Emmaus Yoga Instructors

Erica

While dabbling with different styles of yoga, Erica stumbled across the Ashtanga practice and knew she found a home. She opened Alive and Kicking Yoga in 1999, then 2 years later changed the name to Lehigh Valley Yoga Center and moved to a larger location. She sold the studio to one of her students 5 years later to have a child and is now ready for her next venture. Erica has studied with many of Americas foremost Ashtanga yoga instructors and has been practicing for over 10 years. She incorporates her love of yoga into all aspects of her life.

Britt

In 2002, Britt was introduced to yoga and her curiosity for the practice brought her to Lehigh Valley Yoga Center where she met Erica and they have since cultivated a great friendship. Over the years she and Erica have taught and practiced together and in the spring of 2010, decided to open a studio together. Britt is certified in Ashtanga but along with teaching Ashtanga she likes to incorporate different styles into her classes and has found her home with the free form style of Vinyasa. Yoga has given her a quality of life that she is enthusiastic to share with her students. When not teaching at Emmaus Yoga, Britt also teaches the Parkland High School Cross Country Team during their regular season.

Pete

Pete originally started yoga for physical fitness and injury recovery. He had tried a few classes here and there, but didn’t develop a regular practice until discovering Ashatanga yoga. After several months, Pete knew he wanted to teach and share all he learned about Ashtanga yoga with others, and enrolled in a teacher training course taught by Erica. While originally drawn to the physical aspects of the practice, he discovered the mental and spiritual properties of the practice have a profound, positive effect on everyday life. Pete tries to share with all his students his passion for a practice that may not be easy, but always leaves one feeling more peaceful, stronger and relaxed.

Katrina

Katrina Pelekanakis RYT, is a dedicated student of Iyengar Yoga. Katrina began her studies with Holly Walck at Jai Yoga and Senior teacher Joan White of B.K.S Iyengar Yoga School of Central Philadelphia. She continues her studies with Senior teacher Carrie Owerko at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in New York and Senior teacher Patricia Walden at Yoga Mala of Cambridge, MA in various workshops. Katrina became a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance and an IYNAUS member in 2007. That year she also had the great fortune to study with Geeta Iyengar in Las Vegas at the Iyengar Yoga Conference. In February 2010, she participated in the Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training Intensive Introductory I & II with Dean & Rebecca Lerner in Lemont, Pennsylvania. In September 2010, Katrina passed her Iyengar Yoga Assessment for Introductory I in Nashville , TN. Katrina is actively pursuing her Iyengar Yoga Teacher Certification (Introductory II). Katrina has benefited immensely from her yoga studies of Iyengar yoga and loves to share what she has learned from yoga.

Ann

Ann Friedenheim, M.A., C.A.A.C.D., R.Y.T. has been teaching yoga since 2003 when she completed her 200 hr training at Kripalu. She also has studied with Amy Weintraub as part of her studies of LifeForce Yoga® and is a Level 2 practitioner as well as a mentor for other teachers and therapists pursuing these studies. Ann utilizes asanas, pranayama, mudras, meditation, yoga nidra and chanting sounds that help stimulate and balance the chakras. Because Ann has been a psychotherapist and group facilitator since 1986, she brings an attitude to her teaching that emphasizes creating a safe place for self acceptance and exploration. She states "Yoga is a wonderful way to connect to a deep place within oneself and simultaneously connect with others. Practicing in a class format easily promotes a sense of community and shared joy. I am very happy to have the opportunity to teach at Emmaus Yoga because it was Erica who inspired me to pursue a deeper commitment to my own yoga practice and to become a teacher.

Lauren

Lauren began her yoga practice in early 2009 as a way to balance her demanding work life. She fell in love with the yoga practice almost immediately. As her curiosity developed, she attended a 200 hour Ashtanga based teacher training at Lehigh Valley Yoga under the guidance of Erica McHugh during the same year. As a dedicated practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga she hopes to spike the same curiosity in her students that she still possesses. Her playful yet serious approach to teaching is enjoyed by beginner and advanced students alike. Through a daily practice of yoga, Lauren has found out many things about herself, but more importantly found out what she isn’t. In addition to Erica, Lauren has trained with many senior Ashtanga teachers including Kino MacGregor, Tim Feldman, David Swenson, David Williams, Saraswathi and Sharath Rangaswamy, David Garrigues, and Yin Yoga Master, Paulie Zink. She is currently learning the Ashtanga intermediate series from her teacher in Philadelphia, David Garrigues. You can follow her daily blog: ashtangi.tumblr.com

Dina

Originally interested in yoga as a stress reliever and as a cross training to running, Dina took her first yoga class in 2008. And then her life changed forever! Immediately falling in love with the Ashtanga style of practice, Dina continued on to receive her 200 hour Ashtanga certification from the Lehigh Valley Yoga Center, at the time taught by Erica McHugh. Dina is so thankful to be able to share the serenity, humbleness and happiness that her practice has given her. She teaches yoga to stay grounded, centered, honest and curious, and hopes to inspire others to do the same. Her teaching style is creative, fun, and challenging and guided by breath. To further her education, Dina attends Ashtanga yoga workshops as often as possible; some of which have included classes taught by well-known instructors such as David Garrigues, Tim Feldman, Kino MacGregor, David Swenson, Greg Nardi, David Williams, and Saraswathi and Sharath Rangaswamy. She is currently practicing Ashtanga Intermediate Series under the supervision of David Garrigues of Ashtanga Yoga Philadelphia.

Kiriti

Kiriti has been practicing different styles of yoga for the past 17 years. She has travelled to India twice to study ancient Indian culture and is a firm believer that through the practice of yoga you can attain piece of mind. Kiriti has one 6 year old daughter that has been practicing yoga since the age of 2 ½. Over the past few years Kiriti has witnessed the positive effects of yoga on her own daughter and has taught children’s yoga at many Indian festivals and celebrations. She is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm to the children of the Lehigh Valley !

Sara

Sara has had an interest in yoga for more than 20 years, but didn’t develop a regular practice until she discovered Ashtanga yoga through Erica McHugh. Initially drawn to the physical challenges of the practice and its ability to make her body strong and flexible, Sara became fascinated by how the mental and spiritual aspects of Ashtanga were able to enhance her life. So she could share her passion with others, she completed the 200-hour Ashtanga teacher training program with Erica in 2010. Sara is particularly interested in making yoga’s benefits accessible to anyone – any age, any size. Through modified postures and sequences and incorporating breath and mindfulness, she helps students build strength as well as reduce stress, gain peace of mind and feel good about themselves and their bodies. In addition to studying with Erica, Sara has taken workshops with David Swenson, David Williams and David Garrigues.