All Yoga for health instructors believe that each student is a unique individual and that his or her yoga practice must be adapted to benefit and support that uniqueness. No matter how large or small a class, each person is encouraged to focus within him or herself and to move with the breath, as deeply or softly as feels right to them. The practice of yoga is a personal experience that brings balance to the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of ourselves.
Our certified yoga instructors all practice and study various styles of Hatha Yoga and Yoga Therapy and are experienced group facilitators.
Janet Green Garrison, M. Ed., R.Y.T., CADAC, Founder and Director
Janet began teaching Hatha Yoga forty years ago and named her practice Yoga for Health because of her personal experience with the healing powers of yoga. Within six months of regularly practicing the yoga asanas, or postures, Janet stopped smoking, lost weight, changed her diet from junk food to health food and felt as though she had found a path that could guide her through whatever challenges life had to offer. The positive changes in her body, mental attitude and spiritual beliefs were undeniable and inspired her to pursue further training and become a yoga instructor.
Janet completed the 6 week Teacher Training Program with Swami Vishnudevananda in 1973 and the White Lotus Teacher Certification Program in Santa Barbara in 1994. Each year she continues her studies with various renowned Iyengar, Bikram, Kripalu and Sivananda instructors and maintains a personal practice that feeds the wealth of experience that her teaching comes from. Her classes are an eclectic blend of Hatha Yoga styles reflecting her continued study with instructors such as Rodney Yee, Angela Farmer, Erich Schiffmann, and Gayna Uransky.
Janet is also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor and has led therapeutic groups at local substance abuse clinics for two decades. She is a popular speaker on the benefits and pleasures of yoga, and hosts " Yoga For Health " on Cape Ann Cable Access Television, Channel 12, Thursdays, 8:30 to 9:00 pm.
Joan Collier Prior to becoming a certified Yoga Teacher Joan Collier was a Registered Pediatric Nurse, and Patient Advocate. "I have practiced Hatha Yoga under Janets' excellent tutelage for eight years. Yoga is the love of my life. With the encouragemnet of Janet, Bo Abrams and Carol James, I completed the Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training in 2002." Joan has been teaching in the Cape Ann area for 10 years. She is a member of the Kripalu Teachers Association and Yoga Alliance. "I truly believe the best gift we can give the world and ourselves is the peace and mindfulness that can be attained from the regular practice of Yoga.
Elaine O'Rourke is a certified Yoga Instructor through YogaSpirit Studios at the 500 hour level. She also assists in their teacher training programs. Other trainings include 200 hours with Sivananda Yoga and Anusara Immersions. She enjoys integrating knowledge from different styles and has studied with many renowned teachers.
Elaine leads international Yoga retreats, assists in programs at Kripalu as well as leading Kirtans (chants) with the Sacred Angels. Her lilting Irish voice will invoke the mystical within you as she serenades you in Savasana! Her compassionate teaching encourages students to be fully present in all aspects of life. By her commitment to learning and delving deeper into the Yogic teachings, she constantly brings a fresh approach to her classes.
Susan Himml
Susan's interest in athletics led her to the practice of yoga in 1990 to gain strength and flexibility. She quickly realized that she had acquired not only physical benefits but emotional and spiritual benefits as well. Her passion for yoga inspired her toward the path of teaching others in 1999 and she has been teaching full-time to individuals and groups on Cape Ann and the North Shore since 2002. Combining natural teaching ability with learned training skills from a previous career in corporate training, Susan teaches with patience and compassion and encourages her students to see beyond their self-imposed limitations.
In addition to her certification with the National Yoga Alliance (RYT), Susan is certified as a Holistic Health Counselor by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and as a Primordial Sound Meditation instructor by the Chopra Center in San Diego. She has studied with many great yoga masters, but her greatest teacher is her 2 year old daughter, Isabella. For more information on Susan please visit her website susanhimml.com.
Chris Crotty, M.A., RYT
Chris practices and teaches hatha yoga emphasizing mindfulness as
a foundation for personal growth and overall wellness. A practitioner of
meditation since 1998, he takes retreat yearly in the vipassana tradition
and aims to inspire each person’s capacity to live consciously, skillfully, and
compassionately. Chris is an adjunct instructor in Wellness and Alternative Medicine at
Johnson State College, staff yoga teacher at the Trauma Center in Brookline,
and the assistant director of teacher training at Pavones Yoga Center in
Costa Rica.
Through group classes and private practice Chris integrates contemplative
and western techniques to support people of all ages to achieve greater
wellbeing and fulfillment in their lives. His non–clinical, client–centered
approach focuses on empowering others to live more fully present within
the changing conditions of life through the confidence of their own self-
awareness. Chris is available for private yoga and mentored-coaching
sessions and can be reached at chris.crotty@me.com.
