Team

Carmen Molina is a certified YogaKids facilitator. She resigned from corporate america to become a nanny to her niece and granddaughters. Carmen knew she wanted to share with them more than just her love. Being a grandmother and a lifelong practitioner of yoga, Carmen began to think about the benefits yoga could bring to children–an activity that could be fun and educational but not strenuous or competitive.Inspired by the work of the internationally and nationally known Marsha Wenig, founder of YogaKids, Carmen dedicated the next two years to completing her certification as a yoga instructor for children. In 2001, Carmen was certified and she knew her insights into the benefits of yoga for children needed to be shared not only with her granddaughters and niece but with others as well.The YogaKids program blends topics and techniques including nutrition, anatomy, art, music, story telling, exercise, breathing techniques, games and relaxation to create a fun experience for children.Carmen has taught yoga to children for five years, in classrooms as well as in studio settings. The experience has been thoroughly rewarding and she is committed to helping children develop life long tools for healthier living.

I began practicing yoga looking for answers. My life had not turned out according to plan and I was deeply unhappy. Over time, I developed a strong practice on & off my mat. I began to see myself and my life through a clear lens. I dug deep within myself for the courage to live in the present moment and let go of the past and future. I discovered that the changes I need most begin with me. After that, there’s just the letting go. I teach yoga because it turns our focus inward and grounds us in what is real. Once grounded, we can fully engage and enjoy our lives – every moment. I believe that true happiness comes from within and is not dependent on other people, events or results. This is a powerful shift that has made a real difference in my life. I completed my Yoga Teacher Training Program with Verge Yoga and I am a certified instructor through the Yoga Alliance. My teaching reflects a deep respect for alignment and breath. I believe even the most basic pose has a lot to teach us about ourselves.

Diane’s philosophy on life which translates to her yoga teachings and practice, can be summed up best by stating “Be Present”. There is a certain positive energy created in digesting every moment, feeling the sensations of that point in time and allowing those feelings to carry on in the DNA of your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual selves.Diane’s yoga journey began 9 years ago when she was pregnant with her first daughter. Seeing, feeling, and believing in the benefits of yoga, she continued this practice in Southern California and was introduced to many different forms of yoga. Without a doubt, yoga has helped Diane through many a trial and tribulation. Besides enjoying all things yoga, she enjoys partaking in the lives of her children, cooking, cultural activities and being outdoors. She resides in Lansdale with her two daughters and one bunny. Diane has worked in the corporate world for many a year with export/international trade. But is now happy to teach yoga part time and dedicate herself to her children’s lives full time. She has her MBA in International Marketing. Diane has completed her 200-hour teacher training at MOYO and is a Yoga Alliance certified teacher (RYT). By using yoga as a conduit, Diane hopes to make a difference in just one person’s life to make this world a better place. Thank you for letting her be part of your journey.

Who knew that yoga would have found Kelly Whalen in the basement fitness center of a very corporate office??Well, it did…and it’s been her greatest challenge and blessing ever since.Her mission is that through their yoga practice, each and every child (and their families!) will:

• See themselves as the powerful, beautiful, special human beings that they are.
• Get the chance to have their voice heard.
• Be acknowledged for their unique contribution to the world.
• Strengthen and know their bodies and treat it with respect and love.

I promise to:

• Create a sacred, safe space of non-judgement, freedom and honor.
• Respect my own body and give it the gift of a daily yoga practice.
• Maintain a business practice that is fair and just.

While Kelly’s enjoyed a successful athletic “career”, through her 6 years of yoga practice,
she’s found the strength to feed her body and the courage to listen to what it has to say —
instead of sculpting perfect biceps and obsessing over a tight six-pack.

Kelly is currently working towards her 200 hour certification through MOYO. Again, another fabulous blessing!! Once completed, she will be a RYT through the Yoga Alliance.

Kelly teaches so that everyone gets a chance —a chance to know themselves, enjoy their bodies, experience yoga with a light energy, and to be truly connected to one another.

Kelly is also currently a YogaKids® Associate, working towards becoming a certified YogaKids facilitator (alongside the wonderful Carmen Molina).

Maureen Priest, ERYT, founder of MOYO teaches yoga to help students connect to their breath, allowing the student to use self discovery to meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Maureen encourages playfulness and wants her students to ignite their passion for life! Her yoga is inspired by Forrest Yoga and her own healing process.Maureen has studied yoga with nationally and internationally recognized yoga instructors and studios, including: Baron Baptiste, Rodney Yee, the Jivamukti Studio, Doug Swenson and Ana Forrest. she is nationally certified in Forrest Yoga. In addition, she has studied at Thomas Jefferson University and holds CE credits in yoga therapy. Maureen has a BA in anthropology from Rutgers University and CE credits in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, developmental psychology and nutrition.Maureen’s Ethics:

• Practice what I preach
• Remain a student for life
• Will not be controlled by others
• Create a safe environment for my students (sexually, spiritually and emotionally)
• Set healthy boundaries
• Care for myself as well as I care for my students
• Demand more from myself than anyone could ever expect
• Be truthful
• Do not impose my views on others
• Strengthening my spirit by choosing to heal my mind and body

After many years of multiple facets in group exercise ranging from aerobics to body pump, program manager, choreographer and mentor the appeal of yoga as stress reduction and inner peace became inviting. It was at that time I began my yoga journey to becoming a certified yoga level II and pilates instructor with AAAI/ISMA.Since that time, I have continued the study of yoga by completing the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training here at MOYO. While in the process of completing the 200 hour training I also completed the requirements for certification and became a 500 hour Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance a national certification. Along the way I also had the opportunity to study under many experienced yogis, most recently completing the YIN teacher training with Sarah Powers at Kripalu.Throughout the many years of teaching, I’ve had the pleasure to watch many students grow in their practice, seeing change occurring in their physical and mental well being, while growing in both their yin and yang practice.Teaching in many venues allows me to remain present to the ever evolving world whether it is bringing yoga to the corporate workplace, gym, studio setting or as a mentor, where I have found a great sense of satisfaction in assisting students to become teachers. In addition, many parents having seen the benefits of yoga, and wanting to share this experience have encouraged their children to begin participating in a yoga program an early age. With this in mind, I began teaching kid’s yoga, family yoga, prenatal yoga and Mommy’s and Me yoga.It is my belief that one should live life fully and compassionately. I teach to honor the ongoing learning process we share together as student and teacher.namaste

Rachael Noble found yoga while working full time as a manager for an insurance customer service department. In an attempt to escape the daily stress of management, she became a long distance runner in 2000, competing in a marathon and a half marathon. It was during this time when she discovered that the same mind/body connection that is reached after 3 hours of running could be found in 1 hour of yoga, with the added benefit of feeling great from head to toe. She became hooked on the physical benefits of yoga including breathing, flexibility, balance, and stress reduction and incorporates those principals in her practice. Driven to share her love of yoga with others, Rachael became an instructor in 2003, teaching in the Montgomery County area and certified though AAAI/ISMA Phase I & II Yoga program.Rachael is currently a full time yoga instructor and a stay-at-home mom. She is very excited to be a part of the wonderful space created and maintained at MOYO.

I began practicing yoga in 2005 because I wanted to lose weight. It took me 2 years to realize that yoga is a way of life, not a “Workout”. That awakening really touched my heart and helped me find my own inner strength. My goal is to bring yoga to everyday living and help others to realize that life presents us with challenges in order to find our own inner strength.Everyday is a challenge to remain focused on my goals. I can let my actions speak from my heart at least once a day, and then I know I’am on the right path. Just believe in yourself, for everything you want is already within you.Stephanie received her yoga certification through MOYO in 2008 Teacher Training program and is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. She has a BA in Psychology with a minor in sociology.Ethics:

• Speak with compassion
• Listen empathically
• Live from the heart
• Make an aspiration each day
• Live honorably
• Unplug from fear
• There is a reason for everything
• Laughter heals
• Embrace the life that is
• It’s OK to make mistakes
• Be proud enough to hang your hat on the life you’ve made
• Trust that you are where you are meant to be

Tom Sharp, searching for a means to positively affect change in his life. Tom turned to yoga at the start of this millennium. Within the yoga practice Tom found the strength, focus, and conviction needed to manifest a life in earnest.Tom enrolled in the teacher training program at Kripalu Yoga Center where he became a Kripalu Certified Yoga Instructor. He combines Kripalu methodology with ashtanga and vinyasa yoga physicality into his flow style of teaching. His teaching emphasizes self-observation and breath control at the heart of each practice.

Eileen Connell

After several years of kick-boxing, group fitness classes, weight lifting and teaching spin classes, restricted hip joint movement brought Eileen to yoga. Through yoga, Eileen not only discovered freedom of movement, but strength and flexibility both on and off the mat. Yoga has transformed Eileen on many levels as displayed by her open heart, confidence and compassion. Her energetic, grounding presence empowers and inspires students to reconnect to their body, breath and soul. Eileen achieved a 200 hour RYT with Yoga Alliance and is a graduate of Moyo’s Teacher Training Program. Eileen is dedicated to personal growth and physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

 

Before Eileen found yoga, she aspired to become a Massage Therapist. She graduated from Pennsylvania School of Muscle Therapy in 2001. Eileen has been practicing massage and energy healing for 10+ years. Eileen practices a variety of bodywork and energy healing modalities including: Swedish, Therapeutic and Deep Tissue Massage; Reiki, Brain Therapy, Chakra Balancing, and Aromatherapy. She incorporates the yoga principles of breath, visualization, meditation, movement and connection in all massage healing sessions. Each session is blended and customized to the individual needs and requirements.