Yoga Loft Instructors
To learn more about the Yoga Loft instructors, please click on the thumbnail photos below.
Aubrey Lampkin
Aubrey was born in Connecticut to British parents and has lived and worked all over the world, most recently teaching yoga holidays in Malta, the Swiss Alps and Thailand. After graduating from Boston University's College of Communications, she spent seven years as a marketing executive in New York City before leaving to pursue her true passions: travel, fitness and yoga. Aubrey practices and teaches a heat-building, flowing Vinyasa yoga combined with healthy alignment and therapeutic instruction, yoga philosophy and meditation. She studies with internationally renowned yoga instructor, Mitchel Bleier and his partner, Tracy Bleier of Saraswati's Yoga Joint in Connecticut where she completed both her Level 1 and Advanced Teacher Training courses (through Yoga Alliance). She also appears in Mitchel Bleier's 'Yo-Fi' yoga DVD-series. Aubrey believes yoga holds the key to the joyful life everyone is craving by simply offering us the chance to get to know ourselves a lot better. Aubrey is also a scuba dive master and publishes travel articles on the side.
Courtney Bombeck
Courtney Bombeck has been practicing yoga for over ten years. Her practice is meant to cultivate the mind-heart- body connection in a way that is thoughtful, challenging and healing. She believes that yoga is always a way forward to a more full life. She is blessed to have studied with Mitchel Bleier, Ross Rayburn, Bernadette Birney, and many other wonderful teachers and mentors. She regards the practice of Yoga as an incredible gift and feels very blessed to be part of this Kula.
Cynthia Fuller-Kling
Cynthia Fuller-Kling has been teaching yoga based classes since 1983, most recently in her own studio across the river in Palisades, NY. Originally from Toronto, Cynthia began practicing yoga in 1982 during her career as a professional modern dancer. She also draws on an extensive background of bodywork, the Alexander Technique, Pilates, energy work and meditation in her teaching. Anusara has been her primary focus of study in yoga since 2002. Cynthia is deeply grateful to all her teachers, mentors and students, both past and present. In her ever unfolding journey of deep inner work, Cynthia has been developing "The Fuller Method," synthesizing her eclectic array of body knowledge and mindfulness. In her classes, Cynthia guides and encourages students to move into each asana/pose with the intention of creating optimal alignment so that they can experience themselves to the fullest.
Gretchen Fleisher
Gretchen obtained her certification as a yoga instructor from Integral Yoga in Manhattan 10 years ago. Most recently she has trained under the guidance of Nevine Michaan, founder of Katonah Yoga, along with her many other gifted and extremely insightful teachers. Nevine's style of yoga resonated with Gretchen on a whole new level, inspiring her to teach this unique blend of yoga that is structured oriented at the core, but is by far the most dynamic and informed approach to a yoga practice that she has ever found. By understanding the origami of the body, one can experience a whole new way of moving energy through the physical body. As a result, one can constantly discover new dimensions in oneself. Gretchen's goal in her teaching is to pass on the endless lessons that can be learned from the body and mind through yoga.
Judi Friedman
Judi Friedman is a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher who draws on her years of practicing law to relate the principles of yoga. She teaches with clarity, energy and passion. Judi studies yoga regularly with senior Iyengar Yoga teachers including the renowned Patricia Walden. She enjoys working with teenagers and frequently presents workshops in the local high schools. She invites every "body" (whether stiff or flexible) to her class to experience the profound transformational possibilities that a yoga practice offers.
Kate Bovers
Kate Bovers is a certified hatha yoga teacher who feels that yoga is a gift to share and that it bestows strength and flexibility in the body and mind while allowing for a deep recognition of the true nature of the essential self. Her certifications include trainings with Nevine Michaan of Katonah Yoga, Alan Finger of Yogaworks, Om Yoga with Gina Norma, Ross Rayburn in the Anusara method level 1 and 2. She has studied with John Friend in a few workshops as well as a training for a week of yoga therapy. She has studied anatomy and physiology with Ellen Saltonstall to secure her teachings have the optimal alignment. She has also completed Judith Lasater’s “relax and renew” restorative workshop. Kate looks to incorporate clear alignment, a meditation mindfulness led by the breath through the asana practice with the desire to empower her students to access deeper openings within their bodies center.She loves to play with the aligned form of the body as a way to open the center of the heart. It is in that space the we find the repose in every pose.
Lara Demberg
Lara Demberg, RYT, is a Certified Anusara teacher, with 8 years teaching experience and co-founder of Vikasa Studio in Cold Spring, NY. Lara specializes in therapeutics and leads fun, challenging classes. She has studied with John Friend, Ellen Saltonstall, Jackie Prete, Ross Rayburn, Bernadette Birney and many other gifted teachers. Lara's Anusara classes are fun, challenging to the body and spirit, and always invoke a deeper purpose for stepping on the mat. Her open level classes blend many different abilities and challenges; everyone walks away challenged no matter what they bring to the mat.
Patricia Keane
Patricia Keane received her Hatha Yoga 200 Hour Certification from Master Teacher Paula Heitzner and the New Age Center in Nyack, NY. She has been teaching full time for nine years and continues her education through various workshops with Judith Lasater, Rodney Yee, Charles Matkin, Ana Brett and many others. Her classes combine breath work, alignment and in depth instruction which promote conscious movement in a nurturing and safe way. Tricia’s warm presence, knowledge of anatomy and attention to detail provide every student with the tools to explore their own individual posture, core strength, flexibility and well being. Tricia sees yoga as an endless source of learning and joy, and is so grateful to her students for sharing it with her. She lives in South Salem, New York with her husband and two daughters.
Rebekah Jacobs
is proud to be the Manager of The Yoga Loft at Bedford Post and welcomes you to your studio! She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance and a brand ambassador for Lululemon. Her life-sized photo can be seen in the Westport, CT. store. Rebekah took her first yoga class while performing on the road with a Broadway show and has been hooked ever since. She completed Anusara Teacher Training Levels 1 and 2 and is looking forward to additional philosophy immersions this fall. Additional Trainings include "Yoga for Two: The Barnes Method" Prenatal Certification with Mary Barnes, "Om Shree Om: Anusara Yoga for Kids" Training with Christine McArdle-Oquendo and a Pilates Mat certificate from Physical Mind, NYC. Rebekah studies with Ross Rayburn, Zhenja LaRosa, Bernadette Birney, Sianna Sherman, Todd Norian, John Friend, Seane Corn and Mitchel Bleier. She believes that the power to heal physically and emotionally can begin with one breath and last a lifetime. Her classes range from vigorous accompanied by modern music to restorative guided by candlelight. Come to class and find your inner light!
Rita Trieger
Rita Trieger is the founder and editor-in-chief of Fit Yoga Magazine, and the author of Yoga Heals Your Back (Fairwinds, 2005), and Tranquil Mind, a yoga/meditation CD. She incorporates a variety of traditions into her inspiring teaching style, and has cultivated an enthusiastic following in both vigorous Vinyasa flow classes and healing restorative classes. A spirited and sought-after teacher, Rita has presented at several national yoga conferences including The International Yoga Therapy Conference. She currently teaches yoga and meditation in Connecticut at The Health and Fitness Institute at Stamford Hospital, Dew Yoga in Stamford, Elements Yoga in Darien, The Bennett Cancer Center, and Stamford Hospital’s Center for Integrated Medicine, where she is the stress-management facilitator for the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for the Reversal of Heart Disease. Rita is developing a Yoga for Cancer Teacher Training with yoga therapy colleague Antonio Sausys and senior Kripalu teachers, which is due to be launched in the spring of 2011. Rita has also contributed a chapter for the upcoming book The Sacred Thread of Yoga compiled by renowned yogi and teacher, Kofi Buscia, and is writing an abstract on the effects of yoga on heart disease for the medical journal Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation (TGR,) to be released in the summer of 2011.
Robert Ortner
Robert's approach to the art and science of yoga begins with the phrase "We are our own best teachers." One does not just do yoga, one becomes yoga; it is a lifelong journey that anyone can make. Offering classes and programs that work with the whole person, from gentle conditioning and beginner classes to more traditional vinyasa and high-energy yoga for strength and endurance. He balances the need for strength and flexibility, stress reduction (aka surviving modern life) and meditation, along with breath work and inner quiet. Drawing from an interdisciplinary yoga background, and blends different styles and techniques that allow the body to open and expand throughout its entire range of motion. Offering a strong foundation in yogic essentials, as well as an encouraging and up-beat learning environment that allows each student to practice safely and at their own pace. Robert is a certified Yoga Therapist, trained by Nischala Joy Devi, the former director of Yoga for the Dr. Dean Ornish Heart Program for Reversing Heart Disease and co-founder of the Commonweal Cancer Help Program. Additionally, Robert is an IYT-Integrative Yoga Therapist, Thai Yoga practitioner and a Pilates instructor. Come have some FUN!
Susan Johnston
Susan Johnston is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance and a student of yoga for 12 years. Influenced by many different styles of yoga she has come to embrace the principles and spirit of Anusara Yoga. Susan’s teachings offer a slow flowing practice with deep exploration of asana placing a great emphasis on alignment. A practice that nourishes the body, mind and heart, opening oneself up to their true potential on and off the mat. She is excited to learn and share the inspiring philosophy and refined alignment of Anusara Yoga, which have helped her to experience life more fully. Susan is working toward her Anusara Certification with a concentration in therapeutics. I am honored to be part of the Yoga Loft community, to share, study and practice this wonderful gift of yoga
