Vishali Varga was the founding director of Yoga Mandali, NYC, Yoga Montclair, NJ and is the master teacher and teacher trainer at Blue Lotus. She has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 20 years. In 1990 she traveled to India and began an 8 year experience of living in Siddha Yoga Ashrams in India and New York. She also studied regularly with the world's most celebrated scholars of Indian philosophy including Paul Muller-Ortega, Sally Kempton and Professor Douglas Brooks.
For the past 8 years she has focused on tantra, studying Rajanaka yoga philosophy with Prof. Brooks. Deeply educating people about all that yoga has to offer is her passion, a fact which is apparent in all her classes, workshops and especially Immersion and Teacher Trainings.
I took my first yoga class about 10 years ago to complement my running. I thought what many people do - "I'll get a good stretch." But it was so much more.... I had been told that chronic tendonitis in my knees would prevent me from running long distance. I am about to complete my third marathon and have never felt stronger and healthier!
My favorite pose is Agni Stambhasana (Fire Log.) I used it to help recover from an injury. For me, it represents that challenges can offer the sweetest experiences. I learned so much from being injured, like how to back off, and how to use my muscles to free them and simultaneously gain flexibility – a real “aha” moment. I also learned how to put the alignment I learned in yoga into my running stride.
Using yoga therapeutically has really supported my teaching when people come in with injuries. I understand not only how it feels to be injured, but can figure out how to use yoga to come back from injury.
I have two boys, David, 15 and Daniel, 12. My extended family is also in the area, which makes me very happy. I love long trail runs on Sundays, camping, hiking, biking, snowshoeing… And I love to travel on a shoestring - you meet people you wouldn't normally come across and have experiences that money can't buy, like hiking in somewhere and discovering a waterfall or catching the sunset from a special vantage point. It reminds me to appreciate the “small” things.
Sarah Webb began her study of yoga eight years ago as means to alleviate back pain resulting from scoliosis. Her passion for the practice and the physical improvement she felt in her own body inspired her to become a teacher. Her experience has been guided and enriched by her teachers: Vishali Varga, Judith Lasater, and Elise Browning Miller. When she is not on her mat, Sarah can be found in her studio working as a visual artist, in her kitchen cooking something delicious, or in her car driving her two children all around town.
Sarah, an Anusara-Inspired teacher, is delighted by the joyful heart of Anusara Yoga. She teaches her students how to tap into their innate strength through kindness and patience with themselves and others.
Sarah first found Anusara and Elena Brower at Virayoga, NYC in 2003 and fell in love with the practice, teachers, and students. She completed the Anusara Level I Teacher Training in Fall 2007 with Zhenja LaRosa at Virayoga, NYC; the Anusara Level II Teacher Training in Fall 2008 with John Friend in Boston; the Therapeutics training in Spring 2009 with John Friend in Asheville, NC; and A Time to Align prenatal teacher training with Sue Elkind in Burlington, Ontario in Spring 2010. Sarah is a writer and illustrated book editor. She has worked with many artists and jewelers on book projects. She moved to the village of Scottsville, NY in 2009 and began teaching at Blue Lotus. She lives with her husband, Daniel Stevens, a jeweler and sculptor, and with her three rescued dogs, Kyniska, Ceilia, and Penelope. Sarah is eternally grateful to all the teachers and students she has met? (and will meet) on this path. www.sarahdavisyoga.com
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
I started yoga five years ago here at Blue Lotus with Aimee as my first teacher. My life long fight with migraines was hitting a peak & a friend had suggested yoga. I was at first intimidated, second exhausted & finally in love. The studio has been my oasis, and a second home, my teachers inspirational & kind.
My interests in business suited me for almost twenty years first as an internal auditor & next as a Certified Public Accountant. The challenges of business & the dynamics of working with different clients daily were exhilarating. The next great life challenge came as a mother. Again, I was intimidated, exhausted & fell deeply in love with my children Jeffrey & Philip. With motherhood came a different direction in my life. At my side has been my life partner Stuart.
Yoga has nurtured me & strengthened me since my first step onto the mat. I am at home & where I belong.
My studies have included a home & studio practice, Anusara Immersion & Teacher Training with Certified Yoga Instructor Vishali Varga, several Anusara workshops at Shakti Yoga with certified instructors Ellen Saltonstall , & Jimmy Bernaert. Currently I am a 200RYT with Yoga Alliance working toward Anusara Inspired status for this coming year.
I look forward to celebrating our yoga journey together.