BEYOND TRAINING

 Teacher Training Graduates Talk About Their Individual Paths
Michelle Lippitt
200/500 hour-certified
Graduated 2014, 2016
Social Worker/Psychotherapist, Yoga Teacher

After her yoga certification, Michelle went on to earn her masters in social work. In addition to psychotherapy she offers individualized yoga at a mental health recovery practice and privately.
 
The gift of an individualized daily yoga practice that incorporates asana, pranayama, and chanting, has changed the course of my life. Through the rigorous training at TYSNY, I’ve deepened not only my own practice, but can now offer individualized yoga to clients in a therapeutic setting. To share these gifts, to offer these practices that bring us back to our wholeness is a joy. This training and tradition is unparalleled in its power to address the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
Denise Friedson
200/500 hour-certified
Graduated 2014, 2016
Corporate Office Administrator, Teacher Training Assistant, Yoga Teacher
Denise has taught in doctor's offices and people's homes; for yoga studios and charitable organizations; working with children, underprivileged teens, and adults at all life stages. Currently she teaches weekly zoom classes. She also assists guest teacher Fran Ubertini, her mentor in this Krishnamacharya tradition.

Once I started the TYSNY training I was able to understand from a teacher’s point of view how this tradition works. Not my agenda, but what's going on in front of me, how do I apply the tools I've learned to make a feasible class that the people right there can relate to. The beauty is I can address the different needs of students of all ages and in various settings. It gives me immense satisfaction especially working with women in various stages of transition: pre-natal, post-natal, and senior populations. Learning to work within this tradition has greatly improved what I offer, and how I approach and support each student.
MX Oops
200/500 hour-certified
Graduated 2011, 2016
Transmedia Artist, Assistant Professor of Somatics

MX integrates yoga into Body and Wellness and Body in Society classes, and also teaches Yoga Philosophy in the Department of Music, Multimedia, Theatre & Dance at Lehman College CUNY.

I was excited to find the approach to yoga that I was looking for, that integrated the physical, energetic, breath, and mind, with a strong cultural and philosophical context. TYSNY’s training is both specific and broad, and flexible for adaptation. This made it useful for teaching in the university framework, and for developing curriculum.
Barbara Galvagni
200/500&700 hour-certified
Graduated 2010, 2012, 2013
Retired Bookkeeper/Accountant, Yoga Teacher
Barbara teaches a hybrid class three times a week in her home studio on Long Island.

As an older person, I knew studio teaching wasn’t right for me. Guta encouraged me to find a church space, volunteer, or take a few students at home, so I did, step by step, starting with a donation can. When the pandemic hit, my students were desperate to connect by zoom—some were 80-year olds with iPads. I went to teaching three times a week and even started a zoom coffee klatsch Saturday mornings, just to talk and share resources to survive the pandemic together. We became a community and still are. And Guta is still my teacher, updating my practice every few months and guiding me on my yoga path.
Shieri Yamafuji
200/500 hour-certified
Graduated 2018, 2020
Performer, Pilates Teacher, Personal Trainer, Yoga Studio Manager, Yoga Teacher
Shieri teaches weekly classes at a yoga studio in Brooklyn and privately. She instructs the chanting and pranayama component for a teacher training there, where she also works as an administrator.

Although already 200 hour certified when I embarked on the Yoga School’s training, I was feeling stuck and unsure—looking for direction. I immediately knew my experience as a practitioner would be transformed. I came to understand that yoga is not just about movement or achieving goals; it’s a profound life lesson. Due to Guta’s encouragement, I studied at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai, India, further enriching my path in yoga.
Barbara Gruich
200/500 hour-certified
Graduated 2011, 2018
Fashion Agent, Yoga Teacher
Barbara teaches individualized yoga in her hometown of Milan, Italy. She is pursuing studies in Chennai, India, to become a yoga therapist.
 
The deeper knowledge I gained in the 500 hour teacher training helped me work with people one to one, leading to my interest in yoga therapy. I learned to identify which aspect of yoga made sense for each individual and their particular mental or physical issues, especially stress—which asana and how to adapt it, or which type of pranayama, or a certain mantra or visualization. I experienced the healing and strength-building aspects of yoga myself when I broke my knee skiing and had two subsequent surgeries. Yoga asana practice was my rehabilitation: I recovered perfectly!
Pasquale Antonio
200/500 hour-certified
Graduated 2017, 2018
Holistic Wellness Business Owner and Practitioner,  Martial Arts Teacher, Yoga Teacher

Pasquale is a massage therapist in North Carolina who incorporates yoga into his holistic wellness services: one-to-one therapy, movement and wellness education, and group classes for corporate clients.

I was looking for a training that would teach me to individualize the work, rather than learn a huge toolkit and make everyone fit into that. For me, working with the breath is the most important focus I got from the training, and learning a systematic, objective approach to looking at an individual. Probably 1/3 of my clients are on a yoga “prescription”—guided to do a daily practice. Many come in for massage and end up practicing yoga.
Elisabeth Sydor
200 hour-certified, currently enrolled in 500 hour
Graduated 2022
Writer-Editor, Yoga Teacher
A once-a-week lunchtime class at the university campus where she worked was Elisabeth’s start after graduating. Now she teaches an early evening class at the Community Center in Palisades, near where she lives.

This training is different in how it emphasizes an individualized personal practice as foundational to all we learn about teaching. My practice is a place to return to every day—my breath is different each day, my body and emotions may feel different, but the intention to focus and quiet my mind is the same. Every few months when I feel I’m ready, Guta will update and customize it for me. I cannot imagine teaching yoga without a daily personal practice.
Allison Campbell
200/500&700 hour-certified
Graduated 2010, 2011, 2012
Creative Writing Teacher, Poet, Yoga Teacher
Post-teacher trainings, Allison earned her PhD in literature and creative writing. In addition to teaching creative writing at an arts-based charter school and writing poetry, she teaches yoga to youth affected by the carceral system.
 
The discipline I was introduced to at the Yoga School NY quickly became integral to my personal and professional life and helped me establish a daily practice that continues to support my physical and mental health. From this foundation of personal practice, I incorporate pranayama and meditation into my creative writing instruction, offer yoga and meditation to my colleagues, and share with some of the most vulnerable people in my larger community of New Orleans.
Vic Gazzini
200 hour-certified
Graduated 2016
Retired Electrician, Yoga Teacher

Vic teaches group classes for a holistic healing center in Westchester NY, and privately on zoom. During the pandemic he initiated zoom classes, and maintains continuity with his students as he moves from locations in New York and Florida.
 
When I was young I set out to teach high school, but ended up working as an electrician. Teaching yoga now fulfills that inclination. I love this tradition and want people to want it—so I don’t do a hard sell, I let the teaching happening organically. Students come to me and stick with me.

The Yoga School NY — T[email protected] — Tel. 212-566-4631