Teachers

Laurie Hodges has been studying Yoga for over 10 years and has been a certified teacher for 4. Her propensity towards delving into realms unknown has inspired her to research and put together some fun and interesting classes, including a comprehensive on the Chakras and a session combining Yoga and the zodiac signs.

Andrea Porter came to the Center in 1998 for her first Yoga class, and has been a student of Yoga ever since. She graduated from the Centers' teacher training program in 2003, and teaches beginning classes throughout the year. Andrea has also studied Tai Chi and American Tribal Belly dance, and has been a mentor in the Yoga centers teacher training program. She continues her Yoga studies today through classes and workshops and by studying Sanskrit with Dr.

John A. Macy, PT, PRC – has been teaching the Alexander Technique for 25 years to a broad variety of movement professionals including musicians, martial artists, yoga practitioners and movement therapists. His approach is blended with a solid background in the anatomy and neurology of human movement and over 20 years of professional experience teaching movement skills to injured people. “The Alexander Technique provides a perfect compliment to yoga training for Westerners.

Barb Harris, Ph.D. joined the Omaha Yoga & Bodywork Center as a student in 2000 and as a teacher in 2004. Barb believes that Yoga integrates all of her previous training: her experience as a professor in social work at Creighton University and her work as a therapist.

Abigail attended her first yoga class in 2000 just as she was graduating from secondary school in the U.K. There was no question that this practice was going to be her sole focus for years to come. She completed her first teacher training with Kathleen Hunt of Samadhi Yoga in 2001. Abigail has had the honor to study with many acclaimed teachers including but not limited to: Anna Forest, Richard Freeman, Aadhil Palkhivala, Eddie Modestini, and Nicki Doane..

In the fall of 1989, Deborah Pufall arrived at a time in her life when the door to growth opened wide. She stepped through it into her first Yoga class and knew very quickly that she had found where she needed to be. The gentle yet strengthening physical activity, the moments of quiet reflection and insight, and above all the love & joy that emanated from her first teacher helped her begin to find a better way of living in the world.

Suzanne Swang was born in California and was first introduced to Yoga in 1985 by Lilias Folan on PBS television. From there, she dabbled in books and random classes until she moved to Omaha where she studied with Susi Amendola and Mark Watson in 1997.

Jacque Denney graduated from the Universal College of Healing Arts in September of 2007. Her services include: Swedish, corporate chair, myofascial and deep tissue massage. She also uses aromatherapy when requested and mixes her own oils and creams for such things as muscle aches, psoriasis, bug repellent, etc. She is very interested in Eastern and Native American medicine and continues to expand her knowledge of both.

Julie has been a mental health profession al for over 10 years. She graduated from Boston College with her Masters degree in Clinical Social Work in 1998. In 2004, she earned her Diplomate in Clinical So cial Work. Julie founded The Center for Counseling and Psychotherapy and Emerging Mindful ness, where she works mostly with adults dealing with life's challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Cary, "I’m the mother of two young men. My interests include reading, hiking, walking, and water sports, kitchen arts, gardening, health and longevity, and world peace. Yoga is an outgrowth of my interest in sports and fitness. It’s my belief that yoga is a scientifically based method that, with dedication, leads to a healthful and peaceful life-style.

Ramona Miller received her training at the Universal College of Healing Arts in Omaha, Nebraska. She has training in Therapeutic Swedish Massage, deep tissue, pre-natal/pregnancy massage, comfort touch, myofascial release. She also has training to perform bodywork and massage for people with fibromyalgia. Ramona is also Level II Reiki.

Mark & Geri Bjorling are the happily married parents of 6 and grand parents of 5. Mark is degreed in accounting from University of Oregon, and is a CPA working in industry. Geri is a degreed sign language interpreter working in deaf education.

Patrick has over 10 years experience as a Bereavement Specialist and Hospice Chaplain. He is also an independent consultant and the founder of Desired Outcomes a developmental program for finding new direction in life. He has developed a series of inspiring courses, leadership retreats and life coaching tools. Patrick teaches for various cutting-edge programs and shares original music (such as the Caregivers Song©) at conferences. Patrick holds a Masters in Adult Education.

Marissa McMillin was raised in Omaha surrounded by a community of alternative healers. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 2003 with a B.A. in Political Science and wrote her senior thesis using feminist theory to explore women's body image issues in our society. After struggling to understand an illness that she endured post-college, Marissa was hugely inspired by Ayurveda.

First introduced to Yoga through a video in 2003, Monika Duszynska started Yoga as a way to loose weight. Her practice cost her 40 lbs; 5 years and counting!

Vidyarani (Lisa Hofmann) --- growing up in New Jersey in the 70's, Vidyarani's curiosity about Yoga and Meditation originated from her love of the Beatles. Wondering how she would ever find a teacher in the land of malls, it took a move to Nebraska for her to find her inspiration.

Rolf Sovik is the spiritual director of the Himalayan Institute and a clinical psychologist in private practice. He has studied yoga in the United States, India, and Nepal, and holds degrees in philosophy, music, Eastern studies, and clinical psychology. Co-director of the Himalayan Institute of Buffalo, he began his practice of yoga in 1972, and was initiated as a pandit in the Himalayan tradition in 1987.

Amy is a guest teacher for OYBC. Amy Matthews, CMA, SME, RYT, RSMT/RSME has been teaching movement since 1994. She is a Certified Laban Movement Analyst and a Body-Mind Centering Practitioner. Amy has been on the faculty of the Year-Long Certificate Program at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies since 2000, and teaches embodied asana classes and workshops at Movements Afoot, the Breathing Project and the Society for Martial Arts Instruction in NYC.

Liz Dolejs received her training from the New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has training in Swedish massage, deep tissue, ortho-bionomy, pregnancy massage, comfort touch with a focus on subtle energy techniques. She also incorporates elements of shiatsu, traeger work, aroma therapy and myofacial release. She has studied cranial sacral therapy in Boulder, Colorado.

Dr. Michele Desmarais, Assistant Professor, joined the department in Fall 2002. She was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia and is Lakota-Métis-Canadian. Dr. Desmarais has a BA in psychology from Simon Fraser University, an MA in Religious Studies from the University of British Columbia, and a PhD in Asian Studies also from U.B.C. Dr. Desmarais’ specialty is Sanskrit and Indian thought.

Dr. Rajesh Kotecha is the chief physician and executive director of Chakrapani Ayurveda & Research Center in Jaipur, India. He graduated from Ayurvedic college in 1985 and received his doctorite in 1991 from Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar. He contributes to many health publications and research in the area of Ayurveda. Dr. Rajesh travels and teaches while maintaining a thriving practice in Jaipur, India.

Nischala is a guest teacher for OYBC. Nischala Joy Devi is a masterful and compassionate teacher, internationally renowned since 1974. Educated by masters in India and worldwide, she was a monastic disciple of Swami Satchidanandaji for over 20 years.

Sri Beehivanandaji started life auspiciously as the youngest child in a family of 13 born to Pakrit, a Snake Charmer in the Trans-Bhutan Starlight Wonderwheel Circus, and his wife Lemura, the Leopard Wrestler. Her parents, fearful she would grow up neglected in their already massive brood, left her at the feet of their beloved teacher Ohno to be raised and educated in the ways of spirit.

Terra is a guest teacher for OYBC. Terra Gillespie grew up in a family of Yoga teachers, her mother Susi and her grandmother both teach yoga. Born in a Yoga ashram (The Himalayan Institute), she has taken classes in her adult life from many teachers. She has been a regular student at Jiva Mukti Yoga in New York City. Terra completed her 200 hour teacher training certificate at the Omaha Yoga & Bodywork Center and her love is theater, acting and traveling.

Wuji, Wayfarer Of The Golden Flower, has been studying and practicing the meditative arts since 1984. He is an accredited T'ai Chi Chih teacher, Lic. Massage Therapist, Reiki Master, and ordained minister with the Spiritual Healers and Earth Stewards Convocation of ministers. His commitment to the healing arts and to peace practice became the central focus of his life after a violent near death experience.

Robyn Tait took her first Yoga classes in 1975 as a way to escape the confines of boarding school in Nelson, New Zealand. She incorporated bits of Yoga into her life for many years, but began her "real" practice after moving to Washington D.C. in 1987. Yoga practice has been a consistent part of her life ever since, providing a link to herself and to the spirit of her homeland, all land, where ever she is.