| Who we are Having studied with some of the world’s leading teachers MELISSA GRIFFITH, E.R.Y.T. guides students with a warm, compassionate style that includes an element of fun. In her 12 + years of teaching she has worked with a variety of adults and children who have physical limitations, including those with life threatening diseases and debilitating illness. In addition to teaching yoga Melissa is certified through Balanced Body University to teach Advanced Pilates Mat/Reformer and registered with the Pilates Method Alliance. Melissa has also created two classes Core Flow Fusion® and Core Flow Fusion® Yoga. Both are designed to build a strong core, develop all-over strength, improve your posture, focus your mind and soothe your soul. Melissa is currently studying Natural and Whole Foods Nutrition at The Natural Gourmet Institute and The Institute for Integrative Nutrition with the intention of educating the public on cooking with whole and traditional foods as well as the healing benefits of them. As well as director of Balance Studio, Melissa taught and directed Yoga programs at Princeton University for seven years. While at Princeton Melissa specialized in yoga programs for athletes. Today she still trains many world-class athletes of all ages. TIM SHAHADY: Tim is a recent graduate of the Yoga Works 500 hour Professional Teacher Training in New York City. In addition to his intense training at Yoga Works he has taken workshops to further his knowledge of yoga tradition and philosophy with nationally known teachers Sean Corne, Douglas Stewart and Mark Whitwell among others. We are so excited to have Tim join our staff. His gentle demeanor and easy-going attitude compliment the great energy we've created here at Balance. JEFF aka Jeffro: Bio coming! LAURA BOWES: Bio coming! CAROLINE ZEMKOSKI , CYT, MSOTR/L Caroline began her yoga practice in 1995. During her 14+ year journey, she has practiced and studied in New York, Miami and Los Angeles; embracing yoga styles including, but not limited to: hatha, vinyasa, Kundalini and Bikram. She was formally trained as a yoga instructor at White Lotus in Santa Barbara, CA, in 2007 under the supervision of Ganga White and Tracey Rich. Caroline has customized and taught yoga classes for diverse populations including: a chair sequence for the geriatric population, a floor sequence for children with developmental delays and a vinyasa sequence for a championship-winning collegiate lacrosse team. Her understanding of human anatomy, physiology and the healing properties of movement is strengthened by her work as an occupational therapist, currently in a rehabilitation center for individuals suffering from acquired brain injury. Caroline joined Balance Yoga as an instructor in February of 2009. TONI PORRELLO: Toni has her B.A. in English from Kean University and is currently in grad school at Fairleigh Dickinson University obtaining her M.F.A. in creative writing. Years ago, she was first introduced to yoga and pilates by her sister. She left the first class feeling invigorated, with a sense of peace and accomplishment. Right away, she began a regular yoga practice. Before she had started yoga, she could barely touch her knees when folding forward. After just three months, she was able to touch the ground. That was just one of the many positive changes she began to notice throughout her body and mind. Working years for a chiropractor, she aways had a deep understanding of the body and of the importance of fitness and health, but now yoga personally had touched her and she knew it would be a life-long practice. After years of deepening her practice she realized what a great opportunity it would be to share yoga with others through teaching. That's when she found Balance Yoga Center! She feels very grateful to have had the opportunity to train under Melissa. After enjoying her yoga training so much, Toni decided to get certified in Pilates as well. She had an awesome opportunity to train under her sister, Carly Porrello. Toni urges her students to remember, while yoga and pilates are serious practices, most of all it is a time to get to know yourself and to enjoy all the benefits. You should have fun! |

| Kristen and Tim |


| Jeff |
| Toni Porrello |
| Melissa |

| Caroline |
| Ruthie Bohan |


| Laura w/ her daughter |

