Welcome to Jai

Erica Taxin Bleznak Erica's love for yoga began the day she first entered a yoga class to hopefully avoid surgery to repair a torn hip ligament sustained while training for a marathon. Since that day her hip has recovered and she has not parted with her yoga practice. Erica has a Master’s in Social Work and spent over 8 years as an HIV/AIDS Social Worker. Her yoga training began with David Swenson in the Asthanga tradition and completed her PranaKriya Kripalu training with her mentor and primary teacher Yoganand Michael Carroll. Erica’s other teachers have included her 3 children, husband Kenny and her most profound lessons which come each day from her yoga students.
Julie Pogachefsky Julie believes in physically challenging and enlivening our bodies through Asana(postures) and Pranayama(energy/breath work). She has been described as a "compassionate, light-hearted and charismatic teacher," who is "creative in her teaching techniques and in her vinyassa sequencing." Julie has been practicing yoga since 1995 and teaching yoga since 2002. She gratefully acknowledges the many gifted teachers who have inspired and touched her, including Kirin Mishra, Corinna Brenner, Joan White, Erica Bleznak, her business partner, and Brad Pogachefsky, her life partner.
Jake Miller Jake received his teacher training thorough Wake Up Yoga under the direction of Corina Benner and Jill Manning. As Co-Executive Director of YES! And…, a local non-profit collaborative arts education company, Jake has a passion for teaching as a means of inviting others into the transformative experience of discovering and claiming their own power and voice. Jake believes that his roles as a teacher is not to fill a lack in the student, for the student lacks nothing, the student arrives whole—it is the task of the teacher to use intuition, compassion, wisdom, knowledge and experience to invite the student into their own innate power and divine worth.
Tina DiChiaria With a father who is a doctor of Ayurvedic medicine and parents who are both siddhas of Transcendal Mediation, Tina grew up knowing that she is a “citizen of the age of enlightenment”. Tina has learned the Transcendental Mediation technique at the age of five and learned pranayama and yoga asana that compliments TM at the age of ten. Tina achieved her Masters Level Reiki Attunement in 2003, and completed her yoga teacher training at Wake Up Yoga n Philadelphia in 2004. Since that time Tina has been teaching yoga and has so much fun that she feels teaching yoga is almost better than doing it!
Lisa Kroiz It was a need to connect with something deeper, to dive into her spiritual being that brought Lisa to her first yoga class. Eleven years later, it is still the spiritual connection of body and mind attained through the practice of yoga that Lisa loves most. In December of 2005, Lisa received her 200 hour hatha vinyasa certification from the Laughing Lotus Yoga Center in New York City. In her classes, Lisa moves through and explores asana, pranayama and meditation as a way for her students to open their hearts and be present. Lisa also loves to laugh and creates a space that is playful and fun while gliding on the waves of the breath. Lisa is forever grateful to the practice of yoga for allowing her to move through the changes of life with grace and compassion. Lisa is honored to be a part of the Jai community.
Sheryl Goldberg Sheryl has been called a healer her whole life by providing massage and compassion to friends and family. She received her massage certification professionally in 2000. She is proficient in a variety of massage techniques including therapeutic, deep muscle, prenatal, craniosacral, intuitive, as well as others. Her clients feel that her healing massages affect them beyond the physical body. Sheryl has continued her healing education, studying under energy healer Bradley Hess. She feels blessed to be part of the Jai community; A community of support and caring, spiritual growth and compassion. A dedicated professional, Sheryl manages to make time to help as massage coordinator at Camp Dream catcher and be a full-time parent of her 2 children.
Eliakim Warren Eliakim has practiced and loved yoga since 2002 when she took her first vinyasa yoga class. She spent a month at Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Nassau Bahamas. There she was certified to teach following the guru Swami Vishnu-Devananda. Since her certification Eliakim has taught yoga at The Aquatic and Fitness Center, Mainline Health and Fitness and at Jai Yoga Lifestyle. Eliakim teaches a fast flow class through which she hopes to lead people to gain awareness of their senses and leave their practice feeling elated. Since joining Jai she has expanded her teachings to kids and tweens, offering them a fun approach to loving yoga and being healthy.
Sarah Sall Sarah has been doing bodywork since 2003 after graduating at the top of her class at the Pennsylvania School of muscle therapy. For the past six years she has been building her practice around studying various corrective muscle therapy techniques. After growing up in Villanova, Sarah received a business degree at the University of Delaware. After graduating, she continued her career with horses as a professional trainer and traveled on the show circuit. It was through horses that Sarah developed her understanding of how the body works and that all aspects need to be considered. In tandem with her training Sarah also plays and coaches girls rugby. She currently travels with the USA men's national rugby team, most recently traveling to Japan. Sarah also has traveled with the USA girl’s national U-19 team, and local professional athletes. It is through her work with horses and athletes that Sarah has learned to treat the body by looking at all issues involved, not just the initial problem
Richard Garrison Although I have been trained in various styles, Anusara style where I completed both a 20 hour adjustment training with Michelle Synnestved and a 108 hour immersion with my beloved teacher Beryl Herrin. The lessons learned here have been the most beneficial to enhancing the experiences of my students. Anusara is a non dogmatic Hatha yoga system that emphasizes alignment and a "celebration of the heart." I strive to make the classes I teach fun, mindful, and accessible. Variety is also incredibly important to me when teaching. Experiencing new things and not falling into the same old routine keeps students enthusiastic and happy! My certified bodywork training was done with Bridget Yanni, founder of the Amma center in Glenside, PA. I have found this work of deep service to be incredibly rewarding. Healing and rejuvenating the body through massage is sacred work and I am incredibly thankful to Bridget Yanni for having introduced me to it.
Steven Groff Steven Groff is a true Bhakti (devotional) Yogi. This is demonstrated in his diverse charitable work and his passion for mantra chanting. He believes that mantras invoke aspects of the Divine that exits within us: inviting that peace and joy into our lice. Steven's spirited style of chanting enhances and enriches any physical yoga practice. You can hear the beautiful sounds of Steven's chanting at many of our yoga classes.
Victoria Ladd Victoria first came to yoga while living in New York City. After each class, she began to notice that she felt lighter, happier, and stronger. She soon found that with a regular, devoted practice, she was better able to navigate the noisy, dirty commotion of city life- better able to see the natural beauty of the trees she had passed every day for years, but had never noticed were there. Soon after relocation to Philadelphia, she received her teaching certification through Wake Up Yoga. She absolutely loves teaching yoga, and cherishes the opportunity to share her love and curiosity for the practice with others. She feels honored to take the seat of teacher, and extends reverence and gratitude to all of her beloved teachers, and her teachers' teachers. When not teaching, Victoria enjoys living life, practicing yoga, cooking, and tending to her garden in Roxborough, where she lives with her amazing husband, Damian, and their darling dogs, Frodo and Louie.
Kayla Fell Formerly trained as an actor & dancer in Europe, Kayla toured extensively since her arrival in North America 8 years ago; highlights include being the only non-Russian woman to join Slava’s Snow Show for its record-breaking Off-Broadway run. Upon completing her teacher training at Wake Up Yoga Philadelphia, Kayla combines her joy in movement, with a focus and grace that brings a playful curiosity to her classes. Complicity with the breath, and the breath with movement, she believes is the foundation for a grounding and empowering yoga practice. And that our joyful discoveries of renewed peace, vitality and well being radiate throughout all aspects of our lives; with as much laughter as possible!
Renata Gregori Renata's classes are devotional, heart expanding journeys, exploring asana, pranayama, chanting and meditation as entry points to experiencing the Divine Self. Strongly influenced by her beloved teacher, Sri Dharma Mittra, the ecstatic flow is intensely passionate and purposefully challenging, to catapult students to their highest potential, in a joyful and inspiring environment, leading to a rich, nurturing and soul-satisfying experience. Renata found Yoga, (which felt like coming home), in 1993, when she was living in New York, working as a professional singer and actress. She immersed herself in the yogic teachings and life style, taking the intensive teacher training program at Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville, where she received her teacher certification under the guidance and grace of one of the most revered Yoga Masters of our time, Sri Swami Satchidananda (Gurudev). She contiunued exploring the yogic path, by moving into the ashram's New York Center - the Integral Yoga Institute, serving as a teacher and assisting their teacher training program in Mexico. She has been teaching yoga ever since, including Prenatal and Mommy & Me yoga. Renata is humbled, by the beautiful souls who come to class and are a constant source of inspiration to her and she is privileged, to offer a supportive space for exploration and self-inquiry, on this sacred journey toward Self Realization. Renata also offers Thai Yoga Massage, having studied, this ancient art for the last three years with beloved Thai Massage Master, Michael Buck (Sri Mukti).
Lindsey Schweiger-Whalen Lindsey discovered yoga in 2003 as a last ditch effort to relieve relentless lower back and hip pain from years of competitive athletics and marathon training. Quickly cured of her tight IT bands, she discovered the compelling transformational power of yoga. More than just healing to the physical body, this practice became her entry point to emotional insight and spiritual rejuvenation. With a B.S. in Exercise Science and over ten years of experience in the fitness field, Lindsey felt professionally magnetized to yoga for its unique ability to expand upon the limitations of a physical workout. She is an '09 graduate of the Wake Up Yoga Teacher Training program. Having worked as a personal trainer for many years, Lindsey's practice is inspired by the desire to re-define strength, moving away from the notion of physical superiority, and towards an approach that strength is simply courage: courage to see all that is, not simply what “should” be. In the brave act of choosing to see ourselves fully, to recognize that we are more than our labels and identities, we find the freedom to explore the edges of experience. Lindsey is devoted to choosing faith over fear and living with an open-heart. Lindsey grew up in Mt. Airy and is a Philly girl, born and bred. She lives with her fiancée, Debbie, and her step-daughter, Eleanor, in Pennsport
Marla Willner Marla began her yoga journey in 1999, and after practicing on a consistent basis, she began to experience the broader spectrum of yoga’s benefits. In May 2002, Marla received her yoga teacher certification from Yoga on Main in Philadelphia. Her practice stems from the Vinyasa tradition, and in 2004, she completed a Vinyasa Flow teacher training with Shiva Rea. Marla teaches with a peaceful confidence and encourages her students to ride on the gracefulness of every breath. Through yoga, she has learned to live a calmer and more compassionate life and imparts these virtues through her teaching. Marla is also a cooking instructor and boutique caterer of vibrant vegetarian cuisine. Like yoga, cooking is a way for her to relax into the moment and to inspire others to reach higher levels of awareness.
Kati Brennan Kati teaches yoga in loving service to her teacher, Sri Dharma Mittra, with whom she completed her advanced teacher training (500-hour). Also a Kripalu-certified yoga teacher, Kati is additionally certified (and loves!) to teach pre-natal yoga in the ISHTA tradition from Be Yoga, and Yin yoga from Wake-Up Yoga. She serves as Adjunct Professor of Yoga at Temple University. Kati fuses Kripalu poses and Dharma's vibrant methodology together into light-hearted vinyasas for a playful (a smile is the best mudra!), inward-bound class that emphasizes meditation-in-motion with good alignment. She loves teaching mantra, pranayama, and meditation in her classes in an exploratory, non-dogmatic fashion. Kati also studies and draws from a variety of Hatha traditions, including Iyengar, Bikram, Tibetan, Astanga, and Kundalini yoga. She is also a Pilates instructor. Kati adores bodies, being barefoot, and learning. Om Namah Shivaya!
Maureen Collins Maureen took her first yoga class in 1999 and has been in wonder of it's healing powers ever since. Her desire to be more connected with her body inspired her to enroll in the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, where she graduated in June of 2007 with a Diploma in Brennan Healing Science. In this four-year program of healing and personal transformation, she realized her yoga practice grounded her energy and that the energy awareness deepened and expanded her yoga practice. This realization led to a passion for helping others experience this connection to self and spirit through a deeper awareness of and connection to their body and internal energy. She earned her yoga teacher's certification from Dhyana Yoga in February 2007 and looks forward to learning about yoga and bodywork the rest of her life. “I love that yoga is a truly individual practice, that every moment we have an opportunity to know more of ourselves and allow our inherent gifts to shine through." In addition to teaching yoga, Maureen is available for individual bodywork sessions in which an integration of massage and hands-on healing techniques are used for healing on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.
Lana Jaclyn Lana completed her 600-hour Massage Therapist Certification at the Omega Institute in Pennsauken, NJ in 2005. She earned her Reiki I and II certifications through the Reiki School of Philadelphia. Lana has also completed a 100-hour certification in Ayurveda for Self Care in 2007, and a 30-hour certification for Essence Bodywork in 2008 at Pachamama in Costa Rica. Her most recent accomplishment is the completion of a 250-hour certification for Yoga Teacher Training at Wake Up Yoga.
Trish Robayo Trish’s yoga journey began at a little studio in Manhattan Beach, California. After spending many years in the performing arts world Trish felt her heart pulling her in a new direction. Unsatisfied with where her life was heading she new that a change was ahead. Stepping into Julie Radar’s class began to put that change into motion. Originally heading to class to find a new way to move her body, she found so much more. Julie not only taught her an amazing vinyasa flow but she taught her how to go with the flow off the mat as well. Using positive thoughts and learning how to let go of that which no longer serves us Trish saw her life begin to change. Bringing to light the life she had always imagined she could have. Moved by what Julie had guided her to discover she wanted to give back the wisdom she had gained. Through her teachings she hopes to encourage her students to let go of their dark on a path to their undeniable light. Trish finds inspiration from her students, her loving husband Alberto and their son Vicente.
Liz Richter She began practicing yoga because of the physical challenges it presented and the peaceful feelings it produced, but she quickly found that yoga was so much more. A desire to study the teachings of yoga in depth and to deepen her personal asana practice led her to the Yoga teacher Training at Main Line Yoga. Liz completed the 200 hour certification in August of 2008. She began teaching vinyasa classes upon graduation and thoroughly enjoys sharing her love of yoga and all that it encompasses. As a mother and preschool teacher, it became obvious that yoga would be a wonderful tool to help children develop into happy and healthy individuals. Liz received certification to teach children’s yoga from Ashley Quaine, who developed The Conscious Child Yoga Program. Since finishing that training, Liz has been sharing yoga with children of all ages. She is grateful for the priceless lessons and joy received from each unique child.
Marissa Paino Throughout her life, Marissa knew she was meant to teach, but her subject was yet to reveal itself. After working 10 years in corporate finance, she discovered her true passion for yoga. During her journey of discovery on the yogic path, she experienced a profound physical and emotional transformation, and heard her calling to share this special gift with others. Marissa earned her RYT-200 hour certification in Pranakriya Yoga, developed by Yoganand Michael Carroll. Marissa fully embraces the Pranakriya style of yoga, and aims to inspire her students to look within and find the transformational magic of the practice that can improve overall well-being. Marissa brings energy of enthusiasm and humor to her classes, but also offers her students the opportunity for self-reflection and exploration to improve their quality of life. Marissa continues to study in her practice with fellow teachers locally, in addition to attending workshops with nationally recognized teachers such as Yoganand Michael Carroll, Simon Park, Alanna Kaivalya, Natasha Rizopoulos and Doug Swenson. Marissa continually seeks out ways to enrich her practice and her classes, and is currently pursuing RYT-500 hour certification in Pranakriya Yoga with Yoganand Michael Carroll.
Daniel Sitaram Daniel has always found great peace and joy in yoga, ever since it was introduced to him as a young boy by his grandmother. growing up, he always felt drawn to spiritual teachings; books, teachers, and situations that would nourish his growth and transformation. While exploring many paths as a teen, he eventually realized that he could truly trust yoga to take him to the heights that he wished to reach. fifteen+ years later, he still find this to be true. As a teacher, Daniel shares his experience with heart-felt wisdom, using metaphor, story-telling, and off-the-wall humor to convey even the most complex and subtle of topics. Steeped in the traditions of Tantric Hinduism, Buddhism, Ayurveda, Bhakti Yoga, and Vedic Mythology, Daniel's breadth of wisdom offers seemingly endless support for his students, reminding them of their true nature, inherent goodness, and boundless strength. He experiences deep gratitude for the guidance of his Yin Yoga and Meditation Teacher, Sarah Powers, and also feels fortunate to have worked with Paul Grilley and Paulie Zink, the founder of Yin Yoga. Daniel balances his quiet, still practice with Vinyasa and Vinyasa yoga. He finds great benefit in cultivating both yin and yang chi, for optimal health of all bodily tissues. Daniel is the director of Main Line Yoga, in Ardmore, where he teaches yin and vinyasa yoga, as well as offers transformative thai bodywork sessions.