OUR TEAM
CELESTE
CUSUMANO
Hometown: Sea Isle City, NJ
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Playlist Favorites: Kaleidoscope Jukebox, Sia, Nujabes, Tycho
Favorite Pose: Ardha Chandrasana
Local Restaurant Pick: The Franklin
Guilty Pleasure: Dark Chocolate and scrolling through pictures of my baby girl, Rose.
Yogi Goal: Celeste opened Asana Soul Practice to answer her life calling: to share the gift of yoga. She loves the Hudson County community and seeks to unite and celebrate our shared lives through yoga and meditation.
MARC
CUSUMANO
Hometown: New York, NY
Astrological Sign: Aquarius
Playlist Favorites: Emancipator, STS9
Favorite Pose: Savasana
Local Restaurant Pick: Karma Kafe
Guilty Pleasure: Naps
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Yogi Goal: Marc opened Asana Soul Practice with Celeste to share his passion for music. As our resident DJ, he puts his heart and soul into every playlist, uniting music and movement with the intention to allow you to dive deeper into the immersive experience of yoga.
KIERAN
SWANSON
Hometown: Nutley, NJ
Astrological Sign: Gemini
Playlist Favorites: Trevor Hall, Sol Rising, Tame Impala
Favorite Pose: Uttanasana
Local Restaurant Pick:
Guilty Pleasure: French Fries
Yogi Goal: Kieran's goal is to continue to learn about yoga through practicing as a student & teacher. Her intention is to connect with others who are like minded on their journey toward living in alignment of mind, body & soul.
RACHEL
FISCHER
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB. Canada
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Playlist Favorites: The Mates of Soul, Mid Week Jams
Favorite Pose: Virabhadrasana II
Local Restaurant Pick: Tacoria (Vegan, Double Tortilla Brussels Sprouts Tacos!)
Guilty Pleasure: French Fries & Terrible Reality TV
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Yogi Goal:
To sit in the discomfort.
To deepen the breath.
To slow down.
To create space in the body.
To make eye contact.
To have fuuuuuun
To connect with community and encourage my yogis to arrive, to ground, to let go, to fill their cup.
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STACEY
LAWRENCE
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Astrological Sign: Gemini
Playlist Favorites: In my Phil Collins/Genesis remix era
Favorite Pose: Parsvottanasana
Local Restaurant Pick: Wurstbar
Guilty Pleasure: Like what you like, even if it is Summer House and romance novels
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Yogi Goal: To show up authentically, and to create a space where others are inspired to do the same
SHILPY
JAIN
Hometown: Mumbai,India
Astrological Sign: Virgo
Playlist Favorites: Sol Rising, Coldplay
Favorite Pose: Uttanasana(Forward Fold), Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (King Pigeon Pose)
Local Restaurant Pick: Orale, Cafe Dolma
Guilty Pleasure: Afternoon Naps, Pineapple and Jalapeño Pizza (The best combination ever)
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Yogi Goal: To connect with people and spread the love for yoga both on and off the mat. Find strength and grace on mat and always keep learning both as a student and a teacher. (Always a student first)
AMANDA GLORIA
VALDES
Hometown: Edison, NJ
Astrological Sign: PiscesPlaylist Favorites: Ambient, Deep House, Afro Beats, Acoustic
Favorite Pose: Compass
Local Restaurant Pick: Alfalfa
Guilty Pleasure: Binge watching shows on Netflix
Yogi Goal: My goal is to eliminate barriers to access, ensuring that yoga and well-being practices are available to all. By fostering greater equity in yoga and wellness resources, we can create thriving, liberated communities where everyone has the opportunity to flourish.
MONISA
PAREKH
Hometown: Ahmedabad, Gujarat (India)
Astrological Sign: Cancer
Playlist Favorites: Soulful Bollywood Songs, or Indian Classical Music
Favorite Pose: Padmasana(Lotus Pose)
Local Restaurant Pick: Karma Cafe
Guilty Pleasure: A good cup of Filter Coffee
Yogi Goal: A yogi isn't supposed to be attached to goals, I want to live each day to its fullest.
ERIN
CLYNE
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Astrological Sign: Gemini
Playlist Favorites: Fujitsu, Mono:Massive, Joey Pecoraro
Favorite Pose: Trikonasana
Local Restaurant Pick: …Food…Madame, Jane Doe, Gaia & Loki, OR Hudson Hound for that great local vibe
Guilty Pleasure: Dark chocolate in any form, and a hot drink with a good book
Yogi Goal: Bring the awareness and connectedness found on my mat into the world around me, and to encourage both curiosity and compassion.
DANIELLE
TIDEMAN
Hometown: Sartell, Minnesota
Astrological Sign: Pisces
Playlist Favorites: Imagine Dragons, Prince and ODESZA
Favorite Pose: Ardha Chandrasana and Pigeon
Local Restaurant Pick: White Star, Talde and Lo-Fi
Guilty Pleasure: My deep, undying love for Hanson and crappy reality TV (Jersey Shore reboot anyone?).
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Yogi Goal: To make people feel good both in their bodies and their minds. Not only is yoga an incredible physical challenge, but one of the best benefits has been to erase anxiety and self-doubt through the practice. To be able to share this positive experience with others and be part of a collective community is the greatest achievement of all.
CLAIRE
BILAVSKY
Hometown: Cranford, NJ
Astrological Sign: Pisces
Playlist Favorites: Lane 8, DRAMA, SZA, and Lennon Stell
Favorite Pose: Child's Pose and Pigeon
Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate and cuddles!
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Yogi Goal: Allowing the authentic self to unfold, heal, and rise..
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MAGGIE
BIXBY
Astrological Sign: Pisces
Playlist Favorites: Coldplay & Lord Huron
Favorite Pose: Pigeon Pose
Local Restaurant Pick: Honshu
Guilty Pleasure: Late night peanut butter & falling asleep when the party gets good
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Yogi Goal: Helping others learn how to live within their physical and spiritual body
SARAH
CARVALHO
Hometown: Merrimack, NH
Astrological Sign: Cancer
Playlist Favorites: Anything moody like Lorde or Florence + the Machine with a little Otis Redding thrown in. I also love a good slow cover!
Favorite Pose: Half Moon
Local Restaurant Pick: Gino's in the Heights
Guilty Pleasure: Re-watching all the seasons of the Great British Baking Show!
Yogi Goal: My goal as a teacher is to encourage you to feel good in your own body and to appreciate and ENJOY your practice — not to try and live up to a specific yoga aesthetic.
AUTUMN
PEREZ
Hometown: Perth Amboy, NJ
Astrological Sign: Cancer
Playlist Favorites: Anything with a tribal or electronic vibe, especially if the flow is extra spicy!
Favorite Pose: Revolved Half-Moon. Also LOVE arm balancing and going upside down!
Local Restaurant Pick: White Star (Brunswick St.)
Guilty Pleasure: Haribo Gummy Bears
Yogi Goal: To continue to grow my retreat business, hopefully open a space of my own and host teacher trainings internationally through it! Where zen meets adventure.
MEAGAN
WOODS
Hometown: Kendall Park, NJ
Astrological Sign: Gemini
Playlist Favorites: Goldmund + Library Tapes
Favorite Pose: Prasarita Padottanasana (wide-legged forward fold)
Local Restaurant Pick: Orale
Guilty Pleasure: classic movies + dark chocolate
Yogi Goal: Living, loving, and giving generously
LAUREN
DENNEY
Hometown: Parsippany, NJ
Astrological Sign: Taurus
Playlist Favorites: Hozier, Kygo and any instrumental upbeat song
Favorite Pose: Prasarita Padottanasana
Local Restaurant Pick: Taqueria Downtown
Guilty Pleasure: Sweets!
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Yogi Goal: For both myself and students, my goal is to feel better in the body and the mind after class.
STEPH
KHOURY
Hometown: Oakridge, NJ
Astrological Sign: Taurus
Playlist Favorites: Olivia Dean, ODESZA, Léon, Maggie Rogers
Favorite Pose: Crow Pose
Local Restaurant Pick: Sirenette
Guilty Pleasure: Re-watching Disney Channel classics
Yogi Goal: Yoga has taught me to embrace the unpredictability of life with compassion and joy. My goal is to create classes that are engaging, fun, and provide options for students to discover their own story, strengths and resilience.
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GRACE
STAUFFER
Hometown: Northern Los Angeles, CA
Astrological Sign: Aries
Playlist Favorites: Jungle by Night and anything with an Afro beat
Favorite Pose: Dancer
Local Restaurant Pick: Corto and Ani Ramen
Guilty Pleasure: Science Podcasts
Yogi Goal: Finding the joy and fun in movement of your body.
MEGAN
REINKING
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA
Astrological Sign: Taurus
Playlist Favorites: I will slip in Radiohead any chance I get.
Favorite Pose: Prasarita Padottanasana
Local Restaurant Pick: Obsessed with Masala Cafe - best Indian food (outside of London, England) I've ever had.
Guilty Pleasure: Video Games, Scary Story Podcasts, and Pancakes.
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Yogi Goal: My goal is to continue to show up, be present, and provide a safe place for people to move their bodies and feel better. It's a gift to be able to give people the space and freedom to grow and heal themselves through movement.
MARIAH
GIBSON
Hometown: Maywood, NJ
Astrological Sign: Pisces
Playlist Favorites: Sade, Alina Baraz, Jhene Aiko, Pink Sweat$, Sol Rising
Favorite Pose: Bird of Paradise
Local Restaurant Pick: Il Tavolo di Palmisano
Guilty Pleasure: Capri Sun
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Yogi Goal: Achieve Lotus Pose!
EMMA
WHITFORD
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Astrological Sign: Virgo
Playlist Favorites: Bon Iver, Iron & Wine, Fleetwood Mac
Favorite Pose: Ardha Kapotasana
Local Restaurant Pick: Alessio’s cafe
Guilty Pleasure: Bad reality TV
Yogi Goal: To create a welcoming space for students to unwind and enjoy moving their bodies.
CHRIS
STANLEY
Hometown: Somerset, NJ
Astrological Sign: Pisces
Playlist Favorites: Nujabes, SiR, Richard Saunders, J Dilla, Sophie Marks, LudoWic, Brittany Howard, Naomi Sharon, Nosaj Thing, Theo Croker Favorite Pose: Sirsasana
Local Restaurant Pick: Elysian Cafe
Guilty Pleasure: DONUTS
Yogi Goal: To show that Yoga is for everybody and every body!
DANIA
MCBAIN
Hometown: Queens, NY
Astrological Sign: Pisces
Playlist Favorites: Mereba, Cleo Sol, Nao
Favorite Pose: Tree Pose
Local Restaurant Pick: Harry’s Daughter
Guilty Pleasure: Potato Chips & Gummy Bears
Yogi Goal: To guide people toward a deeper relationship with themselves through yoga, where movement becomes a doorway to philosophy, grounding, presence, and inner transformation
BALDWEEN
CASSEUS
Hometown: St. Marc Haiti / Bloomfield, NJ
Astrological Sign: Virgo
Playlist Favorites: Breath it in (Beautiful Chorus), Day Dream (Gunter Choir), Feeling Good (Ane Brun)
Favorite Pose: Balasana & Dancing Warrior
Local Restaurant Pick: Semicolon
Guilty Pleasure: Doordashing Sweat Treats (Ice Cream, Chocolate, Boba)
Yogi Goal: (1) Learn as much as possible this 1st year. (2) Create healing and body-positive spaces for women of color. (3) Create more accessibility to yoga for people in low-income communities
ELISA
BARRETA
Hometown: Vineland, NJ
Astrological Sign: Capricorn
Playlist Favorites: Anything by Tom Petty/the Heartbreakers and DJ Taz Rashid for a more mellow vibe
Favorite Pose: Urdhva Dhanurasana and Wild Thing Local
Restaurant Pick: Augustino's and Ovale Guilty Pleasure: Imported Mozzarella di Bufala
Yogi Goal: To be ok with "un-learning" as I stay committed to continuously learning and to teach my students the same. It's all about balance in the end...
SHELLEY
TAHER
Hometown: Verona, NJ
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Playlist Favorites: Bonobo, Tash Sultana, Khruangbin
Favorite Pose: Malasana
Guilty Pleasure: Breakfast for dinner
Yogi Goal: To allow students to come to class exactly as they are. To notice something new each day, both on and off the mat.
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MADISON
KITCHEN
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Astrological Sign: Libra
Playlist Favorites: MUNA, Dua Lipa, Juke Ross, Bleachers
Favorite Pose: Utthita Parsvokonasona
Local Restaurant Pick: B Bagels
Guilty Pleasure: Law and Order SVU reruns and the Twilight movies
Yogi Goal: Empower all beings to find their inner light
MELISSA
GRYWALSKI
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
Astrological Sign: Libra
Playlist Favorites: hard question, I like over 6000 artist on Spotify! Right now my top artists are Bad Bunny, Glass Animals, and Time To Spend by Kevin Davis
Favorite Pose: Revolved Half Moon
Local Restaurant Pick: Uncle Momo
Guilty Pleasure: Bravo Reality TV & fast vegan food
Yogi Goal: My goal is to develop my teaching ability and open a yoga retreat space to offer healing, knowledge and connection. I would like to move to Puerto Rico to open this space reconnecting to my heritage, educate visitors on the island and support locals.
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LEAH
VAIKUNTHANATHAN
Astrological Sign: Cancer
Playlist Favorites: East Forest, Tom Day & Sol Rising
Favorite Pose: Childs
Local Restaurant Pick: Batello - the Guanciale & Fontina Biscuits are the best! Guilty Pleasure: Talking to dogs before I talk to their owners.
Yogi Goal: To inspire people to move because they love their bodies, not because they want to change them.
MOKSHAA
VAKHARIA
Hometown: Bombay, India (always Bombay to me!)
Astrological Sign: Capricorn — but ask me about your numerology chart!
Playlist Favorites: Ambient electronica, hypnotic beats, and ancient soundscapes Favorite Pose: Trikonasana and Viparita Karani
Local Restaurant Pick: Uncle Momo
Guilty Pleasure: Total night owl tendencies
Yogi Goal: Raised in Bhakti, Gyan, Kriya, and Karma yoga, I bring three decades of meditation to our community. My goal is to guide you dynamically through the rhythm of movement, while always holding a grounded space to slow down, disconnect from the noise, and practice true awareness.