April Evans , Director – April's relationship to yoga began in 2005 while she was earning her BFA in Acting. What began as a tool for increasing flexibility, strength, breath control, focus, and balance soon became much more. April believes that the body acts as the voice of the subconscious, and that it is capable of intelligence and expression beyond the limitations of the rational mind. For her, Vinyasa Flow has become the means by which she journeys towards freedom, calm, and honesty. April is a home-grown teacher of the New York Yoga sangha, having completed her 200-Hour training right here with Michael Gilbert and Jenny Gammello. In her classes, you can expect an invigorating flow, a sunny and playful environment, and plenty of fun music. She is passionate about taking her practice off the mat and into the world, and creates an atmosphere in her classes where students may turn inward in order to learn how to more peacefully turn outward.
Rebecca Merritt, Director – Rebecca completed her 200 Hour RYT Certification at the lovely New York Yoga. After taking classes for many years, Rebecca became truly devoted to her practice after moving to NYC in 2007. Finding that while pursuing her MFA in Creative Nonfiction at the New School, and working three jobs at the time, yoga was a way to slow the city down and find balance. Her vigorous Vinyasa flow classes build towards a peak pose, with options for all levels along the way. Classes are sequenced to focus on alignment and riding the wave of the breath. Rebecca will get you to breathe a little deeper, encourage you to laugh, and help you find space for play in your practice.
Agustin McCarthy, Faculty – Agustin is passionately committed to yoga as a tool for empowerment. A filmmaker and former dancer, he is an Advanced Certified Yoga Teacher who has taught at East Village Access, Laughing Lotus and YogaNanda. He is currently an Adjunct Professor of Media Studies at Mercy College and leads the Yoga program at The New York Center for Living, a coordinated treatment program for adolescents in recovery from chemical dependency. Agustin has been doing yoga for over ten years and has seen first hand the transformative effects of this practice. His soulful Vinyasa flow classes are designed to build core strength in the body and foster a sense of calmness in the mind.
Jessica Chazen, Faculty– Jessica has been teaching Vinyasa and Therapeutic Yoga privately and in groups for five years and has earned additional certifications in Restorative and Prenatal Yoga. She feels blessed to do what she loves every day. Five years ago, she listened to her heart and enrolled in the 200 HR Teacher Training at New York Yoga, and she's so glad she did. Today Jessica assists these very trainings, and it feels surreal. Jessica is grateful for the opportunity to be creative in her work, share her discoveries (both on and off the mat), and help people feel good! She love traveling, making dinner for her husband, swimming in the ocean, and standing on her forearms. It is her intention to help her students feel positive, relaxed, motivated, and awake.
Joseph Glaser, Faculty – Joseph will be your anatomy guru. He looks to build independent students with clear communication of alignment and emphasizing taking the practice at an individual pace. In addition to his studio offerings Joseph is a yoga therapist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.
Michael Gilbert, Faculty – Michael Gilbert has been involved with Structural Integration (rolfing) and Iyengar Yoga for over 20 years. Trained in Iyengar Yoga in India and San Francisco, his mentors include Manuso Manos, Mary Dunn, Patricia Walden and B.K.S. Iyengar. With an educational background and practical experience in pre-med anatomy, Michael also teaches anatomy and physiology, with a private practice in Structural Integration, specializing in medical conditions.
Jan Stritzler, Faculty – Jan is a certified Prana Yoga Teacher and received a Masters in Applied Physiology from Columbia. For 20 years she has taught yoga and fitness to a diverse population. For the past 10 years as owner of Fitness Designs, she has developed personalized yoga and fitness programs. Jan teaches our gentle yoga class where she combines breath, sound, and postures with years of experience to help the beginner, less flexible or possibly injured client enjoy and experience yoga.
