Our Teachers
 
Kessiah Carlbon Licensed Anusara-InspiredTM yoga teacher Owner/Director of Bright Heart Yoga I took my first yoga class as a teenager. Several years later Anusara yoga® found me and I realized I was madly in love. I loved the way it articulated and affirmed everything I had always believed about the world; that life is good and so are we, and that yoga is a way to remember and experience that every day. Teaching yoga has helped me to reaffirm that truth over and over again.

I began teaching yoga in and around Morris County where I kept meeting such wonderful people through this practice and thinking "wouldn't it be cool if there was a place where all these great people could come together?" This desire to create a community rooted in the practice of yoga led me to open our studio in Randolph so we could study and practice yoga together in the company of good friends. In my classes, I’ll weave life-affirming and encouraging instruction with yoga philosophy and enough playful groundedness in the everyday to keep you smiling.  I will clearly guide you through Anusara's elegant and therapeutic Universal Principles of Alignment™ toward your body’s optimal place, from which I will then thoroughly encourage you to “rock out,” expressing through the body what resides deep within your heart.  In this way, you will experience a greater sense of freedom, fulfillment and joy in your body and your life both on and off the mat.  I’m also happy to serve as an adjunct faculty member of yoga at the County College of Morris where I get to meet people who may never otherwise have stepped into a yoga class.  Off the mat, I love to play guitar, read, travel, hike, learn languages, laugh hysterically with friends and family, snuggle with pets and revel in the delight of great music. I’m truly grateful every day to my wise teachers, John Friend, Emma and Chris Magenta and Paul Muller-Ortega, my dad, Jay and my mom, Gigi, who first taught me to honor the goodness within myself and in all things. Amanda Marra Licensed Anusara-Inspired™ yoga teacher Amanda took her first yoga class when she was 12 years old. She didn't think much of it at the time, but the seed had been planted. Amanda returned to yoga in 2005 for its physical benefits at a hatha/vinyasa class offered in her local gym. Eventually, a friend brought her to an Anusara class where she immediately fell in love with the heart-centered theme woven throughout the practice. With much encouragement and support from her teacher, Emma Magenta, Amanda enrolled in her first Anusara Immersion which lead to teacher training, both led by Emma and Christy Burnette. Since then, Amanda has completed Level 2 Anusara Teacher Training with Ross Rayburn and Amy Ippoliti and Yoga Therapeutics Training with Ross Rayburn. Through her never-ending learning experiences, Amanda has had the privilege of studying under many truly amazing teachers, including Anusara Founder John Friend. Amanda strives to make yoga accessible and enjoyable for all students by creating a playful and supportive environment on many levels. She believes that yoga practice extends from the mat into everyday life and hopes to help others cultivate that experience for themselves. Amy Hamilton Certified Iyengar yoga teacher Amy began her yoga studies in the Iyengar style in the early nineties. She found it was the perfect way to blend her love of movement and study of the body/mind connection in order to live a balanced life. She completed her teacher training with Theresa Rowland of Studio Yoga and has since earned her certification with the Iyengar Association of the United States. She is registered with Yoga Alliance at the 500 hr level. Amy continues regular study with many Senior Iyengar teachers and has most recently become a Certified Yoga Trainer for Scoliosis having completed a training program and practicum with Elise Miller. A strong background in dance influences Amy’s teaching. She holds a M.A. in Dance from New York University, beginning a career first in modern dance and later in ballroom dance. Amy has a full teaching schedule of group and private classes and also finds the time to continue teaching dance. Her instruction is characterized by her clear understanding of “how to do” the yoga poses as well as her concise demonstrations. Students are encouraged to explore all aspects of yoga, develop a home practice, and are given instruction to avoid injury. Amy has had the privilege to work with students of all ages and fitness levels, some who come to strengthen themselves, others looking for increased flexibility, and those who seek the stress relief that Amy’s classes provide. Nicole Michaelson Traum Licensed Anusara-Inspired™ yoga teacher Nicole was immersed in yoga from her very first class. In 2000, she was literally dragged to an Ashram by friends to help deal with stress. Being a very spiritual person she was both scared and intrigued by what yoga had to offer her. She has studied religion and philosophy, and at one time attended Union Seminary in NYC. In 2003, after practicing with a tape at home and attending random classes in NYC, Nicole began taking Anusara Yoga classes where she began to transform physically, emotionally and spiritually. That personal transformation was so profound that it led her to complete a teacher training in 2006 with Vishali Varga. Since completing her training, Nicole teaches classes in hopes of making people feel more comfortable with who they already are -- letting yoga enhance their inherent beauty (inside and out). She continues her studies with such teachers as John Friend, Emma Magenta, Ross Rayburn, Sianna Sherman, Naime Jezzeny and Noah Maze. Nicole is an Anusara-Inspired teacher who lives in Montclair, NJ with her husband, Jared. Russ Roy Certified Hatha yoga teacher Russ was already a beloved member of the fitness community long before he received his yoga teacher certification in 2008. He brings a sweet balance of alignment, stamina and quick wit to his dynamic teaching style. Pay attention, Russ’s sense of humor is subtle but well played. Russ continues to deepen his background in yoga including his study of Anusara. When he isn’t teaching yoga, Russ is also a professional pastry chef and enjoys maintaining his own physical exercise routine. Sarah Robinson Licensed Anusara-Inspired™ yoga teacher I started practicing yoga in 2003 and it has transformed my life in so many ways. I teach because I want to share all of the gifts that I have been given through this practice with others so that they may lead their fullest life possible. I went on to complete my first teacher training in 2006 and I have been teaching as a Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher ever since. It is with a love for the life affirming vision and therapeutic, healing methods of Anusara Yoga that I continue my education and further trainings in that technique. I am proud to be teaching as an Anusara-Inspired™ teacher since 2009. Through my teaching, I aspire to encourage students to recognize that yoga is not just about the physical poses, but that the practice incorporates spiritual lessons that can be applied in everyday life. It is with the desire to empower students to awaken to their own limitless potential that I aim to teach a class that is supportive yet challenging. Whatever I have to give is because of the wonderful people around me that have helped me to grow. My friends and family, my students and teachers. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to spend time studying with so many amazing and inspiring people. I hold a special place in my heart for those teachers who have guided and inspired me the most, Naime Jezzeny, Sue Elkind, Emma Magenta, John Friend and Douglas Brooks. Shannon Hense Certified Core Strength Vinyasa yoga teacher Shannon’s outgoing and energetic approach to yoga is beautifully expressed through Core Strength Vinyasa yoga.  She moves her students through flowing series of asanas designed to get the body moving and focus the mind.  Sun salutations start each class in order to build heat in the body, preparing for a variety of series focusing on balance, strength, flexibility and grace.  While her classes are challenging, she encourages students to “find their right balance for right now.” She enjoys interacting with her students and takes pleasure in helping them form a more cohesive mind/body connection.  “I want my students to understand the pose, not just mimic them.”  Through physical adjustments, detailed demonstrations and clear verbal direction, she endeavors to create an understanding of the various asanas and the transitions that bridge them together. Shannon received her 200 hour yoga certification in 2008.  She is a Certified Core Strength Vinyasa teacher and continues to expand her knowledge base, bringing back fresh viewpoints and information to share with her students. “I want my students to leave class feeling empowered, balanced and more open than when they came in.” Tom Casal Previously Anusara-Inspired™ yoga teacher I have been practicing and studying yoga since ’97. In 2001 a friend talked me into going to a John Friend workshop. At the time I was done with yoga due to a torn hamstring and medial meniscus tear. So on the last day of the workshop John Friend had me demo triangle on my right side and of course I said “John, I can’t do triangle on my right side.” He shot me a grin and said “I’ll walk you through it.” Five principles later I had my hand on the ground, full pose, hook line sinker. My style of asana exploration is playful and light-hearted with clear Anusara alignment and a decent amount of flow. Together I hope we take our yoga to the next level.
Bright Heart Yoga 1225 Sussex Tpke. Suite 203 Randolph, NJ 07869 973 715 6529 (c) 2010 Bright Heart Yoga. All rights reserved.

All of the teachers at Bright Heart Yoga are highly skilled and extensively trained to offer you alignment-based yoga instruction.  This means that the poses you practice will not only be fun and exhilarating, but you will be guided safely into a deeply therapeutic expression of each pose in accordance with the way the body most optimally aligns for safe and healthy progress.  Please give us a call if you have specific therapeutic concerns.