Guest Teachers
Caitlin Van Hecke
Caitlin Van Hecke, RYT, discovered her need for yoga while living amongst the creative chaos of NYC. She fell in love with the discipline it brought to her life, as well as the freedom that opened up within. In 2008, Caitlin received her certification at the 230 hr Asheville Yoga Center. She is registered with Yoga Alliance and also has certifications in kids yoga and prenatal yoga. She continues to be grateful and amazed with yoga's power to create grace and ease on and off the mat. Caitlin's biggest AHA moment was being in class one day (years after the start of her practice), and finally understanding the importance of the breath. It was as if nothing had fully existed until that moment. She takes great care to breathe on a regular basis now. Creating a moving meditative flow, Caitlin holds a space filled with intention, sun salutations, sitting and standing sequences, and breath. The last 15 minutes of class will always be reserved for a well-deserved savasana and short meditation.
Carol Mermey
Carol Mermey, RYT 500, is an Anusara-inspired teacher and has been teaching yoga since 2004. She sees yoga as a practice to become more aware, accepting, and focused on what’s really important. Her classes provide a welcoming and encouraging environment for students to develop strength, flexibility, and balance, feel good about their bodies/themselves, as well as relax and de-stress. She incorporates humor, compassion, and alignment techniques to create a sense of well-being and empowerment. Carol is a graduate of the Willow Street Yoga Teacher Training Program in Takoma Park, MD and studies with John Friend (Anusara), Rod Stryker (ParaYoga), and Richard Miller (iRest Yoga Nidra).
Eduardo Guedez
Eduardo Guedez, MS, RYT, is a graduate of the Willow Street Yoga Center Teacher Training. His yoga practice extends over twelve years with roots in Anusara, Iyengar, and Tantra yoga, and a background in Bioenergetics and Martial Arts. Eduardo is most inspired by his master teachers John Friend (Anusara Yoga) and Rod Stryker (ParaYoga). His teaching approach is grounded in Ayurveda and yoga philosophy, and centered in the transformative power of an open heart and a clear intention. His classes combine the heart and playfulness of an artist with the craftsmanship of an engineer given his work as a enterprise IT architect. Eduardo is also co-owner and director of StoneSong Awareness & Nature Center where he leads yoga, meditation, and adventure retreats in the Allegany mountains of Western Maryland.
Geneva Moss
Geneva Moss is a certified Budding Yogi teacher with a heart centered approach to yoga and life. Being introduced to yoga at the age of twenty, she began a committed Anusara and Parayoga practice in 2001. After moving to Amman, Jordan with her newborn baby and husband in 2004, she began her dharma of teaching. Now back in the states Geneva continues to study with Rod Stryker and other senior teachers of Tantric Yoga. She credits her daughter as being not only her constant teacher but her greatest blessing. Geneva brings her great love, enthusiasm and joy of being a parent, teacher and student into yoga. She invites kids and parents to celebrate their own incredible beauty and sweet perfection as we breath into the precious art of being human.
Granetta Coleman
Granetta Coleman is a Massage Therapist licensed in Washington, DC (DC Lic. No. MT 483). She is a graduate of the Potomac Massage Training Institute of Washington, DC. She has been practicing as a massage therapist, since 2003. She is also a Certified Educator of Infant Massage trained by the International Association of Infant Massage. In addition, Granetta has a young daughter, who enjoys massages from mom.
Lizzie Hubbard
Lizzie Hubbard, RYT, has experienced firsthand the transformative healing power of Anusara yoga, both physically and psychologically. With warmth, humor, and lightheartedness, she invites her students to discover the delight of making their practice an offering of beauty. A graduate of Willow Street Yoga Center's Teacher Training, Lizzie continues to be blessed with the wisdom and inspiration of her primary teachers Maria Hamburger and Suzie Hurley.
Madeleine Santiago
Madeleine Santiago, RYT, believes the practice of Anusara Yoga reminds us of an intrinsic beauty, power and radiance that exists in us all. She discovered yoga while living in San Diego, hoping to build a strong and flexible body, and she found that it deepened her mindfulness while running and surfing. Now in the DC area, her yoga practice helps her appreciate the seasons and cultivate a peaceful spirit as a mother of two. A graduate of Willow Street Yoga Teacher Training, Madeleine playfully leads her students to meet themselves right where they are.
Marianna Adams
Marianna Adams has been a yoga practitioner for 19 years and a yoga teacher since 2000. After a basic teacher certification in the Kripalu style she became entranced with the Anusara style and has continued her advanced training with master Anusara teachers Moses Brown, Betsey Downing, John Friend, and Jenny Otto. Her prenatal yoga teacher training was with Mary Barnes, an Anusara-trained teacher in NYC. When not practicing or teaching yoga, Marianna lives in Annapolis, MD with her husband and has her own business in evaluation & consulting for museums.
Maryl Baldridge
Maryl Baldridge, M.A., R.Y.T., L.M.T., has used her yoga practice inspire creativity and healing in her life for the past ten years. She incorporates her education in yoga, massage, and counseling into her teaching, and is continually fascinated by the many ways different therapeutic fields inform and validate each other. She was certified as an Anusara-Inspired teacher in 2010, and enjoys the depth of studentship available through the process of working toward full certification in this system of yoga. Her intention in every class she teaches is that students leave feeling at peace and more like themselves, ready to return to their other commitments and relationships with a higher level of presence and passion.
Monica Shores
After years of telling herself she was unathletic and inflexible, Monica Shores, RYT discovered yoga and with it, awakened a deep appreciation for the human body. Now she's devoted to helping others uncover the delight and power that come from purposeful, celebratory movement. She completed her 300 hour yoga teacher training with Rodney Yee at New York's Yoga Shanti, and continues to study anatomy, philosophy, and asana with Gary Kraftsow and Leslie Kaminoff. Monica also received certification in all levels of pilates mat class through Power Pilates, and has completed restorative teacher training with Judith Hanson Lasater. Her classes are infused with kindness and good humor.
Sheryl Aaron
Sheryl Aaron, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C, is a psychotherapist based at The Viva Center, a holistic wellness organization in Dupont Circle. With a gentle, nonjudgmental approach, Sheryl has worked with men and women in private practice, university, outpatient clinic, addiction treatment, and inpatient psychiatric settings. With her own toddler keeping her on her toes these days, she has a special interest in supporting other expectant and new moms as they journey into motherhood – a role that (apparently) requires us to stretch and grow daily! And as a student of Anusara yoga, Sheryl has a deep appreciation for how the body and mind can work together to promote healing and create space for emotional growth. In her sessions, she uses uses mindfulness and other mind-body techniques to help clients connect with and use their own strengths to move toward richer, more meaningful lives.
