| Teachers: Having studied with some of the world’s leading teacher MELISSA GRIFFITH, E.R.Y.T. guides students with a warm, compassionate style that includes an element of fun. In her private practice she works 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 Mat Pilates and Pilates Reformer. She is currently studying Pilates Advanced Reformer with Lesley Powell at Movements Afoot in NYC and Wendy Zimmerman at Pilates by Wendy in Highland Park . As well as director of Balance Yoga 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. SARA TIMM:Bio coming soon! KRISTEN WOODS: Bio coming soon! 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. ALISSA SHANESON: In 2002, Alissa started taking yoga classes in order to alleviate tightness in her back from years of weightlifting and sitting in an office chair. The yoga not only helped to alleviate the back stress but also began to calm her overactive mind. After being in the chemical industry for 5 years Alissa decided to start a new path and left the industry to focus on her yoga practice. After her first teacher training with David Swenson, not to become a teacher but to deepen her personal practice, something she never expected to happen...she began teaching yoga. Alissa's focus is to help people relax in the postures, not to stress over what they cannot do or the challenges they face but to be in the present moment and breathe. Alissa can be reached at www.omofashtanga.com. JEFFaka Jeffro: 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! |
| In the end, only three things matter: How fully you have lived, how deeply you have loved, and how well you have learned to let go of the things not meant for you. --Buddha |

| Kristen and Tim |
![]() |



| Jeff |

| Toni Porrello |
| Melissa |