tina m. stroh, BA. E-ryt

Tina has been a student of yoga for more than 20 years and has been teaching since 1997. In her teens she was introduced to yoga and the yogic philosophy by her first yoga teacher, Eliana "Prerana"Baccas, who taught Kripalu yoga and the yogic lifestyle of Kripalu Yoga Ashram.

After completing a BA in International Affairs and Theatre from UNH, Tina received her 200 hour certification as an Interdisciplinary Yoga Instructor at Omega Institute for Holistic Studies with Don Stapleton and Amba Camp-Stapleton of Nosara Institute in 1996. That same year she discovered a love of the ashtanga vinyasa yoga practice. Beryl Bender Birch, author of "Power Yoga" was her first inspiring ashtanga teacher. Since then she has taken classes and training with David Williams, Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, Sharath, Manju Jois, Sri Vatsa Ramaswami (direct student of Krishnamacharya) Christine Hoar, Kathy Mcnames and others. She has received teacher training in the Primary Series from Nancy Gilgoff, David Swenson, and Beryl Bender Birch. She has also done 2nd Series training with Nancy Gilgoff several times and continues to study regularly. She has also begun studies in sanskrit with Vyaas Houston. Tina hopes to teach people that yoga is a science and an art that can empower them to understand and appreciate themselves and humanity.

Due to a chronic travel-bug, she has been to India several times and plans to return again soon! These pilgrimages have enriched her knowledge and appreciation of the culture from which yoga originated. Tina's trip to India in 2000 included a visit to Dharamsala, the Dalai Lama's home in exile. While there, she assisted in producing a documentary film with Andrea Campbell of Natural Light Films. Visit Andrea's site to see a description of the documentary Andrea and Tina produced and shot together. The working title is "Naked Philosopher". Also, Andrea edited footage of a Tibetan New Year Celebration from their 2000 trip: http://current.tv/watch/10190034.htm .

Thank you to a special peanut salesman who taught that the one true religion is "humanity"! Namaste, Shankar!

Tina is the founder and co-owner of just plain yoga studio with her husband, Ron.

RON BLOUCH

fifteen years ago Ron was running a successful business in suburban washington, dc. after a dramatic, unexplainable incident that altered his life he spent years attempting to understand what had happened to him. conventional western medical approaches were of little help in clearing the negative effects he was experiencing. an encounter with an unorthodox teacher enabled him to begin to use this radical experience that he had, so unexpectedly, to work for him rather than against him.

he then began to immerse himself in every transformational practice he could find to see which ones, if any, were effective in bringing about change from pain to happiness. what does it take for people to change if they want to? is real, permanent change possible? how can we make the transition rapidly? can we become free of the things in our lives that we don’t like? can we do the things that we once found impossible with calm, ease and happiness? the answer is yes, without a doubt. ron’s life has been transformed from one of self-recrimination, suffering and isolation to one of clarity, strength, connection and adventure.

since the time of that original experience he has studied many different practices with a variety of teachers -- always with an intent to find the effective parts of the work while letting go of the things that were useless. at the moment he has done almost 80 trainings with 60 different teachers including mantak chia, michael winn, jack canfield, beryl bender-birch, paul scheele, ken wilber, genpo david merzel roshi, victor van kooten, charles muir, chun yi lyn, jim donovan, david williams, susan carlson, edward clarke, russell targ, zivorad slavinski, dr. glenn morris, hale dwoskin, gary craig, and marilou seavey. he teaches meditation because it is his core practice and it is, in his opinion, a crucial element in any other change practice that actually works. 

he is certified as a neuro linguistic programming practitioner and sedona method facilitator. he has delivered thousands of hours of emotional and physical clearing processes to others using the emotional freedom technique and several other mental and energetic technologies. he has trained in kundalini and la ho chi energetic practices and is a reiki master. among other things he has studied and done work in chi kung, yoga, meditation, and several other western change practices..

most importantly ron believes that the isolation of the meditative cushion is necessary and is, eventually, fun, but it is not an end in itself. it is a beginning that leads to the possibility of having the life you want, whatever that may look like to you.

Ron is a co-owner of Just Plain Yoga, with his wife, Tina.

ALLIE BERGER

Allie Berger received her B.A. in Dance at Hobart & William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY.  She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop in the past, but is currently focusing on modern dance and especially enjoys contact improvisation.  She currently teaches dance at the Danzante Community Arts Center in Harrisburg.  Allie began practicing yoga regularly in 2008 and recently completed a 40-hour teacher training at Just Plain Yoga.

ANGI BRAUN

angi began doing pilates in 1998.  once she started, she never stopped and received her teacher certification in 2008.   she has taken classes all over the united states to create an exciting fusion mix of yoga, pilates, sports conditioning, and dance.  she is certified in many aspects of pilates including pilates on the chair, thinking off the mat, and with the pilates ring.  angi has many hobbies including running and swimming, but most of all, she enjoys anything that she does with her husband, max and her daughter, kyra.  angi is also available for private sessions.

JADE EICHNER

After having a mystical experience during her very first hatha yoga class, Jade new that yoga was her path. Shortly after the experience she attended the Himalayan Institute and received her 200 hour teaching certificate in hatha yoga.  She continues to study yoga diligently and plans on furthering her studies in India. She also studies other Eastern philosophies such as Buddhism and Taoism. 

Jade is a certified personal trainer and is a level II Reiki practitioner.  She is currently attending Penn State University and will graduate next year with a degree in communications.  Yoga has changed her life dramatically by helping to reduce her body pain, balance her emotions, and guide her spiritual journey.  Jade wishes to bring the hatha yoga experience to her students and hopes to challenge them both physically and mentally.

ANNE FALVO, RYT

Six years ago, amid the happy chaos of raising four children, Anne stumbled onto the path of Ashtanga yoga. While initially attracted by the physical challenges of Ashtanga, she soon noticed other beneficial effects of her yoga practice. Her curiosity led her to pursue the more spiritual aspects of yoga as well. Since then her study of Ashtanga yoga, Tibetan Buddhism, and meditation has brought her a sense of peace and balance. She is learning to extend the feeling of inner calm that she experiences on her mat into other aspects of her life. As her personal practice developed, she felt a desire to share this joy with others. She began teaching ashtanga in 2002.  Through fellow practitioners she  met and studied extensively with Beryl Bender Birch, the author of Power Yoga and founder of The Hard & the Soft Yoga Institute. With their guidance and support she has found a loving compassionate way to teach this very challenging discipline. She is always amazed at the abundance of happiness and health yoga brings into the lives of students. With her children now becoming more independent, she has decided to further integrate her background in healthcare with the study of yoga and meditation. As she looks forward to continuing her training with Beryl and she will continue on this journey of well being and spiritual growth.

Carrie fleming, BS. ryt

Carrie started practicing yoga in 2000 as a way to reduce the stress she was encountering through a career change and also as a new parent. Once she tried it, she didn’t look back. In 2004/2005 she attended the yoga teacher training program at the Mt. Nittany Institute of Natural Health. Carrie’s classes are based in the Kripalu tradition, which emphasizes self-awareness and relaxation, as well as gaining strength and balance on and off the mat. In Sanskrit, Kripalu means “being compassionate”, and Carrie encourages students to be aware of their bodies and selves to bring out the best in all aspects of life. Carrie has taken workshops with Ana Forrest, Jason Crandell, and Beryl Bender Birch, all of which have influenced her style. Carrie plans to continue practicing with these teachers, as well as deepening her practice of Kripalu yoga and studying the science of the chakra system. When not teaching, reading about, or practicing yoga, Carrie works her day job, keeping Pennsylvania clean and green as an environmental scientist for the Commonwealth. In her spare time, Carrie spends time with her husband and daughter, dreams of going to Disneyworld, and makes and eats good food from local sources.

CAROLYN FUNKE

Carolyn began her yoga practice in 2000 as a college student in Buffalo, NY. She studied Vinyasa yoga for 6 years before finding Bikram Yoga in 2006. After 3 years of practice, Carolyn attended teacher training with Bikram Choudhury in the Spring of 2009. Upon completion of her training, Carolyn spent a year in Buffalo, NY practicing and teaching. Carolyn has traveled the north eastern US teaching in Boston, Mass, Vermont, Portland, Maine, New York, New York, Pittsburgh and Lancaster, PA. Carolyn has also completed yoga teacher seminars with the 2009 International Yoga Champions of the Bishnu Gosh Cup and the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Carolyn feels that each new teacher, each new student and each new experience is a growth opportunity. She hopes to share the gifts of yoga for the rest of her life.

DALE HAILS, MA. E-ryt-500

Dale Hails has been studying Iyengar yoga since 1977.  She is certified by B.K.S. Iyengar, is registered with Yoga Alliance as E-RYT 500 where she serves on the Standards Committee, and is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.  In addition to training with senior Iyengar teachers, Dale has studied with the Iyengars in Pune, India and through attendance at US Iyengar conventions.  Her Master’s degree is in Exercise Science with an emphasis on Motor Learning and Biomechanics and is certified as Group Health Instructor by the American College of Sports Medicine. For more info about Dale check out her website: http://www.dalehails.com

CAROLYN HARLEY

carolyn discovered the power of yoga accidentally in 2002 by showing up for a class at a community center looking for a stretch for her tight muscles. little did she realize what was about to happen to her life over the next 8 years. the intensity that she brings to everything she has ever done found a perfect match in the challenge of moving her body into postures she never thought possible.

after years of dedicated asana practice she has moved from practioner to teacher and shares her hard earned knowledge and understanding of the practice of yoga with all of her students at JPY. her powerful and elegant physical practice along with her relaxed and fun teaching style allow students to both experience and learn about yoga every time she steps to the front of the classroom.

LORI KLEIN

Lori Klein is a 500 hour graduate of The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institute and a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. She works as executive assistant to The Hard & The Soft and Beryl Bender Birch. Lori enjoys traveling with Beryl and assisting during workshops and retreats. Lori focuses on mindfulness, breathing, and healthy energetic alignment in her Boomer Yoga, Classical Yoga, and Astanga Yoga classes.

Lori uses the practice of yoga in all areas of her life. She works to be mindful and compassionate in raising two boys with her husband, Michael. Her free time is spent walking and hiking with their dogs. Lori also participates in advocacy for autism awareness and breast cancer research.

AMANDA LEASE

After receiving her BFA in both Fibers and Printmaking with a minor in Art History from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art in 2001, Amanda Lease decided to leave the big city to return to her rural south central PA roots for a job in her field. During her first yoga class immediately following her return, she fell in love with this new art form and decide she wanted to teach it. Not knowing if it was a passing fling or something she wanted to do for the rest of her life, she promised herself that if she felt the same way in two years, she would find a way to get her certification. In February 2004, with the spiritual and financial help from her family and two best friends, she headed back to the big city, with a broken toe, and received her certificate from Sara City Workshop.

Since then, she has taught in York, Gettysburg, and East Berlin for gyms, womens’ retreats and also privately for individual clients. She is happy to now be a party of the Just Plain Yoga Family.

In her spare time, she likes making wine, riding on the back of her husband’s Harley, reading historical fiction, hiking, playing on the wii with her husband and stepson, and volunteering in her community. Between April and November, you can find her hanging laundry, getting down and dirty in her garden, or taking a walk. Although she lives for yoga, her desire in life is to be a shining example of Christ’s love.

emma terndrup

Emma came to her yoga practice thru the fitness industry. As an ACE certified fitness instructor and personal trainer in the ‘80’s, she started teaching hi-lo, step, muscle works, spinning and pilates. She came to yoga for balance and focus, and attended a Kripalu based teacher training, with her yoga mentor. She earned a 200 hour Yoga Alliance Registry as a result. She enjoys going to yoga conferences and continuing teacher training programs, including Shiva Rea’s Advanced Vinyasa teacher training and spending a couple of weeks with Desiree Rumbaugh experiencing Anusara Yoga. She brings years of experience and teaching as well as a sense of playful fun to her classes!

Professionally, Emma is a Registered Respiratory Therapist, having worked in hospitals, home care, and an allergy/asthma office for over 20 years. She retired from Respiratory Therapy, and after raising her two sons, now enjoys landscaping, reading, and walking her two rescue dogs.

PAM TOPPER ~ PRABHUNAM KAUR

pam had spent years trying to find the path that would help her create some calm in her busy life. with the finding of kundalini yoga ten years ago she found the balance and peace needed. pam is certified to teach kundalini yoga as taught by yogi bhajan and is a member of  ikyta. she has training in radiant child yoga. a grandmother of 3 always, and a special education teacher by day, pam brings patience to her students. you can learn more about kundalini yoga classes in the area and about pam at www.kundaliniyogacentralpa.com .

“laugh because that is your purpose in life. love because that is what you came here for. shine because that is important. share because it is demanded of you.” – yogi bhajan

meena venkat

Meena is an AAAI/ISMA certified yoga instructor. She was born and raised in India and has been teaching yoga for more than 7 yrs in this area.   She is trained at the Indian Institute of Yoga in Chennai, India.  She loves teaching different forms of yoga including power yoga, hatha yoga, chair yoga, simple meditation, and breathwork.  Her fluency in Sanskrit, the language of Yoga, and her ability to translate with clarity to English gives her a unique perspective on the practice and benefits of Yoga.  

Lindsay ZembA, MA

When Lindsay was swimming and running competitively at Millersville University she started teaching yoga to college students. She has been practicing yoga for more than 10 years and has been teaching for 9. She is a certified yoga instructor through yoga fit, a spinning instructor through National Strength Professionals, and a personal fitness trainer through AAAI/ISMA.

After graduating from college, she began dabbling in triathlons and is now an internationally ranked Ironman triathlete - having competed in the original Ironman at Kona, Hawaii.  She loves practicing yoga as part of her triathlon training because of the increase in mental clarity and focus that it brings, along with greater endurance and self awareness.

Lindsay is inspired by Shiva Rea's vinyasa flow style of teaching and loves sharing and teaching yoga to all ages and fitness levels including both beginners and advanced practitioners.