Yoga Life Institute
philosphy | education | practice

Bob Butera

Robert Butera, E-RYT, M.Div., Ph.D., is the founder of The YogaLife Institute and publisher of Yoga Living magazine. Bob studied yoga with Dr. Javadeva Yogendra at The Yoga Institute of Bombay and later obtained his Ph.D. in Yoga Philosophy at The California Institute of Integral Studies and a Masters of Divinity from The Earlham School of Religion. With over 25 years of meditation and yoga experience, he has worked with teachers and students throughout Japan, Taiwan, India and the United States. Bob emphasizes a holistic exploration of Yoga and is known for teaching ancient Classical Yoga principles in a practical and relevant way that connects students with their own divinity. Bob’s book, The Pure Heart of Yoga: Ten Essential Steps for Personal Transformation was released by Llewellyn Worldwide in September 2009.

Kristen Butera

Kristen is the manager of the YogaLife Institute as well as the editor of Yoga Living magazine. A heart centered bhakti (devotional) yogini, she has been practicing yoga since 2002. As her practice developed, Kristen decided to hang up her corporate working gloves for good in 2006 and dove headfirst into a world of Karma yoga, teaching and serving the community full-time. Kristen’s 200 hour certification is in Kripalu Yoga, and she has an additional 500 hours of training in Classical Yoga. In 2008 Kristen completed the 300 hour Integrative Yoga Therapy training, becoming one of the few certified yoga therapists in the Philadelphia area. She has had the great fortune of studying Yin Yoga with Sarah Powers, Anatomy with Paul Grilley and Vinyasa Yoga with Jonny Kest. When not teaching or practicing yoga, she enjoys gourmet cooking, gardening, reading, swimming, walking in Valley Forge and Jenkins Arboretum and spending time with loved ones.

Eva Arriaga

Eva’s teaching certification studies began at the Yoga Life Institute in 1998, and were completed in residence at the Yoga Institute in Bombay, India. Since that time, she has taught eight to ten classes per week, and has become one of the trainers of new teachers in the certification program. Eva comes to Yoga with broad experience in dance and fitness instruction. As a professional dancer, she taught and performed ballet, jazz, and flamenco for 18 years in both Spain and the US. She is a certified fitness instructor, and has experimented with a number of exercise methods.

Eva practices and teaches yoga as an ongoing process of self mastery. One of her great strengths is her ability to make students feel comfortable at their own level, whatever that may be. At the same time, she is accomplished enough to challenge and direct even the most gifted of students.

Randi Coen-Gilbert

Randi discovered yoga over 20 years ago, and her love of the practice drew her to become a certified teacher with YogaLife in 2001. Since then she has been teaching several classes a week while continuing her studies to become a RYT 500 and exploring a variety of special trainings in Pre and Post Natal Yoga. Her practice is greatly influenced by nature and the teachings of Thich Nhat Han, using the simple techniques of breath, smile, peace and love as awareness throughout her day. She considers her two children to be her greatest Zen Masters and is constantly learning lessons from them. Randi also has her Masters Degree in Drama Therapy and has worked as a therapist, counselor and child advocate. She loves being a part of the YogaLife community and sharing her practice with others.

Suzi Costello

I began practicing yoga when I was 9 years old (YMCA – my friend’s “bohemian-type” mom taught the class in 1964). When my teacher stopped teaching in the 1970s, I suffered through various courses called “yoga” but really were more like aerobics in disguise. In the late 80s, I did find classes with a more spiritual component, which greatly improved my own personal practice and led me to re-read and learn more about yogic philosophy (I first read the Bhagavad Gita when I was 11, so you can imagine how little I understood).

Finding YogaLife was like coming home for me. I am so glad I took the teacher training program; it helped me integrate my life holistically. Teaching at YogaLife is a wonderful experience; I definitely gain as much as I give. I also teach yoga at my job as a psychiatric nurse. Meditation, concentration, asana, and the acceptance of reality have been enormously helpful to my patients. I’m also a Reiki practitioner and massage therapist, and continue to study and research the influence of Yoga and Buddhist psychology on people with stress problems.

Jim Dougherty

I came to Yoga Life Institute in 2000 seeking calmness and to escape from my busy life as a veterinarian and business owner. At the time, I had no idea what a life altering decision that would be. I eventually entered the Teacher Training Program and completed the course in the summer of 2004. My goal in teaching is to help others discover how their life can be improved in so many ways through Classical Yoga.

Sue Hardy

My 17 year profession has been as Psychotherapist and Clinical Coordinator in the Addictions and Mental Health field (Certified Addictions Counselor in PA, and Internationally, and Licensed Professional Counselor in PA). I started Yoga Teacher Training at The Yoga Lifestyle Center in Phoenixsville, PA (now known as YogaLife Institute and located in Devon, PA) and became a Certified Yoga Teacher on June 1, 2001. This journey began with the goal of assisting others to manage stress and anxiety but very quickly I recognized it was the Spiritual path that I had been led to in order to discover and honor self first and then to be more productive in my practice of being present for others. The door of learning that has opened for me through Yoga practice and teaching continues to make clear to me that I know only the moment.

Mythri Menon

I have been practicing yoga since 1999. Yoga has brought “awareness” into my life. I have realized “to be aware” – aware of everything the world, the nature, people, senses, habits, emotions, ego, etc… makes the path smoother in this journey of self realization. It is a blessing to be aware and an honor to share this blessing with all.

Angela Nevius

My first Yoga experience was in 1977; a series of classes where I learned Asanas, poses, and Pranayama, breathing. The breathing techniques became an integral part of my life taking me through stress filled sales jobs and the birth of my two sons. My practice fluctuated over the years until I came to Yoga Life Institute in 2001. I have taken the Yogic path to heart. I love teaching and hope that I can help inspire others to move toward a calmer, more peaceful and loving way by being there to answer their questions and encourage their practice.

Erika Tennebaum

Erika Tennebaum has been practicing yoga since 2001 and teaching since 2004. She came to Yoga Life Institute in October 2004 after trying several other studios, and immediately knew she’d found a home. When not working as a Aesthetician (skin care specialist) during the day, Erika is reading and looking for ways to deepen her practice. A firm believer in the tenets of yogic tradition, she relishes the opportunity to share her vision and experience with her students.

Steve Sonnefeld

Steve first learned about yoga and began practicing in the early 1960’s and it has deeply influenced his life ever since. He joined the YogaLife Teacher Training program in 1999, and taught his first yoga class in late 2000. Steve’s other great passion is his commitment to practicing and teaching meditation. Steve comes to YogaLife with a background as a computer professional, and most recently spent time working at the Retreat Director for the Bhavana Society in West Virginia. Steve fills many roles at YogaLife, including teacher, tech guru and general all around support.

Mary Noone

Mary began practicing yoga in 1999 and evolved into a regular practitioner by 2005. She was originally attracted to yoga to help her physical fitness, and eventually came to realize the power of the mental and spiritual benefits as well. She and her husband have three children, and in her spare time she enjoys swimming, biking, and running. She is currently continuing her yogic education in 500-hour program at YogaLife.

Melissa Malloy

Melissa was 13 when she first practiced yoga, and rededicated herself to the practice during her sophomore year of high school. She began her Teacher Training program at the age of 19, and after graduating decided to pursue her 500-hour certificate. She teaches Teen Yoga in several locations, and believes that teens can benefit from yoga by discovering the importance of self-care. She’s inspired by her spiritual beliefs and the love and support of family, friends and community.

Tina Devine

Tina has been practicing yoga since 1992, and her practice has provided a wellspring for her work as a writer and professional storyteller. Over the years she has studied with various teachers in both yogic and Buddhist traditions, and the synthesis of the two has lead her to a practice that is vibrant, and continually evolving. Her graduate work in oral traditions and mythology further supports her understanding of various spiritual practices from around the world. She has completed the 200-hour training at YogaLife, and has certification in Advanced Chakra Training with Anodea Judith, as well as graduate course work in Buddhist studies and meditation.

Melissa Cole

Melissa has been practicing yoga since 2004 and joined the YogaLife family in 2008. She decided to teach yoga after having a very positive experience as a pre-natal yoga student. She is certified at the 200-hour level with YogaLife and has additional specialty training from MaYoga in Prenatal Yoga. In her free time, she spends time with her family especially doing yoga with her daughter, taking care of her pets, and laughing with her husband. She enjoys learning and interacting with the community and is truly grateful for the opportunity to share the practice of Yoga with others.

Alycia Gargano

Alycia discovered Yoga while she was still in high school, and has been practicing ever since. As a young college graduate exploring the world, she was called to share her practice with others and become a certified teacher. After completing her 200-hour training with YogaLife, she began teaching and has never looked back! Alycia enjoys teaching adult students of all levels, and her love of children led her to complete specialty training with Childlight Yoga. She believes that Yoga is a universal discipline, and aims to empower all her students to find their own yogic path.

Mark Moliterno

Mark is an accomplished professional opera singer and voice teacher who has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. He is a certified yoga instructor at the 200-hour level through YogaLife and is currently working on his 500-hour certification. Mark’s special interest in yoga and voice has led him to develop a practice that explores the power of sound and chant as a tool for self-understanding. In his words: “My dharma is to encourage people to be authentic in their lives and work, thus contributing in a positive way to the culture as a whole.”