Julie Miller, Certified Anusara® Yoga Instructor, has been practicing yoga for many years, and her love and passion for the practice moves her to want to share the benefits she enjoys with others. She teaches Anusara Yoga with the intention to help students become re-inspired about their lives, reconnect with their innate goodness, feel empowered, and relieve physical and emotional pain. She incorporates the science of the Universal Principles of Alignment, a heart-felt theme which connects the spiritual purposes of yoga to the asana practice to encourage her students to open and strengthen on the inside and out. Her classes are taught in a kula (community) which welcomes all forms of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and serves all levels of experience and ability. Classes are fun, inspirational, and revitalizing. Julie provides personal attention both during classes, and in private sessions, and offers a warm, safe environment in which to explore the transformational aspects of yoga.

Julie feels profound gratitude for all of her teachers, including her primary teachers, John Friend, founder of Anusara, and Deb Neubauer who encourage and guide her as she progressively refines her practice and teaching. She has spent years studying with them and feels blessed to learn from these and many other auspicious teachers. She is certified as an Anusara Yoga Instructor, registered with Yoga Alliance and is also a certified school teacher.

Julie would like to offer her endless devotion to her husband Jamie, and her children Craig and Allison, whose continuous support have taught her so much about love and life. As they share the journey together, they all develop and grow as they navigate the current of life.

Julie Miller's Classes:
•  Anusara® Level 2 - Wednesday 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
•  Anusara® Level 1 - Wednesday 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
•  Anusara® Level 1 - Monday 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Terry Wolfisch Cole, Studio Coordinator, first stepped on a mat more than 10 years ago, and was immediately hooked. When she came to Kula Yoga and took her first Anusara class in 2006, Terry knew she had found something that she hadn't even known she was missing. Terry, who is at the studio for work or practice most days, strives to live a yogic lifestyle, incorporating both asana and spirituality into her daily life. She feels blessed to study under Julie Miller, who helps adjust both her alignment and her attitude. Terry has taken Anusara workshops with Desiree Rumbaugh, Amy Ippoliti, Betsey Downing, Todd Norian & Ann Greene, and Sara Rose. She lives in Simsbury with her husband and two very bendy children.

Julie Erasmus's Classes:
•  Yoga Pilates Fusion - Friday 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
•  Mixed Level - Thursday 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
•  YogaKids® 6-12 - Thursday 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
•  Yoga For Tween and Teen Girls - Friday 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Leslie Fiore made the decision to share what she had learned by teaching others, after many years as a student of yoga. She completed her first 200 hour teacher certification at YOGAspirit Studios in 2006. As she continued on her journey, Leslie discovered Anusara. Both the physical and personal practices of Anusara yoga resonated with her deeply and led her to compete an additional 200 hour certification with Todd Norian in 2008. She is now an Anusara-inspired teacher. Leslie continues her studies with teachers including John Friend, Desiree Rumbaugh, Ann Greene, Suzie Hurley, Amy Ippoliti, Sianna Sherman, and Julie Miller.

Leslie's classes are heart-centered and gentle, and geared to meet the need of a variety of students. Each of Leslie classes opens with a theme with is then woven throughout pranayama, asana and mediation. Leslie encourages each individual to explore all facets of yoga in order to open their hearts on and off their mats.

Leslie Fiore's Classes:
•  Anusara® Inspired Beginner's Yoga - Friday 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Leslie Gordon (www.sunnyheartyoga.net) has been practicing yoga for more than 12 years and teaching for nearly eight. She is certified through the Integrative Yoga Therapy Program (www.iytyogatherapy.com) a program designed specifically for medical and mainstream wellness settings that emphasizes the healing process by addressing all levels of the student--physical, emotional and spiritual. She has her professional Yoga Therapist certification with the Integrative Yoga Therapy training program as well and her Advanced ThaiYoga Certification with Jonas Westring (www.shantaya.org). She is a certified Reiki Practitioner in the Usui lineage.

Leslie's classes combine a flowing style with a focus on strength, breath, light-heartedness and a quiet spirituality. Leslie holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from the College of Wooster in Wooster, OH. Leslie is available for privates in yoga and Thai Yoga.


Leslie Gordon's Classes:
•  Mixed Level - Wednesday 7:30 PM - 8:45 PM
•  Mixed Level - Sunday 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Maggie Rueda's Classes:
•  Vinyasa Flow, Mixed Level - Monday 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
•  Vinyasa Flow, Mixed Level - Saturday 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
•  Vinyasa Flow, Mixed Level - Tuesday 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Iris Maurer is an accomplished Personal Trainer, Aerobics and Yoga instructor. The broad scope of her fitness training, her artistic sense of dance choreography & natural Latin rhythm, and the depth of her spiritual sensitivity creates a unique blend that is highly valued by students. Iris draws upon the breadth of her experience and creativity to design classes that students praise as both engaging and effective: dynamic, spontaneous, motivating. In addition to training hard core athletes, Iris works extensively with the elderly and individuals recovering from serious medical illnesses. Iris draws upon this versatility of experience and training to design individual and class instruction that meets the specific needs of each student, whatever their level of experience or fitness.

Iris teaches all levels of yoga (gentle, mixed, & power yoga), workshops blending yoga and meditation practice, and yoga for seniors in assisted living facilities. Class instruction is thorough and personalized, integrates skillful breathing, and is offered in a comfortable and spiritual atmosphere. Iris was trained in the Ana Forest tradition of yoga, which she chose for its emphasis on physical and spiritual healing, as well as the intensity and thoroughness of training. Iris also practices Buddhists Insight (Vipassana) Meditation as a complement to yoga practice and instruction. She teaches and trains students of all ages to be aware of their body, mind and soul in a natural and holistic way.

What began many years ago as a personal passion evolved over time into a professional calling. Iris has been trained in group and individual instruction in an extensive range of fitness techniques: Hi & Lo Impact Aerobics, Step, Kick Boxing, Circuit Training, Interval Training, Cardio Mix, Weights, Toning, Abs, & Stretching, Body Sculpture, Pilates, elderly & chair aerobics, Fit ball Training...and yoga. (Certified & Insured Fitness Specialist, Personal Trainer & Group Instructor: NDEITA, ACE & ACSM, CPR, Ana Forest.)

Iris Maurer's Classes:
•  Gentle Yoga - Wednesday 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
•  Yoga For Weight Management - Thursday 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM

Sharon Ruvane, M.S., RYT is a former child equestrian who now meditates while riding her bike, Sharon is a 250-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and member of Yoga Alliance. Her style combines elements of gentle flow with the sacred principles of alignment. Sharon guides each student to nurture their inner spirit, while finding just the right challenge for their physical body.

Migrating to the valley just six years ago from Stowe, Vermont, Sharon has been described as "a peaceful person with a competitive edge." She plays golf and tennis and longs to be a pairs ice skater in a next life.

"Yoga has been the answer to maintaining strength and focus for the sports I still love. It provides the balance to keep life simple, when the pace gets too fast."

A speech and language pathologist for more than a decade, Sharon also works as a health counselor though her website www.IINdependentlyHealthy.com. A 2008 graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, Sharon is currently enrolled in their second year Immersion program.

Sharon Ruvane's Classes:
•  Mixed Level - Tuesday 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM

Shoshanna is a native of the Hartford area. She obtained her B.A. at Hampshire College in 2006 and completed her M.A. in Holistic Thinking with The Graduate Institute in 2008. In addition to having a diverse background in non-profit administration and development, Shoshanna has lobbied for a number of non-profits before the state's General Assembly, researched local school discipline policies for the American Civil Liberties Union's Racial Justice Program, and serves on a number of legislative and non-profit boards and commissions.

Particularly through her work with the ACLU, Shoshanna has become a passionate advocate in the areas of criminal justice, education and public health - so much so that she has shifted her focus to providing holistic educational and consulting services to a spectrum of stakeholders in the social service field. Shoshanna completed a 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with Rolf Gates at Fresh Yoga in New Haven, CT in 2009, and has completed her first Anusara Immersion at Kula Yoga this fall. She is happy to be continuing her own yoga education as well as offering classes and workshops integrating yoga, bodywork & creative expression for a diverse clientele across the Greater Hartford area.

Shoshanna Silverberg's Classes:
•  Yoga Basics, $5 - Sunday 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Karen Wagner first experienced yoga in a gym setting. She quickly realized that, with yoga, she could access and exercise every muscle group in a short period of time. As she began to practice yoga more frequently, she discovered that no other workout was necessary. She was staying free of both injury and pain, and that meant no healing time was necessary. Continuing in her yoga journey, she then obtained her teaching certification in 2002. Karen is very active in yoga, both as student and teacher, studying with many internationally known teachers, including Ana Forrest and Shiva Rae, in addition to Anusara instructors. She loves to share the gift of yoga with her students, helping them discover the joy and passion that she has found in yoga. Indeed, many of her students have gone on to seek out their own yoga certifications, evidence of the passion she is able to inspire in her pupils.

Karen Wagner's Classes:
•  Power Yoga - Friday 7:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Sharyn Zuch began her love affair with yoga at a gym in Florida in 1993. A runner, tennis player and weight lifter, she wandered into a yoga class to address her sports injuries. Since moving to Connecticut in 1996, Sharyn has explored a variety of yoga traditions, both gentle and vigorous, through trainings and workshops from renowned teachers including: Beryl Bender Birch and David Swenson (Power/Ashtanga), Rodney Yee and Kofi Busia (Iyengar), Ana Forrest (Forrest Yoga), Seane Corn (Vinyasa Flow), Sarah Powers (Yin/Yang Yoga), Todd Norian and Ann Green (Anusara), and Jonathan Urla (Yogilates). Sharyn completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2008, as a member of the inaugural class at West Hartford Yoga. She is certified in WHY Power Yoga. Sharyn has been inspired by the loving community created by Julie Miller at Kula Yoga and she will be deepening her practice and teaching by participating in Julie's Anusara Immersion program this fall.

Sharyn Zuch's Classes:
•  Mixed Level - Sunday 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM