  Join The Wellness Initiative mailing list: TWI News BENEFIT CONCERT WITH 2ND ANNUAL YOGATHON FALL 2011 NEWSLETTER EDUCATION NEWS COLORADO SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS BOULDER COUNTY invests in The Wellness Initiative. Learn more. LISTEN TO OUR STUDENTS talk about the impact of yoga on their lives. more...
|
TEAM | BOARDS | SUPPORTERS | CONTACT US | BLOG | ARCHIVE | PRESS
The Wellness Team
Mara's previous work experience includes assisting with new school startup and expansion as part of the New York City Department of Education's "Children First" reform program; conducting organizational development and human capital management research with Deloitte; producing educational software at Scholastic; and teaching at the Beacon School in Oakland, California. In addition, Mara was the Executive Director of Playing2Win, a community technology center in Harlem. Mara received a BA in Religious Studies from Macalester College, an MA in Education from Columbia University's Teachers College, and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Mara was first introduced to yoga in 1992 while studying abroad in India and is thrilled to be part of an organization that brings the tools and experience of yoga to students and teachers in Colorado. Mara lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband and son. Mara can be reached at mara@wellnessinitiative.org.
Kristi began studying yoga in 1998 while attending Thunderbird. In 2007, she completed her 200-hour certification at the Providence Institute in Tucson, Arizona. Using her bilingual skills, Kristi instructed her yoga students in both English and Spanish at the El Rio Health Center, serving the area's low-income and at-risk population. In 2009, she received her 500-hour certification from Integrative Yoga Therapy with Joseph and Lillian LePage. Kristi continues to work with the LePages toward her 1,000-hour certification. Taking grateful advantage of her surroundings, Kristi lives in Arvada with her husband and spends as much time as she can in the Colorado mountains – biking, hiking, skiing, boarding, or just harmonizing with nature.
Dedicated to cultivating serenity in her own life, Amy is inspired to teach yoga because it helps her softly engage with herself and others. Her yoga practice and philosophy enable her to live the truth in Thich Nhat Hanh's motto "Peace in oneself, peace in the world." Amy lives in Denver with her son, Santiago; her daughter, Fiona; and her husband, Thomas. She is honored to be part of The Wellness Initiative team. Amy can be reached at yogiamy@gmail.com.
In 2002, Anna moved to Boulder, Colorado, to pursue her yogic path, and in 2006, she traveled to India for a more immersive yoga experience. Studied extensively in the ashtanga tradition, Anna brings this training into all of her classes. Anna holds a BA in sociology from the University of California at Santa Cruz; a diet counselor certificate from Bauman College in Berkeley, California; a Montessori directress certificate; and a level one certificate from the Radiant Child Yoga Program. In 2007, Anna completed her Richard Freeman Teachers Intensive and the Yoga Ed. K-8 trainings. A Montessori teacher with six years' experience, Anna enjoys helping children find internal balance and tranquility through song, movement, yoga, deep listening, and stillness. Anna can be reached at annaapplebaum@yahoo.com.
In 2008 and 2009, Molly traveled to India; her time in Dharamsala allowed her to study meditation, philosophy, yoga, and the teachings of the Dalai Lama. Upon her return, she moved to Portland, Oregon, to teach a yoga arts afterschool program at Seth Lewelling elementary school. It was here that she discovered the great work of Jim and Lynea Gillen of Yoga Calm for Children. Their workshops provided the tools necessary for Molly to fully engage and enrich her students. She is currently working on the Yoga Calm certification as well as her 500-hour certification from the Healing Yoga Foundation. In the spring of 2010, Molly moved back to her native Colorado. She is grateful to have found The Wellness Initiative so that she can continue to bring the tools of yoga into schools. She cherishes her moments teaching young people because they remind her of the true goal of yoga: to celebrate our joyful essence. Molly's ultimate goal is to become a yoga therapist. You can reach her at molly.armour@gmail.com.
Julie completed her bachelor's degree in psychology and educational studies at Salem State College. After finishing school and traveling internationally, she made her home in Denver. In 2007, Julie interned as a school psychologist and had the opportunity to work with children in large and small groups, creating lesson plans that encouraged confidence, respect, and appreciation. Helping children build awareness at a young age to establish a strong foundation for the future is a huge incentive for Julie's teaching. Julie earned her 200-hour yoga training certificate through the Samadhi Center for Yoga, and she completed her children's training through Story Time Yoga and Yoga Ed. Currently teaching Denver-area adults in the vinyasa tradition, Julie feels blessed to again be working with children through The Wellness Initiative. Julie can be reached at JCampilio2@yahoo.com.
After receiving her 200-hour certification from CorePower Yoga, Katie continued to seek opportunities to learn more about teaching yoga, specifically to kids. Recently, Katie completed a Yoga Ed. certification course and teaches weekly yoga classes to her middle school students at Southern Hills Middle School in Boulder. Katie sees positive results in her students and strongly believes that yoga teaches children and adolescents to take care of their bodies and emotions while increasing their confidence, their ability to focus, and their control over stress in their busy lives. Katie is thrilled to be working with The Wellness Initiative, and hopes to be able to share all that she has learned about the joys of yoga with children and young people in the Boulder and Denver area. Katie can be reached at katie.gallagher@bvsd.org.
Kristy completed her 200-hour yoga certification through the Joy of Yoga advanced studies and teacher training program in San Jose, California. Immensely grateful to have discovered yoga at a young age, she wished to introduce the practice to children and help them incorporate it into their daily lives. In 2008, Kristy moved to Boulder and enrolled in the graduate program at Naropa University, where she currently studies somatic psychology with a specialization in dance and movement therapy. She has been an enthusiastic member of The Wellness Initiative team since 2009. Kristy can be reached at kristyh@students.naropa.edu.
In 2004, Annette produced a children's video titled "Yoga Journey Around the World." As she guides her young viewers through the basic principles of hatha yoga, she brings animation to the poses by imitating animals and objects from nature. Annette also uses games, aromatherapy, and music to help children engage all their senses in the yoga experience. More information about these learning tools is available at her website: www.classroomyoga.com. Annette can be reached at annette_k@pipeline.com.
In 2002, Allyson received her BA in psychology from the University of Colorado. After graduation, she worked as a Montessori teacher and a study-abroad group leader; she also spent two years studying, working, and volunteering around the world. The knowledge gained from these travel experiences has influenced Allyson's dynamic and inspiring teaching style. Her instruction incorporates playfulness, alignment, partner work, and the celebration of each individual. Allyson currently teaches for TWI in Denver-area schools to K-12 students. She also instructs weekly private classes, and enjoys training teachers on how to bring yoga to their classrooms. Additionally, Allyson leads adult classes. She can be reached at allylevine@gmail.com or
Before arriving in Boulder, Carolina lived in New York City, where she taught public school children in the five boroughs. Through this experience, she developed as a committed, loving, imaginative, and challenging teacher, and she takes this style into her yoga classes. Originally certified as a yoga instructor in India, Carolina carries a deep reverence for the sacred tradition of yoga, holding space for the growth that naturally occurs inside each person as asana is practiced. She is trained in the vinyasa and hatha traditions as well as Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, prenatal, kids, and family yoga. Carolina is an enthusiastically embodied yogi, and she appeals to the kid in us all with her enthusiasm and authenticity. She is happy to be working with The Wellness Initiative and to continue teaching yoga to children. She can be reached at carelorenzo@gmail.com or yogawithcarolina@gmail.com.
Tara received her bachelor's of science degree in elementary education with an emphasis in multicultural education from the University of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. As a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, Tara was able to complete her student teaching in Vancouver, where she took a lead teaching position at an alternative school called Wondertree. It was during this time that Tara began practicing kundalini yoga, and in 2005, she completed her yoga teacher training. In 2006, Tara moved back to Boulder and began teaching adult kundalini yoga classes. She soon completed training for children's instruction and began working with The Wellness Initiative. In March 2007, Tara finished her Yoga Ed. K-8 and Tools for Teachers training. And in 2008, she taught four- and five-year-olds as a lead pre-K instructor with Bright Horizons. In 2009, Tara launched Flying Feet, an organization that focuses on teaching yoga and movement to children and teenagers. She also works with the nonprofit Imagine!, where she teaches movement and yoga to adults and children with special needs. Tara can be reached at tjoymack@yahoo.com.
In 2000, Beth completed her yoga teacher training through the Yoga Thailand program at Centered Yoga, under the dedicated guidance of Paul Dallaghan. She has taught hatha and vinyasa yoga, as well as vocal arts to a wide variety of age groups throughout New York City and southern Mexico. Encouraging a sensitive yet intense approach to asana (posture), Beth's classes focus on the development of sustained mental presence and an opening to spontaneous expression through singing and sounding. Beth's greatest influences include Silvia Nakkach, the creator of Yoga of the Voice; Dr. Kenneth Davis of Natural Force Healing; S.N. Goenka and his Vipassana meditation; the Animas Valley Institute, where Beth explores wilderness-based soul work; and the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, where she received certification as a holistic health counselor. Beth currently leads yoga retreats and vocal meditation classes in Boulder, Colorado, and Oaxaca, Mexico. Beth can be reached at zool415@gmail.com.
Kim received her BA in communications from the University of Colorado in 1991. For 19 years, she worked in merchandising and management, eventually retiring from the rat race to raise her children (Morgan, 9, and Mason, 4) and pursue more altruistic endeavors. In 2007, Kim received her Yoga Alliance certification, as well as her Yoga Ed. certification to instruct K-8 children using an established curriculum. Kim additionally has been trained in the Tools for Teachers offering and as a Yoga Calm trainer. Using the curriculum from Yoga Ed., Kim created an afterschool program at Highland Elementary in Centennial, Colorado, titled "Mind, Body & Fun." She is excited to continue her children's yoga education with the talented team at TWI. Kim can be reached at kimsoliva@gmail.com.
Amy completed her 200-hour yoga teaching certification at Samadhi Center for Yoga in Denver. In addition to privately teaching yoga, she instructs at studios in Boulder and Lafayette, and throughout the Denver metro area with The Wellness Initiative. Her classes follow the vinyasa style, with a focus on breath, proper alignment, and listening to your own body. Amy creates a comfortable space for her students to move, stretch, and connect to the amazing beauty within all of us. Amy spent the last few years traveling, but she always comes back to the mat-the one place she can call home. Believing that yoga has transformed her life in so many amazing and positive ways, Amy looks forward every day to learning more about the centuries-old practice. She is very excited to be working with The Wellness Initiative so that she can bring the amazing practice of yoga to children. In addition to practicing yoga, Amy enjoys gardening, snowboarding, hiking, traveling, working with children, and watching live music. She can be reached at sobel.amy@gmail.com.
In addition to her training in India, Chelsea completed teacher training through the Sivananda lineage in hatha yoga. And in February 2009, she completed CorePower's 200-hour teacher training program in the vinyasa tradition. Chelsea holds a bachelor of arts degree in humanities from Florida State University, and she plans on pursuing a master's degree from Naropa University in the fall of 2011. Assisting TWI instructors in the classroom, Chelsea began volunteering with our program in 2009, and now she's excited to work as an instructor herself. She believes that yoga is healing for everyone, especially children, and is grateful for the opportunity to share her passion for the practice. Chelsea can be reached at cheeto630@gmail.com.
Through postures, games, creativity, music, and lots of fun, Karina teaches her students about yogic values as well as different cultures. Currently, Karina is completing her master's in transpersonal counseling psychology at Naropa University. She can be reached at karitibble@gmail.com.
In 1999, Erica founded Integrative Life Services LLC. Serving youth, adults, families, and professional organizations, Integrative Life Services provides training, coaching, counseling, and mind-body health services to help people improve the quality of their lives. As a registered yoga instructor, Erica combines her expertise as a clinical social worker, addictions counselor, and clinical nutritionist to help young people and adults integrate yoga and mindfulness practices into their lives. She is currently teaching youth and adults in child welfare, juvenile justice, educational, and public service settings. Erica can be reached at erica@integrativelife.net.
She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, studying both Communications and Exercise and Health Science. Her yoga training at the Santa Barbara Yoga Center included studying with such teachers as Erich Schiffman, Judith Hanson Lasater, Lisa Walford, and Paul Grilley. She is certified to teach children's yoga through Yoganesha, a Santa-Barbara based organization, as well as YogaEd. In addition, Melissa teaches prenatal, postnatal, and vinyasa yoga classes in Boulder & Louisville. Melissa has been teaching yoga since 2004 and loves giving both adults and children an outlet for their stress as well as a tool for life. She lives in Louisville, Colorado, with her husband Steven and their daughter, Sena. Melissa can be reached at melissa@healinglifestyles.com. | ||||
| 303.865.3976Fax: 303.265.9193info@wellnessinitiative.orgP.O. Box D, Boulder, CO 80306 |
|||||
