Schedule: Easthampton Studio

Ruth Anne Lundeberg, E-RYT500, is blessed to have studied with the topmost teachers of yoga, dance, Buddhism and meditation since 1983. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree from New York University, where she studied voice, movement and performance intensively with the top experimental performers/directors in NYC. In 1984 at age 19 discovered traditional Hatha yoga at the Himalayan Institute on Fifth Avenue and at Satchidananda's ashram, Integral Yoga, on 13th street. Later, she studied directly with yoga master Sri Dharma Mittra (whose poster of himself performing 908 yoga poses hangs in studios all over the world.) Ruth Anne has also studied directly with Beryl Bender Birch (author of the "Power Yoga" and "Beyond Power Yoga," Beryl was largely responsible for introducing Ashtanga Yoga to the East Coast) and Jivamukti Yoga founders Sharon Gannon and David Life at their original East Village loft studio.

In addition, Ruth Anne is a long-time dedicated student of Theravadin Buddhism and meditation. She has sat numerous retreats since 1989 with a variety of international teachers including Jack Kornfield, Christopher Titmuss, Larry Rosenberg, Christina Feldman, Sharda Rogell, and Leigh Brasington. Ruth Anne is a committed daily meditator with over 20 years of experience.

Ruth Anne brings a unique and powerful spiritual flavor to teaching and practicing yoga. Her teaching is defined by her years of study with masters of yoga, Buddhism and experimental movement forms. In a time when yoga has been re-defined as an exercise modality, Ruth Anne offers her students and trainees a rare chance to learn traditional yoga as a method of spiritual awakening.

In the summer of 2000, Josh Schumer, RYT200, joined Mama Nirvana's faculty and helped open the current studio in Easthampton. Josh holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of Massachusetts, where he specialized in health and fitness. Josh has worked as a conditioning coach and trainer in the fitness industry. Josh studied Martial Arts for 23 years and taught both swimming and martial arts before becoming a certified yoga instructor. His keen understanding of exercise physiology is evident in his yoga teaching. Josh offers a lifetime of experience in functional strength, health, and inner development.

Josh and Ruth Anne were married at the Easthampton studio in August, 2002. Together they run Mama Nirvana’s two studios, teach classes daily, direct Mama Nirvana's professional teacher trainings and lead international retreats.

Kathy Champagne, RYT200, received her 200-hour Kripalu Yoga teacher certification in 2005 and has studied a variety of styles of yoga. As a dancer and choreographer, Kathy has been a lifelong lover of movement. In yoga, Kathy found a form of movement that brought balance to her life and helped her develop respect for her body and mind. In her classes, Kathy creates a judgment-free environment and assists students in traveling a path to strength, flexibility, balance, relaxation, stamina, freedom, courage, self-respect, and love. As a yoga teacher, Kathy's motto is: "Saying you can't do yoga because you are too stiff (or too old or too heavy or too distractible, etc.) is like saying you can't take a bath because you are too dirty." Kathy believes that the gifts of yoga are available to everyone and each person's path is perfect just as it is. In her Yoga Groove workshops, Kathy enjoys helping participants access joy through creative movement. When not practicing yoga or dancing, Kathy enjoys cooking, gardening, knitting, and traveling to Paris, where she loves to eat cheese and find cute shoes.

Julia Fournier, RYT200, has been practicing yoga for over six years and recently graduated from Mama Nirvana's Teacher Training. Julia teaches high school science and often uses her biology background to enrich her yoga classes. Her classes are relaxing, gentle, and fun. In addition to teaching and practicing yoga, Julia enjoys dance, reading, and tennis.

Anne Fuller, RYT200, holds a BS in Forestry and Biology, and an AS in Math and Science with a concentration in Biology. As a graduate of Mama Nirvana's 2007 Teacher Training, Anne encourages students to be open to new experiences. By fusing playfulness, compassion and confidence, Anne guides her students through postures, meditation and pranayama (yoga breathing). Her detailed instructions and "can do" attitude empower students to do their best!

Tzivia Gover is an author and educator, currently studying at the Institute for Dream Studies. A workshop leader for over a decade, she uses dreamwork to help people realize their full potential, access creativity and promote physical, emotional and spiritual health and development. A certified Proprioceptive Writing Instructor, she also teaches everyday mindfulness and writing. To learn more visit www.tziviagover.com

Beth Illingsworth, is a certified RYT200 Hatha yoga instructor. She is a graduate of Mama Nirvana's Yoga School. Her classes incorporate her love of music and the power of the body and mind through yoga. When not teaching or practicing yoga Beth enjoys hiking, music, reading, gardening, raising chickens and most of all spending time with her children.

Rebekah Madera, RYT200, MEd, is a graduate of Mama Nirvana's Teacher Training. She has a decade of yoga experience. When teaching hatha yoga she showcases excellent music, and emphasizes ahimsa (non-violence), compassion, and positive thinking. Rebekah is an enthusiastic ESL Teacher (English for Speakers of Other Languages) at Easthampton High School and White Brook Middle School. In 2007, she received the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award. She has traveled to Spain and Morocco, which inspired her study of Middle Eastern Dance with Rose Champagne.

Margaret Nunnelly received her yoga teaching certification from Mama Nirvana's New Yoga, studying under Ruth Anne Lundeberg and Josh Schumer. She is registered through Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level. She is also certified by Paul Grilley as a teacher of Yin Yoga. She has been a yoga practitioner for many years, and has been teaching in western Massachusetts since 2007. She is currently enrolled in Georg Feuerstein's course, The History, Literature, and Philosophy of Yoga. Margaret's classes are presented in an informal leadership style. Her teaching incorporates methodologies from several styles of yoga, and she uses myths, stories, anatomy and personal experience to explain postures in a way that is meant to be technical, historical, and entertaining. Her classes increase concentration, clarity and patience both in yoga and everyday life. She directs students to tune into physical sensations and explore how subtle changes in movement can resonate in a wide variety of outcomes.

Karen Orlando, RYT200 is a graduate of Mama Nirvana's Teacher Training and has been teaching yoga since 2003. Her classes allow students to unwind, let of daily stresses and have a joyful and relaxing yoga experience. She specializes in assisting individuals to explore their own potential strength, balance and flexibility. Karen has a BA in psychology and a Master's degree in Education. She is an educational consultant to parents and educators of children with autism and other intensive special needs. She enjoys travelling, hiking, and kayaking as frequently as possible.

Tracy Remelius, RYT200, is a graduate of Mama Nirvana's Teacher Training. Her classes assist students in developing physical strength, vitality and a focused mind. She believes that a healthy active lifestyle supports self esteem and an enlightened life. Her down-to-earth and adventurous approach to yoga both in classes and outdoors in the Pioneer Valley appeals to teens and active adults. Tracy holds a certification in Outdoor Leadership from Greenfield Community College. When she's not teaching yoga she can be found playing in the woods; hiking, skiing, biking. She's learning circus fabric aerial and slackline yoga. She practices balancing on a surfboard whenever she can. Tracy holds a Masters degree in Education and has been an educator for over ten years. www.tracyremelius.com

Kara Siedman, RYT200, is a certified Hatha yoga teacher and a 2009 graduate of the Mama Nirvana's Teacher Training program. She is also receiving her bachelor's degree in nutrition. Kara's classes will take you through an inner exploration of the body, investigating the vastness of the inner self using the breath as our guide. Her classes, through play, curiosity, and love, will take you to new dimensions of the physical being. She brings positive vibrations and a young, energetic flair to all of her classes.

Emily Silverman, RYT200, graduated from Mama Nirvana's teacher training and has been teaching yoga since 2007. She teaches "Dharma Yoga," a style developed by yoga master Dharma Mittra. Her classes invoke a powerful atmosphere of joyful quietude and inner reflection, yielding a physically strong and heart-opening experience of yoga. She is completing her 500-hour teacher training with Dharma Mittra and is in training to be an interfaith hospital chaplain through the Spiritual Services Department at Baystate Medical Center. Her dog, Mickey is a certified therapy dog, while her other basenji, Pearl, is an obedience school dropout.

Tina Stevens, RYT200, is a certified Hatha yoga teacher through Mama Nirvana's Teacher Training Program. Tina's love of yoga comes from her personal experience of discovery and growth through her yoga practice. Tina is always eager to introduce students to yoga knowing they will feel physical and mental benefits right away. In her classes students are given guidance and instruction for traveling on their personal yoga journey. Yoga is an explorative practice and a powerful source for change that each one of us can tap into! Tina is the Principal and Creative Director of Stevens 470 in Westfield and holds a Master's Degree in Design from Syracuse University. Tina enjoys the diversity of managing her marketing firm, practicing yoga, and exploring art and the outdoors.

Katherine Tancredi, RYT200, is a graduate of Mama Nirvana's Teacher Training. Her classes create gentle support as she guides her students toward achieving proper alignment, developing a fuller breath, and cultivating a body-mind awareness that honors the individual. Her training in yoga has deepened her commitment to the yogic path as a way to promote vitality, provide relaxation and gain a sense of well being. She has studied with Yogiraj Alan Finger, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Patty Townsend, Judith Hanson Lasater, Rodney Yee, A.H. Arun, Sharon Salzburg and Dharma Mittra and continues to learn from Ruth Anne and Josh. She lives in Amherst with her husband Bob and her dog Buddy, and is the devoted mother to college student Liz. Her background includes degrees in art and film studies.

J Vaughn, RYT200, is a graduate of Mama Nirvana's teacher training. His classes are deeply soothing and relaxing. He is committed to his students experiencing freedom,release, and laughter through yoga. J is also a professional massage therapist. In both his yoga and massage work, J's technical expertise, attentiveness and grounding presence allow people to reclaim their physical /emotional balance and "feel like themselves again."