Yoga Education and Background

I have been been a student of the contemplative and movement arts for over 25 years, and a student of yoga since 1995.  While I have experimented with a variety of yoga styles over the years, my primary education in the yoga tradition has been with:

1. ★The Integral Yoga Institute (1995-2000): a traditional hatha style founded by Swami Satchidananda, which emphasizes slow and mindful movement, pranayama and meditation practice, a long deep relaxation following the asana practice, stress reduction, study of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, chanting, and yogic diet and lifestyle principles; I hold Hatha I (beginner) and Hatha II (intermediate) level certifications from Integral, taught classes there from 1998-2001, and continue to offer workshops and continuing education courses for their teachers
   

2. ★OM Yoga Center (1998-2005): OM Yoga is a contemporary style of yoga that emphasizes mindfulness, precise alignment, and breath-centered flowing movements; it is more slow-paced than many other vinyasa styles, but can be quite challenging and athletic; I hold “advanced” certification from OM Yoga, taught classes there from 2000-2005, and was on the teacher training faculty there from 2003-2005
   

3. ★Erich Schiffman: Erich’s book, “Yoga: The Spirit & Practice of Moving into Stillness,” was the first book on yoga I ever read, and has more strongly influenced my approach to yoga asana practice than any other teacher, school or tradition to this day.  I studied intensively with Erich in 2000 during a 10-day teacher training in Santa Barbara, have attended a few workshops since then, and have had the privilege of practicing with him privately in the little studio behind his house in LA.  Thank you Erich, for all that you have given me.
   

4. ★Rodney Yee:  Rodney was another big inspiration in my practice and teaching.  I first met him at a Yoga Journal conference in 2001, attended several 5-day retreat intensives with him from 2001-2004, and assisted him in a couple of workshops that he led at Integral Yoga in New York.  Rodney helped me into my first handstand scorpion, and flattered me when he called me an “old soul” at a retreat in upstate New York
   

Yoga Teaching Experience

Over the past 10 years, I have taught group yoga classes at many of New York's leading yoga studios and health clubs, including:

1. Yoga Studios (most recent first)
   

2. ★Pure Yoga (2008-)
   

3. ★Yoga Works (2006-)
   

4. ★Levitate Yoga (2006-2008)
   

5. ★East-West Yoga (2006)
   

6. ★OM Yoga Center (2000-2005)
   

7. ★Practice Yoga (1999-2000)
   

8. ★Integral Yoga Institute (1998-2001)
   

9. Health Clubs (most recent first)
   

10. ★Reebok Sports Club (2000-)
    

11. ★LA Sports Club (2001-2005)
    

12. ★Equinox Fitness Club (1999-2007)
    

13. ★New York Health & Racquet Club (1999-2000)
    

14. ★New York Sports Club (1998-2001)
    

In addition, I have been a guest teacher at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, have assisted Rodney Yee and Cyndi Lee in workshops and retreats, and was on the teacher training faculty at OM Yoga Center from 2003-2005. I have led workshops, retreats and/or teacher trainings in New York, Boston, San Francisco and Southern France, and have been working with students privately for over 10 years.  My private clients have included business professionals, CEOs, celebrities, and people dealing with special conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, scoliosis, advanced age, obesity and a variety of soft-tissue injuries).

Massage and Anatomy Studies

A desire to deepen my understanding of musclo-skeletal anatomy and injury prevention/management led me to the Swedish Institute in 2002, where I eventually completed over 1,250 hours of study in anatomy & physiology, myology, kinesiology, neurology, pathology, soft tissue assessment, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, Shiatsu, and exercise science.  I became a licensed massage therapist in March 2006, and currently maintain a private practice in Columbus Circle. 

Anatomy Trainings

I have taught anatomy courses as part of the yoga teacher training programs at OM Yoga Center, Yoga Works, and Equinox Fitness (the “Sacred Strength” TT with Stephanie Culen & Derek Beres).  I also recently played a key role in revising the anatomy studies curriculum for Yoga Works, and regularly offer anatomy-related workshops and trainings to both students and teachers of yoga.

Yoga Philosophy & Buddhist Studies

I have had an interest in Eastern philosophy since I was a toddler (my mom was a hippie, and had a very colorfully illustrated copy of the Bhagavad Gita that I loved looking through).  But I didn’t really start studying Eastern philosophy until I discovered yoga in 1995.  An avid reader, I’ve made my way through many books within both the yoga and Buddhist traditions.  I would say that the teachers I have been most inspired by have been Eknath Easwaran and Thich Nhat Hanh. 

While I never met Eknath (he is no longer with us), I have read most of his many books, consider him one of my primary spiritual teachers, and regularly practice the “passage meditation” that he advocated and taught.  I have also read many of Thich Nhat Hanh’s (Thay’s) books and attended a week-long meditation retreat with him in the Fall of 2005, during which I undertook the Buddhist refuge vows (the 3 jewels) and five precepts for lay followers of the Buddha.  I continue to study with Thay through his writing and online dharma talks, and often read from his books in my group yoga classes.

I also study and practice Zen Buddhism at the Fire Lotus Temple in Brooklyn and Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, New York (albeit much less frequently now that i have two small children), and am currently enrolled in Georg Feurstein’s 800-hour “Yoga History & Philosophy” distance-learning course, which I am slowly making my way through. 

Current

In 2007, I created Zenyasa™ yoga as a way to synthesize my interests in Zen Buddhism, Vinyasa Yoga and Exercise Science, and currently teach Zenyasa™ style classes at Pure Yoga, Yoga Works and Reebok Sports Club.  I also offer Zenyasa-based private lessons and therapeutic massage services out of my office in Columbus Circle, and conduct workshops and trainings throughout the New York City area. 

I have been married for 7 years, and my wife Frances and I just recently bought our first apartment in north Riverdale, where we happily reside with our two little munchkins, Gabriel (5) and Mikaela (2) (see pic, above).