ALLISON
Founder & Teacher
Here is My Story:
Allison has been a fitness enthusiast from a young age. As a child, she watched fitness shows for fun. So, when she got a job as the Business Manager of a gym on the top floor of World Trade Center 3, she was in heaven! After 9/11 Allison suffered from both anxiety and depression. She found solace in a local fitness studio, that offered yoga in the basement and began practicing yoga with an amazing teacher. After experiencing the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits that come from a consistent practice, she was hooked.
Soon marriage, family, and a corporate job took center stage, and her practice was put to the side.
In 2009 a herniated disk left her side-lined and unable to walk. At only 31 she was diagnosed with advanced Degenerative Disk Disease and was told she had the spine of a 70-year-old. Fear and anxiety were again center stage, she felt betrayed by her body and feared feeling that pain again. It was paralyzing. Once again, she returned to her yoga practice. Soon after finding an alignment-based yoga studio she signed up for Yoga Teacher Training.
Unfortunately, Allison has had to endure 2 additional back surgeries due to compromised discs and genetics. She has taken everything she has learned from physical therapy, as well as her in depth studies of anatomy and biomechanics and uses it to help others find connection and confidence in their bodies again. In 2020 she began working with yoga teachers in an Advanced 300hr Teacher Training with more trainings to come.
Allison's yoga practice has helped her endure grief, debilitating physical and emotional pain, as well as working through past trauma. She continues to use her mat as a laboratory for exploration, observation, and reflection. It has become a place to come home to herself.
She is E-RYT® 500, YACEP®, she has also Yoga Tune Up Certified instructor as well, and is certified in Restorative Yoga, Kids/Teen Yoga, Yin, and Prenatal Yoga.
BETH WHITE E-RYT 500
Reiki Master Teacher
Beth is a RYT-500, completing her 200hr at Tula, and her 300hr at Align Yoga and Strength. Beth turned to fitness after turning 40. Fibromyalgia and Epstein-Barr were taking their toll, and she decided to try to stay mobile. After following a stable and committed fitness routine for several years, her trainer insisted that she needed a weekly rest day, even if it was active...that's where yoga came in. Over time her exploration and commitment to yoga deepened, and she discovered many physical and mental benefits. In addition to fibromyalgia and Epstein-Barr, Beth suffers with sciatica and numerous bulging discs along the spine. She found that yoga helped keep her joints and muscles moving with more ease than they had in years. Over time she also built core strength through her practice, which helped combat her back issues.
Beth also suffers with chronic positional vertigo, and has learned how to modify her practice when the vertigo comes to visit. In addition, she has adapted her practice through a knee injury and surgery. It wasn't long before Beth realized she wanted to share all yoga had given her and become a yoga teacher. Beth is also a Reiki Master Teacher, and is passionate about sharing this healing modality with her students and private clients. Reiki, universal energy, can provide both physical and spiritual ease by allowing energy to flow freely through the body. For yoga students and reiki recipients, Beth's hope is that those that participate leave feeling better than when they arrived; body, mind and spirit.
Most recently Beth received her Personal Training Certification as she continues to advance her study of the human body.
MONICA CAMPBELL E-RYT 500
Monica began her Yoga journey in 2008 to relieve lower back pain but found yoga to be much more than just stretching. After practicing Yoga for many years and realizing not only the physical benefits but also the mental, she became inspired to pass along her love and gratitude for yoga to others.
Yoga and the instructors that crossed Monica's path have had a positive influence on her, always making her feel amazing inside and out, and guiding her to live in the present moment which she hopes is conveyed in her teachings.
Monica uses the Philosophy of Yoga - uniting mind, body, and spirit - in her classes and creates a light-hearted environment. She believes Yoga is for everyone and incorporates alternatives to poses based on students' strengths and abilities. She continues to be a student and practices yoga and meditation regularly. Monica completed her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training and Meditation Training at Tula Yoga, 75 Hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training which included Pranayama and Mindfulness Meditation at Inlet Yoga, is a White Light Reiki Master Practitioner and is pursuing her 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training at Align Yoga and Strength
(graduating in April 2021). Off the mat, Monica enjoys sewing, knitting, jewelry making, and spending time with her husband and two adult children.
Kristy Neilson RYT 200
Kristy's love for yoga was heightened during Covid in summer 2020. She sought solace on the mat to help her balance working at home and helping her kids. As a woman with many roles, Kristy found yoga was an outlet for her stress and anxiety. "I feel like a better person and able to enjoy my life to the fullest because of yoga!" Ever since Kristy has found herself attending as many classes and workshops as she can; immersing herself in the yogic lifestyle. The result has been a feeling of overall balance and patience especially when raising teens!
Kristy continues to enjoy all types of yoga classes. Kristy is always at the studio, morning or night, you can find her there practicing what she loves! On most days Kristy loves a strong class such as TRX or Core Power Flow but you can also find her melting into the floor during gentle or restorative yoga. Kristy received her 200hr certification from Align Yoga & Strength, she is a Level 2 certified Reiki Practitioner, and is certified in TRX Yoga. When teaching she enjoys infusing the class with humor and lightheartedness while helping others experience the transformation that comes with a consistent practice.
KAITLIN WARD-PERSEGIN RYT 500
Kaitlin has been practicing yoga for over 10 years as a means of fitness but it wasn't until about 6 years ago that she fell in love with the mind-body connection. Eager to learn and deepen her practice, Kaitlin completed her 200 and 300 hour yoga teacher training at Tula Yoga in Aberdeen. Being a mom of three young children, Kaitlin knows well the importance of taking time for yourself and believes it is essential to leading a balanced life. Her classes combine breath and movement for a fun, yet challenging experience. She encourages her students to embrace where they are on their yoga journey and find their own personal edge. Kaitlin hopes you will leave her classes feeling refreshed, centered and energized.
"Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame." B.K.S. Iyengar
Sharon Calder RYT 200
Sharon fell in love with yoga over 20 years ago, as a mom of three and a full time special education teacher. Practicing yoga on a regular basis helped Sharon to stay present and focused while riding the wave of life. She began to share the benefits she had experienced from yoga with her students in the classroom on a daily basis. This then inspired Sharon to pursue her passion in teaching yoga.
In 2008 she received certification from Radiant Child Yoga in NYC with Shakta Khalsa Levels 1-3 and Yoga for Special Needs Children with Radiant Child Yoga in 2013. Continuing the love of learning Sharon received her 200 Hours RYT at Soul Power Yoga in Marlboro NJ in 2014
In 2018 she received her teacher training in Yoga and Mindfulness to tweens and teens with Maura Bradley at Bee You Yoga.
Then Life’s challenges hit and grief set in. Sharon discovered the spiritual and mindfulness of yoga helped to guide her healing. Her mission and passion is to help guide and share the gift of yoga to all ages, while discovering inner strength and mindfulness through movement and breath, along with a sense of peace and calm both on and off the mat.
Michelle Nigro RYT 200
Michelle’s love for Yoga began back in 2000 when she first stepped foot on a yoga mat and instantly fell in love. She immediately felt an enhanced connection between her mind and body, one of which she had never felt before. Every time she practiced yoga, she watched her true self shine. She feels that yoga provides an opportunity for self-discovery and is passionate about sharing her extensive knowledge of health, healing, and well being with others.
Michelle began her journey towards teaching at Tula Yoga where she completed her required 200 hours of Yoga Teacher Training. Her personal favorite form of yoga is vinyasa flow, but she also thoroughly enjoys hatha, restorative, kids yoga, and acro yoga. She is always seeking out new challenges and ways to advance her practice and aims for her students to progress in the same way. She is a nurturer by nature, which is shown through her family life, as well as her career in child care and her overall disposition.
Her teaching is said to leave everyone with a smile on their face and can be defined as heartfelt yet challenging. Off the mat she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, going to the beach, and hiking. A motto that she feels accurately represents her lifestyle and teaching methods is, “life is about gratitude, compassion, and honoring your body on and off the mat.”
Carmela Danna RYT 500
Carmela began practicing yoga to relieve anxiety and stress back in 2004. She completed her 200 hour certification in March 2006 at Yoga Works in NYC and has been teaching since then. She left her full time job in Princeton, NJ to pursue her passion of teaching yoga.
Yoga has had a big influence in her life and she loves to share her knowledge in class. Aside from practicing asana, Carmela enjoys daily meditation practice. She has increased her knowledge by taking workshops with renowned yoga instructors such as Sean Corn, and Alan Finger, Dharma Mittra and others. Carmela has been a Certified White Light Reiki Master since 2012 with many years of experience as an energy healer and practitioner. She offers private energy healing sessions and group Reiki training as well In her spare time she practices yoga, Reiki and Meditation and continues her education increasing her knowledge of energy healing.
Carmela recently completed her certification as an intuitive healer and Akashic Record reader and healer. This path has been a blessing and she loves to share the gift of Reiki, Yoga, meditation and intuition to help others heal and lead a more peaceful life. She lives in Old Bridge with her husband, Michael, and enjoys spending time with her family.
Colleen Havecker RYT 200
Colleen completed her 200hr YTT at Align Yoga & Strength in March 2022 and started teaching the next day. Though she was first introduced to yoga as a teenager, Colleen’s yoga practice didn’t deepen until she was in her thirties. Seeking classes, teachers and ultimately community, Colleen used her practice to find inner peace. She shares the healing aspects of yoga with her students, focusing on maintaining balance while finding contentment in the present moment.
Colleen finds inspiration in nature and often looks to the universe to help guide her classes. She encourages her students to use their intuition as they practice and connect with their own cosmic flow. Colleen’s hope is that you leave her class feeling connected to your heart and soul and completely nourished.
In her free time, Colleen loves spending time with her daughter, soaking up the sun and cooking.
