Yoga Teacher Training Graduates

Alice Parini

Alice Parini came to yoga looking for an alternative to running and working out in a gym. With five boys at home between the ages of seven and sixteen and a full time job teaching elementary school, she was looking for a way to alleviate stress, as well. After leaving her very first yoga class feeling nothing short of euphoric, she was hooked. She credits her practice with the ease of delivery of her youngest son. Another child and a change in jobs made for a sporadic yoga practice, but the seed was planted and she continued to be drawn to all aspects of yoga.

With a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from The Ohio State University, Alice is drawn to teaching children and introducing the benefits of yoga to them.

Amy Gatto Klein

Amy Gatto Klein joined her first yoga class while earning her Master’s degree in recreation studies in 2001. Ever since that day, she has been hooked on studying the movement, philosophy and impact of yoga. After spending years studying and practicing on her own, she completed a 200 hour teacher training program with Laurel Hodory in 2011.

With a background and career experience working in public relations and event planning, Amy is currently keeping a very different schedule as a stay-at-home-mom to her two young children. She enjoys instilling mindfulness practices in between playground outings and walks around the neighborhood and treasures this season of her life as a chance to slow down and serve others.

Students of Amy’s note her nurturing spirit and confident ability to lead a class. Amy believes yoga is meant for every body, at every stage of life. Everyone who practices can experience benefits and Amy delights in seeing these metamorphoses on the mat.

Amy Marzluff

Amy was first introduced to yoga 10 years ago by a dear friend of hers. Together, they tried many styles of yoga, unsatisfied and wanting more. After attempting several styles that were too slow, too quiet, or too “out there”, she finally arrived to the one that made her heart soar. In 2000, she took a class with Laurel Hodory that gave her a great workout, made her sweat and left her calm and relaxed. Amy has been practicing yoga for the last 10 years, attending workshops, conference and retreats. She has studied with Seane Corn extensively.

Amy is currently pursuing her yoga certification and will complete her Yoga Teacher Training Certification with Laurel Hodory in November of 2010. Amy is also a Certified Holistic Health Coach and will combine her love of yoga with her passion of health, wellness and spirituality to reach her clients mind, body and spirit.

Students are attracted to Amy’s style: “work me out, make me sweat, and take me spiritually deeper.” Her gentle yet encouraging style inspires her students to get on their mat, face their fears and live and love bigger.

Anastasija Katcyna

Anastasija Katcyna immigrated to the U.S. seven years ago. Her time in the U.S. has been one of deep introspection and personal development. Along the way she decided to acquire a BS degree in Nutrition science. The process of learning and the approach of healthy lifestyle initiated the yoga journey. Through yoga, she found physical, spiritual and emotional nourishment and received her 200 hour yoga certification with Laurel Hodory in the fall of 2009. As a Dietician, she seeks to craft therapeutic approach involving both yoga, nutrition and preventative medicine. Her teaching style is an exploration of the body and mind, both physical and spiritual at once. Anastasija strives to incorporate Power Yoga, Anusara alignment, Kundalini yoga and Asian philosophy into the teaching. She is inspired by the words of St. Francis of Assisi: “The one who you are looking for is who is looking.” Strengthen your health—practice yoga; feel happy.

Angel Delong

Angel Delong’s career in the practice and instruction of Yoga has spanned approximately 14 years. She was initially self-taught utilizing videos and television specialists such as Rodney Yee, Karen Voight, Steve Ross and many others. While continuing her training, she pursued her quest for an instructor who could provide the direction and insights necessary for her to develop a more effective level of Yoga standards. This began when she received 2 fitness related Yoga Instructor Certification in 2006 & 2008. As she continued her venture and struggle for a higher instruction, she was able to attained her goal in 2009 while under the tutelage of Laurel Hodory. Angel completed a 200 hour RYT course which is nationally recognized by the Yoga Alliance, thus achieving her certification in Ashtanga & Hatha Yoga.

During the past 10 years, Angel has practiced as a personal trainer. She has experienced an array of clientèle ranging in age from five to 85. Because of her awareness of how clients experienced a low level of flexibility in mind and body, her involvement and training in Yoga has allowed her to assist her clientèle in accomplishing greater personal goals. She has been extremely motivated in sharing her insights and personal discovers via the venue of Yoga. Her motto, “No matter where you are on your journey of life, you are never to young or old to begin Yoga,” is also her personal conviction shared through her current practice. Her life goal is allowing others to realize their personal strength from within.

Anne Devismes

Anne started her yoga journey in the US in 2005 with an alignment-based Anusara practice. She quickly explored and embraced the vastness of Vinyasa yoga and began practicing Ashtanga regularly as well. Anne started attending classes at Zenit (Trondheim, Norway) in 2009, and she will complete her Yoga Teacher Training Certification with Laurel Hodory in November of 2010, a 200-h Yoga-Alliance program in Ashtanga and Hatha/Vinyasa yoga.

Anne’s life was transformed by yoga, and she now would like to share with others the insights, happiness, and peace that yoga has brought her. She hopes to help her students realize their true potential and see their inner goodness while having fun. She believes that playing and being challenged on the mat is a very powerful way to face challenges off the mat and live a happy, conscious, and fulfilling life.

Anne has a PhD in nuclear physics. Besides practicing and teaching yoga, meditating daily, and enjoying the outdoors, she works as a freelance science editor.

Anne Weidinger

Anne found yoga about 10 years ago. After many years of professional dance and dance education, she was looking for a movement style that would physically challenge her, while being gentler on her body. The physical benefits were great, but Anne was amazed by the sense of calm and peace yoga brought her. Yoga provides a path of self exploration that continues to reinvigorate her and empowers her to live her life ON PURPOSE.

Anne has been teaching since December 2010. Her students have described her as “dynamic” and “inspiring”. Through her understanding of movement, breath and alignment, Anne helps her students develop their practice and self awareness. Her classes are creatively sequenced based on breath and flow.

Anne received her BFA in Dance Performance from The Ohio State University in 2001. She completed her Yoga Alliance Yoga Teacher Training Certificate with Laurel Hodory in June 2011. She is always a student- looking forward to the next chapter on her yoga journey! Anne’s discoveries continue to influence her, both as a teacher and yoga practitioner.

Contact: anne.weidinger [at] gmail.com

Anthea Gifford

Anthea Gifford began her career caring for others in 1999 as a Licensed Social Worker. Frustrated and stressed with her job, she started Bikram Yoga in 2003 to empower herself and balance her life. Her friends, family and colleagues could see a difference in her physically and in her new ability to move through difficult transitions with a calm sensibility. Anthea practiced and taught Bikram Yoga from 2003 to 2008 and during her entire pregnancy.

While Bikram Yoga was her first introduction to yoga, providing both a calming and energizing effect, Anthea wanted to explore deeper aspects and styles of yoga. She enrolled in the 2008 Yoga Teacher Training with Laurel Hodory at It’s Yoga Columus. She is scheduled to receive her 200-level certification in Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga in November 2008.

Among many things, Anthea learned the philosophical dimensions of yoga, how different bodies can interpret the same movement, proper alignment and how to cultivate her own inner voice. Off of her yoga mat, Anthea enjoys running and walking, reading and spending time with her fiancé, Gerry and their 3 year-old son, Jaden.

Ashley Thorndike

Ashley Thorndike began studying Asthanga yoga in Charlottesville,Virginia in 2001. She completed her 200-hour teacher training in the Asthanga and Hatha traditions with Laurel Hodory in November 2009. Ashley holds a B.F.A. in modern dance, a M.Ed. in counseling, and is currently completing a Ph.D. in dance studies. She has taught dance and related movement forms for 10 years in multiple locations. After teaching three semesters of Ashtanga-based courses in the Ohio State University Department of Dance, Ashley’s approach to yoga has shifted to a creative vinyasa class designed to provide opportunities for students to experience physical and emotional strength and flexibility though an emphasis on depth of practice, alignment, and edge.

Becky DiSalvo

As a busy healthcare consultant, Becky DiSalvo relied on her home yoga practice to reduce stress and help her to relax and regain balance. However, the increased travel associated with work made it hard to maintain a consistent practice away from home. Motivated by the desire to deepen the physical aspect of her practice, Becky enrolled in Yoga Teacher Training with Laurel Hodory & Faculty in 2014 and received her certification as a RYT-200. Armed with a deeper understanding of yoga philosophy and the advanced knowledge of how to intelligently sequence postures, Becky now maintains a regular personal practice at home and on the road.

Bente Skille

Bente Skille first entered a yoga shala (or practice studio) in 2004. Ten years later, her desire to share her love of and enthusiasm for the practice led her to enroll in Yoga Teacher Training with Laurel Hodory & Faculty, where she earned her certification in 2014. Her approach to the practice can best be described as a creative process of flow. Bente’s classes link postures in fluid dance-like movements, playful yet still present and at ease. She aspires to help her students find their ground and focus while stimulating their awareness in their everyday lives. In addition to teaching yoga, Bente is an architectural designer and was an assistant professor of architecture at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She is also the founder of BRIS, an ice cream and coffee bar in Buenos Aires.

Bernice Lee

Bernice Lee is currently pursuing a BFA in Dance and Comparative Studies at The Ohio State University. She comes to the United States from Singapore, and is very glad for her family’s love from halfway across the world. Living the life of the body, being given multiple opportunities to discover and rediscover what her mind/body/spirit can do, has been a daily inspiration and surprise. With her knowledge coming from different teachers with different backgrounds in Alexander technique, pilates, experiential anatomy, and various dance techniques, and enriching her current study with Laurel Hodory in Yoga, she hopes to communicate her experiences with others—to help them consciously sense clear, fluid alignment of their highly complex bodies, and enjoy that sensation as they go through their days.

Bethany Pearce

Bethany Pearce discovered yoga in the late 90’s when she was attempting to heal her body, mind and spirit from the abuses of almost 20 years of competitive and professional figure skating. She found yoga to be a transformational practice for her body and spirit. It became a way for her to stay in the present moment grounded and open to her true self. She received her Bachelors of Fine Art degree from The Columbus College of Art and Design and continued to study yoga through the years.

To take her yoga journey to the next level, Bethany enrolled in the Yoga Teacher Training, 200 hr. program of study with Laurel Hodory, graduating in the fall of 2009. Bethany hopes to be an inspiration to her students, to help them open to their inner light and to find happiness, as this is the gift yoga has brought to her.

Bethany lives in the Upper Arlington area with her beloved partner, Eric and her 10-year-old son and his growing pet collection. In her time away from yoga she works as a visual display designer and artist. She loves to travel and to spend time with family and friends.

Beverly Ochieng

Beverly Ochieng’s first exposure to yoga was attending classes with her father in Columbus, OH. Active in volleyball, basketball and track in her youth, she enjoyed the physical aspects of yoga and the pure joy of getting to know her own body. In 2013, Beverly completed Yoga Teacher Training with Laurel Hodory & Faculty and is registered as an RYT-200 through Yoga Alliance. Through her training, Beverly found new pleasure in getting to know her spiritual body through pranayama and meditation as well as her asana practice. She treasures the relationships she has forged with her classmates in teacher training and looks forward to the plethora of options available to her as a yoga teacher and lifelong student. She is excited to start teaching Ashtanga and Hatha yoga classes to her peers at Wittenberg University, where she studies psychology and is a NCAC All-Conference Triple Jumper.

Bonnie Finneran

Bonnie Finneran Recently retired from the Columbus City Attorney’s Office. A proud mother of three children, Bonnie continues her career teaching yoga to all ages. A former Irish Step Dancer with the Richens Academy, Bonnie attended her first yoga class in 2003 and has been practicing avidly since. Bonnie received her YogaFit certification in 2009. Inspired by the teachings of some of her favorite teachers—Lori Fannin, Gwendolyn Surrant—Bonnie enrolled and was received her 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Certification from Laurel Hodory and Faculty (Sally Walsh-Roberts and Mary Donovan) in 2013. The therapeutic benefits of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and healthy alignment of hatha yoga instruction she received proved to be an invaluable tool in her home practice and to her students. She also holds a certification in Pilates through YMCA of the USA. Her philosophy — “If you can breathe you can practice” is one she enjoys proving true as she teaches and inspires her students.

Carrie Hamilton

Carrie Hamilton Since 2003 Carrie Hamilton has enjoyed the mental and physical benefits that yoga has to offer. She has tried several different styles and feels that yoga has helped her through some very difficult times in her life. The desire to share this with others led her to obtain her certification as Registered Yoga Teacher (RTY-200) in 2013. Carrie has also studied polarity therapy, holds a B.A. in Psychology, a Black Belt in Shito-ryu Karate and a Green belt in Taekwondo. Her studies in psychology and polarity therapy enhance her understanding of both Martial Arts and yoga as they are disciplines that have mental, physical and energetic influences on the body. She works for The City of Columbus and enjoys martial arts and photography in her spare time.

Cathy Moore

Cathy Moore began her yoga practice in 2002, as an addition to her weight lifting and cardio practices. Her focus shifted to yoga as she began to notice many benefits, and she began studying yoga on a deeper level. Cathy has had the pleasure of receiving her 200 hour teacher training with Laurel Hodory and is dedicated to furthering her understanding and knowledge with workshops on all aspects of yoga.

She shares her love for yoga with that of playing flute, in which she has found many parallels, especially with the life-giving energy of the breath. Her passion is for restorative and healing yoga, but also enjoys teaching more physically challenging vinyasa classes.

Cathy is very excited to share the many gifts she has received from yoga with others.

Christina Madriguera

Christina Madriguera is a member of the July 2011 Yoga Teacher Training program with Laurel Hodory. She has been in love with Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga since her first exposure to the practice about 11 years ago, and is delighted about the vibrancy that teacher training has brought to her practice. Although Christina has no current plans to teach professionally, she enjoys sharing yoga with her co-workers. Christina and husband Steve Brechter live in New Albany and they share one daughter, Amelia, and one dog, Molly.

Cindy Heyer

Cindy Heyer has been practicing yoga for 6 years. During that time, Cindy has found yoga to be a transformative and healing practice. Cindy practiced Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga until recently when she began to explore Iyengar yoga in order to better understand alignment. Cindy has attended workshops with Tim Miller and Matty Ezraty. Cindy has been teaching her coworkers at Nationwide Insurance for the last six months. Cindy received her 200 hour RYT in 2009 after completing a teacher training program with Laurel Hodory. Cindy tries to help her students come to know themselves more fully throughtheir yoga practice. Cindy also attends seminary at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and loves discussing theology. Cindy also loves spending time with her two children ages 9 and 11.