Yoga Inspired Studio - Meet our teachers

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Meet our teachers

Whether you come to yoga for stress relief, exercise, stretching, health, peace, joy, bliss or spiritual upliftment we will have a class and a teacher for you.

Our teachers are all certified and exceed the requirements of Yoga Alliance. They continuously study yoga far above and beyond their certifications (including substitute teachers). More importantly, they are teachers who are inspired to share their love of yoga with you. We are a friendly studio where all feel welcome. You need not worry about your current physical condition, being male or female, beginner or experienced. Yoga Inspired is your sanctuary and the place where your physical and spiritual health are our passion.

CYT - Certified Yoga Instructor - This can mean a weekend certification or a highly credentialed Yoga Alliance approved certification. Be assured all Yoga Inspired teachers and substitutes have far surpassed the requirements of Registration with Yoga Alliance.

RYT - Registered Yoga Teacher (Registered with Yoga Alliance)

E-RYT - A yoga teacher who is an RYT with a minimum of two years and 1,000 hours of teaching experience.

CYT - KYTA - A yoga teacher who was trained with and Certified by Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association, which has quality standards equal to Yoga Alliance.

Denise Ashcraft - Certified Yoga Instructor

Denise Ashcraft, CYT, RYT - Studio Owner

As a yoga enthusiast for many years I have cherished the personal growth, calm and strength I have enjoyed from my personal yoga practice. Becoming a yoga teacher, and now a studio owner has been a fantastic and surprising path! Now I get to share what I love with others, it's so fun! It's such a pleasure to feel the relief wash over people as their stress melts away. So gratifying when someone finds their pose for the first time and feels their own power. Nothing else like it!

I am trained and certified in the Kripalu style of Yoga. I chose the Kripalu style because I respect the balance of mind, body & spirit and the safety of the instruction. Being what I call a "yoga-passionate" means I have found things to like in every yoga style I have been exposed to. I like to share all these wonderful experiences with you so classes are never the same, but familiar enough to follow along. Fair warning, you will laugh and have some fun too!

Over the years I have been exposed to many uplifting life paths including many styles of yoga combined with learning the power and importance of our thoughts and how they shape our lives. It is my intention to create an atmosphere and practice that cultivates a positive and uplifting energy. Yoga will bring wonderful things to your life on & off the yoga mat.

Barbara Paulsen, CTY, E-RYT

Barbara has been practicing yoga since 1992. Certified by the Center for Yoga and the Samata Yoga Center in Los Angeles, California she has a diverse background in Hatha Yoga. Her training with Larry Payne, PhD. is inspired by the teachings of T.K.V. Desikarachar. She teaches classes and workshops to all levels of students from beginners to advanced practitioners. Her intention is to inspire her students to “look-within” for self-awareness, wisdom and inner peace.

In 2008 Barbara’s In Balance Yoga teacher training program was approved by Yoga Alliance. This program is an eclectic style of hatha yoga based on the principals of the yoga sutras and was founded on her love of yoga and the Divine.

Erik Marrero, CYT, RYT 200 & 500, MBSR Graduate & CES (Cancer Exercise Specialist)

Yoga found Erik in the Spring of 2007. As a cancer patient, he enrolled in the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, through the Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson Hospital. Erik was suffering from the side-effects of his cancer therapies. In MBSR classes, students/patients are taught to meditate and practice gentle yoga. These practices help reduce physical and psychological symptoms, increase the ability to relax, reduce pain levels, and enhance the ability to cope with pain that may not go away. With the first yoga practice, Erik felt great physically and very at peace.

After graduating from the 8-week MBSR program, Erik continued his daily meditation practice and sought out yoga in a non-hospital environment.

Erik strives to inspire his students to overcome obstacles, push their own limitations, move beyond the typical Hatha yoga realm, and to find mindfulness and ease-of-wellbeing with every breath, regardless of the pace, intensity, or complexity of the practice.

Laura Maron, CYT, RYT

My yoga journey began 15 years ago. I practiced yoga before, during and after my pregnancies, and through the years yoga has helped me find inner and outer strength to weather some truly stressful times. I am so grateful that now I’m able to share the gifts of yoga with others as a certified yoga teacher.

I believe it’s important to do the poses, or asanas, carefully in order to avoid injury, but I also believe that yoga is so much more than that. I encourage my classes to approach each practice with mindfulness, playfulness, and a healthy dose of curiosity about what their minds, bodies and spirits need at that time. We’ll move and breathe with intention, and we’ll smile every once in a while (just for fun).

Laura is also Certified as a Pre-Natal Yoga Instructor, she is a Mother of 2 and a former pre-school teacher. In addition to her weekly adult yoga classes, Laura brings her unique background and experience to our Pre-Natal & Family Style Yoga.

Mary LaMarra, CYT, RYT

I was introduced to yoga in the late seventies after the birth of my first son. While he was napping I discovered Richard Hittelman on PBS. He taught this wonderful stretching exercise that left me feeling calm and quiet. Years later as I continued taking classes and discovered just how good yoga made me feel thoughout my body and mind, I decided I wanted to share this incredible experience with everyone. I attended Rizzieri Institute for the Healing Arts and received my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification in April 2004. Since then I've continued my studies in many yoga methods. My style is slow and conscious. Alignment is important as well as honoring your body. Keep breathing.

Angela Villone, CYT, RYT

Angela likes to focus on alignment as well as breath to create experiences that brings quiet attention to each aspect of class. She has an easy going nature and keeps it "real" with a hint of humor. Props are a standard feature of class to help find comfort and accessibility, support and ease. Angela is firmly grounded and keeps class fresh with changes in sequence and routine. You can expect the familiar but don't be surprised by a new challenge.

Xiaomin Cai, CYT, RYT

My yoga journey began in 1993, initially strictly as asana practice. Over the years, yoga practice helped me grow physically and spiritually. Yoga became my passion after living as a Yogini at Satchidananda Ashram in Yogaville, VA in August 2008. The beautiful Sivananda training prepared me for sharing the Yoga experience through teaching friends and colleagues. My teacher training further affirmed my belief and enhanced my teaching skills. I am so delighted to share my Yoga experience at Yoga Inspired Studio, where its goals reflect the great teaching of Yoga principles.

The essence of Yoga is Union – uniting our body with our mind and spirit. With this union, we are also connected to one another through the higher consciousness, which is my goal in sharing the Yoga experience. Through Asana practice, I hope to bring joy and peace to each one of us. I currently teach the following styles: Vinyasa; Hatha; Yin; and Partner Yoga.

Meghan Sullivan, CYT, RYT
My journey with yoga began in 2006 as a freshman in college. I wanted another credit or two during my semester so I signed up for the Hatha Yoga course and ended up falling in love. After the semester finished, I continued to take evening classes offered at my college throughout my time there and upon moving home after graduation set out to find somewhere new and local to practice. Thankfully, I came to the Yoga in Nature website which took yoga to a new level for me. The Yoga in Nature practice not only introduced me to wonderful, amazing people, but it inspired me to take my 200hr teacher training. I trained in the Hatha Flow style under an incredible teacher and now look forward to spreading the joy of yoga to as many people as I can!

Bobbi Johnson, CYT, E-RYT

I have been a dedicated yoga practitioner for well over a decade and have had the privilege to teach since 2004. I am trained and certified with Yoga Alliance in the Hatha style of yoga infused with a vinyasa flow influence. I received my first 200-hour Hatha certification through Dream Fields in Voorhees, NJ in 2004 and completed my second teacher training in hot power vinyasa at Power Yoga Works in Philadelphia, PA 2007. I currently teach all formats and level of abilities including the privilege to teach cancer patients and survivors. I seek to constantly expand my understanding of the yoga tradition and share this love of learning and growth with students.My classes are based on “living yoga” and include a gentle introduction to the physical poses in a safe and nurturing environment. I invite students to slow down, listen closely to their bodies and through fun and flowing classes let their breath lead the movement.

Malini Patel, CYT, RYT
My Yoga journey began in 2007. It all started as a mother’s day gift from my kids. Started taking private classes with Bobbi Johnson my 1st yoga teacher. She made my first yoga experience so inspiring and that lead to a full yoga practice and to Teacher training. Another inspiring teacher introduced me to Yin Yoga and I enjoyed Yin Yoga so much I attended Yin Yoga Teacher Training. Whatever style of yoga, it just feels great and I want to share that experience with others..

Erin Schmitt - Hoopnotica Certified Level 1, 2 and 3

Erin Schmitt began hooping at the end of 2009 after stumbling upon an

article about hooping. She was instantly fascinated and soon to be transformed by her hooping practice. In February 2011, Erin received her teaching certification through Hoopnotica in Level 1, 2 and 3. Erin continues to build upon her hooping skills and knowledge. She will encourage you to appreciate your body and find joy through movement and play. From her own experience and success with losing over 70 pounds with her hoop practice, she knows exercise does not have to be boring and traditional and keeps her classes fun and exciting.

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Barbara is also a Massage Therapist and Reiki Master with training in Advance Pranic Healing and offers consultations for Young Living Essential Oils. Barbara is registered with Yoga Alliance and is a member of the Alternative Therapy Association.itman Woodbury Washington Township South Jersey SouthNew Jersey
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