Cynthia Juhre is a certified Kripalu, Partner, Prenatal Yoga Instructor. She has been practicing yoga for the past 15 yrs and teaching for the past 10. She believes that Yoga allowed her to receive two graceful, natural homebirth experiences .She loves sharing her wisdom and amazement of the body,mind and spirit. She feels Yoga is an awesome gift to offer oneself. As Registered Nurse,Reiki Master, Massage Therapist, Mother, and Music Together Teacher she offers many pathways for health and happiness . She views her new postition as Owner/Director of Buffalo Yoga as a Guardianship and is very grateful for the opportunity to serve her community within this role.

Anne Allen is both NY State Licensed and Nationally Certified as a bodyworker, trained in the art and science of Anusara Yoga, and certified in Pre-Post Natal Yoga. Annie has studied extensively, beginning in 1995 with Anusara Yoga founder John Friend, with over 1,000 hours of training and practicum in the science philosophy of both classical yoga and the nondual tantric traditions. Annie has learned that, ultimately, yoga is much more than an exercise program or a physical discipline.  Yoga is living with authenticity and integrity. Yoga is looking for the goodness in life first, whether on the mat or off.  Annie's classes teach you how to systematically align with your authentic nature, which creates a practice that is challenging, uplifting, and full of meaning and possibility.

Megan Callahan loves to work with people to help them become more connected to and aware of their bodies' innate wisdom and potential. She found her way to yoga 14 years ago to help with a physical condition, and continues to be amazed and humbled by what is discovered on the mat. She has been teaching for over five years and has studied several forms of yoga: Vinyasa, Iyengar, Kripalu and Integral, as well as Pilates, the Andrei Droznin method, and the Michael Chekhov Technique. She is also a Reiki Master-Teacher, musician and energy worker. Her Vinyasa classes are a lovely way to explore building strength and confidence, opening bodies and hearts with compassion and gratitude, working at letting go of goals and expectations, and discovering peace. Lastly, Megan combines her philosophy of Reiki into the classes, working with compassion and love as the universal life force is strengthened and balanced.

Erin Cook is a certified yoga teacher and lifelong dancer. She received her 200 hour certification at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, training with Megha-Nancy Buttenheim and Devarshi-Steven Hartman. A teacher of ballet and fitness, Erin mixes vinyasa flow into her classes, as well as strength building poses and breathing techniques. Erin's yoga teaching embraces the simple truth that the study of yoga is more than a series of poses. Yoga also embodies a lifestyle that coaches us to discover our authentic selves and to stay truthful to who we are. Erin is the Director and Founder of Hand to Heart Yoga located in Buffalo, NY.

Aphinya Deley has been a serious student of the Anusara style of yoga for 8 years, certified with 200 hours in Anusara teacher training in 2005. When you first experience Aphinya's class, you might notice her comfort level and relaxed style as she easily grooves around the room. But don’t let Aphinya's casual demeanor fool you. She has a very strong practice and is dedicated to advancing her practice by that which she knows best – the universal principles of alignment .

The universal principles of alignment help you realize that practicing yoga shouldn’t hurt; it strengthens you, improving any pre-conditions you may have and enhances your unique beautiful self. Once Aphinya guides you into the optimal alignment physically, she takes you on a journey of finding the true essence that lies within your heart, allowing you to infuse your own unique energy into your poses and take your practice to a whole different level. You feel empowered; you feel better about yourself (mind, body and spirit.)

She also owns a fair trade company, Attapinya (www.attapinya.com).

Julia Kress has been practicing yoga since 1990 and is certified at the 500 hour level. She lived at the headquarters of the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy, where she worked in their Ayurvedic Kitchen, served as Administrative Coordinator for the Teachers Training Program, and worked as a Yoga Therapist for the Center for Health and Healing.

Julia has taught young people from preschool to college level, adults in the workplace, fitness centers, and in various studios throughout the country, as well as senior citizens within their homes and in nursing facilities.

Julia also teaches at the Univeristy at Buffalo, serving students with disabilities through the Universal Yoga Program, and recently received her BA in Exercise Science.

Her technique is loyal to the traditional methods of raja yoga. Her warm demeanor allows students to recognize in their own capacity the benefits of yoga and how it can guide them on the path of self discovery and help them live a life of great authenticity. Her passion is to inspire people to find a sense of wholeness within the body and mind, cultivating a life full of purpose and joy.

John Lord has been practicing Yoga for seven years. He is a 200 hour Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor and a Licensed Physical Therapist with 20+ yrs experience. He is married to Elie, and they both attend classes at Buffalo Yoga on a regular basis. They also enjoy Tai Chi, hiking, camping,the outdoors and spending time with their two children. John's classes are fun, gentle, restorative and usually have a Tai Chi influence. He is challenged and intrigued with "Pranayama" the Breathwork of Yoga, and loves to encourage his students to explore their individual abilities. He is looking forward to offering a Men's only class Fall 2009.

Morgen Love - Throughout Morgen's life, the path of Yoga is one that has unfolded organically - each door opening unexpectedly and offering up a new permutation of this sacred practice. An inquisitive seeker since childhood, she felt at a young age the intrinsic vibration within, but could not fully understand its meaning or potential. Yoga has helped her to tap into this vital energy and begin to understand its ability to heal and transform, to create balance, and to cultivate trust.

In 2007, Morgen completed the 200-hour Prana Vinyasa Flow teacher training with Shiva Rea at Exhale Center for Sacred Movement in Venice Beach, California. Having returned to Buffalo after nearly a decade in NYC, her studies have included years of devoted practice with many inspiring teachers at studios in the NYC area, including Dharma Yoga Center and Laughing Lotus, as well as Vinyasa workshops with Shiva Rea, Twee Merrigan, and Simon Park, Acro Yoga with San Francisco yogis Jenny Sauer-Klein and Jason Nemer, and various Yin Yoga workshops across the Tri-State area.

Morgen's vinyasa flow classes create a space in which students can explore the balance between grace and body awareness, alignment, and flow. Serving as a guide along this path, she offers a safe environment for beginning students to develop and grow, and for experienced practitioners to experiment and play. Through creative sequencing and inspired music, she invites students to tap in to their feeling, fluid bodies, to enter the flow, embrace dynamic movement as meditation, and love in every moment!

Turiya Mistretta has been actively involved in the healing & movement arts for 15 years. Her holistic studies of nutrition & movement began at the Centre for Well-Being & Creativity in Switzerland, while her studies of a variety of yoga styles & meditation developed in Colorado with classes at Naropa University & with Richard Freeman, and in New Mexico with Tias Little. Especially inspired by Thich Nhat Han's mindfulness mediation & teachings, she has immersed herself in study & practice at both Maple Forest Monastery & Green Mountain Dharma Centre in Vermont, & Blue Cliff Monastery in NYC. Turiya received certification for Dao In Lung Shen Yoga in 2005 & for Chi Kung in 2006 with Sifu Chik Mason of Spirit Wind Internal Arts. She has also performed with Spirit Wind. Deeply influenced by the Eastern techniques for achieving wellness, Turiya has been teaching Dao In ever since throughout WNY & at numerous seminars & retreats throughout the U.S. In 2007, Turiya completed another in-depth yoga teacher training & certification in Iyengar influenced yoga at the Open Sky Centre in Rochester, NY. Registered with the International Yoga Alliance, Turiya is continually expanding her expertise through ongoing study & practice, as well as through her public classes & private consultations. As a certified Herbalist (with the Rocky Mountain Centre for Botanical Studies), co-founder of Friends of the Ancient Forest, & the Living Now Festival of Healing & Transformation (2003-2005), Turiya combines her love of yoga, nature, & environmental activism. Working as both a climate action presenter & teacher with Earth Spirit Educational Services, she also leads herb walks & designs& teaches yoga & ecology programs for elementary students. In addition to hosting speakers & workshops on living foods & yoga, she also gives presentations at local colleges& other events on nutrition & eco-living. Throughout, Turiya has been working as a distributor for high quality supplements & foods, & is in the process of forming her own company. She is passionate about living simply & vibrantly.inspiring, assisting, & educating others to achieve optimal well-being in every area of their lives!

Melanie Olivieri is a RN, Certified Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master and has been teaching gentle/restorative & easy flow yoga for the last 4 years. Her classes are based on the philosophies of being in tune with your body & being non-judgemental with yourself. Allowing your natural abilities to present themselves.Along with yoga Melanie teaches pilates, total body workouts & intuitive dance . As an artist Melanie loves to share her knowledge with art and jewelry making classes. She is also a Holistic Healer using a mix of modalities, including Intuitive Holistic Massage, Reiki, Chakra Balancing & more.

Nicole Petroff's journey into the practice of yoga began in 1996. After her first class, she realized that yoga had a calming effect, and she felt better physically and mentally. Subsequently, yoga became a huge factor in the healing of a diagnosed disease.

With deteriorating health due to a career as an environmental scientist/geologist on several hazardous materials clean-up sites, and the constant reminder of how she felt when practicing yoga, she decided to take steps to heal herself. To this point, the allopathic route of western medicine held no real answers but invasive surgery and harmful treatments.

After researching different options, she chose to deepen her yoga practice, eat more healthily and consciously, and think differently. To her surprise, healing occurred more rapidly. Her yoga quickly became a spiritual practice as she began to study all aspects of this art as well as delving into the metaphysical sciences, energy healing, and yoga teacher training programs.

Her mission now is to provide others with opportunities for real healing that go beyond the limitations of western medicine by incorporating aspects of yoga, metaphysical practices, and wellness education.

Nicole teaches many different types of classes from Beginners Yoga to Gentle/Restorative to Combined Traditions to Yoga Nidra to a Journey into the Chakras. In these classes, you get to explore how different aspects of yoga can assist in self exploration, self-healing, and relaxation...bringing the many qualities and benefits of yoga to your everyday life.

She enrolled at yoga teacher training programs at the Sivananda Vedanta Center at Yogi Hari's Ashram and at the Kripalu Center in Restorative Yoga. Nicole is a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, a Holistic Wellness and Reiki Practitioner, a Relaxation Therapist, Workshop Facilitator, and Founder of the Yoga Association of WNY. Nicole also studied Chakra Yoga with Anodea Judith.

Check out Nicole's website and blogs at www.theyogapathtransforms.com

Connie Zingg has a passion for practicing and sharing the art of yoga. The motto she cherishes and displays is "Living and Teaching from the Heart" She has practiced yoga,meditation and healing since 1999 and completed a 200hr teacher training with Mitchel Bleier and Aimee Brooks in Rochester and an 18hr Therapeutics training with Naime Jezzeny and Sianna Sherman in New Hope PA. She is a Reiki Master and Certified Classical Feng Shui Practitioner and enjoys bringing this wisdom into her yoga teaching.