Teachers

Andrea Sacchetti is a yoga teacher and yoga therapist specializing in techniques for stress reduction and wellness. She is the originator and lead teacher of the 10 Week Yoga Makeover program at the Princeton Center for Yoga & Health, where she has taught regularly since May 2005. Additional course offerings include Healing Yoga and Meditation in Cancer Wellness programs, Yoga for Allergy and Asthma, and Radical Healing. She is Director and Lead Teacher of the new organization, Yoga Calling, which brings yoga to underserved populations. As part of this work, she has delighted in teaching yoga on a weekly basis to teenagers in the care of the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission since January 2009.

Beth L. Evard, the founder and teacher of Princeton Insight Meditation, has meditated for over 14 years. One of her teachers is Jack Kornfield, the author of A Path With Heart. She is a leadership coach and the co-author of Managing Business Change for Dummies.

Carrie Schick found her way to her first yoga class in 2008 and instantly became hooked on the physical practice. Her desire to share her experience of empowerment, strength and mental clarity through the power of yoga has led her on the path of becoming a yoga teacher. She is a graduate of the PCYH teacher training program. She is devoted to creating an atmosphere that encourages freedom – in movement and expression – cultivating passion and creativity in her students practice. When she’s not practicing or teaching yoga, she wears many hats including raising three children with her husband, and working full-time.

Cheryl Delaney took her first yoga class at Princeton Center for Yoga & Health as a high school student in 1997. Having grown up a gymnast and later a dancer, the idea of pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses or internalized consciousness) blew her competitively-trained mind and changed her world. While studying modern dance and choreography at Virginia Commonwealth University, Cheryl had the good fortune to take Ashtanga classes with Valerie Jeremijenko, herself a student of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. With her roots set in Ashtanga, Cheryl soon ventured out into the exciting world of Vinyasa Flow and began teaching her first classes in 2001.

Dan is a certified Herbalist, Theta Healer, and World Musician. He leads wild food and medicine tours in the area and has been practicing yoga, meditation, and sacred chanting under several teachers for many years. He is committed to sharing the joy of simple and effective practice with others and assisting them on their journey to inner awareness and peace. For more information on wild foods and other workshops and classes offered visit www.returntonature.us.

Dan Fernandez has studied with yoga instructor Rama Ramanathan for the past five years, and with instructor Bobbi Ellis to receive his Yoga Teacher Certification. Dan focuses on yoga as the “middle-path” in life, specifically on the long-term benefits of yoga as a lifestyle that helps regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, bring mindfulness, and tone the body.

Popular local singer, songwriter, storyteller, and longtime PCYH friend, David Brahinsky has performed at the Center since the first year we opened. He is known for his deep, soothing and powerful voice, which reaches down to the bottom of the heart and body to stimulate rich and varied sensations, emotions and thoughts. David performs for The Roosevelt String Band and in local solo performances. He is a professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religion at Bucks County Community College, and teaches music and singing in his studio in Roosevelt, N.J.

Founder and Director of the Princeton Center for Yoga & Health, Deborah Metzger, E-RYT 500, is a certified 500 Hour Professional Level Kripalu Yoga teacher and certified Dharmic Yoga Instructor and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist.

Deborah is a 500 Hour Education Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance, a licensed social worker and holds an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania. She has completed the Yoga of the Heart: Cardiac and Cancer Certification Training, and additional courses in Structural Yoga Therapy and Reiki. She has trained with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli and completed the Practicum in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program at UMass Medical Center. In addition, Deborah completed the 2 year Hakomi mindfulness based psychotherapy training program and is currently enrolled in the Hakomi Advanced Training program.

Yoga easily became a way of life for Elizabeth eight years ago. Its fluid movement and ability to ease stress while opening the body and calming the mind became a necessity. Following many years of chiropractic care, she was eventually able to replace her doctor with a daily yoga practice.

Gina has always believed in living a healthy lifestyle and was naturally drawn to the health and fitness world out of school. For years she ran health clubs and was a personal trainer. Gina has been teaching yoga in the Princeton area for more than 12 years. She has studied at the Sivananda Ashram and Kripalu, and also has studied with Baron Baptiste, Rodney Yee, and Shiva Rea. Gina teaches hot yoga, power yoga and vinyasa flow. Her classes are physically challenging with an emphasis on honoring one’s self without judgment. Her greatest joy is hearing from her students how the yoga class has enriched their lives.

Jeannine Dietz was a professional photographer for 10 years before dedicating her life to the healing science of yoga. Brought to yoga because of her own injuries; she has been practicing, teaching and healing since 1995. She was first registered with the Yoga Alliance under The Barkan Method (Hot Hatha Yoga) with Jimmy Barkan. Her trainings have expanded to include Anusara 300 Hours, 500 hour Hatha Yoga RYT, 150 hours Therapeutic Yoga, 200 Hour Kundalini Yoga, Restorative Yoga with Roger Cole, and she also is trained in Pre-natal, Bikram and Baptiste Power Yoga.
Jeannine Dietz was first introduced to Crystal Singing Bowls in her first teacher training in 1995. Since the first sounding of the bowls she realized the power of Sound Healing. Jeannine has been teaching workshops about the Chakras, Yoga, Meditation, and Crystal Singing Bowls for the last 9 years in the Richmond/Annapolis/Baltimore and DC metro area, and currently in Pennsylvania and NJ.

Jeannine Dietz was a professional photographer for 10 years before dedicating her life to the healing science of yoga. Brought to yoga because of her own injuries; she has been practicing, teaching and healing since 1995. She was first registered with the Yoga Alliance under The Barkan Method (Hot Hatha Yoga) with Jimmy Barkan. Her trainings have expanded to include Anusara 300 Hours, 500 hour Hatha Yoga RYT, 150 hours Therapeutic Yoga, 200 Hour Kundalini Yoga, Restorative Yoga with Roger Cole, and she also is trained in Pre-natal, Bikram and Baptiste Power Yoga. Jeannine taught Pre-natal Yoga for 2 years in Annapolis, MD at Prana Studio; her nuturing compassionate nature led to a very successful and loving class in which the students made life long friends.

Suzin Green, MA, has been a student of yogic wisdom traditions for over thirty years. A gifted teacher, she is known for her ability to guide students into profound levels of insight and stillness where they experience openings that bring real transformation. Her knowledge of Yoga is rooted in the nearly two decades she spent living and studying in Siddha Yoga ashrams and centers (including the one made famous in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Eat, Pray, Love). Suzin is the founder of Devi Yoga, a transformational path that integrates sacred psychology of the goddess with yogic philosophy and creative arts practice. Also a recording artist specializing in sacred music and kirtan fusion, Suzin began singing kirtan as a student of the Siddha master Baba Muktananda back in 1977. Her beautiful voice carries audiences into the bliss that vibrates in the sound of stillness. A pioneer in the fields of life coaching and meditation-based therapies, Suzin holds an MA in Art & Consciousness Studies and is a registered expressive arts therapist. She works with individuals and groups in NYC and Princeton, NJTo learn more about her work, please visit: www.suzingreen.com.

Jeffrey S. Rutstein, Psy.D. is a Clinical Psychologist (Lic.#SI 02183) in private practice and Director of the Life Center for Growth & Healing, P.C. He is a certified Psychoanalyst as well as having advanced training in a variety of Mind/Body approaches to wellness. He has been a student of meditation for over 40 years. In 1994 Dr. Rutstein participated in a five-day professional training program under the direction of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn. Since then he has taught MBSR to groups and individuals.

Jeffrey S. Rutstein, Psy.D. is a Clinical Psychologist (Lic.#SI 02183) in private practice and Director of the Life Center for Growth & Healing, P.C.. He is a certified Psychoanalyst as well as having advanced training in a variety of Mind/Body approaches to wellness. He has been a student of meditation for over 40 years. In 1994 Dr. Rutstein participated in a five-day professional training program under the direction of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn. Since then he has taught MBSR to groups and individuals.

Founder and director of the Princeton Center for Yoga & Health, Deborah Metzger, is a certified 500 Hour Professional Level Kripalu Yoga teacher and certified Dharmic Yoga Instructor and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist, 500 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance, a licensed social worker and holds an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania. She has completed the Yoga of the Heart: Cardiac and Cancer Certification Training, and additional courses in Structural Yoga Therapy and Reiki. She has trained with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli and completed the Practicum in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program at UMass.

Jim Donovan is an award winning teacher and performer. He is a founding member of the multi-platinum band Rusted Root from 1990-2005. He was voted “Drum Circle Facilitator of the Year” by the readers of Drum! magazine. He regularly offers workshops in the US and Europe focused on using the power of rhythm and drumming to assist in consciousness transformation, personal growth, wellness, and community.

Fulfilling his desire to share the power of rhythm first hand to people, Donovan has built a series of educational drumming workshop programs he teaches across the US at universities, festivals, schools, corporations and specialty venues. He is an instructor of music at Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA and is the director of the Saint Francis University World Drumming Ensemble. He is a featured columnist in Drum! Magazine, the world’s number one drumming magazine. Donovan was nominated for “Best Rock Pop Percussionist” in the 2004 Drum! Magazine Readers poll.

Karin Steinhaus is a certified Kripalu yoga teacher, hypnotist, and master practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). She has been fascinated by the magic of the mind-body connection for most of her life. Karin discovered Hatha yoga as a teenager and she has practiced Kundalini yoga for more than 20 years. Over the years, yoga has enriched her pregnancy and mothering experiences, helped her stay sane in a hectic office environment, and supported her faithfully through many important life transitions.

Karttikeya is a modern renaissance musician whose talents and inspiration span myriad genres, instruments and technologies. His life journey has been similarly diverse – from Berklee College of Music in Boston, to a Hindu monastery in Hawaii, to multiple bands and a recording engineering job at Music Together in New Jersey – musically and otherwise, Karttikeya has demonstrated polite disregard for the conventional. He performs regularly in Kirtan (popular in the emergent yoga communities around the globe), jazz, rock-country-blues bands, world-beat ensembles and even children’s music concerts. Whether on acoustic or electronic drum set, hand drums, eclectic percussion or keyboards, Karttikeya seeks to connect deeply to the music “as it happens,” to support and enhance the group expression. He is routinely found working behind a mixing console or recording rig, rounding out his musical role as audio engineer and producer.

Lesley Haas has been teaching Yin yoga for six years. Lesley has been greatly influenced by mentor and master teachers Ellen Joseph, Bobbie Ellis and John Frank. Lesley has also taught chair yoga, aerobics, step and rebounding classes. When she is not practicing yoga Lesley is employed as a middle school counselor. Lesley enjoys sharing the peaceful practice of gentle/yin yoga with children and adults.

Mala started practicing yoga in her school days inspired by her father as a relaxation technique. Passion for yoga led her to graduate from Vibhuti Yoga School; she is currently in process of getting registered with National Yoga Alliance at the 200 level.

Maria has always loved health and healthy living, and was drawn to yoga initially for a full body approach to exercise. She soon discovered that a strong asana practice opens the mind and heart. She studied Vinyasa with Cheryl Delaney and recently completed her 200 hour Yoga Alliance teaching certification at PCYH. Maria’s classes are physically challenging with a powerful intensity and emphasis on the practice of stillness and pratyahara to find your own practice and inner teacher. She has a PhD in Physiology from Penn State, and is a certified Health and Fitness Specialist from the American College of Sports Medicine.

Michal Ben-Reuven, M.A., is a certified Feldenkrais practitioner who trained with one of Moshe Feldenkrais’ first assistants. A former dancer, she holds academic degrees in psychology and counseling. Michal has applied these experiences since 1989 to help people regain pain-free movement, calmer mind and positive outlook. Michal has applied her own teaching to overcome a long period of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.

Nancy Genatt, RYT, has studied with Gabrielle Roth and her core faculty for almost 10 years and is a recently certified 5Rhythms teacher. For more information about the practice, Gabrielle has written several books; she also has an amazing website and selection of music to support this journey to embodiment: www.gabrielleroth.com

International TV personality, Nancy Orlen Weber, RN, is best known on TV for her psychic detective work on Court TV, Biography Channel, Discovery Channel, TLC and A & E. Ms. Weber has also appeared on NJN’s “To Your Natural Health” with Dr. DiSilva discussing her work as a holistic health educator and medical intuitive. She is also author of books about her psychic detective work and animal communication.

A Certified Ashtanga Teacher (Mysore, India), Natalia credits her yoga practice with acquiring physical and mental strength, focus, flexibility, open mind, patience, compassion and inspiration for her art. She is a student of John Frank (Princeton) and Chidananda (Mysore, India). In her teaching, Natalia honors spiritual and philosophical aspects of yoga as well as the individual needs of her students. She guides her students on a yogic path by sharing her knowledge of physical and spiritual aspects of yoga asana, chanting, meditation and pranayama. Natalia also teaches privately in the Princeton area. She lives with her two sons in Hopewell, NJ.

Paulette was originally drawn to yoga because it merges vigorous physical exercise with mental and spiritual reflection. Paulette has been teaching yoga since she received her 500 hour yoga certification in the Soma yoga style in 2004. Paulette sees yoga as a continual opportunity for renewal, growth, and awareness. In addition to yoga, Paulette has taught high school English for 9 years, and finds the balance between her yoga teaching and public school teaching an interesting and challenging, yet dynamic one.

Teacher to be announced. All PCYH instructors are highly trained professionals and passionate yoga and being part of our teaching/healing community!

Rajam Ramanathan is from India and was first certified to teach yoga by Martin Bland of Wellness Trainers, later receiving certification from the Sivananda Yoga Center. Having taught yoga for over 20 years, she constantly updates herself on teaching methods and has taken an advanced course in Vinyasa Krama Yoga taught by author and teacher Srivatsa Ramaswami. Rajam’s approach to yoga is classical, incorporating the traditional form of yoga. At the same time, having received training from different masters, she has developed a unique approach to yoga successfully integrating strong emphasis on alignment, strength and flexibility associated with Iyengar yoga, the methodical sequencing of Sivananda yoga, the vigorous, integrative movements of Bua yoga, and with the vinyasa flow style (Vinyasa Krama). Her classes are appropriate for both beginning and intermediate level students. Incorporating compassion, relevance, and power in her teaching, Rajam’s classes are tailored to suit the needs of students with different abilities and special needs.

Rama Ramanathan, Yoga Alliance RYT 500, is a certified yoga instructor with 23 years of teaching experience. Rama initially learned from his uncle at age 18, studied at the Sivananda Yoga Centers, under Martin Bland, the centenarian yogi Swami Bua, and also Srivatsa Ramaswami, who taught him the vinyasakrama yoga of the late Sri Krishnamacharya of India.

Rama has taught at a number of hospitals, corporations, fitness centers, yoga studios, schools, senior centers, and summer camps for children. He has taught power yoga, gentle yoga, Sivananda yoga, and he now teaches, in the style of Vinyasa Krama, the “Sampoorna yoga,” which is the yoga of fullness embracing all aspects of yoga and incorporating the teachings of sage Patanjali.

Robin has practiced yoga asana since the year 2000, and completed her 200 hour Soma teaching training in 2009, under Bobbie Ellis Bianculli. In her classes, Robin is interested in exploring the fluid body, gentle somatic movement and energy and sound work. She continues to study with Bobbie, and has come to appreciate and love the depth and breadth of wisdom this ancient and ever-evolving practices offers to help us live our lives more fully on all levels: physical; emotional; mental and spiritual. Robin is grateful for the opportunity to teach at Princeton Yoga and is thankful to all of her teachers, for generously offering their shared experience, strength and hope.

To Shannon, yoga is an eye, mind, and heart opening practice. She is passionate about sharing with students the importance of accepting the present moment, embracing who we are right now, and learning how to relax not only in class, but in life. Shannon encourages her students to listen to their body and their inner wisdom while exploring their edge.

Shannon found her way to yoga after becoming overwhelmed with stress and insomnia in college. She found yoga’s focus on the moment to be liberating and enlightening and began to practice regularly. While pregnant in 2007, Shannon became more serious about her yoga practice, using it as a way to embrace her new body, to connect with her growing baby, and prepare for the challenges that were ahead. After her pregnancy, she explored a variety of yoga styles, including Jivamukti, Ashtanga, Bikram, Hatha, Kripalu, Gentle, Baptiste Power, Anusara, Restorative and Laughter, finally being called to study Vinyasa Flow under Cheryl Delaney in 2010 at Princeton Center for Yoga & Health, receiving her 200 hour certification in February 2011. She found the unique dance of body movement and breath in Vinyasa Flow to be beautiful and inviting. Now registered with the Yoga Alliance, Shannon works to bring the valuable lessons of yoga to her students.

Before pursuing a holistic career, Shannon received a BA in Public Communications, then went on to work at a New Jersey public relations agency, as well as a prominent national charity. After becoming a mom, she decided to set an example for her son and follow her dreams to share yoga with others.

Sharon Savage graduated from the Devalila Yoga Teacher Training in 2009, after practicing yoga on and off for over thirty years. Influenced by all her teachers, she finds she learns and gains new understanding of yoga from each teacher, as well as from each student. Her training in massage and adjustments are evident in classes, as she helps students move gently into poses with less effort and more grace, through proper alignment. Teaching from the principles of the eight-limb system of Hatha Yoga, Sharon believes that each limb supports and interconnects one-another to bring about peace and contentment in ones’ life. She hopes to spread her knowledge to others, so the world becomes a more compassionate, peace-loving network of individuals, one yogi (yogini) at a time. Sharon is an energized student of life who looks to keep exploring and learning. She is dedicated to helping others find a life of more ease, more joy, and more compassion towards oneself and one-another. “Life can be more effortless and free, filled with love, creativity and play.”

Sharon Silverstein is an accomplished musician. She creates a space of unconditional love so participants can explore their rhythm spirit with complete freedom. Sharon has a Bachelor of Music degree from Rutgers University and has been teaching, performing and facilitating musical events for the past 25 years. She is president and founder of Living At Peace, LLC.

Suzanne Dakini is a seasoned Yoga teacher with certifications in Sivananda and Jivamukti Yoga. Suzanne’s passion lies in the aspects of Devotion and incorporates mantra, music and Vedic philosophy into her classes. She gives pranams (honor) to all her teachers, starting with her parents who supported her in all her endeavours,to her Sifu Anthony Tardy for introducing the Eastern Spiritual ways, her teachers Yogi Hari and Leela Mata for the introduction to Nada Yoga, to David Life and Sharon Gannon, for the exemplary way they live their lives and for devoting themselves to the Ancient Teachings and applying them to our modern day living and for never ’selling out" on their beliefs. Suzanne is a student and lover of the Sanskrit language and she bows to her teacher Manorama for infinite wisdom end encouragement. “I have been graced with the most wonderful teachers all my life.” My main goal is to share my knowledge with others and to inspire them to attain their goals.

Suzin Green, MA, has been a student of yogic wisdom traditions for over thirty years. A gifted teacher, she is known for her ability to guide students into profound levels of insight and stillness where they experience openings that bring real transformation.

with the United States National Karate Federation (USA-NKF). A former All-Japan champion, Takeshi has also placed 4th in the world. Since moving to Princeton from Japan two years ago, Takeshi has taught regular classes at Princeton University and maintains an active teaching schedule within the New York area. He also serves as the head coach for the competitive division of the Union City karate club. Takeshi has extensive teaching experience with all age groups and levels, from beginners to national champions and from children to senior citizens.

Todd brings his love of music and drumming with his gift for making personal connection with people to lead us in this special drum circle!

Viktoria Vercelletto GCFP is a Guild-Certified Feldenkrais® practitioner and teacher. Her movement studies and teaching include Bones For Life®; T’ai Chi Chih®, a moving meditation, Continuum Movement; and the Feldenkrais Method® and Change Your Age® accredited teacher. Viktoria has explored these modalities and shared them with her clients and students since 2000.

For the last 7 years world beat musician Wynne Paris has split his time between New York City and LA, learning the music of yoga, producing new age music and developing a musical style that he describes as “Raga Rock”. As a Bhakti, or devotional singer, he draws upon influences from Indian and Tibetan folk music, blues and Jazz, and chiefly from Kirtan; a devotional form of singing that he performs at yoga centers, raves, and festivals and gatherings. By mixing ecstatic and holistic expressions of music, Wynne uses tabla loops, Indian instruments, chanting, an innovative guitar style, and a generous helping of Sarod (an esoteric Indian instrument) to serve up a spiritually funky and uplifting sound. “Wynne Paris blends an eastern Heart and a western Head for a great mix” – Krishna Das.

Zora has been practicing yoga for 12 years and was inspired by her mom, who raised her with an appreciation for Eastern practices and philosophies. Zora became a certified Soma Yoga Instructor in March of 2008. She attributes yoga for getting her through the challenges of life with greater ease. She feels grateful to have these incomparable tools and wishes to share what she has learned with others. Zora is also a certified children’s yoga instructor and has a young daughter with whom she practices.