We've been fortunate to find and create a warm space, with fun and widely talented instructors. Much gratitude to our reception staff, who are helpful , supremely qualified and detailed with information. We strive to provide a fulfilling yoga experience for you, one you're proud to tell your friends about. We also couldn't do this without wonderful students who are determined, persever and practice with integrity and focus and fun!
We give you room to grow and flourish at your own pace. And dedicate ourselves to offering the best workshops, instructors and family programs the area has to offer. Our studio has a great view of the Long Island Sound, plenty of parking, a shower and changing areas. We aim to be nonjudgmental, and provide a safe environment to explore and play. Have fun with whatever class you choose. Namaste!
Desk staff: Sam, Natasha and Chris
Instructors
Michael Sheridan, Studio Owner
Mike began taking yoga classes when his back and hip were breaking down from years of running and basketball. I first began with Ashtanga practice two to three times weekly with Kim Montgomery and Adam Dobbs. This brought much needed power to the core, shoulders and hips. Soon after I found the exhilaration and challenge of hot yoga, practicing first in Great Neck and then at Yoga Oasis in Woodbury.
I have enjoyed providing personal training to teens, seniors and adults for 9 years now, and employ a wide variety of assisted stretching techniques, abs and core work, strength training and prescribed yoga asana in my work. I completed my own hot training journey in 2007 completing a grueling 3 month program that taught me about my own mental and physical obstacles, humbled me, and helped me improve endurance and perseverance. It taught me what minds are capable of when you apply yourself and free yourself from limitations. I try to enter my mat space with Beginner's Mind which helps me keep my practice and teaching fresh and in the moment.
Michael enjoys and adores his little boy Callum, as well as the love of my life Angela. I am grateful to lead a class with you in it! Deep bows all around!
Claudia Lanzetta
Claudia was dragged to her first hot yoga class by her mother approximately 5 years ago. That first 100 degree, 90 minute practice transformed her life and she has been an avid yoga practitioner since. A self proclaimed "gym rat", hot yoga offered her a transcendent experience, a greater challenge for both body and mind, and a sanctuary from the world outside. She began teaching about a year later; initially the 26 posture hot yoga series, and then, drawn to the more demanding flow, concentrating in hot power vinyasa.
Claudia's Monday and Thursday night classes remain a powerful experience to the regulars that come. She continues to teach hot power vinyasa on a weekly basis. She balances her yoga practice by being a legal clerk by day. She has competed in Ms. Fit and Figure competitions as well. Claudia is grateful for all that the yoga practice has brought into her life!
Karen Passalacqua
Karen is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher. In November 2006 she completed the “Life of a Yogi” Advanced Teacher Training Program at the Dharma Yoga Center in New York City. Karen completed Suzanne Cardinal’s 200-hour Into This World Yoga Teacher Training and Certification Program in May 2005 with continued studies in Prenatal Yoga. She studies Anusara Yoga with Lorraine Aguilar and is currently taking her Anatomy for Yoga Training Program. Karen also studies Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga with Adam Dobbs.
Karen believes the essence of yoga is to purify the mind, body, and spirit, which allows divine light to shine more brightly through us. It is this light that guides us, teaches us to love and serve others, and helps us to live our true life’s purpose.
Karen is also a Licensed Massage Therapist. She completed Queenborough Community College’s Massage Therapy Program in June 2009 and studies Thai Massage with Adam Dobbs.
Jennifer Petruccelli
Jennifer has sustained a serious yoga practice for over 12 years, including doing headstands during each of her four pregnancies. She is a full-time Mommy who teaches and does yoga when her kids are in school.
She practices Hot Yoga, Jivamukti-style vinyasa flow, as well as Jennifer brings a sense of enlightenment, lightness, and play to all of her classes, knowing each student is really their own best teacher. She infuses each class with humor and intention.
She became a certified Yoga Teacher in 2007 through Yoga Sutra in Manhattan
Jennifer is proud to announce she received her Karma Kids Yoga Teacher Training Certificate in July of 2011. She is looking forward to meeting all the new and inspiring young yogis in the neighborhood. Join us as we play yoga! Namaste.
Daniela Crocchiola
Daniela was first introduced to yoga thru her mother who practiced yoga in the 60s. The awareness of breath became an essential tool in Daniela's swimming and athletic endeavors. She spent her college years at NYU soaking up all the yoga the Big Apple had to offer. While pursuing a career in fashion and cosmetics Daniela realized her true passion wasn’t in lipstick or handbags, but in actually helping people and exploring the human condition firsthand. In 2002 Daniela decided to study with the nation’s premiere hot yoga instructor, Jimmy Barkan. Her original 200-hour training was a rigorous 4-week submersion that is recognized by the Yoga Alliance.
Daniela has also completed an additional 200+ hours in teacher trainings with Seane Corne, Beryl Bender, Sadie Nardini, XTend Bar Method and Balanced Body Mat Pilates. Daniela is grateful to all the teachers that she has had the privilege to study with. Truly they have helped to shape her own yoga practice and teaching style. Daniela is excited to share the mental, physical and spiritual blessings of yoga with Laughing Buddha.
Ruby Zoe Rodriguez
Ruby found solace in her frequent practice of yoga over ten years ago. However, it was not until she was introduced to a hot practice three years ago that her capacity for fulfillment, determination, and compassion were ignited. She found her practice transformed by the heat into a holistic experience that garnered for her not only great physical gains, but a multitude of other health benefits. So great was the impact, that she has now turned a five-day-a-week practice into a life journey of sharing the benefits of yoga with others through the art of teaching. Ruby's passion for yoga is rooted in her conviction that the path to expanding her own practice is through sharing the gift of yoga with others. She believes that every student of yoga is his/her own best teacher; and through gentle guidance, hopes to awaken in her student their own potential for developing a concise and self-directed practice. She is currently a Barkan Method Hot Yoga Level I instructor, and will be certified Level II by Spring of 2011.
Michelle Cavanagh
Michelle Cavanagh believes the meaning of life reveals itself through the act of teaching. She comes to yoga teaching with a diverse background having spent six years as a martial arts instructor, two years as a certified personal fitness trainer and the past twenty years as a professional performer (acting/dance). She has been studying a range of yoga styles since 1996 in New York and Los Angeles and is a 200-hr Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. She creates fun Vinyasa flow classes that are energizing yet soothing, and weaved with creativity and thoughtfulness. In addition to teaching, Michelle shoots photography (miphotostudio.com) and is mom to an energetic toddler.
Elena Toumaras (Zumba)
Elena is 21 years old, currently a senior at Queens College and will be receiving her undergraduate degree in Dietetics. She has been teaching Zumba since October 2010 and is also Group Fitness Certified. Since she took her first Zumba Fitness class, she knew it was something she wanted to teach. Her teaching style is both supportive and fun. She plans on using her knowledge and love of both exercise and food in her career to help influence and change people's lives.
Kristin Alloco (Zumba/Bellydance)
Kristin started dancing when she was 21 years old, which proves it’s never too late to start! Just a few years later, she's now a belly dancer with Daniela Dance Company and a certified Zumba Basic, Zumba Gold and Zumba Toning instructor. Kristin found Zumba and fell in love with it. She couldn’t believe it was so much fun AND a great workout! Dancing has changed the way Kristin looks at exerciseand life. Kristin truly believes in the power of dance and fitness to transform our minds, bodies, and personalities into the best they can be.
Crystal Varellas (Zumba/Zumbatomic)
AKA Cryss Zumbaa, some people call me Crazy Cryss and that’s because I am NUTS about ZUMBA! After taking my first Zumba class in 2010, I was hooked. I decided from that second I wanted to be an instructor and spread all the Zumba love I can! I have been teaching since January 2011. I am licensed to teach Zumba, Zumba Toning, and Zumbatomic! I am a certified Children’s Yoga instructor and I have my AFAA and CPR/First Aid certifications as well. I also trained for 2 years, for contact and non-contact boxing. I am an AFAA PrimaryGroup Exercise Certified instructor. Being fit and healthy is my lifestyle. I believe that I make cardio and strength training FUN and super sweaty! My classes are unforgettable and addictive; you'll be back wanting more! I look forward to meeting you!