Namaste Yoga Studio Faculty
Jolynn McFerren, Owner
After practicing yoga for over 20 years, Jolynn found Namaste Yoga Studio and Mary Pat Murphy, and knew that it was the right time in her life to become a teacher of the practice. Jolynn and her husband Brent are now the owners of Namaste. With 3 young children, Jolynn sees the value in yoga from childhood through adulthood. She has an RYT200 certification from Namaste Yoga Studio with Mary Pat Murphy and Rowan Silverberg, and has completed a second 200-hour Anusara teacher training program with Todd Norian and Ann Greene. She has studied many varieties of yoga across the country and has studied recently with Todd Norian, Ann Greene, Tara Glazier, Lisa Danbrot, and Doug Keller. She currently teaches kids yoga, family yoga, slow flow, all levels, and sweet sweaty flow at Namaste Yoga Studio.
Mary Pat Murphy
Mary Pat Murphy blends her abundant energy and joy for life to create classes that help open body, mind, and spirit. "It's important to learn to let go, to breathe, to laugh, and to really honor one's self. Yoga, for me, is really a celebration of life. I love the practice and am so grateful that I can share the practice with students and other yoga teachers. Life is a joyful journey even at the hardest moments. Learning to find faith, courage, joy, and celebration everyday is really the practice." M.P. has completed three marathons, many 10ks and loves cycling. She began to study yoga very seriously and found her primary teacher, internationally acclaimed Certified Anusara Yoga teacher, Todd Norian. M.P. is certified through Todd Norian and Ann Greene’s Anusara Yoga Teacher Training Program and continues her studies with them several times each year. She has been a student of Todd's since 2001 and has studied with Ann since 2005. She completed Todd's Advanced Teacher Training Program in 2009. She has completed Teacher Training Level 1, attended weekend workshops and has completed Yoga Therapeutics with John Friend. In addition, M.P. continues to deepen her studies with many master teachers including Rodney Yee, Richard Freeman, Doug Keller, and numerous Certified Anusara teachers, including Betsey Downing. "I am especially grateful to all my teachers for sharing their abundant gifts with me, especially Todd Norian and Ann Greene.
Erin Bozan
“I came to my first yoga class during a very difficult time in my life and after that first class, I knew that my life had been changed forever. I instantly fell in love with the practice as a way to balance my physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Yoga means to unite. Its translation is "to come together and make whole” which is exactly what it has done for me and I want to share that gift with others.” Erin completed her 200-hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training through Namaste Yoga Studio, under the loving guidance of Mary Pat Murphy and continues her studies through workshops led by nationally acclaimed Certified Anusara Yoga teacher, Todd Norian, Master Power Teacher, Sid McNairy, as well as Rowan Silverberg and others. "Although I love a physically challenging practice, I completed my Teacher Training while pregnant with my third child, which allowed me to focus a great deal of my training on nurturing other aspects of my practice as well as Prenatal Yoga. That experience made me a more versatile, well-rounded practitioner and teacher and I love sharing the life-changing benefits of yoga with students of every level."
Christina Chase
Christina Chase has been studying yoga since 1995. What began as just another avenue of exercise turned into an amazing awareness of how the physical, emotional, and mental understandings of a person intertwine to help us grow and learn about ourselves. Christina enjoys both challenging and vinyasa classes, but also enjoys and understands the value of slow deep practices for the benefit of the mind, body alignment, and breath awareness. She often incorporates both styles into her classes. Just as she enjoys different styles of yoga, she enjoys teaching to all age groups. She has taught adult, young adult, and children’s’ classes. Christina received her RYT200 certification in 2009 through Namaste Yoga Studio’s teacher training program. She continues to add to her knowledge of yoga through her personal practice, workshops, and through her love of reading.
Jennifer D'Angelo (Schmittgen)
Jennifer Schmittgen has been practicing yoga for over 9 years. Being a physically actI've person she noticed yoga not only added to her physical abilities and strength but quickly realized the spiritual and mind centering benefits of yoga further enriched all aspects of her life. Her practice is based in the heart centering Anusara inspired tradition but she enjoys melding other styles into her classes. Jennifer loves to share her practice with her students in a light hearted fun way and encourages them to experience all aspects of yoga deeply. Yoga is a continuing journey of discovery for both teacher and student. Every class invites the student to be open to wherever their practice takes them. Jennifer has practiced under many teachers in the Cleveland area. She is registered with Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level. She credits her love for yoga to her teachers and mentors Mary Pat Murphy and Rowan Silverberg. She has also studied under the instruction of Todd Norian.
Karen Duganier
Karen has been spiritually oriented her entire life practicing yoga for over 20 years. “Something was missing in my life and I felt a sense of healing and acceptance when I was on my mat. It was a feeling, a connection that I could take with me off the mat as well.” She has studied with Todd Norian, Ann Greene, Mary Pat Murphy, Rowan Silverberg and Doug Keller and continues to find inspiration attending workshops always trying to learn and passing it on to her students. As a true believer in the healing effects of yoga, she creates a safe and compassionate environment for students. Her teaching style draws upon her intention to help students find their personal connection with the Breath and weaving their breath with their movement of the practice, bringing students closer to their inner light and encouraging them to share their light off the mat. A graduate of Namaste’ Yoga Studio’s 200 Yoga Teacher Training and a Karuna Reiki® Master, she continues to deepen her practice and is currently assisting in the Namaste Yoga Teacher Training. When Karen is not teaching or taking a class, her favorite thing to do is spend time with her husband and best friend, Al.
Michele Egleston
Michele Egleston was reintroduced to yoga in 2005. As a child, she did not realize that shoulderstand was yoga. Since reconnecting with her inner yogini, she has realized that her childhood pose, gazing at her feet and imagining that the world is upside down is called Sarvangasana. Her physical practice on the mat has also improved her balance, increased her flexibility and strengthened her body. On the mat, Michele seeks balance and creates space in her body and in her mind. She then takes the space, balance and open-mindedness from her mat with her and applies them in all aspects of life. Michele graduated from the 200 Hour Namaste Yoga Teacher Training program in June 2011 under the loving guidance of Mary Pat Murphy and Karen Duganier. Michele is honored to sit in the seat of teacher and is delighted to be part of this community.
Dianne Gerard
Dianne brings a playfulness to her classes that springs from her love of yoga. She creates a space where her students feel safe and asks only that they come with an open mind and an open heart. Her classes blend alignment and fluid breath to create a strong, spacious body and a peaceful mind. By recognizing our own balance of strength and surrender on the mat, we realize that our potential is infinite. Dianne has been practicing yoga for over 12 years and continues to expand her knowledge and understanding by attending workshops with a wide variety of practioners: Baron Baptist, Desiree Rumbaugh, Todd Norian, Max Strom, Mitchel Bleier, Tiffany Fraser, Marni Task, Doug Keller and numerous others. Dianne completed her YTT at Namaste Yoga and is registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level. She is also Level One certified in Reiki and is a Master Teacher of Seichim. Dianne enjoys spending time with her family and a number of artistic outlets like drawing, painting and creating with fabric. She also sings with a couple of bands who donate their performances to raise money for various charities.
Cathy Glass
Cathy says simply, "I love yoga. I love how it has helped make my body strong, but also how it helps me stay mentally focused and calm during the day. I love a strong, challenging and deep practice and that is the style of yoga that I also love to teach. A Vinyasa brings the mind, body, and breath into a flow... and it is in that flow that I see tension melt away from my students and their bodies let go of life's stress. I believe that managing stress and maintaining a healthy diet are the keys to feeling good. That is why I feel I have a responsibility to share what I have learned with others." In addition to teaching yoga, Cathy works full time as a Registered Dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic. I think that deepening the mind-body awareness is the joy of yoga. Cathy is a RYT 200 hour and a graduate of Namaste Yoga Teacher Training.
Darby Gravino
Darby Gravino has been practicing yoga on and off for more than 10 years. She began an interest in yoga when planning her wedding and again with her first pregnancy. After practicing at various studios in the area, she came to Namaste, where she devoted herself to practice on a regular basis. As a runner, she noticed the benefits that yoga can bring to both mind and body as a compliment to any athlete. She has been a devoted student of Mary Pat Murphy, Karen Duganier and Todd Norian. She loves to take any class with any teacher at Namaste as she feels this studio has to offer the best all-around yoga class experience. Darby will be the first to tell you that she feels you don't need fancy props, lighting or a majorly heated room to get a great yoga routine. You just need a well-trained teacher and a safe, loving environment.
Kris Kearns
Kris has always been active; soccer, horseback riding, cycling, weight lifting, scuba diving and swimming are just a few of the sports she loves, but after a severe knee injury she found herself unable to participate anymore. This event led to a search for an exercise that was mindful but still challenging. Yoga and Aqua fitness filled the bill. After spending time rehabilitating her injury, she began to focus on these new passions. Realizing others may benefit from non-impact exercise programs, Kris began to pursue training in Yoga and Aqua Fitness. She likes to incorporate cardio, resistance training, extended stretching and relaxation into her classes, and welcomes all levels in her classes. Kris currently teaches Chair Yoga and Yin Yoga at Namaste.
Claudine Kelly
Claudine started doing yoga in search of relief for body aches. After ten years of working in my job it had taken its toll on my body. I loved it right away. I started noticing how my posture had improved and how I was feeling so much better and the body aches were alleviating. I love what the practice of asanas and meditation has done for me and how much my life has improved off the mat as well. I am a 2009 graduate of Namaste Yoga Studio Teacher Training and have taken hundreds of hours in workshops over the last ten years. I would like to bring to my students the same experience I have had over the past 15 years and maybe a little peace of mind.
Mary Beth Madonia
MaryBeth has been active her whole life, preferring more traditional exercise like running,cycling and swimming. After shoulder surgery and a back injury, she discovered the therapeutic and strengthening benefits of a consistent yoga practice. Three years later, the serious illness of a loved one led her to delve more deeply into the spiritual aspects of yoga. It was at this time that she became irreversibly drawn to it as a holistic practice and her real yoga journey began. MaryBeth is a graduate of Namaste Yoga Studio's 200 HR Teacher Training and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. She feels deeply indebted to her teacher Mary Pat Murphy for leading her to a deeper sense of understanding and acceptance. She has also studied with Rowan Silverberg and Todd Norian. MaryBeth is honored to be a teacher at Namaste and seeks to enrich the life of each student in her class.
Anvia Sheldon
I have been curious about yoga since I was a girl. “Unknowing, I checked out ‘Light On Yoga’ from the library and was fascinated by all the poses. I would try them while playing outside and thought stretching was fun.” Leaving behind what she thought was a childhood curiosity to pursue family and a career, she rediscovered yoga during her “basement warrior” years. “I spent many years exercising in my basement trying to stay healthy. Finally, a friend encouraged me to try Namaste Studio and I was hooked.” The balance of a steady practice is important to Anvia’s teaching along with allowing students to find their space to grow not only in their practice but in their lives. Anvia holds her 200-hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Certification from Namaste Studio under the teaching of Mary Pat Murphy, Karen Duganier and Ruth Zito. She has also received teaching from Anusara teacher, Todd Norian.
Mary Stepanek
Mary took her first yoga class in 2005, and wasn’t initially convinced that yoga was for her. In 2006 she took her first class with M.P. Murphy and committed to a regular practice; that’s when she discovered the connection of body, mind and spirit through yoga. Initially Mary thought that pursuing teacher training would be a distraction after her father was diagnosed with cancer (just 2 years after her mother’s death from cancer). During that difficult and challenging time, Mary found that yoga served not as a distraction, but as a support. She feels that perhaps the greatest gift of teacher training was learning that to live in the moment is just as important as learning to let go. Mary completed the Yoga Alliance 200 hour certification through Namaste’ Yoga Studio with Mary Pat Murphy and Rowan Silverberg. Having completed her teacher training in the fall of 2008, Mary began teaching at Namaste. She has continued her studies with Todd Norian and Ann Greene, completing the 100-Hour Anusara Immersion, as well as attending various workshops. She participated in Rodney Yee’s teacher training in Columbus, Ohio in the fall of 2011. Mary has studied with Desiree Rumbaugh, Chad Stose and Sean Corne; and in addition she has completed Reiki Level 2 Training. She is filled with love and gratitude for John, her husband, and her 3 “big boys”. Mary invites students to discover their true nature through yoga, to experience the joy and grace in life, and to make their practice a celebration. Her gratitude for the heart opening she’s experienced through yoga, is something she loves to share with her students.
Ruth Zito
With over 25 years in the fitness industry and a degree in Physical Therapy, Ruth came to Yoga realizing she needed to make an inner transformation. After taking one yoga class she immediately knew that this was her life path to take and realized the power Yoga had to transform her life. She found Yoga created the balance in her life that she couldn't find with any other venue. Ruth has made Yoga her passion in her life and truly loves sharing that with others. She receI'ved her 200 hour teacher training at Namaste Yoga Studio and has studied with Todd Norian and many local Cleveland instructors. She has gained inspiration from many shamans and spiritualist in Sedona, Arizona and enjoys sharing this knowledge with her students. Ruth's athletic ability allows her to teach a powerful class but keeps it balanced with softness and comfort allowing students to create their own personal experience. "I hope that every student can walk away from a class and discover one new thing about themselves that they are thankful for".