Our Teachers
Jenya Andrianova
Jenya took her first yoga class years ago, right after she moved to NYC from Saint-Petersburg, Russia, when a friend brought her to a Jivamukti Yoga School. Moving to a new country with a new language, relationships and experiences was challenging, and that is when she began to realize that through discipline and daily practice one can attain peace. She strongly believes into the infinite capabilities within every person, and in her classes encourages students to begin their journey of personal discoveries by means of breath, music and meditation, along with vigorous asana practice. Jenya is a 800-hours certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher and has been teaching since 2008, she is a founder of Suryasta Yoga.
Julia Arenson
Julia Arenson has been practicing Hatha yoga since childhood and has been a certified yoga instructor for fourteen years. She is a DONA-trained post-partum doula and specializes in prenatal yoga and Parent-Baby yoga. Julia was raised in a family of yoga teachers and practitioners and was first certified through the Sivananda Vendanta tradition in 1997. She is certified in “Anatomy and Breath-centered yoga” through Leslie Kaminoff of The Breathing Project, prenatal yoga through Janice Clarfield and Mommy and Me” yoga through Baby Om. Julia has also performed and taught Middle Eastern ( Bellydance) for over eighteen years and enjoys safely incorporating some of the earthy and organic vocabulary of Middle Eastern dance in her prenatal and Mommy-Baby classes. Her ever-evolving practice has also been inspired and influenced by the strong alignment principles of Iyengar and Anusara as well as the flowing Vinyasa style of Jivamukti yoga. Julia has had extensive experience in teaching diverse populations, body-types and levels. She has taught movement and Hatha yoga to pre-schoolers and teenagers within the public school system and to the injured and elderly in nursing and rehabilitation centers. Her classes are flowing, engaging, compassionate and restorative with an emphasis on proper alignment and the yogic principle of seeking both stability and ease within each posture. She lives in brooklyn with her husband and four year old son. www.dancingdoula.com
Lily Balsen
Lily’s passion, since a little girl growing up in Upstate NY, has been creative movement and storytelling. She was certified in Vinyasa Flow Yoga at Laughing Lotus in San Francisco with Dana Flynn and Jasmine Tarkeshi. Her practice is always evolving and she continues to study with a myriad of teachers and modalities in NYC.
Her personal practice is infused with meditation and mind/body/breath strengthening techniques, which she has absorbed through her work as an actress, singer, and figure skater. She is particularly drawn to the connection between Yoga and self-care — especially how the practice plays a part in digestive and neurological health. She is deeply grateful for Area Yoga and to be a part of this beautiful community.
Merav Ben Horin
Merav is a yoga instructor and psychotherapist. Her yoga class has been described as one of the best in New York by NYC Yoga Sleuth. Merav was a dancer for over 10 years. She began practicing yoga in 2004 in tandem with her studies in psychology. She completed a B.A in Psychology at Hunter College and later a Masters at NYU. As part of her dual interest in human behavior and movement, she sees yoga as a tool for personal growth and as a proven way to develop focus and mind/body awareness.
As a therapist, Merav incorporates yoga into her work with patients by combining yogic principles with talk therapy. She has previously worked at an outpatient substance abuse clinic, leading group yoga therapy, anger management and stress management groups for patients suffering from substance abuse and other symptoms of emotional and psychological distress. Merav is currently doing her psychoanalytic training and seeing patients at NIP (National Institute for the Psychotherapies).
As a yoga instructor, she teaches Vinyasa flow classes, emphasizing the connection between movement and breath, muscle strengthening, enhanced flexibility and balance. Through challenging sequences and sensitive instruction, she strives to offer a safe, non-judgmental environment where students can explore their bodies, observe their minds and confront and overcome their fears, limitations, or obstacles both on and off the mat.
Merav currently teaches groups and private classes all around NYC and lead yoga retreats world wide. Visit her on Facebook.
Angela Botta
Angela is a Certified Instructor through Yoga Works advanced training program, and Pre and Postnatal through Prenatal Yoga Center in NYC. Offering a dynamic practice, Angela has a joyful spirit and inspires to welcome and guide students to explore the mind / body connection while blending a heart-centered, breath-based practice. She teaches safely, offering modifications and appropriate poses for all levels, giving students more space while building confidence, a steady flow, a calm mind, and a strong presence – both on and off the mat. In her own life, Angela is a student at heart, working to live her own mantra to trust, surrender and simply enjoy finding her place in the rhythm of life; an idea that lies at the heart of the yoga practice.
Guida Gambogi
Guida Gambogi completed her first Teacher Training at Pure Yoga, which opened her body and mind to the many possibilities of Yoga, studying with teachers from different lineages such as Iyengar and Jivamukti. A mentorship with Erica Mather at Pure Yoga East set her towards the healing power of Forrest Yoga, Mather’s is one of Forrest Yoga’s few handpicked Guardians. In March 2011 she left for Boston to study with Ana Forrest and embrace the power of personal transformation through Yoga. She continues studying and practicing Forrest Yoga, having finished a Forrest Yoga mentorship Program with Erica Mather in 2012 and will soon complete for the Forrest Yoga Advanced Teacher Training.
Her present joy is the celebration and exploration of the many roads a deep breath can take you.
Join her in this tortuous and gorgeous road of inner revolution and celebration of where we are right now. Come investigate what is stored in your “shell” and what it can tell us about our physical and emotional life. The beauty of yoga is the vast path of what there is yet to be learned ahead.
Elias Lopez Garcia
A naturalist and environmentalist at heart, Elias combines his love for nature with his love for yoga and his students find there is an obvious connection in his instruction style. Born and raised in Mexico Elias enjoys bringing his inspiration from his roots to his yoga practice. He infuses his classes with music and with careful attention to alignment and he views yoga as a journey to live well, and love fully. He believes in the power of Yoga to deeply transform our lives and is inspired by the poetry of the body, the yogis around him and the organic forms of nature. Elias is honored to study with John Friend, Jim Bernaert, Ellen Sallstontal and Jackie Prete who infuse him with a passion for aligning the body with the Divine through breath and heart. Elias relishes sharing this beautiful journey called Yoga with his students. He loves to create a fun, safe and sacred place where you are empowered to achieve your full potential and connect to Grace.
Danielle Gregan
Love at first sight – that is how Danielle’s relationship with yoga began. She began practicing in 2002, and like any truly great relationship, the connection has only gotten stronger in time. After spending five years in a very fast-paced corporate job, Danielle decided to turn her passion for yoga into something more and became a Registered Yoga Teacher, certified at Laughing Lotus Yoga Center.She wholeheartedly believes that happiness is a choice.And for her, yoga is happiness. In her teachings, her intention is to guide you to move in harmony with your breath, while tapping into a deeper awareness of your self to provide a balance that will bring you to a peaceful, happy place. Danielle is eternally grateful to her teachers, past and present, for inspiring her to share what she loves.
Denise Hopkins
Denise Hopkins took her first yoga class in 2001 and hasn’t stopped practicing since. After working for twelve years in fashion, yoga became her saving grace to life in this competitive industry. Denise studied Vinyasa yoga for five years and then found her calling in the style of Forrest Yoga. She completed her training in Forrest Yoga in 2005 with founder Ana Forrest. She continues to study with Ana Forrest and assists her nationally at workshops and teacher trainings. Denise’s intent in teaching is to help strip away the numbness that keeps us from feeling our center. She encourages her students to breathe deeply and to feel every single emotion. It is only by truly allowing ourselves to feel that we can learn to shed the layers of physical and emotional pain that keeps us bound. She also incorporates her work with Cranial Sacral Therapy into classes through generous hands-on assists.
Louise Kushner
Louise grew up in New York City and started doing yoga with her mom at 10 years old, but could never make it past the Ohms without giggling. After re-discovering yoga as a welcome release from competitive sports and triathlons, she found more than a physical practice. Completing her 200hr Interdisciplinary Teacher Training in Nosara, Costa Rica with Amba and Don Stapleton, Louise believes in the value of remaining a student. She begins every class with a return to basic breathing and meditation techniques and loves to gradually work up and into a rigorous flow focused on alignment and breath with a bumping soundtrack. She has been subbing at Area for two years now and is very excited to have her own class.
Nityda Lupkin
Born to mantra-loving hippies in Pensacola, Florida, named after an Indian Sage, middle name- Bhakti, a traveled “Navy Brat,” former professional ballet dancer, lover of chocolate. That pretty much sums up the first twenty years. Later, attended yoga teacher training in Chesapeake, VA, then studied with Shiva Rea in L.A. Since it found me, my yoga practice has been the dominating force that grounds and sustains me. I love being on the mat- it awakens my heart and lights a fire in my soul. But teaching, teaching is a whole other story. Itʼs amazing to experience the deep surrender that even New Yorkerʼs manage to evoke, when they “let go” and allow someone else- a complete stranger- to guide them through a practice that each makes her/his own. Teaching has allowed me to experience the innate wisdom and beauty within people, and I couldnʼt be more thankful for that. I am currently working towards a masterʼs degree in social work. Another passion of mine is bringing yoga to marginalized populations, especially at-risk youth. Iʼve worked with a number of these populations and continue to do so- itʼs in the dharma. My classes: I aim for the flow to be seamless and intelligent- alignment mindful, yet allowing room for personal exploration. Music- yes. Sweat- yes. Fluid, spiritual, heart-opening- yes. Falling in love you remain a child; rising in love you mature. By and by love becomes not a relationship, it becomes a state of your being. Not that you are in love – now you are love. – Osho http://nityda.com
Henze Marvin
Henze grew up on a mountain ranch in Topanga, California. Henze has a background in dance and yoga, encompassing 25 years of experience. She performed with the Malibu Civic Ballet for four years, and in 2006 she assisted in creating the bachelor program for Lines Ballet Company at Dominican University in San Rafael, California. Twelve years ago, Henze discovered Kathak, the classical storytelling temple dance of North India. Integral to the art of Kathak are yogic hand gestures, or Mudras. Henze has been studying Kathak for over a decade, and is a core member of the Vandhana Company of Kathak dance.
Henze attended her first yoga class during a dance camp when she was 11 years old, and it ignited a life long passion. She was drawn to the restorative effects and the exalted release she experienced. The discipline in proper alignment and core strength Henze developed through yoga practice has enhanced her dance performance and all other areas of her life.
Henze studied Restorative Yoga and Yoga Mudra with her teacher Megan Black, a master Kathak teacher and certified yoga instructor under Sherri Babtiste. At Om Sweet Om Yoga in Port Washington, NY, Henze completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training program under instructors Gail Grossman and Lisa Bondy.
Now residing in Brooklyn Heights, Henze has been teaching yoga privately in NYC since 2011. Henze offers a unique class, which blends Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga with Yoga Mudra and restorative poses. She believes that each class is an opportunity to love and protect our bodies, to improve our mental state, and to transform, one breath at a time.
Attiss Ngoval
Since 2005, Attiss Ngoval has been teaching and practicing a unique and challenging fusion of Ashtanga Yoga, martial arts and fluid movement-based strength training techniques. He studied Ashtanga Yoga under the late Larry Schultz, founder of the revolutionary Rocket Vinyasa system, as well as circus arts with Reed Taylor and Kung Fu with Matt Lucas. Drawing upon these diverse and surprisingly harmonious movement systems, Attiss will help you guide your practice to the next level with this imaginative and highly effective program.His classes emphasize both strengthening and increasing the mobility of the joints and connective tissue to create a stronger, safer and more dynamic yoga practice that will keep your body healthy and happy for years to come. This flowing series is appropriate for all practitioners, from the seasoned veteran to the most bashful novice.
Paula Pliakas
Being an ex athlete with a hand full of injuries and almost becoming a personal trainer a few years back something didn’t feel quite right. The gym felt soulless and she was looking for something more. That’s when she was hit by the need to OM and yoga became a part of her daily life. Having just completed her 300 hour teacher training at Yogamaya with Bryn Chrisman and Stacey Brass, Paula has a whole perspective on teaching. She is excited to share her new found knowledge of the practice which has inspired a new creativity in her classes. Her love of music still stands but is now accompanied by her interest in alignment, chanting and yogic philosophy. She continues to teach as much as possible and especially enjoys her work with a group of women who were once involved in trafficking but who now live in a safe house. What yoga does for these women is often too difficult to put into words but is beautiful and fulfilling
Keri Setaro
Keri Setaro was raised a beach gal in Margate, New Jersey. After a childhood spent nursing many injuries both as a dancer and figure skater she turned her focus to theater and holds a BFA in Acting from both Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts and the London Academy of Theater. She found yoga to be a great alternative to dance for expression and far less taxing on the body. Keri is also a certified Holistic Health Coach having studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Always being able to find the lighter side of life, she finds that yoga is the perfect way to start taking yourself and life a little less seriously while still being dedicated to your practice. She studied with the Yoga People 200- hour teacher under Asthangi Matthew Seidman and Vinyasa Flow teacher DonnaLynn Civello. Using both her holistic health and yoga knowledge Keri’s goal is to bring a greater sense of well-being and strength to people while helping them deal with the ever increasing difficulty of living in today’s world and maybe just maybe to bring a smile to the face of those she teaches by having a yoga style that is accessible and fun.
Miya Signor
Miya has been practicing yoga since 1995. She moved to New York City to pursue acting and quickly felt the highs and lows of the business. Recognizing her need for a sense of stability she approached yoga. The first yoga class she took was taught by the blessed Dharma Mittra. Walking out of the studio Miya felt mystified and inspired. What resonated deeply for her was the importance of internal truth, discipline and compassion in the yogic traditions. Sixteen years later Miya sees that the essence of life is what lies in-between the highs and lows. Her yogic practice now finds stability in what is always changing.
Petra Szabo
Petra Szabo was born in Budapest , Hungary , before there was only one Europe , and was educated at Corvinus University of Budapest. Conversant in English, French, Hungarian and Russian, Petra has used her multi-lingual talents professionally, sourcing animation artists in Moscow , processing contracts in London and managing a health care facility in New York City . After working several years in the US health care system she was discouraged by its limited approach and sought a more holistic and embracing community. Finding the ancient wisdom and practice of yoga, she is now a certified Vinyasa instructor as well as Forrest Yoga teacher. Her approach is heavily influenced by the work of Ana (Forrest), who developed a Yoga methodology to promote emotional and physical healing. Petra Szabo now helps other people to transform their relationship to their physical bodies and through this to transform their lives.
Erin Teague
Erin was first introduced to yoga at the age of 19, via an Iyengar class in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Over the years, she has experimented with various styles of yoga and currently maintains a daily Ashtanga practice. Erin has studied with Eddie Stern, Tim Miller, Richard Freeman, Edwin Bryant, Guta Hedewig, Roger Cole and various other teachers. She is a 200 & 500 RYT and has also completed teacher trainings with Tim Miller and Richard Freeman. Erin is already extensively educated in human anatomy and physiology and has studied with Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews at the Breathing Project in Manhattan. She is fascinated with the power and beauty that can be created by linkage of the breath, pose & mind. She also teaches chanting, restorative poses and pranayama in her classes. She is enthusiastic to share with others the many fruits that come with this practice. www.erinyoga.com
Narisara Vanichanan
In her earlier days of arts administration and nonprofit consulting, Narisara kept returning to yoga to find stress relief and joy. For Narisara, teaching yoga is an opportunity to help others by sharing her love of the yoga practice and offering a creative but structured environment where the present moment is honored. A former dancer and photographer, she blends hand mudras, poetry, the visual arts, & dharma into her classes and draws inspiration from everyday urban life. She is a dedicated meditation practitioner and is very grateful to all her meditation and yoga teachers.
Laurel Voss
Laurel Voss is a practicing Forrest yoga teacher, artist and educator. Her first yoga
class in 1999 was a college-elective, nestled between two figure study classes.
Through yoga she connected to her body and breath, which helped her understand
the connections in the body while sculpting. Laurel continued to study and explore
Hatha, Bikram, and Iyengar styles before finding Forrest Yoga in 2004, after a
recommendation from a friend who told her of the healing aspect of this practice.
After years working an office job in arts education administration, she began a
dedicated Forrest Yoga practice to reduce stress, poor posture, and back pain. In
2008, Laurel began taking classes regularly to free her from debilitating pain due to
disc herniation. During this difficult time, Forrest Yoga was the only physical activity
possible without pain; also creating pain relief. Her goal is to teach how to practice
yoga safely, while meeting her students at all levels; to push her students to their
edge to build strength and power at whatever their ability is and become stronger
and more stabilized over time. Laurel loves teaching yoga because it is fun, and she
can be creative by bringing new sequences to each class. Her passion is to help her
students free themselves from pain, recover from injuries and learn from these to
bring healing into the rest of the body for both emotional and spiritual well being.
Frank Wildermann
Frank Wildermann wandered into a Bikram yoga studio 6 years ago and fell in love with the practice. Two years later, he had the luck of wandering into Keely Garfieldʼs vinyasa class and, once again, fell in love. As a long distance runner, he believes yoga is a necessary compliment for all athletes. A consistent yoga practice is an awesome opportunity to work and deepen the physical nature of the body while expanding the depths of the mind and breath. He believes in creating a joyful, compassionate vinyasa flow that will also challenge you. Frank is a graduate of the 200 hour Yogamaya teacher training program, a graduate of the Equinox Fitness Training Institute, and holds a B.A.from Middlebury College in Middelbury, VT. Frank is an Eagle Scout, jumps out of planes, has run the NYC Marathon twice, and watched the sun rise from the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Jenna Zabala
Jenna Zabala (Pavandeep Kaur) was introduced to Kundalini Yoga by the recommendation of her Vinyasa teacher and since then has never looked back. She discovered Kundalini Yoga at Golden Bridge Yoga NYC in 2007 and has since become a certified teacher through IKYTA with her training from Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Gurushabd, Tej Kaur, Harijiwan and Sat Siri. She is also trained in the Radiant Child Yoga Program under the leadership of Shakta Khalsa. When she found Kundalini Yoga she was immediately drawn in by the power of the practice and experienced a huge transformation and awakening. She passionately believes that the kriyas and meditations can help walk you through your fears, release worries and stress. The technology of Kundalini Yoga is a gift for healing the planet and for finding inner peace within our human experience. You will develop your intuitive awareness, open your heart, and strengthen your commitment to your authentic Self. Jenna has had the good fortune of studying Kundalini Yoga and Meditation in Rishikesh, India at the International Yoga Festival and at the Summer Solstice Celebration in Espanola, New Mexico. “If you cannot see God in all, you cannot see God at all.” ― Yogi Bhajan Jenna is also a nationally and NYS Licensed Massage Therapist. As a graduate of The Swedish Institute in New York City she earned an Associate’s Degree in Occupational Studies and also holds a BFA in Dance from the City College of New York (CCNY). She has studied Ohashiatsu at the Ohashi Institute; Thai Yoga Bodywork with renowned instructors Jonas Westring and Michael Buck; and is a Nationally Certified Teacher of the Alexander Technique through the American Center for the Alexander Technique’s (ACAT) three-year training program. In the coming year Jenna will be training to become an IntenSati Leader. She resides in Brooklyn with her daschund Snuffles. For more information please visit www.jennazabala.com
Eleonora Zampatti
Eleonora is a native of Milan, Italy.She is a certified personal trainer, nutritionist, yogini and fitness enthusiast.Her wide range of teaching abilities include Pilates, Yogalates, Stretching, Video Dance, Total Body Workout, personal one-on-one fitness training and a unique strength and conditioning class designed especially for dancers and music lovers named E.D.T. (Eleonora Diva Training Fitness Program).Eleonora has always had a passion for fitness. Through dedication and hard work she helps people to reach their goals and empower themselves through strength and wellness, all while having fun.
She has 14 years experience teaching in gyms and dance studios in Italy and NYC.In 2001 Eleonora won first place in Step Choreography in the Italian Aerobics and Step Championships.Eleonora’s career began with varsity synchronized swimming, she moved on to becoming a swim instructor, and ultimately became involved in dance and music.She has been teaching Step, Total Body Workout, Spinning, and Dance Routine classes since 2000.In the last five years, Eleonora added Pilates and Yoga to her interests and competences.She is a M.King Pilates Certified Teacher and She completed 5 years Certified Program at Peridance NYC (Modern Dance, Pilates and Yoga).Eleonora comes from an Ashtanga Yoga background and in 2011 She studied Vinyasa Yoga at Sonic with Johanna Aldrich.After almost ten years as a personal trainer and fitness teacher Eleonora is continually challenging herself, learning new techniques and skills to provide her students with the best possible fitness instruction while incorporating all of her training elements and her passion for vinyasa flow into her classes in unique and exciting ways.
Our Subs
Gia Baker
Marija is a yoga teacher/practitioner, and performer/choreographer. She is an Asthanga yoga student and a Buddhist meditation practitioner. She teaches vinyasa yoga classes, with emphasis on breath, flow, and fluid approach to alignment. Marija is a certified Jivamukti yoga teacher, and has completed Richard Freeman’s teacher’s training in Boulder. Marija holds BFA in dance from Tisch School of the Arts, and MFA in choreography from UC Davis. 
Stacey Ramsower discovered yoga at the age of 14 on a VHS tape in her living room. Instantly hooked, Stacey’s love for the practice carried her through various classes and teachers, retreats and programs of study all over the world. Yoga has become a means of not only maintaining a spiritual connection with herself and her surroundings, but a vehicle to communicate to others the value of self-love and reflection. Using a playful, improvised style and a commitment to strong alignment and mindfulness, Stacey guides yogis of all levels through a vinyasa practice tailored to their needs. Teaching is one of her very favorite things to do!
Elena Lopez Sans
Elena Lopez Sans is a certified Teacher Member of the Alexander Technique International, a Registered Somatic Movement Educator and a certified dance and Yoga teacher for more than 25 years. She offers the “Alexander Technique and Yoga” at three learning levels since 1993 Her Alexander Technique and Yoga ongoing group in Brooklyn just celebrated her 13 year. A dancer and choreographer she has been teaching and offering her work in six different continents. Elena teachers regularly in Manhattan and Brooklyn.