Teachers
Helena Zera
Helena is the founder of Vyana Yoga. She has been living and teaching dynamic yoga since 2000; she is a registered Therapeutic Yoga Teacher who unites physical and esoteric anatomy steeped in Pranaflow®, Tantra, Structural Alignment, FUNctional Movement, Kurunta ~ Rope Wall Yoga, Polarity and is an Ayurvedic Consultant. As a R.N. and Polarity Therapist.
Helena considers herself a "hands on teacher" with loving guidance and deep humility in the holistic health and wellness service. She is the Foundress of the original empowering HastaPada®; a yoga strap as an evolutionary tool to discover ease and stability in each pose. A Certified Pelvic Floor Teacher and mother of three; Helena teaches Embodying the Female Pelvis Workshops and HastaPada® courses. Anatomy runs deep in her bones as a nurse with an orthopedic background. Her continual search and curiosity combined with an intensive study of integrative and structural anatomy fuels her practice and multi-layered classes along with teaching and 20 hr. TT at THE GREAT YOGA WALL®
Her love of Ayurveda is “steeped” in the zen den Tea Lounge implementing adaptogens and ayurvedic principles in the creative and delicious beverages, elixirs and tonics for health, longevity and wellness. Helena is a Fierce Bhakti and forever the student of the Heart... for where would yoga be without the Union of Love.
Alissa Beach
I was first introduced to yoga during high school via DVDs. Over the years I engaged in workshops and dove deep into the ancient texts, philosophies, and postures. Alongside the physical benefits of the practice such as increased strength, flexibility, and improved breathing, I began to observe my outer world and inner self aligning, I began walking and talking with compassion that stemmed from the center of my heart. In 2019 I attended Caribe Yoga Academy 200YTT and spent a month living in the jungle on a beautiful yoga ashram. I was trained in vinyasa yoga based on functional anatomy. In early 2020 I traveled back to assist my teacher in facilitating a yoga teacher training. I love to continue my education and nerd out on all things yoga! I love spending time with my husband and dog, being in nature, and seeing live music. My goal as a yoga practitioner is to allow for students to drop into a meditative practice and learn to find stability and sovereignty of the body and mind that can be taken off of the mat. We will set a sankalpa (intention), build agni (fire), and dive into physical asana (postures), using modifications and props, always ending with a restoring savasana. I look forward to practicing with you. OM shanti!
Katrin Naumann
Katrin, began her journey of self-discovery and healing, through art, theatre, and design, where she was introduced to the transformational powers of self-Inquiry, creativity, imagination and language. With the guidance of some exceptional healers and teachers, Katrin learned to transmute her own limiting patterns related to trauma, guilt, toxic shame and substance use, to become a gifted intuitive Holistic Healing Artist, Trauma-Informed Life Coach, and Reconnective Breathwork Facilitator.
She is a certified Qigong Therapist and Instructor, trained at the Qigong Institute of Rochester, with Master Lisa B. O’Shea. Katrin also teaches Alignment-based Hatha Yoga in the Iyengar style (E-RYT 500) with certification from Open Sky Yoga, with Senior Iynegar Teacher, Francois Raoult. She received one-on-one, couples and group certification from internationally renowned Breathwork visionary, Jon Paul Crimi. As a certified Trauma-Informed Life Coach, Qigong Therapist and Yoga Instructor, Katrin is uniquely qualified to guide individuals through The Reconnection: Breathwork for Inner Alignment experiences.
Katrin is co-author of Ten Gates into the Garden: Spiritual Teachings for the Awakening Consciousness and voiced the accompanying audio recording: Ten Gates into the Garden: Spiritual Exercises and Meditations. She is also Contributing Editor of The Unread Tarot.
She also devises dynamic inspirational classes & motivational play-shops that empower individuals to transmute & transcend self-imposed limitations so they may thrive and manifest a joyful, vibrant life. Katrin’s work endeavors to provide individuals with practical tools to become the conscious co-creators of their own healing and evolutionary experience. Her access to a diverse palette of spiritual practices, mindfulness modalities, body and soul-centered energy healing techniques has had Katrin described as a “Renaissance Woman,” and “an Oracle of our times.” .
Kat is the Director of Inner Balance Life Works: Soul-Centered Holistic Healing Arts
Deb Daly
My yoga journey began in 2007 when my youngest son went off to college. I was hooked after my first class and was soon doing at least 3 classes per week. When we traveled I would always find a class or 2 to attend. I loved it.
As a Radiation Therapist, i was well versed in anatomy and physiology. So in 2014 when my company closed, I did a yoga teacher training at Lotus Life. I've continued to study and take classes with some of my favorite teachers. Thanks to zoom- a yearly trip to Kripalu and NYC to study with Dharma Mittra.
Although I teach many chair classes, I prefer a more athletic practice. Besides yoga, I hang with my grandchildren, ski, paddle board and enjoy the great outdoors.
Sonja Burns
Sonja’s joy of Kundalini Yoga stems from the ability to deepen your meditative experiences and increase your magnetism. Sonja believes through the depth of your experience lies the gateway to your joy and purpose in life. As Kundalini Yoga is known as the yoga of awareness, practicing Kundalini Yoga is to become aware of all you are truly capable of.
Sonja has been learning about the energetics of the mind/body since she was in highschool and has a variety of training in holistic medicine. She is a Reiki Master, Associate Polarity Practitioner, and an Integrated Energy Therapist.
Sonja is well versed in how energy moves through the body and infuses her knowledge of Ayurveda and how it relates to Kundalini Yoga in her classes. She is a 200 hour Kripalu Yoga Certification and infuses correct structure and alignment into her Kundalini Yoga classes.
Sonja loves hiking with her dog, Jesus, journaling, dark chocolate, and dancing. She Is grateful to be living her Dharma and bringing this world to a happier place though the ancient wisdom of Yoga.
MaryJean ~ aka MJ
EmJ has a master’s degree in exercise science. She came to yoga after a career that started in cardiac rehab, and ultimately landed in a physical therapy clinic that specialized in spinal problems and injury prevention/ergonomics in the manufacturing industry.
Mary Jean encountered yoga in an 8th grade gym class and loved it. Over the years she intermittently experienced many different styles of practice: Ashtanga, Dharma, Power, Bikram, Iyenagar, Hot Yoga, and Vinyasa. At first, only the physical asana practices appealed to her. She wanted the grace, balance and strength yoga offered. As her practice matured, she came to appreciate that Yoga is so much more than just a physical practice.
Since her 200 RYT she has trained with a variety of teachers influencing her practice and understanding over the years. EmJ continues studying with Tias and Surya Little of Prajna Yoga in Santa Fe. They, and Helena Zera have had the strongest influence on her practice and unique embodied teaching skills.
‘I love the mystery of yoga, how the physical poses help us access ourselves and the world more deeply.
I love how a practice can invigorate or restore us; give us strength and suppleness; and affects our physical, energetic and mental health.
I teach to share what I’ve experienced so others can take yoga into their lives as they need and learn how powerful a tool yoga practice can be for our own health and for the world collectively.
Glenda Lahood
Glenda is an avid tennis player with a passion to live yoga on and off the mat. She thrives to bring you harmony ~ balance ~ poise ~ and power while helping you find strength and flexibility through your asana practice. Her classes are a marriage of meditation ~ breath ~ and movement. Poses strung together like jewels on a thread of breath.
Glenda was trained in the Art of Vinyasa and holds a 200 hr teaching certificate from Ame Wren of the Boston yoga school and also trained under
Courtney Chase of Sky Yoga.
She continues her journey studying locally and abroad and honors the ancient art of yoga by passing on everything she learns from her teachers as they have passed it on to her.
Lolane Gundal
Lolane Glundal of Harmonious Holistic Acupuncture (our across-the-street neighbor at Vyana! is a Licensed Acupuncturist with a vast knowledge of Chinese Medicine incorporating years of experience and training in a variety of modalities to inspire you. She is a recent graduate of yoga and will be employing a layered sunrise yoga class to start your day in peace light and alignment.
Tommy Valletta
I began my yoga journey in 2013 with a Bikram style hot yoga studio, devoting myself for 60 consecutive days of classes and I never felt better. Over the years, I navigated away from Bikram for more variety in my sadhana. Vinyasa became a primary interest of mine, but there was an ebb and flow when it came to my devotion to yoga. In 2023 I entered an inpatient mental health and substance use treatment program where I reacquainted myself with yoga and breathing. I was brought back to the day yoga first entered my life and I remembered how pivotal that moment was. I practiced daily, bringing me back to myself once again.
I completed my RYT200 hour Ayurvedic Yoga teacher training in early 2024 with the intention of integrating yoga and breathing practices into the recovery process more regularly. The way this practice has repeatedly and reliably transformed my life is something that can no longer remain under wraps. Between Humming Bee breath, Heavenly Victory breath, balancing poses, and inversions, they help me to experience life in ways that continue to surprise me. I look forward to being your yoga guide as we move and breathe through life together.
Rochelle Rude
The foundation of my yoga journey began when I was 18 years old in 2013 with a Vinyasa style class. At first I didn’t think yoga was for me. It wasn't fast enough and I didn’t feel that I was getting a workout. At the end of class I was guided into the final pose ~ Savasana (resting pose) and I was able to fully relax for the first time, I felt a huge release which turned into a river of tears and a sudden feeling that I had never experienced before.
From there, I continued to attend class 3 times a week. The more I went, the more I fell in love with the practice. When I added Kundalini yoga, it resonated profoundly and my devotion grew deeper. The kriyas, chanting, and mudras were a magical addition to my asana and yoga practice.
I completed my Ayurveda Yoga RYT 200 in 2024 with Vyana Yoga and The Ayurveda Yoga School. My intention, as a yoga teacher is to create a safe space for all to come and practice as they are. Many think that if they are not flexible they cannot practice yoga, but the only thing you really need to do is to consciously breathe. It would be my pleasure to share the ancient breathing practices and how our breath can lead you through both yoga and life. With a combination of pranayama (breath) and asana (movement), I would like to guide you on a journey of reconnecting with your body and honoring your truest self.
“Seek not to happen to the universe, but let the universe happen to you.” - Unknown
Kathleen Frizzi
Kathleen is known for her alignment-based classes that blend poses and breath like a meditation in motion. Her thoughts are that ~ ‘Motion is the lotion for keeping the body fluid’ and ‘where the mind goes, energy flows’. Kathleen’s class will connect your body and mind together. Although specific with anatomy, she has a relaxed style that allows for personal expression. She has been teaching yoga since 1999. Currently, Kathleen continues her studies with Nikki Costello and Ame Wren.
Kathleen started Pilates in 1995 at Brockport State as a dancer. She studied Somatics (cert. Level 1), Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique, Tai chi, Qi Gong, and Capoeira. In 2010, Kathleen studied Pilates intensely with Joy Karley in NYC. She taught one-on-ones on all the Pilates equipment, including Reformer, at The Pilates Studio at Metro Fitness from 2010-2016, and continues to teach Pilates Mat today.
Kathleen is the founder of YogaSyracuse, which includes traveling to give back free Yoga to the community in the home, workplace, small groups and in private, YogaSyracuse provides personalized Yoga, Pilates, and Meditation. Kathleen coordinates Pop Up YogaSyracuse, and she launched Clinton Square Sunrise Yoga and Syracuse CoWorks Rooftop Yoga, all free of charge to the public. She has a passion for spreading the compassion we cultivate in our hearts through this work.
Craig Cheisa
My first experience with yoga was teaching Physical Education (PE) students the fundamental postures. Most of my knowledge came from books, videos & PE conferences. This continued for several years until I decided to join a local studio and dive deeper into the practice and myself. Three years of studio practice, with an amazing community of teachers and practitioners, allowed me to heal, flow, grow and thrive. The next step in my journey brought me to Stephanie Mitchell’s Yoga & Ayurveda Center where I completed my 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification Course & joined Yoga Alliance to become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) 200.
Elizabeth Lavelle
“The best teacher you’ll ever have—the one singing and dancing in your heart.”
My yoga journey began twenty years ago when I followed a friend to class looking for a physical workout. That day, during class, I recognized that I needed yoga in my life for its mental, spiritual, and health benefits. Each practice brings new philosophical and personal questions and my answers shift as the currents of my life change. Who am I? What creates balance in my life? What can I do to create a steady flow?
Every day on the mat brings new challenges and lessons. I entered yoga teacher training with Lit from Within in 2023 to find a way to share my experience with others and joined Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) 200. I continue to grow my yoga education with a Yin Yoga TTC-80.
Depending on the day and mood of my group, my classes can range from an athletic vinyasa practice to a meditative slow flow or a stress-relieving restorative session.
My “day job” as a pediatric anesthesiologist has allowed me to build interpersonal relationships with patients and their families and my medical background allows me to link anatomy and physiology to yoga practice. I enjoy sharing knowledge about breath work and lung function to guide students through challenges in practice.
I look forward to helping you find inspiration with every breath on your mat!
Leslie Sisto
I grew up on horse farm the youngest of large family. My brothers and sisters where “Hippies” so growing up yoga was a part of our everyday life. We’d get off the school bus do some yoga in the living room after yoga we’d dance to Van Morrison have tea and toast.
I am a Tier 3 Certified Baptiste Leader enabling me to write and present Baptiste Methodology principles and practices. This includes inquiry as a tool to self-discovery (satyaya) Asana as an access to strengthen the body .
26X2 Certification ( Formerly known as Bikram) with Ida Ripley from The Original Hot Yoga Academy in Las Vegas Nevada.
Breath centered trainings with Robert Mosses and Eddie Stern Yoga Collective.
Certification in Qi Gong from Jeff Primack Supreme Science in Miami.
I have E-RYT 500, YACEP from Yoga Alliance. I am a licensed massage therapist with over 30 years in practice. A licensed veterinary technician. My specialties include cranio-sacral therapy, deep tissue Swedish and myofascial release. My practice includes humans, horses and dogs.
Yoga has helped me overcome various injuries and dysfunctions in my body. Most of us have some sort of pain and discomfort . It is my belief that with time and regular practice these issues can be alleviated. The real prize is the internal journey. The struggles that are placed in front us. People that challenge us are gifts. Consider them as an access to looking in the mirror. Then like an Oyster turning irritation into a Pearl learn ,move on, let go. That is what yoga teaches us. It is “doing the work”. I have a regular daily practice and supplement strenuous Yang practices such as 26x2, hot power with Yin to rest and restore.
