Denise is a 500-hour registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance. She has been practicing yoga since 1999. She received her 200-hour certification in 2004 through New York Yoga under the direction of David Hollander, Michael Gilbert and Govinda Kai. Denise completed a prenatal certification at OM Yoga in 2005. In 2018, she completed an advanced 300-hour training certification through Yoga Life led by Joanne Kane. Some other teachers Denise had the honor of studying with and have greatly influenced her are K. Pattabhi Jois, Sharon Gannon, David Life, Kelly Kamm, Kristin Leal, and Rathi Raja. She is also a Reiki Master who wholly embraces energy healing and believes that Reiki offers a multitude of benefits worth sharing.

Denise’s classes are deeply spiritual as well as playful and challenging, incorporating elements of Ashtanga, Ishta, Jivamukti and other flow styles. She seeks to create a soulful class inspired by her love of music, poetry, and yogic philosophy as students are guided into moving meditation. She has a love for telling stories from Buddhist Koans to Hindu Mythology and will often share these inspired tales with her classes. Denise encourages her students through a practice that embraces breath as the link between body, mind and spirit. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share the inspiring gift of yoga and Reiki with others.

Getting to Know Denise…

1) Why did you start practicing yoga?
It was 1999 and I had been working for a very fast paced advertising agency with very long hours. I realized I needed to do something to alleviate the pressure I was feeling from this industry and I found yoga.

2) How would you describe your style of teaching?
I like to think that I teach an eclectic style vinyasa class. I have studied various styles of yoga from Asthanga to Anusara, studied Buddhism, yogic philosophy, American Indian culture, mythology from various eras, and some ayurveda. I like to use wisdom from many different areas of study in my classes.

3) Who or what inspires you?
I feel inspired by my students. As a teacher, I want to fulfill that role to the best of my ability and learn everything I can so that I may share the teachings in hopes it can serve them in their lives. I am also so grateful to have gathered my inspiration from so many teachers over the years. Joanne Kane has been such an inspiration in my life and has greatly influenced me as a teacher and a practitioner. In addition, Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hanh, Eckart Tolle, and Alan Watts are continued sources of inspiration and wisdom.

4) Tell us something we would never guess about you.
I listen to many types of music, but punk rock and heavy metal would be the two genres that I really enjoy.

5) What is your least favorite asana?
Humble warrior, I love the name, though this pose is my least favorite. I struggle to keep my hips level and it requires a lot of power in the legs to balance, not to mention it’s a heart opener and demands steady concentration.

6) Name one thing on your bucket list?

I would like to travel to Paris. I made a promise to do this with my daughter, Ava that we will go there together some day.