OUR TEACHERS
Marianne Bochilo – 500 ERYT, ECRYT
Marianne offers diverse yoga, mindfulness, and meditation classes aimed at nurturing body, mind, and soul. With an E-RYT 500 Certification and specialized training, she incorporates creativity and inspiration into her sessions. Marianne’s Bhakti yogini approach infuses her classes with devotion and a heart-opening experience for her students.
Marianne Bochilo is more than just a yoga teacher; she’s a beacon of light in the world of wellness. Blessed to own the studio where she completed both her 200 hr and 500 hr teacher training, Marianne brings a wealth of experience and a heart full of devotion to her practice. Marianne offers diverse yoga, mindfulness, and meditation classes aimed at nurturing body, mind, and soul. With an E-RYT 500 Certification and specialized training, she incorporates creativity and inspiration into her sessions. Marianne’s Bhakti yogini approach infuses her classes with devotion and a heart-opening experience for her students. In Marianne’s classes, you’ll find a blend of creative sequencing, playful exploration, and soulful inspiration, all designed to help you deepen your practice on and off the mat. With a firm belief in nurturing body, mind, and soul, she guides her students through yoga, mindfulness, and meditation practices, aiming for each person to step off the mat feeling refreshed, nourished, and balanced.
Mary Clare Chiofalo 500 RTY, ECRYT, BCPT Mary Clare, a seasoned yoga teacher and Board Certified Polarity Therapist, prioritizes individualized experiences to guide students towards peace and healing. With nearly 20 years of teaching, she emphasizes meeting students where they are and tailoring practices to their needs. Alongside her expertise, Mary Clare shares her love for movies, particularly the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
Gary Pfleger – 500 E-RYT, RPE
With 20 years of teaching experience, Gary is an RYT500 and Registered Polarity Educator. His holistic approach integrates yoga, Polarity Therapy, Reiki, and Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra ®. Formerly a Co-Director of the Nassau County Sheriffs Department Employee Assistance Program, Gary’s goal is to guide students towards balance and well-being through mindful practices.
Jane McQueen – B.S., M.A., E-RYT 500, C-IAYT
Jane, a Certified Yoga Therapist, specializes in adapting yoga for mid-life and health challenges. With extensive training and experience, she emphasizes functional movement, breath, and personalized approaches to promote strength and balance. Jane’s dedication to helping individuals thrive is evident in both group and private settings.
Angela Bruno-Carron RYT 200, PT
Angela has been teaching yoga for 13 years, trained at the Malverne Polarity and Yoga Center. With a degree in Physical Therapy and 30 years of practice, she blends anatomy knowledge into her sessions, focusing on joint alignment and enhancing flexibility and strength with restorative breath. Angela enjoys guiding beginners and welcomes all levels to experience the benefits of yoga.
Carlina Ferrari – RYT 200
Carlina sees Yoga as a dialogue among mind, body, and soul. With over 20 years of practice and RYT 200 Certification, she facilitates classes fostering self-compassion and purpose discovery. Drawing from clinical experience in Wellness and Recovery, Carlina emphasizes sustainable techniques for each student’s unique journey.
Cynthia Lenz – RYT 200
Growing up, I was not much of an athlete. Other than running very fast for very short distances, playing sports was not my thing! However, I have always felt drawn to yoga. So, 20+ years ago, I began my journey into learning this beautiful, ancient practice. I discovered that not only did I love it; I could do it. And so can you! Yoga is for everyone. You don’t need to be an athlete, dancer or anything other than yourself. You are enough. It would be my honor to teach you how to develop your own practice so you can experience yoga’s benefits for the body, mind and spirit.
Debbie Franzese – 1000 Hr. YT Debbie discovered yoga 25 years ago while recovering from a major back injury. Through yoga, she healed herniated discs and experienced improved mental clarity, balance, and energy levels. Debbie believes in the transformative power of yoga, which not only reshaped her body but also enhanced her overall quality of life.
Diana Benigno – RYT 200 Diana’s yoga journey is about finding freedom through releasing body tension. With an MA in Theatre and a BA in Dramatic Literature, she brings a unique perspective to her practice, emphasizing self-recognition through physical movement and breath. Trained locally, Diana is passionate about sharing yoga with her community in Malverne.
Gail Pattay – RYT 200 Gail’s journey with yoga began in high school, providing a healing outlet after losing her father. Rediscovering yoga at 36, she found continuous healing through practice, education, and community involvement. Gail holds various certifications, including in life coaching, and is currently pursuing her 300 Hr. YTT. Her mission is to authentically lead classes with compassion, aiming to inspire and uplift her students.
Isa Mendoza – Wellness Coach, Reiki Practioner
Isa Mendoza is a wellness coach, Reiki Practitioner, mother, wife and spiritual teacher. Isa practices a body-based approach to healing and is passionate about prioritizing self-care for the good of all.
Karina Barbiero – RYT 200 Karina’s passion for yoga stems from personal healing experiences, driving her to guide others with love and compassion. As a lifelong student and 200 Hour RYT, she continues to deepen her knowledge through certifications and workshops. Karina’s teaching focuses on mindful movement, meditation, and breath work, fostering a supportive environment for her students’ journeys.
Samantha Geraci-Yee – RYT 200
Samantha brings over 18 years of yoga experience and multiple certifications to her dynamic classes. Prioritizing intentional movement, mindfulness, and breath awareness, she creates a welcoming space for students of all levels. Samantha’s passion for accessible wellness extends beyond yoga, reflecting her dedication to empowering others.
Theresa DiLallo – RYT 200
Theresa, a former professional dancer turned yoga teacher, shares her passion for yoga with students of all levels. With a background in dance and education, she emphasizes inclusivity and meets students where they are in their practice. Theresa believes in the transformative power of yoga for all, regardless of flexibility or perfection.
Heather Principe – RPE, YTT200/500, PWE, RPP
Heather has been teaching ancient forms of wellness for over 45 years – Yoga, Hermetics, Polarity, and Native American herbal and Spiritual/physical and cleansing. As an Elder, she continues as an Hermetic and Polarity Practitioner and runs Healing Circles all over the world. As a Mother of two and a Grandmother of three, she knows the Healing of the people and planet lies in the innate ability of the body as it relates to the soul.