Lisa Helfer, M.A., R.Y.T., founded Yoga for Weddings in 2006. The company has been featured on KDKA radio, Wedding T.V. (UK), and in Yoga Journal, New York Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, Seattle Metropolitan Bride and Groom, Rocky Mountain Bride, Bridal Guide Magazine, Brides Magazine UK, The Savvy Source, Bridalwave Magazine, Fitness Magazine, Abcofyoga.com, Yogafinder.com, Aisledash.com, Yogahub.com, Neoboda.com, Mywedding.com, Fitsugar.com, Neoboda.com, Candbseen.com, Glamour.com and Bridesinthecity.com.

Lisa began practicing yoga at the age of twelve. She was certified as a Yoga Alliance instructor in 2002, after completing Synergy Yoga Center’s training program in Miami, Florida. She also completed a 75-hour Ashtanga Vinyasa training program in 2003 at Shiva Shala in New York City with Manju Jois. Lisa has continued to study yoga with some of the top teachers in the United States and is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She teaches privately and in a large class setting; her vigorous and creative flowing vinyasa classes are catered to individual needs and levels. Each class contains the following components: breath/pranayama, meditation, asana, and mudra. Lisa has taught at the following yoga centers, wedding destinations, and retreat centers, Synergy Yoga Center (Florida), Shiva Shala (New York), Lotus Music and Dance (New York), Captain Whidbey Inn (Washington), The Studio Loft (California), The Baby Clubhouse (California) Sahale Retreat Center (Washington), and Wallace Falls Lodge (Washington).

Lisa also has over 15 year’s experience in public relations/marketing, media consultancy, and writing. She has a B.A. in Media Studies/Journalism/Eastern European History from Western Washington University and an M.A. in Creative Writing from The City College of New York. She is also a screenwriter and a poet.

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Julia Mannes is a certified yoga instructor who teaches breath-centered, rigorous flow classes, as well as the family-centered practices of couples, prenatal, and parent / baby yoga. Julia trained with Dana Flynn and Jasmine Tarkeshi at Laughing Lotus Yoga Center, Jyothi Larson at Integral Yoga Institute, and teachers J. Brown and Sasha Slocombe in Brooklyn. Julia also received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Vassar College.

Her down-to-earth lessons emphasize alignment, curiosity, and creativity. She believes yoga can help us look beyond externals to find what we seek in life from the inside out. She is quite comfortable teaching at both secular and religious events, and has experience weaving Jewish themes into her classes. She is particularly adept at helping students recognize the symbols of support and love they already find familiar, and weaving them into a theme for their wedding.

Learn more about Julia at www.juliamannes.com

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Nityda Coleman is a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) through Yoga Alliance.
Nityda is so grateful to have found her personal yogic path, and she can’t help but share her enthusiasm and love of the practice with her students. The graceful yet invigorating flow of Nityda’s classes is inspired by her dance background, as well as the yogic schools of Jivamukti, Ashtanga, and Power Vinyasa. In addition to teaching yoga, Nityda currently attends the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and works as a holistic health counselor.
“The yogic path mirrors the path of life. To serve as a guide for someone down his/her personal yogic path is truly a gift, but to aid in the uniting of two paths that will join as one is beautiful beyond words.” Nityda Coleman

Learn more about Nityda at www.theblissbodyinyou.com

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Lana Russo, RYT, began practicing Vinyasa yoga in 2004 and it quickly became a passion. As a former ballet dancer, she resonated with yoga’s flowing moves and breath-connected poses. She earned her 200-hour training with Laurie Ahlemann of Prana Shakti Yoga in North Bellmore, New York. Lana is CPR-certified and a member of the Yoga Alliance; she continues to build on her yoga education through workshops, mentorships and advanced training. Lana encourages students to work to their edge while finding the softness in every pose! In the New Year, Lana will begin to pursue the 300 hours necessary to become a RYT 500. She teaches at various universities and studios on Long Island.

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Ellie has been practicing yoga for ten years with teachers from a variety of yogic backgrounds. In 2002, she completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training at Synergy Yoga in Miami, Florida. She has also officiated at several marriage rites. Additionally, Ellie has been a bodywork practitioner since 1993. She believes marriage is one of the most beautiful symbols people have to represent their relationship with the Creator for two reasons: the first is because Source loves and accepts all our quirks and foibles, alongside our gifts. The second is because marriage is sustained by the same type of loving effort that humans have in relation to the Divine…that is…to be the best they can be in order to share that love, support, and unity with another person.

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Nikki has been practicing yoga for over 8 years and has received her training through Arizona's only 500 hour Yoga Advance Studies and Teacher Training program. The sense of peace and vigor yoga has brought into her life has inspired her to help others find the same in their own. Nikki's Raja and Iyengar-based 'Yoga for Weddings' classes helps individuals regain their balance and sense of joyful openness throughout the entire wedding planning process.

Her love and passion for helping others find peace in their lives day-to-day, moment-to-moment, especially during challenging times is felt through her teaching, and one walks away from practice calm, connected, open, energized...and a little lighter.

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After years of living in the Middle East and NYC, Tina landed in Los Angeles where she practiced Power Yoga with Bryan Kest for 11 years. Her Power Yoga class is a progressive sequence of flowing asanas that build functional strength, physically & mentally.

Not to be mistaken for 'turbo' yoga, Tina's Power Yoga class is about self-empowerment. Whether it means 'going for it' if you have the energy or being able to back off if you don't. By using a psychotherapeutic approach, she discusses how each pose represents a moment in the life of each individual that she teaches.

“My Yoga for Weddings classes have a strong emphasis on breath work, I teach my students how to cope with challenging postures as well as their life's changes with a little more ease and a lot more grace. No matter your age, size or situation, I am approachable and someone to whom everyone can relate.”

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Naima Reynolds is the owner of Naima's Total Body Health located in Miami, Florida, she specializes in a number spa services including facials, aromatherapy, massage, colon therapy, and body wraps. She offers these services alongside her Yoga for Weddings classes and can package them for bridal showers and bachelorette parties. Naima is an official notary in the State of Florida and performs wedding ceremonies frequently. In 2002, she completed a 200 hour level hatha yoga teacher training in 2002 from Synergy Yoga in Miami.

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Cynthia realized the power that yoga had the minute she stepped onto a mat. Intrigued by the teachings and the beauty of the practice she did her first teacher training at the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale Pennsylvania. She works continuously with her most valued teacher from the institute to put the lessons of yoga into practice in her daily life; themes she incorporates in all her classes.

In the beginning of 2007 Cynthia finished her second training at Moksha Yoga Center Chicago. She currently teaches full time in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Cynthia has had the wonderful fortune of studying with teachers from all over the world but has been greatly influenced by; Pandit Jerome Smith, Ana Forrest, Tias Little, Gabriel Halpern, Sandy Anderson, Rolf Solvic, Daren Friesen, and Sean Corn. Her classes are influenced by Iyengar, Anusara and Vinyasa styles of yoga, leaving her students feeling rejuvenated and centered, and in that presence, finding the strength to let go of what is no longer needed and discover the personal power and grace that we all possess.

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Tonja Renee Hall is a yoga teacher, cowgirl, artist, and a floral designer. She loves language (Spanish, Thai, and French) and is a world traveler (mostly by bike). She has studied and taught Power/Vinyasa Style Yoga for 6 Years and just returned to Seattle from living and teaching yoga in Bangkok, Thailand and Saigon, Vietnam. She received her original certification from 8 Limbs Yoga in Seattle and then earned a certificate in Thai Massage from Wat Pho in Bangkok, Thailand. She has also studied Ashtanga Yoga, Yin Yoga, Tripsicore Style from London, and AcroYoga.

Tonja believes the connection in yoga between mind, body, and spirit is achieved through a disciplined and challanging physical practice, meditation and mentorship. Her experience in dance, cycling sports and horsemanship also informs her yoga practice as do her many adventures worldwide. She currently teaches Yoga at Seattle Athletic Club, Yoga on Beacon and has many private corporate clients.

Her educational background includes, a B.A. in Art, and an A.A. in floral design. Tonja has worked for 16 years as a floral designer for events and weddings, she works currently at Young Flowers in Downtown Seattle and has done the florals for over 200 weddings.

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