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| Teachers: 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 studied Traditional Thai Massage with several masters in Thailand. At this stage in her career she is most passionate about sharing the art of teaching Yoga and Pilates to others who also want to teach Yoga and Pilates. Each year she picks 5 students of yoga and instructs them to become National Yoga Alliance 200 hour Certified Teachers. This year she will focus upon teaching Pilates Mat Certification that meets the Pilates Method Alliance standards. 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. 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. 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! |
| 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 Studio is a oasis for all who long to shed the stress of daily life. We offer cutting edge Yoga classes and PilatesPlus 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 |
| Caroline |
| Ruthie Bohan |
RUTHIE BOHAN: Having endured debilitating back issues
for several years Ruthie turned to Yoga, seeking relief, as a
last resort. Within one month of beginning yoga at Balance
she was off intense doses of medication and felt finally she
was on the road to recovery. After a year of practicing with
Melissa she decided to increase her knowledge of yoga
by attending yoga teacher training at Balance. Ruthie
teachers Slow Flow Yoga as well as private classes to
clients who suffer with back pain.
Currently Ruthie is expanding her knowledge of back pain
management by studying Pilates with Melissa at Balance.
for several years Ruthie turned to Yoga, seeking relief, as a
last resort. Within one month of beginning yoga at Balance
she was off intense doses of medication and felt finally she
was on the road to recovery. After a year of practicing with
Melissa she decided to increase her knowledge of yoga
by attending yoga teacher training at Balance. Ruthie
teachers Slow Flow Yoga as well as private classes to
clients who suffer with back pain.
Currently Ruthie is expanding her knowledge of back pain
management by studying Pilates with Melissa at Balance.
| "There is a force within you that gives you life - seek that. In your body there lies a priceless jewel - seek that..." -Rumi |
| Laura w/ her daughter |
