Kaivalya Yoga & Massage | Bios

	Alex Pfeiffer alex.pfeiffer@kaivalya-yoga.com Alex's website (Madison, WI) Since yoga & bodywork certification in 2004, Alex has gained a reputation as one of Madison's most reliable experts in bio-mechanics and usage of yoga for therapeutic healing. While his 5 yoga & bodywork certifications reflect his strong commitment to the science of yoga and its healing forms, expect a class that is more like song and poetic exploration that like rote mechanics. "The human soul is not meant to technique" he says, "but to Dance." His teaching focuses on alignment, breath, action, & attitude for full human detoxification: physically, mentally, & emotionally. The result is a class to push your spiritual edge from struggle to ease; from intensity to peace; and from madness to clarity. "Life is a wild ride" he says, "you never know what's just around the corner. All we can do is discover the parts of ourselves we never knew were there - and then: Blossom." Director of Teacher Training As the director of Kaivalya's yoga teacher training program, Alex designs a training that synthesizes a cutting edge understanding of the human body with its correlate of action and meaning in the world. He brings together a team of some of the best teachers in Wisconsin to distill yoga's creative core for teachers to be. "Whether we study yoga as a science or an art," he says, "it all flows from a creative core. And when our energy flows from that core to all domains... we are unstoppable, happy, and free."
	Amy Kruger amy.kruger@kaivalya-yoga.com Amy was introduced to yoga in the late 1970’s. In 1992 she began a regular practice while pregnant with her first child and credits yoga for allowing her to teach aerobic dance into the last trimester of both her pregnancies. Her personal practice has taken her on a journey through many styles of Hatha yoga. Currently her passion is learning to tap into the body’s amazing physical and mental strength through the practice of Ashtanga yoga. She is working on her Ashtanga certification with David Turner and is strongly influenced by the teachings of David Swenson. Aside from yoga, Amy practices and performs with a local dance troupe. She holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education, is a certified massage therapist and a certified group fitness instructor.
	Anastasia Lopukhin anastasia.lopukhin@kaivalya-yoga.com After years of competitive swimming, Anastasia felt like her body was broken and wouldn’t be able to take on any sort of strenuous exercise. Slowly she worked into more and more exercise but nothing felt fulfilling until she found yoga. Now, everyday practice feels exciting and motivating. Ever since completing her Level One Teacher Training with Baron Baptiste Anastasia is thrilled to share her energy and practice with those around her. Her intention is to pump some vitality into your body during practice and to leave you feeling more aware of your body once you’re off the mat. Every level student is welcome to her class to explore their own individual abilities and practice. Come take a break from your strenuous day and have fun on your mat!
	Cari Gilligan cari.gilligan@kaivalya-yoga.com Cari began practicing yoga as a student at UW-Madison, and she began the journey toward better health and balance through her final years of schooling. Being active in swimming, biking, and soccer, Cari has experienced enhanced athletic performance from her personal yoga practice. She sees her yoga practice as akin to slow food, requiring patience, undistracted attention, and compassion in order to bring the highest energetic benefits to the body. Styles that she practices include: Ashtanga, Bikram, Anusara influenced, Vinyasa Flow, and Yin. Expect to find the strengths of these multiple yoga lineages woven into her classes. Cari creates a safe and playful space for the student to learn about their body and flirt with their edge. She believes that yoga can unlock our most beautiful, brightest selves, eventually enhancing every aspect of our lives.
	Erin Bennett erin.bennett@kaivalya-yoga.com Erin began studying yoga in 2005 and discovered the unique physical, emotional, and spiritual awareness that developed with consistent practice. Inspired to share this awareness with others, Erin completed a 200-hour Anala Yoga Teacher Training with Ally Ford in Florida. Erin gives her students a challenging and strengthening Ashtanga-based flow class accompanied by classic and modern rock and incorporates pivotal themes of the philosophy of yoga in an accessible way. Erin spent the summer in India where she completed Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's intensive Art of Living Meditation and Yoga course. Erin extracts important elements of this course, such as Sudarshan Kriya Breathing, to enrich and to enliven her classes at Kaivalya.
	Heather Servi heather.servi@kaivalya-yoga.com Empower & Enlighten (Madison, WI) Heather first discovered yoga in 2006 at the age of 14. Since that time, she has opened her heart to the healing and empowering qualities of yoga and considers it her greatest passion in life. In 2010, Heather attended Master Baptiste Teacher Deborah Williamson’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training to become a Certified Power Vinyasa Yoga Teacher and share the limitless physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga with others. Heather is a student at the University of Wisconsin Madison as a means of strengthening her education on her lifelong journey as a yoga teacher. Heather draws on her upbeat, compassionate personality to create classes that are vibrant and awakening.
	Jacqueline Schumacher jacqueline.schumacher@kaivalya-yoga.com My yoga journey began while attending undergrad at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. I started taking classes at Core Power Yoga and it was there that I fell in love with this practice. It was transformational and I quickly learned that yoga was unique and something I could take beyond the physical practice on the mat and extend it into my day to day life. After my first yoga class I became an avid practitioner and a few years later decided I wanted to pass this gift of yoga onto others and complete my Yoga Alliance 200 hour certification through Core Power Yoga to become a teacher. Yoga provides me with balance, open mindedness and self-awareness and constantly provides insight to the way I live my life. I am so grateful for the amazing teachers I have been blessed to practice with and continue to learn from. My goal as a teacher is to provide a physically challenging practice while cultivating an inner peace in our bodies which can be lived out in our daily lives. Yoga has humbled me and brought so much light into my life and my hope is that I can transfer this to those I teach.
	Joey Hoben joey.hoben@kaivalya-yoga.com Originally from Minnesota, Joey moved to Madison in 2008 for school. During the summer of 2010, while biking down University, he saw Kaivalya’s advertisement for a free week of yoga and decided to give it a shot. Unlike his previous experiences with yoga, Joey was amazed at the variety and quality of classes they offered. Over the next year, Joey’s interest in yoga grew substantially, motivating him to become certified to teacher. He pursued this interest by spending summer 2011 in Minneapolis taking CorePower Yoga’s level one power vinyasa program. Now officially certified, he’s ready and excited to teach! Joey’s classes are geared towards beginners, but rigorous enough for all levels. Expect an hour of working hard, listening to cool music, and feeling great :)
	Jules Wolf Stenzel jules.stenzel@kaivalya-yoga.com Wolf Yoga and Pilates (Madison, WI) Jules’ wonderful life has led her from being a kid in Chicago, to chef in San Francisco, to outdoor educator in the Santa Cruz mountains foothills to Yoga/Pilates instructor in the wilds of Madison. Along with biking, dancing, hiking, running, and swimming, Jules has been doing yoga off and on since third grade. After the birth of her two daughters, she knew she’d better have a daily practice to stay healthy. Certified in Yoga in 2005, Jules also became certified in the Pilates method in 2009. Her Pilates Power Flow class will incorporate Pilates power moves into her Vinyasa flowing sequences, expanding your core and lung power. In addition to teaching, Jules is a dancer, runner, hiker, poet, and mother of two amazing girls.
	Katie Copouls katie.copouls@kaivalya-yoga.com Katie initially tried yoga as a means to tolerate a chronic back injury. Within days of her first practice, she was pain-free and empowered in a way like never before. Through her yogic journey she has truly experienced a lightening of mind, body, and soul. Inspired to share this goodness with others, she completed CorePower Yoga’s 200-Hour Power Yoga Teacher Training in Minneapolis. Above all, she wishes to dissipate yoga’s aura of mystery and make it accessible to all. Expect her to offer options in her classes, so students of any level can succeed and have a good time. She strives to balance yin and yang in her classes by energizing the body in a soothing atmosphere. The asanas, or postures, will link with breath in a natural and meditative way. Katie agrees with David Life when he says, "You are yoga, but you forgot."
	Laura Phelan laura.phelan@kaivalya-yoga.com Laura first began practicing yoga in 2004 to improve balance and strength and was instantly hooked. After maintaining a regular practice, Laura decided she wanted to share the limitless benefits of yoga through teaching. She attended Baron Baptiste’s Level I Teacher Training Bootcamp in August of 2009 in the Catskills of New York. Laura teaches classes that are accessible, yet challenging, to people of all fitness and flexibility levels. Her class combines the classic principals of yoga with a light hearted, modern day twist that encourages students to explore and cultivate their practice in a way that works for them.
	Nicole Roerick nicole.roerick@kaivalya-yoga.com Nicole Roerick (RYT) is a dedicated yogini and teacher who aims to share her practice and knowledge with others. She received her 200 hour Vinyasa Certification at Yoga Effects in New York City and is registered with Yoga Alliance. She has also just received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Florida State University and is back in Madison to pursue her passions. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from UW-Madison in the Spring of 2008. Her background in movement is extensive and her interest in yoga has been growing over the last few years. She believes that the experiences one can have in the mind and body while doing yoga, far surpass most other movement based forms. The art of meditation and using your breath is also something she strongly believes in and implements in her classes. She loves the flow and momentum of Vinyasa style and the agility it creates in the body, but also enjoys the strength and endurance created by sustaining the rigors of certain Asanas. Her teaching style is honest and direct, yet comforting. She places an emphasis on proper alignment and individual differences. She believes that knowing your own body is the most important aspect and being able to discover the ways in which it can or can not move, and to not be discouraged when it isn't doing what you want. With a dedicated practice and a determined mind, anything is possible :)
	Susan Cosgrove susan.cosgrove@kaivalya-yoga.com Susan began practicing yoga in 2002 as a means of balancing both body and mind. She practiced many different styles of yoga in Pennsylvania before finding her home in the Baptiste style when she moved to Madison in 2009. She began her teacher training with Baron Baptiste at Level 1 Teacher Training Bootcamp in the Catskills in August 2010, and later attended The Art of Assisting with Baptiste master teachers Paige Elenson and Gregor Singleton in Denver in 2011. Having completed Level 2 with Baron in September 2011, she is now pursuing certification as a Baptiste teacher. Susan views her own practice as a foundation for her entire life, a means of getting and staying grounded, and a way to tune in to her mind and body. Her classes connect body and breath in a playful yet challenging way—you’ll amaze yourself!

	Andrea Keapproth andrea.keapproth@kaivalya-yoga.com Resolution Massage Andrea is a graduate of Lakeside School of Massage Therapy in Madison, Wisconsin. After becoming certified she went on to complete an Associate’s Degree in Massage Therapy. She is a Wisconsin state Certified Massage Therapist and a member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP). From her studies she practices various modalities including; Trigger Point Therapy, Orthopedic massage, Lotus Hands, and Connective tissue massage. Her intention is to assist her clients in their awareness of natural healing brought about through a tailored, therapeutic massage.
	Christina Thompson christina.thompson@kaivalya-yoga.com AMTA Page Christina is a graduate of Blue Sky School of Professional Massage and Therapeutic Bodywork. She is certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and licensed by the State of Wisconsin. Christina is also certified in Reiki levels I and II. Having worked with a chiropractor in a private setting, she holds experience in therapeutic, lymphatic, neuromuscular therapy, and cranial sacral massage. In addition, she has volunteered for the Veterans Administration Creative Arts Festival, providing on-site chair massage and hand/back massage to veterans. Christina is committed to helping her clients through therapeutic massage and energy work. By addressing clients individual needs, she helps to ease muscle tension, pain, headaches, reduces stress and provides a balanced massage experience.
	Kalyn Hosking kalyn.hosking@kaivalya-yoga.com Kalyn Hosking was raised in beautiful Marquette Michigan of the Upper Peninsula. Graduating from Marquette School of Therapeutic Massage in 2007 where she went on to finished her Associate in Applied Science and her Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education with a Minor in Art & Design in 2010. Her goals are to improve quality of life for each client; may it be relief of pain, tension or just simply to relax. She specializes in therapeutic massage and continues to develop her training in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger point, Prenatal, Hot Stone Massage and Cupping. Moving from Marquette MI, Minneapolis to Madison, she has worked in many settings with many different goals, but her main focus is always the person on her table.
	Sarah Valiquette sarah.valiquette@kaivalya-yoga.com Sarah graduated from Lakeside School of Massage Therapy in Madison. Since her graduation in 2007 she has continued to train and developed her skills in therapeutic and relaxation massage specifically in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Connective Tissue, Sports, Chair, Prenatal, and Hot Stone Massage. Her complimentary therapy skills include hydro-therapy and various stretching techniques. Sarah is a Nationally Certified and WI State Licensed Massage Therapist and Bodyworker. She is also a professional member of American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) upholding the highest standards of practice. Sarah believes the potential of human touch is endless and that massage therapy plays a vital role in ones regular self-care. Her approach is gentle but firm, with a therapeutic touch. She will take the time to pay close attention with her eyes, ears, and hands to tailor each session to your specific needs.
	Wendy Wilbur wendy.wilbur@kaivalya-yoga.com Wendy Wilbur is a graduate of Lakeside School of Massage Therapy in Madison, Wisconsin. She completed her original certificate program here in Madison and went on to earn her Associates Degree in Massage Therapy as part of the first graduating ADMT class in the state of Wisconsin. During her ADMT program she completed a research project on the effects of massage therapy as a complimentary treatment to substance abuse treatment. Her other studies have included Myofascial Release, Trigger Point therapy, Lotus Hands, Chinese medical massage and focused on clinical site-specific work and the treatment of common overuse conditions. To accommodate the needs of each individual she draws from many modalities of massage, as well as her previous experience as a personal trainer and background as a Reiki practitioner, to create a unique session for each client. Wendy is a Wisconsin State Certified Massage Therapist and a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).