The American Yoga Academy,
a registered Yoga Alliance School, has trained over 300 students in its
yoga teacher certification programs and exposed thousands of additional students
in the various aspects of yoga through classes, seminars and lectures in the
workplace, board retreats and community events in the US and abroad.
Our Staff
The Academy's experienced instructors are
Registered Yoga Alliance Teachers. Each seasoned instructor offers a wealth of
knowledge about yoga and its application to modern day life.
CLAIRE E. DIAB
is the founder of The American Yoga Academy is an internationally renowned Yoga
Therapist, Fitness Specialist and Inspirational Speaker with over 18 years of
experience. She teaches throughout the United States and internationally with
Deepak Chopra. Claire is an Professor of Asian Studies at Seton Hall
University, teaching one of the most popular courses on campus: Zen and Yoga.
She is the Director of the Chopra Center Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga Teacher
Training Program, East and West Coast. Claire is currently working on her
Doctorate on Leadership and Spirituality.
Learn more about
Claire.
E-mail:
claire@americanyogaacademy.com
HELEN DIAB
is the associate director of The American Yoga Academy. She is a licensed
Acupuncturist in New Jersey and New York. She holds a Master of Science in
Natural Sciences. As a certified Yoga Therapist she integrates Yoga Philosophy
with Oriental Medicine creating a unique style of teaching. Her classes are fun
and educational.
ROXANE DAYTON, Administrator and Director
of Marketing and Sales for the American Yoga Academy, has practiced yoga for
more than 20 years. She earned her yoga teaching certification from the American
Yoga Academy and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. Roxane is the founder of
All Star - a service company providing yoga instruction, nutrition counseling,
and personal assistance to clients throughout northern and central New Jersey.
Of primary importance is the principle of making a difference in the lives
of clients through her passion for yoga and well being. Roxane holds a Bachelor
of Science in Communications from Syracuse University, a Master of Science in
Information Systems from Stevens Institute, a Marketing and Advertising
certification from New York University, and is a certified health counselor
through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.
Email:
roxane@americanyogaacademy.com
MARY ANN
GEBHARDT
received her yoga teacher certification from The
American Yoga Academy. She is trained and certified in Pre-natal, Postpartum
Yoga with Mary Barnes director of Yoga for Two in New York City. She studies
and trained in Ayurveda at the New York Ayurveda Institute. Her passion and
deep respect for yoga comes in part from her experience as a Medical
Technologist working in hematology and open-heart surgery where she witnessed
first-hand the powerful connection between mind and body in the healing process.
E-mail:
maryann@americanyogaacademy.com
DEVEN M. PATEL is a
Professor of Sanskrit and South Asian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
He holds a BA in English/Comparative Literature from Columbia University and a
Ph.D in Sanskrit language and literature from the University of California at
Berkley. He also spent several years studying Sanskrit
literature and philosophy with traditionally trained scholars in India. Devon
has taught courses on Sanskrit language, Hinduism, Buddhism, Indian Philosophy
and Chinese Philosophy at Stanford, Rutgers, Hofstra and Seton Hall University.
He is currently writing a book about Sanskrit poetry.
Email:
DevenP@sas.upenn.edu.
ELLEN ROBERTSON
is a 500 hour, Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher. She earned her Level I
certification at the American Yoga Academy. Ellen shares her belief that yoga
is truly for everyone of all ages and abilities, by teaching beginner,
intermediate and mixed level classes, corporate wellness seminars, chair yoga
and yoga for children. Her classes incorporate postures, breathing and
relaxation techniques. Ellen earned her Bachelors of Arts at New York
University and worked in marketing and advertising prior to becoming a yoga
enthusiast.
Email:
yogawithellen@comcast.net
DONNA VISCO
is a founding partner in two companies, Joyful Evolution and Building Momentum,
Donna creates and facilitates seminars, workshops and mentoring programs. Donna
is a certified yoga instructor and author of and inspirational book, “The Divine
Spark That is You” a compendium of simple truths and powerful practices to
awaken the spirit within. Today, in addition to coaching and yoga instruction,
Donna is a Pranic healer and teaches Primordial Sound Meditation, a practice
revived by Dr. Deepak Chopra. Her unique presentation style is a combination of
passionate belief and earthy inspiration. “ I love seeing the light in peoples
eyes turn on when they start to discover their own inner truth,” she says.
Donna’s yoga and meditation certifications are through the Chopra ( Center in
San Diego, CA) Institute. Donna currently teaches yoga in Denville, New Jersey
at the Center for Holistic Wellness and she leads meditation and teaches yoga at
the newly opened Chopra Center and Spa in New York City. Donna can be reached
at www.joyfulevolution.com
STEPHANIE TORMEY
has been working as a health and fitness professional for 25 years.
She has an undergraduate degree in physical education with an adult fitness
emphasis, a master’s degree in exercise science with an exercise physiology
emphasis, and certifications from ACE and The American Yoga Academy. Stephanie
conducted a research experiment in Kean University’s Exercise Science Lab
measuring the effects of 10 weeks of yoga training on previously sedentary
individuals. She uncovered, through her research, significant and favorable
psychological and physiological effect of yoga. Stephanie is an adjunct
professor at Kean University, working in the Physical Education and Health
Department. She also has a Yoga/Pilates studio in Gillette, NJ call Heart and
Soul Fitness. Stephanie can be reached at
www.heartandsoulfitnessyoga.com
LEE HOLDEN
is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in the State of California. Lee
received a B.A. in Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and a Mater’s degree in Chinese
Medicine from Five Branches Institute in Santa Cruz, CA. Lee has taught
workshops and classes throughout the United States, parts of Europe, and Asia.
Lee is based in Northern California where he teaches classes in Meditation, tai
Chi, Qi Gong, and Yoga Lee is also a teacher at the Five Branches Institute of
Chinese Medicine. Lee can be reached at
www.pacifichealingarts.com
