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  gained a profound ability to distill 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 Pranakriya Yoga Teacher Trainings and a variety of other programs. Yoganand is registered with the National Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT500 level teacher.

Debra Bosna

Debra teaches yoga classes for all levels.   Debra has found in her own experience that yoga helps us to wake up! She believes that by finding ways to lengthen and strengthen our bodies we discover ways to quiet and awaken our  heart and mind to the divine presence within.  Her classes are aimed at exploring the balance between effort and surrender within each pose. She encourages all students to show up on their mat ready to investigate their own unique experience of yoga.   Debra has studied with many nationally recognized teachers but is honored to consider Yoganand Michael Carroll to be her primary teacher and mentor.

Jack Forgosh

Jack Forgosh first walked into a Baron Baptiste Power Yoga studio in 1996, and has been a student of Baron Baptiste since. He studied extensively with Baron in his Philadelphia studios from ’95 to ’99. More recently, Jack completed his 200 hour Pranakriya Yoga Teacher Training with Yoganand Michael Carroll. He is currently working towards his 500 Hour Advanced Yoga teacher training in Pranakriya Yoga as well. Jack is a massage therapist. He spent several years studying bodywork in Taos, New Mexico. Jack has also studied extensively with Tony Robbins over the years attempting to better understand what drives man to action. Jack loves both gardening and building projects. He can be found nurturing people, plants, and projects. He has a passion for aromatherapy, herbology, and other holistic modalities. Jack opened Stillpoint Yoga Studios July 1st, 2004.

Dianne Rutstein

Dianne is a yogi at heart and has practiced for many years at different studios. She has happily focused her practice here at Stillpoint surrounded by this loving community. Her background includes 10 plus years of dance training, Yoga and Pilates. She also has worked in the corporate Marketing and Merchandising fields for many years and has left to focus her energies at Stillpoint. She is blessed to have yoga in her life which has helped her find joy, strength, peace and healing both mentally and physically. In addition to managing the studio, she received her 200 hour Pranakriya Yoga Teacher Certification from her studies with the inspiring, Yoganand Michael Carroll. Her teaching allows her to share her knowledge and love for yoga with so many others through fun and engaging classes.  Outside of Stillpoint, Dianne finds happiness with her husband Avi, their son Brady and their crazy puggle, Jax.

Eliakim Warren

Eliakim has practiced and loved yoga since 2002 when she took her first vinyasa yoga class and has been a yogi ever since. She was inspired in 2007 to complete a 200 hour yoga teaching certification at Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Nassau Bahamas. Eliakim is passionate about studying yoga and also enjoys trying and learning all different forms and methods of exercise. Eliakim teaches a challenging flow class through which she hopes to help people creatively open their bodies and hearts while at the same time achieving their fitness goals. She has expanded her teachings to kids and teens, offering them a fun approach to loving yoga, staying active and being healthy. In addition Eliakim has a B.S in Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University with a concentration in Marketing.

Pat Yonachek

Pat’s yoga journey began while yoga was making its first major impact on Western society. After practicing a few years, life with four young children, continuing education and career-building, yoga was put on the back burner. Many years later, she began taking yoga classes and, it wasn’t long before her love for yoga blossomed. For the first time in many years, she felt connected to her body. The mind-body connection and identity with yogic philosophy brought a sense of peace and well-being to her hectic life. As retirement came on the horizon, Pat put yoga at the top of her list for post-retirement study. Her search for Yoga Teacher Training led her to Stillpoint where she studied under Yoganand Michael Carroll. Pat graduated with the first Yoga Teacher Training class at Stillpoint in 2007 and has been teaching here since then. She continues her studies, attending workshops and reading, while working toward a 500 Hour certification. Along with leading adult yoga classes at Stillpoint and Club La Maison, Pat enjoys sharing her love of yoga with elementary and high school students in Chester County. Pat likes to focus on a Gentle Stretch or Gentle Flow class with the touch of a philosophical or spiritual dimension. She believes that if we want to keep ourselves agile as we age, it is crucial to keep the joints flexible, and both the body and the mind open.

Trish Robayo

Trish’s yoga journey began at a little studio in Manhattan Beach, California. After spending many years in the performing arts world Trish felt her heart pulling her in a new direction. Unsatisfied with where her life was heading she knew that a change was ahead. Stepping into Julie Radar’s class began to put that change into motion. Originally heading to class to find a new way to move her body, she found so much more. Julie not only taught her an amazing vinyasa flow but she taught her how to go with the flow off the mat as well. Using positive thoughts and learning how to let go of that which no longer serves us Trish saw her life begin to change. Bringing to light the life she had always imagined she could have. Moved by what Julie had guided her to discover she wanted to give back the wisdom she had gained. Through her teachings she hopes to encourage her students to let go of their dark on a path to their undeniable light. Trish finds inspiration from her students, her loving husband Alberto and their sons Vincente and Sebastian.

Katrin Elia

Before Yoga became a passion in her life, Katrin trained since childhood in classical ballet. Chosen for the National Academy of Dance & Music to continue her studies, she discovered and practiced within the world of Joseph Pilates. Yoga, for Katrin, became a natural extension of her practice. Pursuing Yoga for nearly a decade, she came to realize that classical dance does not evolve “from the inside out.” In order to perform, correction from the outside world, through the use of a mirror or a teacher, is needed. With this discovery in mind, she decided to devote her private time to Yoga only. Katrin’s classes, often very dance-like, are built on one movement flowing into another—with one breath connecting them together. She loves to integrate Yin (passive approach to Yoga) into her Vinyasa (more Yang) teachings. As Katrin teaches, both Yoga styles are beneficial for the body and mind when practiced together. Katrin certified in Vinyasa at the (former) Main Line Yoga in Ardmore, Pennsylvania under Daniel Shankin, and in Yin Yoga at Wake Up Yoga in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under Corina Benner. In 2009, she completed Erich Schiffmann’s Yoga Teacher Training in Los Angeles, California. Besides teaching Yin and Vinyasa Yoga, she teaches privates and small groups on the Yoga Wall – a technique that helps the student find proper alignment in yoga poses. Katrin holds a Master degree in Art History and worked many years as a Curator and Exhibition Manager in New York City. She grew up in North Germany and spent most of her life in Europe before settling down with her American husband in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania more than a decade ago.

Sitaram Das (Daniel Shankin)

Daniel has always found great peace and joy in yoga, ever since it was introduced to him as a young boy by his grandmother. growing up, he always felt drawn to spiritual teachings; books, teachers, and situations that would nourish his growth and transformation. While exploring many paths as a teen, he eventually realized that he could truly trust yoga to take him to the heights that he wished to reach. fifteen+ years later, he still find this to be true. As a teacher, Daniel shares his experience with heart-felt wisdom, using metaphor, story-telling, and off-the-wall humor to convey even the most complex and subtle of topics. Steeped in the traditions of Tantric Hinduism, Buddhism, Ayurveda, Bhakti Yoga, and Vedic Mythology, Daniel’s breadth of wisdom offers seemingly endless support for his students, reminding them of their true nature, inherent goodness, and boundless strength. He experiences deep gratitude for the guidance of his Yin Yoga and Meditation Teacher, Sarah Powers, and also feels fortunate to have worked with Paul Grilley and Paulie Zink, the founder of Yin Yoga. Daniel balances his quiet, still practice with Vinyasa yoga. He finds great benefit in cultivating both yin and yang chi, for optimal health of all bodily tissues. visit sitaramdas.com

Colleen Robinson

Every time Colleen thinks she knows what yoga is, she is delighted that it morphs into something new and beautiful in her life.  There are so many levels to a yoga practice–physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. She had no idea when she started practicing yoga 9 years ago that it would embody all these things, permeate her personal and professional life, and bring such peace and healing. She loves people, teaching yoga and helping students to discover their inner landscape, it is then that she feels honored to be called a “teacher.”
Colleen has been involved in fitness and group exercise for 26 years in three states, and has taught many types of classes with all the accompanying certifications. Once she found yoga, she never wanted to teach anything else. Colleen completed the 200-hour yoga training five years ago, is currently studying Anusara yoga, and looks forward to Prana Flow training this Fall. She works as a marketing communications professional for The Vanguard Group, and is on the back end of raising two beautiful daughters (both in college), and am very interested in healing modalities. Native to Upstate New York, she graduated from Syracuse University Newhouse School (go Orangemen).‘Om namah shivaya – I can’t wait to meet you!’

Usha Lakshmi

Usha is passionate about yoga, full stop. Her yoga journey has all been about breathing, practicing, teaching and simply being. Since childhood she practiced sun salutes every morning come rain or shine. Yoga grounded her and always helped her to live in the now. About ten years ago, Usha learned the nitty-gritty of the Vinyasa flow and has been practicing it on a regular basis since then. She is still so open with much to learn, of course with yoga the journey never ends. She is trained to teach the Vinyasa flow, as a RYT 200, and has been teaching locally. Usha also continues her studies frequently in India where she is constantly expanding her knowledge, personal practice and sharing that with her students. She has learned that sharing her studies with others takes her own personal experience to a whole new level. Don’t they say that when you give, it gets returned back to you threefold? So true as she learns from each one of her students every single day. Thus with teaching and practicing she comes the full circle. Usha will teach a beautiful class weekly at Stillpoint that will combine her Vinyasa practice with a guided meditation in each session.

Jill Petigara

Jill Petigara is an Anusara-inspired yoga teacher and a member of the Yoga Alliance. Her classes draw from several different traditions including Iyengar, Vinyasa, and Anusara Yoga. Jill has taught yoga in a variety of settings including schools, studios, nursing homes, and corporate fitness facilities. She is a certified elementary school teacher and holds a Master’s of Art in Teaching. She has been training elementary school teachers for a textbook publisher for over 13 years, and has experience teaching yoga to children and teens. Jill lives in East Norriton, PA with her husband, Dilip and her son, Raj.

Jennifer Fugo

Yoga isn’t just a practice of poses and movements…for Jennifer, it’s about living a life of joy, peace and balance. She came to yoga because of a back injury and thankfully never left her practice behind as her physical pain dissipated. Her style of teaching is compassionate and creative while leading students to connect within to their movement, breath and body. She is an certified RYT-200 teacher through Yoga Alliance who is now pursuing a more advanced teaching certification in Prana Flow Yoga. She loves blending her own yogic interests of Anusara, Prana Flow, Yin, and Classical practices. Her teachers include Shiva Rea, Twee Merrigan, Maria Garre, and Simon Park. She is also a certified health & wellness coach helping people make dietary and lifestyle changes unique to their own particular situation. You can learn more about her by visiting her website Evolving Well.com

Nelson Tolentino

Nelson first stepped on a yoga mat in 1997 and thought it was just another good habit to add to his gym regimen.Living in NYC gave him the opportunity to try different teachers and yoga schools. It wasn’t long before he chanced upon teachers and styles which resonated.He soon realized that this wisdom tradition – the union of mind and body – might just be the path to contentment and happiness.Most certainly this practice is a good habit to have in his personal journey: “Mastery over the body in the process to gain mastery over the mind.” Nelson hopes to help impart this realization to others.

Certified Baptiste Power yoga teacher in 2006, he attended workshops under Beryl Bender Birch, Yoganand Michael Carroll, and Simon Park; and classes in Bikram, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Anusara, Sivanandaand, and Jivamukti studios.  Nelson works in I/T, plays tennis, meditates, listens to dharma talks and takes naps.

Marissa Paino

Throughout her life, Marissa knew she was meant to teach, but her subject had yet to reveal itself.  After working 10 years in corporate finance, she discovered her true passion for yoga.  During her journey of discovery on the yogic path, she experienced a profound physical and emotional transformation, and heard her calling to share this special gift with others.  Marissa has been practicing since 2005 and earned her RYT-200 hour certification in Pranakriya Yoga, developed by Yoganand Michael Carroll, in 2008.  Marissa fully embraces the Pranakriya style of yoga, and aims to inspire students to look within and find the transformational magic of the practice that can improve overall well-being.  Marissa brings enthusiastic energy and humor to her classes, but also offers students the opportunity for self-reflection and exploration to improve their quality of life.  Marissa is continuing on her path of swadhyaya (study) to enrich her practice and classes.  She is currently midway through achieving RYT-500 hour certification in Pranakriya Yoga with Yoganand Michael Carroll.

Heather Megosh

When Heather discovered yoga, she fell in love with its ability to strengthen and loosen her body while quieting and calming her mind. Heather’s initial training in yoga was through Ashtanga; she studied with Manju Jois, Dee Silvers, Tim Miller, David Swenson, Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty. However, her teaching is most influenced by the dynamic vinyasa-flow teaching style of her teacher and inspiration Shiva Rea, with whom she has completed a 200 hour Prana Vinyasa Flow teacher training. 

Prana Flow classes offer a full and varied spectrum of experience from rejuvenation to empowerment with a constancy in the awareness of the unity between the wave motion of breath and bodily movement. Heather’s classes are creative and invigorating and she encourages her students to challenge themselves to their own degree in order to build strength, fluidity and serenity in their own bodies and minds. 

Off the mat, Heather has her Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology and works as a management consultant.

Natalie Levin

Natalie Levin has been practicing yoga since 1996 and is a graduate of the 2003 OM Yoga Weekend Warrior Teacher Training program at OM Yoga in NYC. Natalie expresses deep gratitude to her teachers Cyndi Lee and David Nichtern, who gave her a teaching foundation steeped in mindfulness, humor, breath awareness, alignment, and play. Natalie taught full-time at OM Yoga in NYC for several years, and then decided it was time to move to the country of Mount Airy, Pennsylvania, where she can take big nature walks. She has studied Iyengar yoga most recently with Carrie Owerko and Kevin Gardiner, and in the past with George Purvis, Gabriel Halpern, and John Schumacher. For a while, Natalie was a devoted practitioner of Ashtanga yoga, and studied with Tias and Surya Little in Santa Fe. Natalie loves the joyous whirling fiesta of teachings from Laughing Lotus’s founders, Dana Flynn and Jasmine Tarkeshi. When not teaching, Natalie sings some opera and finds comfort in the study of her dreams, Jung, and the planetary transits.

Dr. Tom Casey

Dr. Tom Casey has practiced and studied with many teachers in many styles since he first encountered yoga with Baron Baptiste in 1997. He became certified as a Prankriya Yoga teacher by Yoganand Michael Carroll in 2008. He continues to study with Yoganand. In 1999 he took professional training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD, founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. In 2007 he completed a practicum in teaching MBSR with Dr. Diane Reibel at the Thomas Jefferson University Center for Integrative Medicine. He continues his study and practice of meditation with the estimable teachers in this area and elsewhere. He is board certified in Pediatrics and in Neurodevelopmental Medicine. Tom incorporates mindfulness and yoga in his practice of developmental medicine. He brings a scientific foundation, an open heart and a sense of humor to his work and his teaching.