Co-Owner,Susan Golden is a nationally certified yoga teacher. She transitioned easily from working as a registered nurse to teaching yoga.  In combining both professions, her knowledge of anatomy and desire to help people comes through clearly in her teachings.  Susan started exploring yoga in 1997 and practiced with several teachers and different styles. In 2007 she became 200 hour certified with YogaSpirit teacher Kim Valerie.  Susan developed a passion for Anusara Yoga and has worked with Desiree Rumbaugh, Amy Ippoliti, Todd Norian & Ann Greene.  She has completed all 3 immersions with Todd and Ann.  Susan teaches with the Anusara principles as her guide. 
Susans students describe her as creative, clear and playful with the ability to guide them in a trusting way that is challenging and often takes their practice to another level.

Leah Hanley Growing up Leah was a competitive horseback rider, who was introduced to yoga by her trainer to help develop body awareness and enhance her riding performance.  She began a regular practice by age 17, and has studied and practiced many traditions since.  Leah began teaching yoga under the guidance of two longtime teachers by the time she was 22.  She became a Maine State Licensed Massage Therapist in April 2003 and completed her formal yoga teacher training in June 2007, through the Yoga of Energy Flow Teacher Training Program at Dover Yoga in Dover, NH.  Leah has a passion for anatomy and alignment based yoga practices, so naturally she has been heavily influenced by the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and her teaching style reflects this.  As a teacher Leah loves to offer her understanding of anatomy in an easy to understand and fun way.  Her classes will offer a safe space for students to explore their bodies’ natural movement; which will allow for natural muscular and skeletal realignment, along with a great sense of relaxation and well-being.
 

Wendy Webb began her exploration of yoga after completing the Appalachian Trail in 2000 without stretching once.  After a few months of slow loosening in the body, the process became more internal, allowing her to receive the benefits of yoga without the inherent judgment and inner chatter that tends to be present.  By recognizing each pose done mindfully, whether limited by physical constraints or not, as a perfect pose, Wendy was able to appreciate yoga process. Wendy received her 200 hour certification in 2004 through YogaSpirit Studios and has continued to study with other instructors as much as her 2 small yogis will allow.  Wendy believes in helping each individual student navigate their own personal journey of yoga by balancing effort with relaxation, flexibility with strength, and flow with alignment.  Wendy's classes classes are fun, inspiring, challenging and dedicated to helping people of all ages, sizes and abilities discover the joys of yoga practice and conscious living. 

Carol Paradis discovered the benefits of yoga in 1993, while looking for a way to reduce stress and manage grief. Her practice continued after the death of her father and led her to a deeper study of the tradition. Branching out from local teachers Lillian McMullin and Roxann Donahue, she began training at the Kripalu Yoga Center. She completed her 200 hour yoga teacher certification in 2000. Her quest for a deeper understanding led to the 500 Professional Teacher certification in 2006. In 2008 she completed the Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher certification, which uses yoga to manage the imbalances in your life that effect your health. Carol’s interest in this area continues and she is currently studying Ayurveda- the health maintenance side to this tradition. Yoga is not only a lifestyle but also a treatment. Carol is drawn to the Kripalu tradition because of it’s mindful approach to your own experience while honoring your body’s needs. Kripalu yoga connects your body, mind and spirit, while guiding you to move at your own pace. Carol appreciates the Kripalu tradition of inclusion, recognizing that a yoga practice is not ‘one size fits all’. The Kripalu methodology includes willful practice, creating inner focus through holding postures and meditation through motion. Respecting other traditions, Carol often includes different approaches in her class, with humor and enthusiasm. Her classes include breathing and meditation. “If you can sit and breathe- you can do yoga!”


Kim Nashed has been practicing yoga for 10 years and is passionate about teaching. She resonates with Anusara style and loves to use components of it in her teachings.   She finds great joy in living, loving and learning with others and sharing the many health and wellness benefits yoga has to offer. Kim is a May 2011 graduate of Earth Heart Yoga's 200 hour teacher training taught by Anusara-Inspired instructor Joyce Kendall, and held at School Street Yoga. She is certified by the Yoga Alliance.  
Kim thanks Joyce, Jeri and Susan for their many wonderful lessons, on and off the mat.

Laura Meader  knew when she discovered yoga, it was the perfect blend of strength, balance, and stretching she had been working on for years in the gym. She took to it like a fish to water. Diving deeper, she discovered the benefits of pranyama, meditation, alignment principals, and a dedicated practice that now have her hooked. Laura has taught yoga at Colby College for three years and completed the 200-hour teacher training through Earth Heart Yoga held at School Street Yoga, in June 2011. In warm weather, she commutes by bicycle to her job at Colby, and to the studio, from her home in Fairfield, where she lives with her husband, mother-in-law, and two cats.

Leslie Fiore's personal transformation through yoga inspired her to become a teacher.  She completed her first 200 hour teacher certification with Kim Valerie in 2006. As she continued on her journey, Leslie discovered Anusara.  She completed a 200 hour certification with Todd Norian in 2008. Leslie also completed a Level 2 teacher training with John Friend, the founder of Anusara. The physical elegance and refined alignment as well as the spiritual richness of Anusara yoga resonated with her deeply. Influenced by many different styles of yoga she has come to embrace the principles and spirit of Anusara Yoga She is now a Certified Anusara teacher. Leslie continues her studies with teachers including Desiree Rumbaugh, Todd Norian, Ann Greene,  Amy Ippoliti, Sianna Sherman, Julie Miller, as well hundreds of hours with founder John Friend.  Leslie encourages each individual to explore all facets of yoga in order to open their hearts on and off their mats.

Danielle Tognato's long standing wholistic approach to life led her, about 25 years ago, to the study of Traditional Chinese Medicine; specifically Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. During that time she started studying, practicing and eventually teaching Qi Gong and Tai Chi.

Before moving to Maine, Danielle lived in Berkeley, CA, for 15 years where she had a private practice and apprenticed with many of the leading names in the field of herbal medicine, Qi Gong, Ba Gua and Tai Chi. Since moving to Maine, Danielle continued her studies with several masters; Dr. Yang of Boston, Ma being one of them.

Qi Gong is considered an important modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a gentle, therapeutic exercise --both curative and preventive-- based on the ancient system of acupuncture meridians, where breath and movement are coordinated together to develop and store the Qi. "QI" means "life force", or "vital energy" and "GONG" means "energy" and "time"; therefore the definition of Qi Gong is any training, or study, dealing with Qi which takes time, energy and patience. It is a technique that allows one to nourish and circulate vital energy in order to attain physical and psychic well-being and to increase resistance to stress and disease.

Danielle practices Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine at The Living Tree Center, in Winslow, and gives private lessons in Qi Gong and Tai Qi in Vassalboro.

To contact Danielle with questions, please put Qi Gong in the subject line and click here to email her.