Tiiu Gennert is certified as a Sivananda Hatha Yoga Instructor (Yoga Acharya, Master of Yoga,
M.Y.) and a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500 Hour Level.  She is also trained and certified in methods of deep relaxation, meditation, and adapting yoga to life threatening illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.  Tiiu has been practicing yoga since 1997 when a close friend in law school inspired her to explore the benefits of yoga.  

Tiiu has a background in biology, anthropology and public health.  She has found Sivananda yoga to be a perfect complement to her academic training because of its scientific approach to holistic health.  Tiiu has always enjoyed a variety of team and individual sports, and is fascinated with the way in which yoga practice combines strength, flexibility and mental poise for a healthier and more fulfilling life.  She is inspired by the way in which yoga practice integrates into her daily life as well as the lives of her students.  The practice of yoga is a constant learning process as one searches for truth and enlightenment from within.  Tiiu strives to create a safe and positive environment in which her students are comfortable learning, exploring and challenging themselves.

Striving to provide high quality and individualized instruction, Tiiu was looking for a way in which to better serve her students with neck and back sensitivities.  In her search, she found that Pilates instruction was a powerful and energetic way to strengthen her students' bodies from the “inside out”.  Respecting a classical approach to teaching yoga, she became enamored with Power Pilates' classical, systematic and integrative approach to strengthening and stabilizing the core (the "powerhouse") of the body.  She is Mat Certified and System Level I Equipment Certified with Power Pilates, and is currently training with the fitness-based Power Pilates program to further hone her mat based class instruction skills and work with the Reformer, Chair, Cadillac, Barrels, Magic Circles, and Ped-o-Pul.

Additionally, Tiiu practices the art of Thai Yoga Massage.  This healing tradition can be traced back over 2,500 years to India and the spread of Buddism.  It is performed on a cushion on the floor in loose and comfortable clothing.  Thai Yoga Massage combines yoga postures and breathing practices, Aruveda, and meditation, and has been described as assisted Hatha yoga.  In receiving Thai  Yoga Massage one receives the benefits of the practice of yoga, including: stretching and toning the muscles; improving circulation; relieving muscle tension; helping  regulate metabolism; boosting the immune system; balancing the body energetically; increasing mental poise and calm; and perpetuating compassion and loving kindness.

Kate Murch
“Yoga regards the body as a vehicle for the soul in its journey towards perfection, asanas (Yoga postures) are designed to develop not only the body: they also broaden the mental facilities and spiritual capacities.” - Swami Sivananda
Through my Yoga practice I have experienced this physical purification and broadening of awareness. Sharing this knowledge with others is an honor. In 2004, I trained under the disciples of Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnu-Devananda and received my 200 hour level certification. I have also had the privilege to study with other great Yoga teachers, such as, Aadil Palkhivala, Sharon Gannon, Cyndi Lee, Rod Stryker, Doug Swenson and many outstanding local Yoga teachers.  I am a certified Thai Yoga Massage practitioner through the Lotus Palm School of Thai Yoga Massage.

Robert Moreno
After attending his first Yoga class, Robert knew that he had finally found what he had always been searching for.  He considers himself a life long student of Yoga and feels that the opportunity to share what has been passed down to him is a great honor.  Yoga has created an intense awareness within himself and the need to overcome the fluctuations of the mind and to create balance.  Robert is a certified yoga instructor at the 200 hour level.

Oscar Brion Trivers is Sivananda Hatha Yoga trained & certified at the 200 hour level. Brion has been moved, molded, and motivated by yoga for over 16 years.  A friend’s mother, a Kripalu Yoga practitioner & teacher introduced him to the practice.  Brion’s interest in & personal practice of meditation was encouraged by his doctor when he was 16, to help relieve stress & stress related reflux. Stress management was one of the major factors for him being open to the practice of Yoga at an early age.  It also fueled his interest in other spiritual practices (including Reiki, Buddhism & various Eastern philosophies). These spiritual seeds, planted early, were fertilized & sprouted during two soul searching trips to India, where Brion delved deeply in the study, practice & cultural lifestyle of the East.

Now a children's Gymnastics teacher at one of Ohio's premiere gymnastics facilities (Great Lakes Gymnastics) in Avon Lake, Brion combines yoga & gymnastics to develop & strengthen young athletes as well as adults looking for a more therapeutic approach to mental, physical & in the end, spiritual fitness.

Indirya "Indi" Shekerjian has been teaching yoga since 1997.  First exposed to yoga when she was 19 as a warm-up for drama class, she returned to the discipline when the stress of her job was overwhelming.  Under the guidance of a Sivananda teacher, she received her yoga certification after a year of intense and intimate study.  Living in the "yoga mecca" city of Los Angeles, she continued to train and study with world-renowned teachers such as Erich Schiffman, Ana Forrest, Mark Whitwell as well as many visiting instructors like Rodney Yee, Elise Miller, Dona Holleman, Gary Kraftsow and T.K.V. Desikachar. Her playful spirit and sunny California disposition will certainly brighten your day. 

Deanna Black's favorite quote is from Gandhi, “Live as if you are going to die tomorrow, learn as if you are going to live forever."  She has been in the fitness industry since 1985, teaching group and individual exercise, cycling, and yoga classes throughout the Midwest and internationally.  With a BSBA in marketing-management and a minor in athletic training from Missouri Southern State College and later undergrad and graduate coursework in advanced exercise physiology and psychology from Iowa State University, her education continues to be diverse in dance, martial arts, Pilates, yoga and massage therapy, as well as a variety of certifications and workshops by ACE, AFAA, AIFE and Yoga Alliance.  The classes she creates accommodate a wide range of levels designed to empower you to do more than you thought possible in a safe, non-threatening environment.  The benefits are more that meet the eye.  Your reactions and/or responses to the challenges in your physical practice often reflect and carry over to those from the challenges of daily living.  With the community developed in Deanna's classes, we can work individually on our well being, yet know we are together in enhancing our world around us. 
Many thanks to her teachers, Shiva Rea,  Shri K Pattahbi Jois, David Swenson and his wife Shelly, Daren Friesen, and locally, Marni Task, Jan Hauenstein and Brian Ballentine,  She is humbled and inspired through each of their teachings.  And to her students, she is truly touched to share the journey.  Life ... Love!  Peace!  Enjoy!

Denys Morgan, LMT has been working professionally with movement and exercise since 1986.  Her lifelong dedication is to heal one’s body, mind and spirit. Denys founded Total Body Solutions (www.totalbodysolutions.net) in Cleveland, Ohio in 1994 to offer her clients a holistic approach to physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being.  She has an extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, great enthusiasm and creativity, and a sincere desire to help others.  As a healer, body worker and teacher, Denys relies heavily on her intuition. 

Denys began studying yoga in 1991 at the Reese Institute in Orlando, Florida and in 1992 she completed her teacher’s training.  In 1994, she began teaching in the Cleveland area.  She teaches a dynamic, eclectic blend of several styles of yoga including Hatha, Ashtanga, Raja, and Kriya Yoga as well as Tibetan yogic techniques.  Denys’ follows the teaching of her gurus: Sathya Sai Baba, Pramahansa Yogananda, Meher Baba and Guru Mai.  By Their grace she is blessed to spread Their message.

In 1991, Denys began the practice Sufi Dervish whirling, a movement meditation.  While in India, she furthered her studies of Sufi religious philosophies.  Over the years, Denys has also done self-guided studies of the teachings of the Light of Yoga Society, The Self-Realization Fellowship, the International Yoga Association, and the Bihar School of Yoga. 

Denys is an ordained minister with The Universal Life Church and is licensed in the State of Ohio to perform wedding ceremonies.       

Denys has held numerous workshops and retreats nationally and internationally.  She has traveled the globe spreading healing energy and sharing her life lessons.  The highlights of her yoga career have been teaching in Serbia, England, Italy, Costa Rica, and India.  She is currently offering spiritual healing retreats in the U.S., Costa Rica, and various other exotic locations.  Her dream is to open an alternative teaching and healing center on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.  Another project on the horizon is the launch of her new technique of practicing yoga in water, which she calls “Waga (sm).” 

Shakthi Paramasivam has been practicing Yoga ever since he was really young, the benefits of being born in a family that appreciated the esoteric and a culture that honored the sacredness of life. This early upbringing in yoga has imbued him with a sense of the spirit that is deep and playful at the same time.

Shakthi has had many teachers (family, friends, kids, strangers, animals, plants) who have each given him a glimpse of the infinite. He has also studied with the modern Masters: Tolly Burkan ( The Father of the Fire Walking Movement), Richard Asimus, Antoinette Asimus, Bodhi Avinasha (Ipsalu Tantra Yoga), Richard Bartlett (Matrix Energetics), Abraham – Hicks ( Law of Attraction), Larry Crane( Release Technique), Marshal Govindhan (Kriya Yoga). The effects of these modern masters and other masters of different times are apparent in the way he teaches and leads his life.
www.agnishakthi.com

(photo by www.jforristal.com)
Catherine Palko pursued her 200-hour yoga teacher certification through Cyndi Lee's OM yoga for its dual vinyasa and meditation focus. She practices various forms of yoga and her teaching style reflects her belief that all are One. Her classes interweave purifying physical postures with breath to create a moving, mindful meditation that allows awareness and healing to transpire. Catherine believes in the powerful sangha (spiritual community) that results from a group class and nurtures that dynamic, while encouraging individual growth. You will be motivated to explore and realize your Self - body, mind, and spirit - and your experience, while learning how to incorporate your yoga off the mat and into your daily life.

She is ever grateful to ALL her teachers, whose wisdom & guidance has changed her life and the lives of those she is blessed to teach and practice amongst, especially Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, Pema Chodron, Ram Dass, Deanna and Marni. Much gratitude and love to her sangha & this fantastic Cleveland yoga community! Be the light!
 

Shanna Sheline is a Cleveland based Modern Dancer, teacher, practioner of Thai Yoga Massage, and Pilates instructor.  She received her M.A. in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University .  Shanna is certified at the mat level in Power Pilates and continues her training through this classical system.  Shanna turned to Pilates to become a better dancer and received so much more.  She believes that core strength, balance and control gained from a regular Pilates practice enhances the body’s performance no matter what kind of mover you are.

Brenda Gemeiner has practiced yoga for about ten years.  She has studied with various teachers in the Cleveland and Akron communities, and completed her 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification at Namaste’ Yoga Studio.  She has trained in an Anusara inspired style and believes that proper alignment is key to really opening in yoga.  Her love of nature and deep spiritual beliefs infuse her classes.  She uses her experience as a photographer to see the world around her in a beautiful light and she tries to bring that view to her students.

Darlene Kelbach has been practicing yoga for over 6 years and quickly discovered not only the physical benefits but also the spiritual and mind centering benefits.  Her connection with nature has encouraged her to explore her connections with all beings.  Although she enjoys practicing different styles and has studied with several teachers in the Cleveland-Akron community, her love of Anusara yoga and the philosophy of living from the heart and being in the flow of grace is what resonates with her.  She received her 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification in Fall 2007 at Namaste’ Yoga Studio with teachers Mary Pat Murphy and Rowan Silverberg.  Her personal style is a melding of the core principles of Anusara and the influence of a broad range of talented teachers.  Darlene enjoys teaching children’s yoga and is a Reiki practitioner as well.  Living her life to create a more peaceful and loving Universe, Darlene encourages her students to remain grounded, to be open to whatever life brings and to, of course, “have fun”. 

Sally (Sraddha) Smith discovered yoga at a young age while seeking relief from a series
of physical aches and pains for which doctors had no answers.  She fell in love with yoga when she found that it also promoted healing for the entire matrix of thought, emotion, and spirit.  Upon witnessing the recent explosion in yoga's popularity, Sally began to recognize a culture-wide crisis of the heart and soul which yoga is uniquely suited to remedy.  Sally completed her 200-hour teacher training with Devhuti Milcetich in the school of Brahmrishi Yoga.  She has also completed the ten-day Vipassana meditation course taught by S.N. Goenkaji, and is a certified Reiki practitioner.

Grant Marquit
Grant Marquit began his practice at an early age, leading chorus sections and singing with family and in spiritual settings.  He has been recognized for his talent in vocal music, and was also the producer of the Symphony for 1000 Drums, a collaboration with renowned Egyptian composer Halim El-Dabh.

Steven Young (Dentista) of Grupo Unidade Capoeira
Steven Young has been playing the Afro-Brasilian art of Capoeira since 2001.  Earning the Capoeira name "Dentista" from his former Contre Mestre Serpente Negra, Steven "Dentista" Young has dedicated his teaching career to the cultivation and development of beginner and intermediate students of Capoeira.

Capoeira is an Afro-Brasilian Martial Art created by African slaves transported to Brasil some 500 years ago.  A very dynamic and involving art style, Capoeira takes total concentration to master.  It can be very acrobatic and moving or it can it be allusive and demanding.  Capoeira utilizes every muscle in the body and stresses total control of movement.  It is a beautiful art to see and can be mesmerizing to experience.

Practioners of Capoeira, become so absorbed in the Cultural exchange, it becomes a healthy “addiction”, wanting to learn more and more of its exotic flavor through its music, singing, and movements.  Mestre Pastinha, a very famous and outspoken advocate of Capoeira once stated that, "Capoeira, is everything the mouth eats", meaning basically, that all that you put in to its training and development you are then nourished by the outcome of so much hard work.
 

Nicholas Helmick (Gringo Macumbero)
Gringo trained under Mestre Carneirinho (Associacao de Capoeira Pacifico).  Like many Capoeiristas, he plays the berimbau (single stringed instrument), atabaque (congo drum), pandeiro (tamborine), and the ago-go (double iron bell).  Gringo prefers to teach in Brazilian Portuguese to honor the practice and tradition of his Mestre.  He loves the game … playing Capoeira in the roda, interacting with other people, manifesting Axe (energy), and making music.  Gringo's dedicated to the art and strives for life-long learning.
 

Megan Pitcher is a performer, choreographer and dance instructor.  Pitcher received her BFA in dance from Ohio University and has performed modern dance works by Gabriel Masson, Tere O’Conner, Susan VanPelt and others.  Her work has been presented by Bates Dance Festival in Maine, Muskegon Civic Theater in Michigan, Cincinnati Fringe Festival, Cleveland State University, Richland Academy and The Movement Organization in Ohio.  She is artistic director of MegLouise Dance and produces her own work throughout the Midwest.  Pitcher has taught various styles of dance for Cuyahoga Community College, Ohio Dance Theatre, Dancing Wheels, Ohio State University Mansfield, Ohio University, Ohio Dance Festival, The Beck Center and Richland Academy.  She teaches master classes for public schools and other public service agencies.

 

Kathleen Corcoran (Rava)
Kathleen Corcoran is a full-time middle eastern dance instructor and performer who has taught at Kent State 
University and Baldwin Wallace.  She started studying middle eastern dance in 1997 and after 4 years began 
teaching at workshops and seminars. Her study of music theory enabled her to recognize how to mesh movement 
to music and her innate ability to envision sound as movement earned her the position of choreographer with 
troupe Hareem Shar’eem specializing in solos as well as group numbers which utilize her unique fusion of Turkish 
cabaret, American tribal, and Gypsy. Her favorite of the three styles is Gypsy for its passion and melodrama.
Kathleen’s classes focus not only on learning individual movements, but on putting separate movements together 
into a choreography that echoes a specific piece of music. She feels that musicality is a vital part of a dancer’s 
repertoire and enjoys combining movements from several different dance styles to make her choreography fun, 
challenging, and innovative. She has performed in Street Beats, the Children’s International Games, North East 
Ohio Dance Festival, and Centerfest as well as various workshop performances and local restaurants. Her non-dance 
education includes a Degree in English and a second in Sign Language Interpreting.

Steve Zimcosky, BS, LMT, C.Ht.
Steve is certified in QiQong Healing, Chinese Massage, is a registered Tai Chi instructor with the QiQong and Human Life Research Foundation, and a former Martial Arts Instructor for Hiram College.  He's been in the Holistic Health field since 1993.   Steve practices Thai Yoga Massage bodywork and is licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board in Massage Therapy, is certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, and is a member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals.  He has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Charter Oak State College and his concentration area is in Holistic Health.  Additionally, Steve is a Certified Hypnotist and belongs to the National Guild of Hypnotists as well as the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association.  Finally, Steve is a Basic NeuroLinguistic Programming practitioner and is a member of the National Federation of Neurolinguistic Psychology.

Karma Yogins

Harry Yee, M.Ed., B.S. (Zoology)
Harry comes to Studio 11 with over 20 years experience in health care management of hospital & long term care. He decided to get into massage therapy after experiencing burnout in the healthcare field. Refreshed and rejuvenated, he received his license (L.M.T.) in January of 2001.  He’s certified in Neuromuscular, Geriatric, Sports, Hot Rock and Equine Massage and is working towards certification in Thai Yoga Massage Bodywork with the Lotus Palm School of Thai Massage.  Harry has over 7 years of experience practicing Martial Arts (with a focus in Tae Kwon Do and Judo).  In addition to Karate and weight lifting, his many hobbies include home repair, cooking and gardening.  Additionally, Harry perpetually strives to hone his skills in many facets of massage therapy, teaches locally and continues to develop his yoga practice … increasing his balance and flexibility by leaps and bounds.