Christy Burnette is Director of Arizona Yoga in Scottsdale, AZ. She has been a student of yoga for almost 2 decades, and has trained with John Friend since 1991. Her long experience gives her an unusually rich, detailed palette of teachings. Among the first to be Certified in Anusara, Chrsty is one of the most beloved teachers from the thriving yoga community in the Western U.S. She is an inspired interpreter of Anusara's language of the heart, and clearly illuminates the complexities of the Universal Principles of Alignment. Christy is also known for her rigorous, compassionate mentoring of other yoga teachers and her uncanny instincts as a yoga therapist.

Christy directs the South Mountain Yoga Immersion, and will be directing the SMY Teacher Training in 2009.

Through the poetic essence of language and the transformative churning that defines the desirous matter of our skin, Andrea extracts and offers the nectar of experience through the art of teaching yoga. She began her study and practice of poetics while cultivating her BA degree in Literature and Philosophy at Pace University in NYC in 2001. She started an exploratory process of photography and performance art, and was accepted into the Glasgow School of Art for Fine Art in 2003. She studied performance in relationship to the silent image and the poetics of the written word and soon realized her love for the potency of the sacred within the intimate sound of self-exploration. In 2005 Andrea returned to NY with a Masters Degree in Fine Art and finished her Anusara Teacher Training at NYC's Virayoga with Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher Zhenja La Rosa. She is profoundly moved by the auspicious teachings of Anusara Yoga and grateful for having had the fortune of guidance from her teachers Zhenja La Rosa, Elena Brower, Julie Dohrman, Sharon Kenney, Amy Ippoliti and John Friend.

"I am dispersed in language that describes me, encouraging me to take a step and dance with timelessness." ~ Andrea Maxine Frade

As a dancer in college, Blair came to Yoga as a way to de-stress from the hectic world of modern dance. She immediately fell in love with Anusara's philosophy, playful class energy and of course, the Universal Principles of Alignment! She has her teacher training certificate from Yoga Montclair. Blair tries to create a positive playful attitude in her classes and enjoys sharing with other people her enthusiasm and love for yoga.

Like many, Joe was first attracted to yoga because of its physical benefits. After finding Yoga Montclair, he grew to appreciate the mental, spiritual and philosophical benefits of yoga. He received his Teacher Training Certification with Vishali Varga and is certified with Yoga Alliance. Joe works as a Regional Sales Director in the fashion apparel industry and travels extensively throughout the U.S. Anusara Yoga has helped keep Joe grounded as he spends a great deal of time in flight on an airplane, Joe believes yoga shapes and reflects one's life experiences and loves to watch students gain flexibility, strength and focus.

Joe's passion is to provide the student a fun, safe environment where they can explore themselves and connect with their bodies in an accepting manner emphasizing breath, alignment and attitude. Joe is a Montclair resident with an amazing family and wonderful group of friends. He loves animals especially his own- Jack and Lulu, his dogs and Lexington, his cat.

When Julie began practicing yoga five years ago, she thought it would be a nice way to stay inĘshape during her first pregnancy. Shortly into her classes, she knew there was more to it. The sense of calm, spaciousness of mind and freedom of movement was undeniable and she was hooked. After quitting her job in advertising, Julie moved into being a full time mom and full time student of yoga. Julie completed the Starseed Yoga Teachers Training Program in 2005 and is thrilled and humbled to be able to bring her love of yoga to others. Her classes are informed by her love of asana, attention to alignment and emphasis on mindfulness. Julie is extremely appreciative to all of her teachers of yoga as well as her life teachers, her husband and three daughters.

Mindy believes that yoga should be exciting, challenging, and full of discovery. She strives to create a meaningful connection to body, emotion and spirit and respects each person's individuality. An athlete and fitness enthusiast, Mindy sought yoga over 13 years ago. After a damaging knee injury, she was looking for an alternate form of exercise. She immediately realized yoga was not just another workout. The effects of yoga, from the very first class, seeped into her life. In 1999 she was introduced to Anusara Yoga. She found teachers who encouraged physical and spiritual awareness. The alignment system fit with her bodyŐs needs. Mindy looks to her yoga practice to help balance her personal life and her demanding career as a Corporate Meeting Planner.

Mindy's studies of Yoga include; multiple Teacher Trainings and Therapeutic Trainings with John Friend, 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certified Training at Yoga Mandali, studies with Tantric scholars Douglas Brooks and Carlos Pomeda, as well as extensive meditation and pranyama studies. In addition Mindy has over 1000 hours of study with John Friend and his Senior Certified Teachers in the Anusara Community. Mindy also continually studies with many other nationally recognized teachers like Dharma Mitra, Sharon Gannon, David Life, and Rodney Yee and the extremely talented teachers around NYC. She is grateful for the lessons and inspiration she continually receives.

Nicole started practicing yoga when her friends dragged her to an ashram. Mystified and scared, she went home and practiced yoga with a tape for two years. She finally worked up the courage to attend a public Anusara class, and discovered a whole new level of complexity and joy in her practice. Nicole seeks to make people comfortable and confident in their bodies while having a great time.

Susan Warren has studied Anusara Yoga for eight years. She completed her teacher training with Certified Anusara Teachers Ellen Saltonstall, Lois Nesbitt, and Julie Dohrman, and had specialized prenatal Anusara Teacher Training from Sue Elkind. Susan has spent many hours with Anusara Founder John Friend, and Senior Anusara Teachers Desiree Rumbaugh, Betsy Downing, Sianna Sherman, and Christy Burnette. Susan is a maternity nurse at Overlook and St Barnabas Hospitals. More detailed bio coming soon!