Harlem Yoga Studio Teacher Bios!
Erica Barth is a graduate of the Integral Yoga Institute and has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. She has a background in Business and Marketing, and is a graduate of Columbia University's Organizational Psychology Masters Program where she focused on conflict resolution and group dynamics.
Erica is an active soccer player, runner, and
surfer who began practicing yoga to bring balance and serenity to both her body and mind. She incorporates yoga philosophy into her work with groups and teams, utilizing the physical practices of yoga to bridge the gap between body and mind.
Laurel Katz-Bohen is native New Yorker, a longtime Harlem resident, and the owner of Harlem Yoga Studio. She is a graduate of the Integral Yoga Institute and has practiced yoga since the age of 5. Laurel is a singer and songwriter who has toured throughout the United States and the world with various groups. In addition, she has a background in teaching, as an elementary school teacher in the New York City public school system. Laurel hopes to use Harlem Yoga studio to serve the vibrant and diverse NYers in her community by offering peace, wellness, and a sense of oneness.
Dharma took his first yoga classes at age 14 while watching public television. Afterwards he began his professional dance career. Yoga and other Asian practices became an important aspect of his life and work. He has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and is certified to teach by the Integral Yoga Institute in New York. He is also certified to teach Taoist meditation and Qi Gong in the tradition of Mantak Chia.
Tricia Townes has studied yoga since 1998 in North Carolina and in New York City, most recently at Integral Yoga Institute. She is a 2009 graduate of the Basic Level Teacher Training Program at the Institute. She loves studying and practicing Raja Yoga and helping students deepen their Hatha Yoga practice.
Marisa Garcia Bougherdani who goes by the spiritual name, MaRaSa is a longtime student of Gurunam. She believes in serving and uplifting all who cross her path with open arms and unconditional love. After being confronted with many hardships in this lifetime, MaRaSa turned her eyes to the unseen where she has found solace and light in the microcosm of the universe. With a deep personal practice she has found purpose again and again in living a life of Naam; thinking right, acting right, feeling right, and uplifting all beings known and unknown by spreading love, peace, and light. MaRaSa has completed Naam Yoga teacher training level 1 and 2 as well as Harmonyum level 1 and 2 with her master teacher Joseph Michael Levry, both are RYT certified.
Nelly Hernandez first started practicing yoga at the awkward age of 14 years old. The practice blew her mind and body away, shook the foundation and opened doors that she had no idea how to open. Since then she has continued to study different styles of yoga with wonderful teachers whom she is very grateful to and for. She teaches yoga in hopes of helping people awaken to their own greatness and through the practice of yoga.
Keisha Bolden is a Yoga & Dance instructor. She currently teaches dance and yoga to all ages, shapes, and sizes throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. She has practiced yoga for 12 years and received her Yoga Teacher's Certification at the Sivananda Vedanta Ashram in Kerala, India where she was bestowed the title of Yoga Shiromani (superb jewel of yoga). In February of 2008, Keisha was blessed with the opportunity to live, study and teach yoga in India for 6 months. Keisha brings the ancient tradition of yoga into a practical, modern day forum making it accessible to all ages and levels. Students are taught to focus inward and to develop trust for their bodies during class. Keisha encourages students to both challenge themselves and to maintain simplicity during their yoga sessions.
