Binghamton Yoga Instuctors

Instructors
		Kim Gruber, MS, RYT Kim began her yoga practice in 2003 and began teaching within a year of starting her practice. Her love of yoga began with her immediate connection to the intensity and discipline of the Ashtanga practice . . . "I distinctly remember within only a few months of starting my yoga practice, knowing that it would be a lifelong practice." She began her study of Ashtanga with Lea Perfetti, at Tri-Cities Yoga and after two years of dedicated Ashtanga practice started to explore other styles of yoga including: Bikram, Iyengar, Power, and Vinyasa Flow yoga. Her current practice and teaching is inspired by the rhythm of the Ashtanga practice, the alignment of Iyengar, and the freedom of Vinyasa Flow. Along with many hours of self-practice and study, Kim has completed: the Tri-Cites Yoga Studio teacher training (2003), a 40-hour Ashtanga yoga teacher training with David Swenson (2004), and a 200-hour Yoga Alliance teacher training with Jacqueline Heisel, at Frog Lotus Yoga (2007). Kim approaches every step onto the yoga mat as an opportunity to learn and is constantly humbled by the depth of the practice. Kim received a B.S. in Biology from Binghamton University and an M.S. in Exercise Science from SUNY Cortland. As part of her graduate studies she conducted research on the physical fitness and psychological effects of Power yoga practice. Kim is a certified Health/Fitness Instructor with the American College of Sports Medicine and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), with Yoga Alliance.

		Jason Shaw For Jason, yoga is the natural evolution of his life-long pursuit of self-improvement. Yet, unlike most yoga teachers, he did not immediately fall in love with the discipline. Instead, he needed to reach the right time and place in his life to realize how life-enhancing yoga can be. Building on an athletic background, Jason looks back and sees a broad path of activities leading to this point. Starting with nearly fifteen years of dedicated, weight-lifting and over-lapped with nearly five years of martial arts study, yoga finally makes sense. It balances strength with flexibility, focus with insight, and builds awareness on many levels. It takes the best aspects of so many other disciplines and merges them into a single, salient system capable of being practiced along a spectrum of intensity levels. Having become a dedicated student himself by 2002, he soon became consumed by it. He trained to teach with Lea Perfetti and Jenny Crimmins at Tri-Cities Yoga and hasn't looked back. By late 2003 he was teaching on a regular basis. However, his own practice has not ended. Teaching is simply another way to enhance his own awareness while simultaneously passing the seeds of his passion on to others.

		Kristen Keuter, MS, RYT Kristen has enjoyed practicing yoga since 1998. She fell in love with yoga immediately. That love is continually nourished by connecting with other wonderful yoga teachers, attending various workshops, reading, and practicing yoga. "I have a deep appreciation of the growth that can be acquired through not only my own personal practice, but by connecting with other yoga instructors and students." Kristen discovered her breath, learned to better manage energy and realized the potential for constant growth on and off the mat. In addition, Kristen has completed several certifications. Tri-cities Yoga Studio teacher training (2003), and 200-hr Yoga Alliance teacher training with Jacqueline Heisel, at Frog Lotus Yoga Studio in the beautiful Berkshires of MA (2005). She received additional training in Radiant Child Yoga Program Level 1-2, with Shakta Kaur Khalsa at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health (2004), and training from Karen O'Donnell Clarke in Adaptive Chair Yoga for MS (2007). Kristen is a full-time Special Education teacher for the Union-Endicott School District . She is a yoga instructor at Binghamton Yoga, Bally's Gym and teaches an after school "Little Yogis" class in the Vestal School District. Kristen's instruction is intended to expand awareness of the body, mind and spirit.

		Elisa Camiscioli, PhD, RYT Elisa has been teaching yoga since 1997. She is an Anusara-Inspired instructor and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance. Elisa began practicing Anusara Yoga in 2007 and was immediately drawn to its dynamic synthesis of alignment, community, and heart-opening creative expression. She currently studies with senior-certified Anusara instructors Desirée Rumbaugh and, Christina Sell, and has attended Anusara Teacher Trainings with Desirée, Sianna Sherman, and Amy Ippoliti, as well as with John Friend, founder of Anusara Yoga. Elisa's eclectic background includes several years of devoted Astanga Vinyasa practice, during which she studied with Lino Miele in both the United States and Italy. She has worked extensively with Ana Forrest and Seane Corn, completing a Vinyasa Flow Teacher Training with Seane, as well as the Off the Mat, Into the World Leadership Training in spiritual activism. She has also studied Vipassana meditation. You can contact Elisa at Elisa@BinghamtonYoga.com.

		Sherry Evanek, MA, CYT Sherry is a certified yoga teacher (CYT,) who has a love of sharing the wonderful practice of yoga. She received her certification from the Himalayan Institute in PA. and continues to attend seminars and training at the Institute focusing on Hatha yoga. Sherry received an M.A. degree from Binghamton University . A portion of her formal studies at Binghamton U. consisted of alternative work with a focus on wellness. Throughout the years, she has attended a variety of wellness workshops and seminars and continues to do so. Sherry's classes are designed for everyone and focus on the practice of fundamental postures, breath awareness and relaxation of body and mind in an effort to promote physical and psychological well-being.

		Linda O'Neill A knee injury during Kyokushin karate training started Linda on the road to yoga. After knee surgery in 2004, she started learning and practicing yoga to help with her recovery. For Linda, it was the perfect choice. Yoga, like karate, combines the discipline of strengthening the body and improving flexibility while focusing on breath, mind, and body awareness. Linda believes that "No matter what the age, yoga is a never-ending pursuit to improve the body and mind while enjoying the journey". Linda began attending classes at Binghamton Yoga in 2005, and as time progressed she became fully immersed in the practice of yoga. This dedicated self-practice has naturally unfolded into Linda beginning the practice of teaching yoga. Linda has completed certifications in YogaFit Teacher Training Levels 1, 2, 3, Anatomy & Alignment, YogaFit PreNatal/PostPartum, and YogaFit Seniors. We are happy to have Linda join our staff here at Binghamton Yoga, where she can now begin to pass on her knowledge and dedication to other students of yoga.

		Yvette Bulger Oakley Yvette began practicing yoga in 1997 and currently has completed over 1,200 hours of Yoga Alliance approved yoga teacher training in 4 different styles of yoga: Kripalu, Kinepathics, Tantra and Hatha Yoga in the Svaroopa(R) Style. Included in these trainings is a 500-hour-level certification meeting the Yoga Alliance requirements in the study of Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha, Pranayama, Meditation, Yoga Philosophy and Somatics. Yvette has been teaching yoga 7 out of the last 10 years at locations such as Inner Space Yoga Studio in Johnson City (a studio she opened and co-owned), the Binghamton YWCA, JDE Salon and Spa in Montrose, The Montrose Adult School, yoga retreats and workshops in Jamaica, British Columbia, Hawaii and Montana as well as meeting with private clients in NY, PA and Florida. Besides yoga, Yvette enjoys bicycling, playing "the oldies" on her keyboard at The Homesteads-Asisted Living for the Aging, composing piano music and writing creative non fiction. Yvette is currently studying Expressive Arts through a BA Independent Degree Program at Burlington College Yvette is thrilled to be joining the team of instructors at Binghamton Yoga and can't wait to meet you in class!

		Emily Witherspoon Emily fell in love with yoga 15 years ago when she took her first class. Since then she has practiced and studied various forms of yoga and has found unique benefits in each style. Emily became certified at the 200 hour level with Asheville Yoga Center and is currently in the 500 hour Teacher Training with Lighten Up Yoga also in Asheville, North Carolina. She has been teaching yoga for over six years and is also certified in pre and post natal yoga as well as a trained Doula and meditation instructor. Emily teaches an alignment based flow style class. She believes that through correct alignment one can gain freedom in both mind and body. Her guiding principle is that yoga is not just for creating a flexible body but more importantly a flexible and open mind. Emily has taught classes with students ranging in age from 5 to 85 and feels comfortable teaching all ability levels. A native of Endicott, Emily recently moved back from the mountains of North Carolina with her husband and three young boys.

		Sheila Bunnell Sheila Bunnell began studying yoga in 1998. She soon began training with Joan White, one of Iyengar Yoga’s senior instructors and in 2007 became a certified Instructor for the Iyengar Yoga system. Besides her involvement with the Iyengar teacher’s training program, Sheila has continued to pursue her education, studying with a number of Iyengar instructors including, Patricia Walden, Carolyn Christie, Peentz Dubble, and Kofi Busia. She has attended numerous workshops and training events including several classes with BKS Iyengar as well as Prashant and Geeta in the US and/or in India. She has also attended several lectures with Edwin Bryant on the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and studied Anatomy/Physiology and Kinesiology at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy. For the month of February, 2010 she studied at the Iyengar Institute in Pune, India and is currently enrolled in the next level of the Iyengar teacher training program with Joan White. Sheila was the Staff Yoga instructor at the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven CT for four years and has taught numerous classes and workshops at Yoga in Middletown since 2002. Having recently moved to Cortland County, NY she looks forward to becoming involved in the local Yoga community. For more information please visit www.SheilaBunnell.com.