Bio
The Yogi Coach
Certifications – Training
“Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory.” ~Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois
- Certified 200 hour Hatha Yoga instructor – RYT-200
- In-depth training in Kripalu Yoga
- Train at North End Yoga, Boston with Alicia Orr (a frequent guest instructor at Kripalu Institute)
- Attend annual advance training by Ashtanga guru, David Swenson, Boston
- Trained with Baron Baptiste, Boston
- Instructed yoga for several years in fitness clubs
- Also practiced in Bikram, Yin-Yang and Restorative Yoga
Teaching
“Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” –William Butler Yeats
Instruct all levels of hatha yoga including special classes in restorative and vinyasa. No two classes will be the same. Classes will have elements of Kripalu, Ashtanga and yin-yang. Workshops are offered during the year with in-depth focus and training in chakras, pranayama techniques and restorative yoga. Private classes are also offered with customized training for specific health and fitness needs. Regardless of the class, there will always be emphasis on meditation and breathing techniques (pranayama), self-awareness and proper alignment (asana) and a resting period concluding the class (savasana).
Also offer:
- Yoga on the Lawn – yoga is conducted in harmony with nature which creates a refreshed and invigorating experience
- Yoga on the Beach – an enhanced yoga practice that is guided by the serene and natural sounds of the beach
Philosophy
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” ~Nelson Henderson
Yoga has so much to offer, yet it is so misunderstood.
Honoring the ageless practice of yoga is invigorating, refreshing and creates that special vitality we all seek. However, new students sometimes do not see the benefits at first. Some poses may seem overwhelming, or their focus is distracted and even breathing techniques can become a challenge. Yet other times physical limitations seem to be a hurdle which leads to frustration. Hopefully, my goal is to teach with a special care, focus on individualistic needs and work as a team to overcoming each obstacle that presents itself. Yoga offers something for everyone. My mission is to lead and guide each person down the path of yoga in a safe and caring fashion – that is best for them.
Community Service
“A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses.” ~Chinese Proverb
The Yogi Coach is proud to have supported many Central New York fund raising events :
- Sole sponsor of the 2011 & 2012 Samaritan dinner to feed 150
- Assisted in My Best Friend Raffle raising $10,000 for Luke, a Camillus autistic child that received a specially trained service dog in the spring of 2010.
- Assisted in Styles and Sweets for Scholars fund-raiser to establish scholarships for our CNY youths
- Assisted in fund-raising for The Phoenix community park children’s playground
- Offers special program for the unemployed as well as senior and student discounts
Background
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
Yoga has been a path I entered after many years of seeking to de-stress and to find that special inner peace.
A wellness program has always been important part of my life style. I enjoy vigorous biking, hiking and regular work-outs at the fitness club. However, I have always known something was still lacking. It wasn’t until I tried Yoga some 10 years ago that I truly felt peaceful, calm, relaxed and in harmony. What was even more amazing – Yoga allowed me to grow in personal ways and was a perfect supplement to my wellness program.
So, after a few years of attending a wide range of yoga classes from hot haus to Bikram, Yin Yang to Dharma Mitra level II, I decided to take my Yoga practice to deeper level. I devoted myself to become a certified hatha yoga instructor. Why teach Yoga? Why now? Because I experienced the transformation and growth from Yoga that traditional fitness programs lacked, that chiropractors lacked, that meds lacked and even physicians lacked. It was all possible with yoga thus sharing the experience with others was the natural next step.
Some themes over the past 30 years are my passion to teach, coach and mentor. These passions have blended naturally into my yoga instructions. It has allowed me to communicate better with the young and old alike. Since teaching yoga, I have seen the peace and joy that yoga brings to all my students, ranging from 16 to 81 years old. I believe yoga is for everyone regardless of their age or physical capabilities – it offers harmony to everyone.
Teaching Yoga is not about me – it is about my students! My students all have different needs. Each of them is unique and that’s just the way it should be!
Everything is fine just the way it is!
Namaste,
Jeff
