AMANDA ZAPANTA
For the past eight years, Amanda has immersed herself in daily yoga practice. She has extensive training in various styles of yoga and has trained with senior teachers including Cindy Lee, Shannon Gannon, Ramanada Patel & Dharma Mittra. Amanda is a certified yoga instructor with the Yoga Alliance and has her advance training with Leslie Kaminoff in 'Breath Centered Yoga'. In additon to being the founder and head instructor at The Ladybird Center, Amanda also teaches at Life in Motion, The Breathing Project, Namaste, Reebock Sports Club, Om Factory and many other places across Manhattan. In addition she works with many clients privately who have injuries, helping them to work out a personal practice to help strengthen their bodies and ease their pain.
Amanda's experience as a professional dancer and licensed Thai Bodyworker is often reflected in her balanced teaching style. Her classes are fun, lively and energetic, though also focused on anatomical alignment, healing and spiritual awareness. Looking for some serenity while still getting a good workout? Come and flow with the breath and take Amanda's class.
OLA AHMAD
Inspired to teach the sacred tradition of yoga after practicing for 6 years, Ola gained her teaching certification from Integral Yoga Institute in New York where she also taught. She later taught for two years in Washington Heights at Eclectic Yoga Studio and the Prayag Center. It is a joy for Ola to now be a member of The Ladybird Center. Through asanas (poses), pranayama (breathing exercises), yoga nidra (deep relaxation), and meditation, she encourages students to live their truth on and off the mat. She is grateful for the guidance and influence of Rudra Sisco, Mitra Somerville, Sister Maitreyi, Swami Ramananda, His Holiness Sri Swami Satchidananda, the Integral Yoga community, John Friend, Seane Corn, and Zhenja La Rosa. With special acknowledgments to her partner, Ben May, and to Elvis, her cat, who is a yogi in his own right.
Paul Gruen, a New York native, found his passion in yoga. His practice has led him to India numerous times to discover yoga philosophy, spiritual and physical practices to incorporate into his teaching. He teaches at various centers around Manhattan, including Om Factory and Levitate Yoga. Paul also teaches classes and workshops on the harmonium, and plays kirtan with his band, Japa.
Visit:www.paulgruenyoga.com
SHAWNA EMERICK
Growing up in Dayton, Ohio, Shawna Emerick was always into something! Soccer, basketball, drumming, traveling, and dancing; always exploring new territories and opening herself to the world! Shawna continued by meeting fresh faces and new spirits in college, where she earned her B.S. degree in Dance from Ball State University, Muncie, IN. Without stopping, she took the challenge of moving to NYC, where she would pursue her dream of ‘being in a dance company wherever she lived’. Meeting that goal, Shawna remembered one class in college that made her body and mind feel good and re-connected to yoga upon arriving in NYC! Here she has found her vehicle for creating more “happier, healthier, and confident lives” for others through gaining her 200 Hr. Eclectic Hatha yoga certification through Yandara Yoga Institute.
Shawna has now been teaching all levels of yogis for almost four years! She also holds a Karma Kids yoga certification and The 200 Hr. Prana Yoga Certification through the Open Center of NY! Her excitement and love for exploration of the mind, body, spirit connection continues in her life and is shared through her teachings of yoga! She is alignment oriented, supportive towards each persons exploration within their own body through a sense of freedom, and always goes by her motto “Breathe and Believe”!
Om lokah, samastah, sukino, bhavantu. Om Shanti, shanti, shantihi.
-May all beings in the universe be happy and peaceful. Om peace, peace, peace.-
SHARON BORDEN
The eternal student, Sharon has studied with
many of the finest yoga teachers including Sharon
Gannon, Amrit Desai, JonT of Atmananda, Tim Ryan,
Eric Small and Tao Porchon-Lynch. She has been
inspired by all her teachers but most especially
by 78 year old Eric Small who overcame his Multiple
Sclerosis to become a powerful and inspiring teacher
and example to his students, and also by Tao
Porchon-Lynch who at 88 is truly a most amazing
yogi and uplifting teacher. Sharon currently teaches
at the Integral Yoga Institute where she was
originally certified. She also teaches at the
Ladybird Center and is registered with the
Yoga Alliance. Sharon gives reiki while creating a
loving flow of movement with a focus on the breath
leading to yogic sleep and meditation. Each phase of
the class is taught as a step leading us into an
experience of our own essential nature, which is one of
peace. Her teaching is enhanced by the use of reiki,
the Japanese technique for stress reduction and
relaxation that also promotes healing. She received
her Master's level certification from Unconditional
Reiki under her Reiki Master and mentor Louisa
Portier-Stanfiel.
NANCY ELKES
I have been a yoga practitioner for ten years and a teacher of kundalini yoga, vinyasa yoga, and pilates for seven years. It was the kundalini yoga that inspired my spiritual life and my decision to become a teacher. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to teach here at The Ladybird Center. I would like to offer thanks to Hari Kaur, Dana Flynn, Dharma Mittra, and Gurmukh, for showing me just how great a teacher can be.
Music by: Andrew Zapanta (Find Your Way) from Avocado Pilgrims TO BUY ALBUM OR FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION CLICK Andrew Zapanta
