Yoga Life Institute
philosphy | education | practice

Bob Butera

Robert Butera, E-RYT, M.Div., Ph.D., is the founder of The YogaLife Institute, publisher of Yoga Living magazine and a board member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. 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 Classical Yoga principles in a practical and relevant way that connects students with their own divinity. Bob’s first book, The Pure Heart of Yoga: Ten Essential Steps for Personal Transformation was released by Llewellyn Worldwide in September 2009 and has sold over 10,000 copies worldwide. His second book, Meditation for Your Life: Creating a Plan that Suits Your Style will be released by Llewellyn Worldwide in September 2012.

Kristen Butera

Kristen Butera, ERYT-500, Professional Yoga Therapist is the co-owner of the YogaLife Institute in Devon, PA and the editor of Yoga Living Magazine. A woman of many talents, her karma yoga time is split between running the yoga center, teaching and working on the magazine. With more than 2000 hours of Yoga Philosophy & Anatomy training, she is certified in multiple styles including Kripalu, Classical, Vinyasa, Yin & Yoga Therapy. Voted one of Philadelphia Magazine’s 10 Best Yoga Teachers in 2010, her classes weave practical philosophy lessons into practice and create a balance of effort (strengthening) and surrender (relaxation) in yoga poses. She teaches a variety of classes & workshops and aims to empower students of all levels to work at their own pace, be at home in their bodies and use all the tools of Yoga to live a richer, fuller life.

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

Suzi began practicing yoga when she was 9 years old at the YMCA with her friend’s mom. She first read the Bhagavad Gita at the age of 11 and has been a spiritual seeker for most of her life. She completed the teacher’s training at YogaLife in 1995 and has been teaching ever since. Her aim is to live a fully integrated holistic yoga lifestyle. A psychiatric nurse by profession, she uses meditation, concentration, asana, and the acceptance of reality to help her patients with the healing process. She is also a Reiki practitioner, massage therapist and specialist on the subject of Yoga for Eating Disorders and Body Psychology.

Judy Curiel

Judy Curiel (Bhakti), Ph.D., E-RYT 200, has been teaching yoga since 2007. She loves the gentler styles of yoga and her passion is making yoga available to people in any physical condition, of all ages and of all body types. She has studied with a plethora of gifted teachers near and far and continues her studies in a variety of traditions. In addition to teaching Hatha Yoga classes, Judy is a certified Advanced Relax and Renew Trainer, Let Your Yoga Dance Instructor and ChildLight Yoga Instructor. Off the mat, Judy has been an educator for over thirty years. A kirtan enthusiast, she loves spending time with her family, traveling and helping with animal rescue.

Libby Piper

Libby has a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Maryland. She is originally from the DC area where she worked as a Behavioral Therapist with a focus on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder while pursuing her graduate studies in Speech and Hearing Sciences. In 2004, she and her family were relocated to Phoenixville, PA, where she first began practicing yoga. Libby holds an Advanced ChildLight Yoga Training certification including additional training in Yoga 4 Classrooms & Every Kids Yoga (for children with special needs). When she’s not practicing yoga she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons traveling, cooking or skiing.

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 Tenenbaum

Erika 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.

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.

Tina Devine, MA

Since 1992 Tina has been practicing yoga, and it’s provided a wellspring for her work as a writer and professional storyteller. Over the years her practice has been informed by both yogic and Buddhist traditions, as well as the emerging field of consciousness studies, resulting in 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 500-hour training at YogaLife, and has certification in Advanced Chakra Training and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction; and has completed requirements for certification in Applied Meditation.

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.”

Janet Muti

Janet’s yoga life began in 1973 in Germantown with the center that became the Kripalu Yoga Fellowship. She developed a strong connection to the Kripalu community, and she completed her 200-hour certification in 1976, under the mentoring of Yogi Amrit Desai. She has recently integrated a Mindfulness Awareness practice as taught by Diane Riebel, Ph.D., a colleague of Jon Kabat Zinn’s. Janet joined the YogaLife family in 2010, both through teaching and working on her 500-hour certification. In her own words “I am committed to showing up, staying present and teaching from the heart.”

Caroline Lawson

Caroline began practicing yoga in 1998 and completed her 200-hour teacher training at Yoga Life Institute. She feels honored to be passing on some of the love of yoga she has shared with so many wonderful teachers over the years and to be part of a tradition that goes back thousands of years. She lives in the Art Museum neighborhood of Philadelphia with her two teenage children and enjoys running, bike riding and kayaking, as well as good food and conversation.

Donna Dufoe

Donna’s desire to learn more about herself brought her to YogaLife in 2007. She was searching for the “other” part of yoga, the holistic aspect that was missing in her practice. Since she has accomplished her 500 hr RYT certification, her life has been greatly enriched. Donna is also a Stott Personal Trainer and has been teaching all types of fitness classes to the very young and the young at heart since 2000. Donna and her husband have 4 children and she loves to camp, RV, hike, lead girl scouts, play ice hockey and travel to the great white north from which she hails.

Maureen Finney

Maureen was introduced to yoga in 2006, and the rest as they say, is ‘herstory’. First drawn to Kundalini Yoga, she gradually broadened her yogic path to Hatha yoga, intrigued by its richness and wholeness. She is a certified yoga instructor at the 200-hour training level at YogaLife and a certified Life Coach from The Institute for Life Coach Training. She is currently working on her 500-hour yoga teacher training. Maureen is also an artist and enjoys walking in Ridley Creek State Park, gardening, traveling, music and has dabbled in comedy improvisation. She lives with her two 4-legged kids in West Chester.

Teresa Winte

Teresa grew up in Newtown Square, PA. After attending college, she was drawn to the allure of New York City. While living there, yoga became an integral part of her life. She practiced Ashtanga yoga in NYC, studied massage in Boulder, Colorado and studied Ayurveda in Santa Cruz, CA. Teresa’s true passion lies in working with children. For the past eleven years she has been a public school teacher educating urban and immigrant children. Her goal is to bring yoga into the public school system around the world, but she realizes she has to start one school at a time!

Jen Hilbert

Jen had the good fortune of being introduced to yoga by her parents while she was still in high school. A dedicated practitioner of over 20 years, she discovered YogaLife in 2004 while pregnant with her first child, and she completed her 200-hour teacher training with a special emphasis on the complimenting practices of Vinyasa and Yin Yoga. She has a Masters Degree in Neuroscience, and as a mother and athlete her passions include educating families about the benefits of healthy eating and breath awareness, along with playing tennis, biking, traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.