Raji | Rose | Amy | Beth Ann | Ellen | Geri | Jennifer | Kelly | Kent | Lisa | Maria | Masha | Michele | Nitya

Raji Thron Initiated into Yoga at the age of 12, Raji has practiced in all the major schools and styles of Hatha Yoga, and has been teaching Yoga since 1983. After traveling to India in 1990 to study with Pattabhi Jois, he joined the teaching staff at Richard Freeman's “The Yoga Workshop” in Boulder, CO. In 1994, he moved to Santa Barbara, and then to Los Angeles, where he studied and taught with top yoga instructors in the area. He participated in teachers' trainings given by Erich Schiffmann at Santa Barbara Yoga Center, Ganga White, and Tracey Rich at The White Lotus Foundation, and the staff at Yoga Works in Santa Monica. Most recently, Raji completed an intermediate Iyengar teacher training and therapeutic intensive with Aadil Palkhivala in Bellevue, WA. Moving to New Jersey in 1997 with his wife Rose, Raji developed a dedicated following at various yoga studios in Northern New Jersey including, Starseed in Montclair, LivYoga in Livingston, Adaptive Yoga Dynamics in Denville, Naturally Yoga in Glen Rock, among others. Renowned for his creative, challenging, and dynamic classes, he is New Jersey's most experienced Vinyasa and Ashtanga instructor. Since its inception in 1999, more than 100 graduates have received certification through his accredited Yoga Synthesis Teachers' Training program. Rose Fitzgerald Rose is an accomplished Yoga instructor with a B.S. in adult fitness. In addition to having studied and practiced yoga for over 10 years, Rose is certified in therapeutic massage and various healing modalities, including Reiki and Seimei.

Amy Jean Matri Amy's first yoga experience followed a boxing class, motivated mainly by the thought of a "good stretch". Although this wasn't a life changing event, something about yoga kept bringing her back. Through the years, her time spent in the gym transformed into time in the studio. The boxing gloves were traded in for yoga props, and the running shoes for the yoga mat. Now it can be said that yoga has changed her life.  Amy has studied with Ganga White, attending both Teacher Training and Advanced Teacher Training programs at the White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA. Amy also received her certification in Yoga Synthesis from Raji Thron. Through her studies and personal yoga practice, Amy has developed her own yogic personality. Her classes reflect a synthesis of the major Hatha yoga styles and places emphasis on creative sequencing and flow. Through yoga, Amy finds a personal peace with the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of life. She approaches each class as a new opportunity to share that experience in a way that is accessible and comfortable to students of all levels.  Amy continues to deepen her understanding of all styles and applications of yoga, and greatly acknowledges the support and patience of her teachers and students.

Beth Ann Schroeder Beth Ann is a recent graduate of the Yoga Synthesis™ Teachers Training program, and has practiced yoga since 2004. A newcomer to New Jersey, Beth Ann found her “home away from home” at Yoga Synthesis, first as a practitioner, and now, as an instructor. Through the training program, Beth Ann developed a unique style combining alignment and breath awareness with a graceful energetic flow. Her passion for teaching and connecting with others comes through in her natural and joyful approach to the practice and teachings of yoga. Beth Ann's goal in guiding others in the practices of yoga is to provide the space for opening up to one's own pure potential, one breath at a time.

Ellen Pfeffer Ellen is a passionate and dedicated student of the Yoga tradition. She has studied and practiced with Raji Thron (Yoga Synthesis), Erich Schiffmann (Advanced Teacher Training), Dharma Mittra (Classical Hatha Yoga), T.K.V. Desikachar (Viniyoga), Richard Freeman (Ashtanga Vinyasa), Jonas Westring (Thai Yoga Bodywork), Angela Farmer, John Friend, Ana Forrest, Shiva Rea, Kali Ray (TriYoga), Aadil Palkhivala (Senior Iyengar Teacher), and other inspiring teachers. Ellen's Vinyasa approach uses breathing in relationship to movement and stillness as the foundation of yoga practice. She interweaves elements of active, passive and Restorative Yoga with intuitive awareness and alignment principles to create a unique and fulfilling yoga experience. In June 2004, Ellen completed a Restorative Yoga Teachers' Training with Sudha Carolyn Lundeen at Kripalu, in Lenox, MA. In May 2006, she participated in an Intermediate Teachers' Training with Aadil Palkhivala, in Bellevue, WA. Ellen holds certifications from Yoga Synthesis, Shri Yogi Dharma Mittra and Kripalu Yoga, and is registered with Yoga Alliance.

Geri Topfer Geri has been dedicated to the path of yoga for eight years. She blends so beautifully the teachings of Kundalini Yoga, Life Force; which is the practice of compassion to calm anxiety and embrace all dualities of our changing moods and the alignment principals of Anusara. Her offering is to bring each heart the nourishment it needs to live more courageously and powerfully. She is the founder and director of Kula for Karma; our very own community of yoga teachers who offer yoga to those among us whose spirits have been challenged by illness, abuse, neglect, addiction and other life obstacles.

Jennifer Coan Jennifer Coan has been a practicing yogini since 1995. Her first real exposure to yoga was at the Sivananda Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas. It was a shocking and life changing experience for a tight runner who considered herself in good shape. After a two-year steadfast home practice, she had the good fortune to find long time teachers Rama and Rajam Ramanathan, who taught in a compassionate and challenging style. They helped Jennifer to deepen her knowledge and appreciation and led her to teaching in 2000. Teaching has been a wonderful way to share and pass on her experience in a creative and supportive manner. She is certified in Integral Yoga and Yoga Synthesis. Jennifer also practices and was certified in Yamuna Body Rolling in 2005. Body Rolling is a natural complement to any yoga practice. It consists of a series of routines for the entire body from serious foot work to rolling up the spine and neck. The benefits include increased core strength and flexibility, relief of pain from tight and sore areas, and it feels like a deep tissue massage that you control. She is available for private and semi-private sessions in both yoga and Yamuna Body Rolling.

Kelly Solloway Kelly Solloway has been practicing yoga for several years and completed the Yoga Synthesis Teachers' Training with Raji Thron in 2004. She was first introduced to Yoga and Eastern Philosophy in high school, and while her interest and education in that area continued, she pursued bodybuilding as her physical training regimen. It was only later in life that Kelly re-discovered the power within the Yoga to join together the body, mind and spirit in a single practice. As Kelly's appreciation and understanding of Yoga has grown, she affirms that she will forever be a student of yoga. As a teacher, she strives to share her knowledge with students who wish to strengthen the body, sharpen the mind and raise the spirit.

Kent Lindemer Kent Lindemer, M.F.A. has an intense passion for and an extensive background in yoga, dance and bodywork.  Growing up with a yogini mother who ran a Siddha Yoga center out of the house, it was only natural that he became an avid practitioner of Yoga and was drawn to the world of dance and massage therapy.  After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, Kent danced and choreographed both nationally and internationally with Pilobolus Dance Theatre from 1989-2000. After obtaining certification in massage therapy and bodywork, Kent toured nationally with the Broadway musical Swing! as the company’s massage therapist, aerial bungee rigger and trainer.   Concurrently, Kent continued to pursue his studies in yoga with John Friend and eventually became an affiliated Anusara teacher.   Immersing himself even further within the world of yoga, Kent completed Advanced Teacher Training with Richard Freeman and taught Ashtanga Yoga at The Yoga Workshop in Boulder, CO.  Most recently, Kent earned an MFA in Dance at the University of Washington.  As a result of these multifaceted yet interconnected experiences, Kent has developed a uniquely rich knowledge base and style of teaching which blends together elements of his experiences in dance, anatomy, Ashtanga and Anusara Yoga, his own style of Nata Yoga, Nada Yoga, and Partner Yoga.  Kent enjoys teaching workshops and classes nationally and abroad and has done so since 1995.  He has moved back to the East Coast to continue his career and have a baby with his lovely partner Deirdre.  He still keeps a Massage Therapy practice and occasionally dances with Pilobolus, as well as on his own.  Kent is very excited about sharing the integration of his unique experience with students at Yoga Synthesis.

Lisa Goldstein Lisa discovered yoga at a local sports club after she twisted her ankle jogging on a treadmill in 2001. She hobbled into her very first yoga class and immediately fell in love with this mindfully meditative movement. Synchronizing breath and movement is the basic foundation for Lisa's classes, as she utilizes various techniques from Viniyoga, Iyengar, Ashtanga and Anusara traditions. Whether a student comes to yoga to improve strength and flexibility, learn relaxation techniques for stress, or help relieve chronic aches and pains, Lisa's classes offer everyone a chance to tap into their pure potential. Lisa recently completed her 300-hour Basic Certification through Raji Thron's Yoga Synthesis™ Teachers' Training program, and has attended workshops with Shiva Rea, David Swenson, Gary Kraftsow and Dharma Mittra. Her philosophy is that yoga is a wonderful gift we've all been given to practice at any age or any point in our lives.

Maria Costa Maria Costa is a certified Yoga teacher, having completedthe Yoga Synthesis Teachers’ Training with Raji Thron in 2004. She continues to study and practice at Yoga Synthesis. Her teachers, Raji, Michele, Kelly, Jennifer, Ellen, and Nitya have enriched the quality of her life. She is particularly drawn to the Viniyoga system of practice, and the teaching style of Erich Schiffmann. Maria takes great pleasure in sharing the joy of yoga with others.

Masha Veytsel Masha is a fully certified Iyengar Yoga teacher. She was born in Russia and came to the US with her family in 1987. She began practicing yoga in 1997, has studied under the guidance of Kim Peralta (Iyengar Yoga School of Northern New Jersey) and Mary Dunn (Iyengar Institute of New York), and has taught at IYS for several years. Since Spring 2003, she has annually trained with Mira Mehta, author of Yoga the Iyengar Way. Masha has intensive training and teaching experience in Iyengar Yoga, which is a safe, refined, and methodical system that focuses on muscular-skeletal alignment. Iyengar Yoga addresses the needs of all physical types, ages and conditions. Masha is happy to share her knowledge and approaches each student individually in order to help them progress as a yoga practitioner.

Michele Sapanaro It's hard to tell whether Michele Sapanaro embraced yoga, or whether yoga embraced her. Either way, it was a perfect match that united important streams into a powerful river whose currents have transformed her life. Michele's life-long interest in health and fitness expressed itself in dance, gymnastics and vegetarian cooking. Her natural gifts as a teacher, and her desire to touch and be touched by the exuberance of life led her to become a Certified Childbirth Educator, and prenatal and postpartum fitness instructor. These pursuits prepared Michele for the eventual integration that was yoga, culminating in her completion of Raji Thron's Yoga Synthesis Teachers' Training in 2004. Michele continues to study and practice Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga with Raji. She has completed Primary and Second Series, and is now exploring Third Series. Michele's greatest joy, however, is sharing the gift of yoga with others.

Nitya Martino Nitya Martino began practicing yoga in April 2002, and discovered a deep & immediate connection to the ancient teachings. She received her first teacher's certification from Integral Yoga, and subsequently went on to study Cardiac Yoga with Mala Cunningham. In April 2004, Nitya studied with Shakta Kaur Khalsa, and earned a certification in Radiant Child Levels 1 & 2. Wanting a deeper understanding of the yogic philosophy and other styles of yoga, she became certified in Raja Yoga with Rev. Jaganath Carrera. Most recently, Nitya completed the Yoga Synthesis Teachers' Training, with Raji Thron. Presently, Nitya teaches at Yoga Synthesis, Valley Hospital, and has a private clientele. Her teaching ranges from Gentle, Beginner, Chair Yoga and the Prime Time (Senior) Program at Valley Hospital. Nitya teaches a Stress Management class at Valley Hospital, and has given talks in the community on Yoga and Stress Reduction/Management. Nitya is also a certified Reflexologist and a studying Herbalist.