Yoga Teacher Training Graduates: 2008

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.

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.

D’shahn Coleman

D’shahn Coleman was introduced to yoga by her physician after a major car accident at age 17. In yoga, she rediscovered a since of strength while practicing very basic postures. Yoga was always in her life in some way, shape or form. While D’Shahn was pregnant with her first daughter she aggravated the injuries from years prior and it was yoga that allowed her to function day-to-day. In the beginning D’Shahn mainly taught herself the various postures and breathing techniques through books and videos and considered herself a “Living room Yogi”. Eventually, she found her way to It’s Yoga Columbus where she practiced with Kelly Foley and Laurel Hodory for more than a year. Realizing her passion for teaching coupled with a strong desire to give back, she enrolled in the 2008 It’s Yoga Teacher Training program with Laurel Hodory in February 2008. D’Shahn has not had many teachers but makes it a point to learn something new everyday from everyone she comes into contact with that can help her become a better person and Yogi. D’Shahn knows that there are many lessons that she has learned while on the mat and continues to become excited to see the infinite number of possibilities in life each day and to share with her students.

David Belcastro

At the age of forty-five, David Belcastro was encouraged by his college judo coach to consider yoga after decades of weightlifting. During his first practice, he laughed through every asana as he was unable to move deeply or gracefully in any direction. None-the-less, he thought that there was something here worth pursuing. He continued practicing with Martha Marcum at Yoga on High for several years. During that time, he attended workshops with Tim Miller, David Swenson, Doug Swenson, and Larry Shultz. When he became department chair of religion and philosophy at Capital University, he had to limit his practice to home. It was during this time, however, that his interest in yoga deepened. In 2007, he stepped down as chair to provide time so that he could enroll in the 2008 Yoga Teacher Training with Laurel Hodory at Its Yoga. During the following months, he discovered yoga as a playful practice for the cultivation of spiritual light-heartedness.

Jane O’Loughlin

Jane O’Loughlin started practicing yoga in early 2001 and quickly found her preference for ashtanga in Laurel Hodory’s Yoga One studio in Columbus. Jane followed Laurel as she moved and renamed the studio (It’s Yoga), and followed as Laurel’s style moved from ashtanga to anusara-inspired vinyasa. Jane’s ashtanga preference has not disappeared but it is complemented by the variety and creativity offered by vinyasa yoga.

After years of requesting a space for yoga in the fitness center where she works, an expansion project included a meditation/yoga room. Motivated by the desire to keep the space for her own practice as well as to invite others to yoga, Jane volunteered to offer yoga at work beginning in January 2008. At the same time, she enrolled in teacher training under Laurel Hodory at It’s Yoga. She expects to be certified at the Yoga Alliance 200-hour level in early 2009.

Jane currently teaches yoga (hatha and ashtanga) to her colleagues at work where outside the meditation/yoga room, she is a technical manager. She is also a physicist and theologian who loves to learn, laugh and love.

Kara Lough

Kara Lough started practicing yoga in 2001, searching for a mind-body connection. It was through this exploration that she was inspired to rethink and refocus her life. In 2007 she decided to step away from her career as a Pastry Chef and dedicate herself to her practice and to teaching others. Her intention in teaching yoga is to empower and motivate her students, guiding them to discover the beauty of life, around and within themselves. She is currently enrolled in the 200 hour Yoga Alliance registered teacher training with Laurel Hodory, at It’s Yoga in Columbus Ohio. After she graduates, she plans on continuing her studies and obtaining her 500 hour certification. Kara teaches classic Ashtanga and more contemporary Vinyasa Flow classes in the Columbus and Dublin area. Her favorite pose is hanumanasana.

Kim Crigger

Kim Crigger has been practicing yoga since 2000 and was originally drawn to the physical aspects of yoga. Soon she was inspired to take her studies to a deeper level and because of the many gifts she has received from yoga practice and its teachings, she now wants to share it with others! Her style is playful and challenging. Through breath and flow she invites the student to go to the place inside where fears and obstacles can be dissolved. Through her encouraging teaching style, she intends to help each student open their hearts and find the blissful connection to the true self and the interconnectedness of all beings. Kim first became certified with YogaKids International in July of 2007 and has had taught yoga to children in schools, summer camps and fitness centers. She is currently in the process of earning her 200 hour certification with Laurel Hodory at It’s Yoga, a training program that took her practice to a more dedicated and spiritual level. She currently teaches adult classes at Premier at Sawmill fitness center, children’s yoga at BalletMet and at It’s Yoga. She also offers private family and individual lessons. Kim is also a Reiki level 2 practitioner. She is grateful to Laurel as well as her other teachers and students for their inspiration, amazing knowledge and loving guidance. Om Shanti!

Mary Jo Kearns

Mary Jo Kearns has been practicing yoga intermittently for over thirty years. She lived most of her adult life in rural Kansas, where she raised four children and taught lively and energetic middle schoolers. She is currently enrolled in a 200-hour teacher training course at It’s Yoga under the direction of Laurel Hodory. The program has given her training in Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga. Mary Jo enjoys helping beginners discover their flexibility, strength, tranquility, grace, and individual purpose. She teaches primarily Hatha Yoga.

Rita Ritchie

Rita Ritchie discovered yoga at age 60 while looking for a new direction in life. Through the encouragement of her daughter, who is a yoga teacher, she enrolled in the teacher training program with Laurel Hodory at It’s Yoga. She describes her experience as one of self-discovery and growth. She is living proof that you can begin practicing yoga at any age. Her practice has inspired her to dedicate the rest of her life in service to others through teaching yoga. Rita feels as though her journey has just begun. Upon graduation in November 2008, she will continue to take advantage of opportunities to expand and grow.

Travis Riemer

Travis Riemer is very fascinated by the physical and energetic workings of the body. Travis has been practicing yoga for over seven years and has been teaching for the last three years. He is a licensed massage therapist since 2001 and was certified in traditional Thai massage and reflexology at the Thai Institute of Healing Arts in 2007. Travis believes it is important to be proactive about ones own well being. Yoga can be a great guide to facilitate this by teaching you greater self awareness of the physical and energetic workings of the body.

Tricia Miranda

Tricia Miranda went to her first yoga class on a whim in 1998. She remembers how everything about that experience was entirely new to her—from the postures to the emphasis on the breath, from the Sanskrit names to the chant of om. But she found herself returning the next week and the next, and from there, exploring over the years different styles of yoga. Eventually, the joy and centered-ness she felt after every class nudged her in the direction of wanting to teach yoga and promote its benefits. In 2008, she enrolled in the 200-hour certification program with Laurel Hodory at It’s Yoga in Columbus, Ohio and will earn her certification in November. In her classes, Tricia hopes to help her students embark on a similar journey from whim to well-being. Off the mat, she teaches English and history at the high school level, and she lives with her artist husband, her two young daughters, and an atypically friendly Scottish terrier in Clintonville.