Purple Om Yoga Teachers

Jan Bresnick	Jonnie Lester
Nancy Candea	Claire Lichtenstein
Gary Carbone	Janice Molinari
Jamie Discher	Nancy Nusbaum
Amy Hamilton	Krista Wood

Claire Lichtenstein:
Yoga Teacher & Owner of Purple Om Yoga

Claire is passionate about yoga and its benefits and one of her greatest joys is to share these with others. Her focus on alignment allows experienced students to get deeper (and more safely) into poses whilst offering beginners a strong foundation for their yoga practice. Claire’s classes are fun and playful and will leave you feeling blissful.

Claire has several yoga certifications and considers herself a continual student of yoga. She was certified in hatha yoga in early 2007. In 2008 she completed a 200hr Anusara Immersion and Teacher Training at Yogaphoria, PA with Sue Elkind and Naime Jezzeny. In 2010 she took an advanced Teacher Training with Amy Ippoliti and Ross Rayburn. In addition she has also had some training in Iyengar Yoga with Theresa Rowland, Director and Owner of Studio Yoga in Madison. Claire is also certified in Prenatal Yoga (MaYoga, NYC) and Kids’ Yoga (Karma Kids Yoga, NYC). She is an Experienced Yoga Teacher registered with Yoga Alliance (eRYT). Claire practices yoga and meditation daily and credits it with completely changing her appreciation of, and outlook on, life.

In addition Claire has attended workshops with John Friend, Amy Ippoliti, Noah Maze, Desiree Rumbaugh, Todd Norian, Sianna Sherman, Bruce Bowditch, Kofi Busia,Richard Freeman and Elise Miller, amongst others. She is very grateful to all of her teachers and especially Hillary Freeman who has taught her so much. Claire also attends yoga retreats when time allows and has enjoyed stays of varying lengths at the Sivananda Ashrams in both NY and The Bahamas as well as Ananda Ashram in upstate NY. It is one of Claire’s dreams to visit India and she is confident that she will get there one day!

Jonnie Lester:
Yoga Teacher & Owner of From The Heart Massage

Jonnie has a style of Hatha Yoga that allows her students to experience a joyful path to health and happiness. “Practicing yoga has helped to bring more clarity and balance into my own life. My goal for my students is to help them attain the awakening of the moment, which leads them to the awareness of peace and well being of their body, mind and spirit.”

Jonnie received her 200 and 500 hour Hatha Yoga Certification with Yoga Harmony. She also has received her 200 hour Kripalu Yoga Certification from Kripalu Yoga Center in Massachusetts with Devarshi Steven Hartman and Megha Nancy Buttenheim. Jonnie continues to teach Yoga and Meditation sessions with Julie Maloney at the Women Reading Aloud workshops.

Jonnie is a Certified Massage Therapist adept in many different massage modalities as well as energy work such as Reiki and Integrated Energy Therapy.

Nancy Candea:
Yoga Teacher

Nancy Candea, CYT, E-RYT, CPT, is the founder and director of Yoga Impact. She has been directing Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher trainings since 2008. Her own yoga practice has sustained her since 1986 and she has been teaching yoga since 1997.

Nancy teaches yoga classes and workshops, gives private yoga therapy instruction, has owned a yoga studio in Hawaii and produced a yoga DVD.Nancy's classes embrace the flow yoga approach, which develops a strong core stability and alignment base. They consist of dynamic yoga poses for strength, flexibility, balance, breath work and deep relaxation. Hands-on adjustments, understanding of our subtle energy core and vitality, and how the work of our yoga practice translates to our lives are all included in her energizing classes. Her style is influenced by her training in Iyengar, Ashtanga, Anusara and personal training techniques. When she isn’t teaching yoga, Nancy spends time with her husband, two adult daughters, dog and loves to go out ballroom dancing. NancyCandea.com

Amy Hamilton:
Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher

Amy began her yoga studies in the Iyengar method in the early nineties, finding it was the perfect way to blend her love of movement and study of the body/mind connection in order to live a balanced life. She completed her teacher training with Theresa Rowland of Studio Yoga and has since earned her Certification with the Iyengar Association of the United States; IYNAUS. Amy is also a Certified Yoga Trainer for Scoliosis having completed a training program with Elise Miller. Amy continues regular study through weekly classes and intensives with many Senior Level yoga teachers.

A strong background in dance influences Amy’s teaching. She holds a M.A. in Dance from New York University, beginning a career first in modern dance and later in ballroom dance. With a full teaching schedule of group and private classes, Amy also helps students cope with injuries, scoliosis, and setting up a home practice. Her instruction is characterized by her clear understanding of “how to do” the yoga poses as well as concise demonstrations. Yoga philosophy is woven into her teaching along with an appreciation of the joy of exploration.

Amy has had the privilege to work with students of all ages and fitness levels, some who come to strengthen themselves, others looking for increased flexibility, and those who seek the stress relief that her classes provide. She has a special “knack” for making yoga accessible for everyone. AmyHamiltonYoga.com

Jan Bresnick:
Yoga Teacher

Jan Bresnick, MA, RYT 500, teaches yoga, meditation and mindful eating in the Atlantic Health System and at various studios, health clubs and corporations in Morris County. She has been teaching hatha yoga since 2005, but since she is especially interested in the healing and therapeutic aspects of yoga, she is taking additional training in the Iyengar approach at Studio Yoga, in Madison, NJ. She is currently enrolled in their teacher training program and has already completed 200 hrs. She also has a local and long-distance Nondual Kabbalistic Healing practice based in Morristown, NJ.

Gary Carbone:
Tai Chi Instructor

Gary Carbone began learning Chinese Martial Arts, Qigong, and Taijiquan in 1985. He was introduced to these arts by his first teacher, Alex Kiupe. Later, he learned Chen style taijiquan from Jou Tsung Hwa, for a period of five years. In 1999, he met the great Chen Junhao of Shanxi Province China, becoming Mr. Chen's indoor student for three years until the master's death in December 2001, studying Taiji 42, Xingyiquan, Bafan Shou and Mian Zhang Quan. This was followed by 6 years of Yiquan training with Dr. James Kan of NYC. In 2001, Gary competed in the First International Invitational Xingyiquan Competition, placing 2nd in his division. He has recently taken up training again with his first teacher Alex Kiupe. He says: "Learning Taiji, Qigong and martial arts is a path of self-discovery. Through this practice we learn about ourselves, who we are--it is a beautiful path to travel."

Jamie Discher:
Yoga Teacher

Jamie Discher has been practicing yoga for nearly 10 years; she began in the Iyengar tradition but has experimented with many styles before settling into a powerful vinyasa flow. A perpetual student of the yoga lifestyle, she strives to inspire her students to take their yoga practice "off the mat" and into every aspect of their lives. Jamie is a graduate of the Yoga Impact teacher training and tries to embody the precepts of the karmic yogi, volunteering with Yoga Impact and Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey.

Janice Molinari:
Yoga Teacher

Janice C. Molinari rolled out her mat and immediately fell in love with yoga. She found she loved the practice as a form of playful, energetic expression and the Anusara Principles of Alignment helped her find freedom from chronic back pain due to injury. As she deepened her journey, her heart led her onto a more spiritual path. She has been engaged in the study of Srividya Shakta Tantrism, with Dr. Douglas Brooks and has traveled with him on pilgrimage to India. She completed her 200-hour teacher training with two inspiring instructors who made an indelible impression and helped her to shape her teaching style, Hillary Cohen and Emma Magenta.

Janice’s work as an Emmy Award winning television producer has allowed her an in depth look at many different people and cultures. She feels her passion for life shines out through both her storytelling and through her teaching.

Janice’s classes blend the physical asana and her love of philosophy together in a practical, real-world application. Her light-hearted approach to yoga makes her classes engaging and fun. Her goal is to make everyone feel like their mat is their home.

Nancy Nusbaum:
Yoga Teacher

Nancy Nusbaum is a resident of Dover, works in the Department of Instruction & Training at The Seeing Eye, raises puppies for their program. She was fortunate enough to have raised one of their star ambassadors, George, who later adopted her!

Nancy is a certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor and is currently enrolled in Kripalu’s advanced teacher training program. She is also a certified Yoga Synthesis Instructor. She feels that Yoga is a gift that grows by sharing it with others. Her classes are breath-centered, infused with meditation, and encouraging for students wanting to explore their own personal edge with consciousness and purpose.

Krista Wood:
Yoga Teacher

Having first being introduced to yoga as a means to handle personal health issues, Krista has experienced firsthand the therapeutic benefits of a consistent yoga practice. A graduate of the 200 Hour Yoga Impact teacher training, she volunteers her time with Yoga Impact’s outreach programs. Krista is registered with Yoga Alliance and continues her studies in meditation and yoga philosophy and attends advanced yoga teacher trainings, further enhancing her yoga training and ability to work with different populations.

Following in the hatha tradition, students are introduced to a variety of yoga poses, pranayama and meditation as well as yoga philosophy and lifestyle. Cultivating an awareness of the connection between body, mind and breath, students develop strength, balance and flexibility both mentally and physically.