Meet the Teachers
At VegaYoga & Movement Arts, we bring together a wide range of trained teachers with a wealth of knowledge and a desire to make yoga accessible to all people, no matter what age or skill level.
Aaron Vega
VegaYoga & Movement Arts’ co-director and instructor, Aaron Vega (200 RYT), brings his “yoga for the people” philosophy to every class he teaches. From his yoga in the chair to his signature vegaflow class, Aaron incorporates a deep understanding of movement and yoga with a dash of humor. The passion and joy he shares with his students is intertwined with tradition and innovation. Creating a fun and safe atmosphere either with his music mixes or dynamic sequences, there is always something new happening in Aaron’s classes. At the ready to give a modification or an invitation to explore deeper, Aaron’s classes leave students strong in their body and feeling good about themselves.
Debra Vega
Debra Vega (RCYP, level 1), Vega Yoga & Movement Arts’ co-director and instructor, brings her Children’s Yoga Certification and 11 years of yoga practice, combined with her 30+ years of dance training and over 20 years of teaching experience, to all of the classes she offers.
Coming from a dance background, Debra approaches yoga with a strong awareness of the body and with the knowledge of ways to keep the body safe during practice. She is sensitive to the needs of her students and is happy to offer modifications in order to allow students of any skill level to practice with confidence. With a positive attitude and a smile on her face, Debra’s gentle way of “allowing you to practice where you are today,” encourages each student to leave her classes feeling good about their practice and good about themselves.
Claudia Johnsen
Claudia Johnsen, RYT 200, holds an MS in Microbiology and is a 2007 graduate of Mama Nirvana's Teacher Training. Claudia is a certified hatha yoga instructor and devoted yoga student whose energetic spirit and passion for yoga are revealed in her detailed instructions and joyful approach to classes.
Beginners perform poses to reduce stress, improve joint fluidity, and build strength and flexibility. Advanced students concentrate on form and prana as a way to unite the mind, body and breath, and find a sense of ease while sustaining deep physical challenge. Claudia's core focus class draws on her knowledge of yoga and Pilates mat exercises to maintain a healthy spine; discover the profound influence of core strength on your own yoga practice.
A lifelong joy of sewing led Claudia to design clothing, quilts and costumes, while current projects integrate the artful creative assistance of Ellie and Martin, two feline fabric enthusiasts.
Lorraine Brady
Lorraine Brady, RYT 200, completed her certification training at the Karuna Center for Yoga and Healing Arts in Northampton, and is a registered Yoga Alliance teacher. She also has completed a teacher training in mindful yoga therapy for veterans coping with trauma. Lorraine is currently studying with Patty Townsend, Director of the Yoga Center Amherst, and is working toward completion of her 500-hour teaching certification.
Lorraine's classes focus on basic alignment principles with an emphasis on coordinating movement and breath. She provides students an opportunity to improve flexibility, gain strength, and clear the mind. The connection and integration of body, mind and spirit through yoga creates the ability to move with greater harmony and grace through the rhythms of life. Lorraine is committed to sharing the many benefits of yoga with others.
Kim Linares
Kim is a 200/hr Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher and is currently attending Graduate School at the University of Massachusetts studying Art Education. She was introduced to yoga over 15 years ago and her passion for it brought her here to VegaYoga. She has been teaching adults, teenagers, and children with metal illness and special needs in private schools for over 7 years. She truly believes in the benefits of yoga, art and all pursuits that lead towards a deeper understanding of the self.
Body and breath awareness, along with meditation are important parts of her personal practice, as well as her teaching. She strongly believes that yoga is for everyone and is always willing to make adjustments and assist her students in any way to make yoga work for them and their bodies. Kim seeks to cultivate a lighthearted, comfortable atmosphere that gives room for the growth and exploration of each individual's yoga practice.
Carol Clark
Carol Clark has been practicing Tai chi since 1979 and QiGong since 1995, and began sharing her practice in 1996. Her journey has been one of growth and expansion using Tai Chi and QiGong as tools for focusing, refinement, and anchoring in the higher vibration that comes with transformation. Keeping one's balance, especially during deep change, is challenging ~ and essential ~ and we are ALWAYS changing.
Veronika Kruta
Veronika first discovered her love of Argentine tango in 2005. After taking one class, you could not keep her off the dance floor. She has travelled to tango festivals all over the country and studied with many world renown instructors, learning both traditional and modern tango techniques, and how to lead as well as follow. In 2008, Veronika decided tango was just too exciting to keep it all to herself, and began teaching. Her approach embraces a wide range of styles that inspire a continuous exploration of the tango's many facets. To further build the tango community, Veronika is also a tango DJ and milonga (tango party) organizer. In March of 2010, Veronika started the Boston Alternative Milonga, the first milonga in Boston where tangueros could be found dancing to both traditional tango as well as pop, hip hop, electronic and other contemporary music that is totally "tangoable." The world of tango is a deep, often mysterious yet enlightening and vibrant one, that Veronika can't wait to welcome you into.
Michelle Marroquín
Michelle Marroquin has been involved in the movement arts since she began dancing as a young child. She is a certified Yoga and Pilates Instructor and a Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis Pretrainer. Michelle brings to her classes a love of movement, years of experience as a dancer and a lifelong fascination with the human body.
For more info go to: www.michellemarroquin.com
Gayle Stefanelli
Gayle has been studying exercise science for many years. She attended her first yoga class 11 years ago at a local gym, and has been a dedicated yogi since. She received her teacher training from Mama Nirvana's New Yoga (March 2004). Gayle is also a certified yoga therapist - trained and certified in adapting yoga for people with life threatening illnesses. Gayle is a Pilates instructor as well (Pilates Institute of America, Andover MA, Feb 2005).
Gayle teaches strong classes, that focus on finding a playful way to practice. Her teaching style is encouraging, creative and fun. Breathing is a very important part of her teachings. She believes it is what brings us deeper into our yoga and Pilates. Breath also makes the stronger poses more enjoyable and energizing.
Malia Werle
Malia is a 200/hr Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher, and graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She was introduced to yoga at a very young age, and believes that yoga is accessible to all who wish to explore it. She has enjoyed working with adults, teenagers, and children in studio, summer camp and school settings. She believes in the power of Yoga, Art and all pursuits that lead towards beauty. Deepening body and breath awareness are important in her personal practice, as well as being key aspects of her teaching. Trusting the intuition of the body leads those who are patient towards gradually developing flexibility and strength. Athleticism is never required in Malia's yoga classes. She seeks to cultivate a spirit of playfulness and exploration in the practice, and welcomes anyone who is able to approach movement and meditation with an open mind.
Karla Geoffroy
Karla is co-owner, director and teacher at our sister studio, Valley Yoga of Westfield. She was initially certified to teach yoga in 1992. For over fifteen years she has taught yoga in a multitude of settings for students of all ages, opened and ran a studio, and developed her skills as a teacher. Her additional training as a certified Structural Yoga Therapist makes her especially suited to adapt yoga to fit the needs of her students. Through this training, she learned muscle and joint assessments, yoga philosophy and health, and how to make recommendations for yoga practice. She sees the huge and diverse array of benefits her students have received from yoga. This is inspiration for her teaching and to encourage students to relate to and practice yoga in a way that is unique for each of them.
Margaret Nunnelly
Margaret Nunnelly, RYT200, enjoys hatha yoga for its ability to focus attention on the body. Her classes increase concentration, clarity and patience both in yoga and every day life. She directs students to tune into physical sensations and explore how subtle changes in movement can resonate in a wide variety of positive changes. She is certified as a yoga teacher by Mama Nirvana's New Yoga. Margaret has a BS in Business, enjoys gardening, and is a keeper of chickens, bees and children.
