rick found Willow Street; since beginning his studies of Anusara Yoga, he remains pain free. This new-found freedom inspires Rick to help people find their own freedom, no matter what form it takes. Rick is a graduate of Willow Street's YTT program and continues to be inspired and seriously impressed by his fellow students and teachers.

See all of Rick's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Roberta Stiehm is a dancer, singer, teacher, and student of Yoga living in Takoma Park. She has danced and taught modern, ballet, and movement for Actors professionally, for over 25 yrs. She has had an extensive performance career in the US and abroad including Broadway. She is certified in True Pilates since 2000, with Romana Kryzanowska, and as well as teaching group mat classes, teaches privately in her own studio, fully equipped with all Pilates apparatus.

See all of Roberta's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Sara Shelley specializes in Yoga and Meditation for the childbearing years. She empowers her students to cultivate greater trust, confidence and ease during this transforming time of life. Sara holds a Masters degree in Dance Movement Therapy, is a Certified HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator, and the mother of 2 boys.

See all of Sara's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Sheree believes strongly in the power of yoga to transform the mind, the body and the spirit. Her fun, enthusiastic and playful teaching style is balanced by her knowledge of alignment, meditation, breathwork and the therapeutic benefits of the practice; all offered with clarity and inspiration. She is a Certified Anusara teacher, RYT, and continues her studies with John Friend, Rod Stryker, and others. She has a Masters in health education, is the mother of three daughters, a dog and cat, and has trouble matching her socks.

See all of Sheree's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Suzie Hurley has been teaching yoga since 1981 and has been an ardent meditator since 1977. She received her first certification as a yoga teacher through the Kripalu Center in 1985, followed by an Advanced Kripalu Certification in 1987. She also studied the Iyengar method for 16 years, principally with John Schumacher along with many other senior Iyengar teachers. She met John Friend, the founder and developer of Anusara Yoga in 1994 and became one of the first certified Anusara teachers in 1999. As a senior Anusara certified teacher, she served on the Anusara Yoga Curriculum Committee until March 2012 when she formally broke ties with John Friend and the Anusara organization. Suzie also holds an E-500 RYT hour Certificate from Yoga Alliance. Visit Suzie's website at www.suziehurley.com.

See all of Suzie's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Tara Lemerise, E-RYT-200, took her first yoga class in college and loved it so much that she rushed home to find out how to become a yoga teacher. In 2005, several years and many classes later, Tara completed teacher training at Willow Street Yoga Center. She is known for offering clear, light-hearted, and encouraging instruction to students of all levels. From restorative postures to arm balances and everything in between, Tara helps her students delight in each moment, leaving everyone feeling more joyful and more at ease after each class. To learn more about Tara, visit her website: www.yogataraonline.com.

See all of Tara's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

Tyagan Scott Attaway is a Certified Anusara teacher and loves the spiritual teachings of Swami Satchidananda. He believes that a good yoga class leaves students feeling better about themselves. Tyagan, his spiritual name, means unconditional love and is a helpful reminder that the key to happiness is to serve and love all life.

See all of Tyagan's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

See all of WSYC's classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).

The Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW) is a spiritual community teaching and practicing Vipassana meditation. Contact Rose Monsell for more information.

See all of imcw.'s classes for Spring '12 (4/16-7/08) or Winter '12 (1/09-4/01).