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
Balance Yoga Pilates Studio is a haven for all who long to shed the stresses of daily life.  We
offer cutting edge Yoga classes and Pilates Mat classes designed by Melissa that will add
Balance to your life by strengthening the core, stretching the body and soothing the soul.
Jeff
Toni Porrello
Melissa