Teachers

Samantha is an LMT, a 200hr-RYT with the Yoga Alliance, an internationally Certified NYI Yoga teacher, an internationally Certified STOTT Pilates Instructor and the creator of “OmNantucket.”
Samantha’s love of movement began when she was 15 years old. She was exposed to yoga and pilates while in college; however, it was not until her father passed away in 2005 that Yoga would become a part of her life. She completed her first Yoga Teacher Training in 2005 with Clayton Horton and David Lurey at Green Path Yoga. Samantha’s teaching style is both ethereal and grounding as she draws upon all of her influences including ashtanga, vinyasa, classical pilates, STOTT pilates and therapeutic bodywork.
Samantha works with students of all levels from beginners to those with years of experience. This includes, but not limited to people with injuries, special populations, ballet dancers, professional athletes, amateur athletes, pre & post- natal mothers, corporate executives, children, teens, and the elderly. In 2010 Samantha taught Pilates to those training for “The Iron Man,” while living in Mount Mangaunui, New Zealand in 2010.
In early June 2012, what started out as a peaceful walk on Cisco Beach with her dogs Charlie and Sophie became more of a beach clean up. This experience transformed into an idea to help spread awareness, build community give back to the Island of Nantucket. Those who participated in beach clean up were offered a free yoga class. Samantha calls this, “Karma Yoga On The Rock”.
As a little girl, Samantha remembers her late father saying, “I don’t know what it is you’re searching for, but I truly hope you find it one day” If Samantha’s father were alive today, I think he would understand his daughter a lot differently than the little girl who seemed to be “searching” years ago. If there is one quote or mantra that describes this young woman, it is this by George Bernard Shaw: “Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.”

Today we are over-stimulated, over-worked and deeply stressed. By stepping onto a yoga mat, at any age, you can begin to explore the nuances of your physical body, which in turn can open your heart and mind. I discovered yoga rather late in life — 38 to be exact, when I was looking for more flexibility and relief from low back pain due to scoliosis. The challenging yet therapeutic practice alleviated my pain, but it was the link between my movement and my breath which amazed me. Practice became more of a moving meditation. One where I learned that contentment is always available by focusing on the present and really learning to breathe.
As a teacher, I love showing my students how the physical practice of asana can lead them to discover more about themselves. My classes are designed to give you a well rounded practice with precise alignment cues in a place where irrespective of age, ability and experience you can find your own way. I received my 200 hour certification through YogaWorks studying under Natasha Rizopoulos and I have also received a Level 1 Certification for Yoga Tune Up®. I continue to study with Jill Miller, Rod Stryker, Sarah Powers as well as a wide variety of teachers in the Boston area, grateful for every opportunity to study with others.
Since leaving the corporate world I have been on a quest to follow my dreams wherever they may take me. Writing is another passion of mine and I am currently writing my first mystery novel featuring the Yogi Detective. I’ve discovered that writing is much like yoga. It’s a practice. In order to get better, you have to keep at it even through the difficult times. As a member of Sisters in Crime, I have found a writing community as fabulous and supportive as the yoga community.
Yogi, writer, traveller, photographer, student. By blending my passions together, I truly try to embrace life with a loving heart.

I encourage all types and levels of students to feel at ease in class so that they can create a practice that most helps and pleases them on the day they come in to visit.
Practicing since 1997, I spent more than seven years after being certified as a yoga instructor investigating a wide variety of yoga styles. These styles include Ashtanga Primary Series, Second Series, Prana Vayu, Iyengar, Yin, Anusara, Vinyasa, Power, Bikram and Hot (Barkan).
In power yoga classes at Firefly, I weave together a traditional American flow template and add to it details that help students expand their knowledge. I encourage students to both pace themselves and challenge themselves, mentally and physically.
Recognizing the healing role yoga plays in many lives, I spent over ten years studying and exploring anatomy, kinesiology and physiology.
For students and groups seeking more individual attention, I offer private yoga sessions, therapeutic yoga sessions, health guidance, and life coaching. My private sessions are helpful for beginners, those wishing to advance, and students who aspire to incorporate other aspects of practice and support into their lives.

A native of Israel, Einat grew up as a classically trained violinist, and later an army officer. After arriving in Boston she worked as an administrator at a Hospital. Coming from these high-stress, high-performance environments, Einat took her first yoga class in 2007 and immediately recognized she was connected to her body in a whole new way. In addition to losing 25 lbs., the feelings of wellbeing and peace she experienced on the mat captivated her. As she started practicing yoga daily, it began to have an effect on her life off the mat. Einat found a new outlet for her creative spirit, and was finally able to overcome the anxieties that previously kept her from doing the things she loved. She is currently an assistant at the Baptiste studios and finds real pleasure and joy in her assisting. Einat has a B.A. in Psychology from Northeastern University and is a 200 RYT with the Yoga Alliance. She trained with Gregor Singleton, Claire Este-Mcdonald, Jane Cargill and Baron Baptiste. “Getting on my mat every day is a lot like making music. Most classical music pieces were written hundreds of years ago and played many times over, yet they never sound the same. Asana practice is similar. We all practice the same poses that have been around for thousands of years, but no one person’s practice is like the other. It’s personal; it’s individual, yet it’s also universal. I find creativity and self-expression in my practice, as I strive to make every note count, filling each pose with energy and breath.” Einat now enjoys playing the violin for her husband and two kids.

Having always appreciated the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga, I began my own serious practice after having two children and starting my own business. Yoga allowed me to really connect with my center and gain focus throughout the demands of my life. As a graduate of the Open Doors 200 hour Power Yoga Teacher Training Program and Reiki Level One, I am thankful to all of my teachers and mentors over the years (including my children who have taught me the most). Teaching not only allows me to deepen my own practice, but to share the joy that comes with finding one’s truer self with others. I fully believe that every person could benefit from a yoga practice. And I feel so very grateful to be able to share the gift of yoga with others.

Always an athlete and a gym rat, I stumbled upon yoga and never looked back. The more I practiced, the more positive changes I, and others around me, began to notice in myself. As a nine-year cancer survivor who has also suffered from years of eating issues, I know the toll that stress, anxiety and personal struggle can take on the body. Through the Buddhist philosophical teachings, meditations and physical practices of yoga, I found a way to work through some of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my life. Through dedicated practice, I am now able to live a happier, healthier, more connected life, and I hope to inspire others to do the same.
As a dedicated yogi, instructor and freelance graphic designer, my creativity, passion and determination for living life flows to all who enter the room. On my mat, I have found many connections strength, love, joy, courage, passion, peace, oneness—and I encourage my students to find their own connections through practice.

Irene started to practice yoga to ease a shoulder injury. After her first hot yoga class, she felt her muscles relax and her mind calm. After many years of practicing infrequently, she decided to commit to practice after her second child was born. Through yoga, Irene achieved greater understanding of the value and nature of loving kindness, acceptance and thus learned to relax into every moment of her life. Irene’s teaching focus is based on alignment to build a good foundation, strengthened concentration, and increased self-awareness. She believes that the practice is about having fun and bringing enjoyment on and off the mat. Irene started as an assistant at HYP Studio in Needham and went on to complete her 200hr RYT training with Gregor Singleton and Claire Este-McDonald.

If yoga is a journey of self-discovery, then Kripalu yoga is my way to travel.My journey started in 2003.  An alarming diagnosis of hypertension set me in motion, soon discovering a yoga studio and finding a place on the mat.  Kripalu teacher training came in 2005.  Since then, I’ve trained with some world-class teachers including Dharma Mittra, Kofi Busia, David Life and Sharon Gannon, and Seane Corn.As a teacher, I aim to share the fundamentals of Kripalu yoga in a way that may inspire you to dive deeper and go higher.  We use physical poses to help unlock sensation, and intuition to guide us to a better place.  Kripalu is a Sanskrit word that means “compassion.”  So we approach each practice with an open heart and joyful acceptance, shining the light of awareness into the darkest corners of the body.Because Kripalu yoga can be practiced vigorously, sometimes we will sweat.  Sometimes the practice will be cooler, more introspective.  We will always move forward.  And I invite you to be with us.

Elizabeth is an RYT 200-hour certified instructor. Her yoga journey began as part of a quest to come to terms with the tragedy of 9/11, and to figure out a way to integrate peace, hope and serenity back into her life. Once she realized how beneficial yoga was, she felt inclined to bring that peace, hope and serenity to others through teaching. Elizabeth’s teaching philosophy is centered around creating a challenging, yet relaxing class, with emphasis on breath work, stretching and proper alignment. Elizabeth has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 10 years, and is certified in Reiki.

I came across Hot Power Yoga back in 2006 when I was living in Kirkland, WA.  I was a gymnast most of my life up until then and had been struggling with lingering back and neck injuries and bad scoliosis.  I figured that I would give yoga a try.  My first class was a hot power yoga class and it was the hardest thing I think I had ever come across.  I knew that I had to keep going back in order to reap the rewards that I heard everyone around me talking about.  I found they were more than accurate when they said yoga changed their lives.  It changed mine as well.  I loved it so much I decided that I really wanted to get into teaching.  I completed Baron Baptist’s Level 1 Teacher Training Bootcamp in the Catskills and went on to teach at the Urban Yoga Spa (Hot Yoga studio and Spa) in Downtown Seattle, WA. up until my husband and I decided to move back to Massachusetts where we are originally from.  I really enjoy teaching a powerful flow that invigorates and inspires leaving my class ready to take on whatever challenges life may bring their way.

Karen M. Kaplan LMHC, NCC, ATR, RYT-500 karenkaplan@mac.com is the owner of Healing Art of Yoga & Integrative Therapies. In her private practice, she helps others to develop a stronger awareness of health and well being through the mind-body connection. Karen earned a degree in psychology and a Masters in Integrative Therapies. She is certified in Kinesthetic Myofascial Integration and Yoga Therapies.
Karen teaches & works with people of all ages, including those who have physical injuries, joint pain, disabilities, neurological & autoimmune diseases. In class, Karen draws from numerous traditions of yoga, to help build core strength, to discover the power of the breath & to bring the body into its proper alignment. She has found yoga to be profound in its ability to transform the body & the spirit. She believes the practice of yoga brings a deeper knowledge of the self & recognition of how we deal with others & the world around us.

Erica received her undergraduate degree from Wellesley College and her MA from Suffolk University. Erica has been a dedicated practitioner of Yoga for almost 20 years. She is a certified and registered Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance.Erica’s asana classes focus on building strength, increasing flexibility and capturing that inner calm. Primarily teaching vinyasa, her style is a delicious cocktail of Power, Forrest, Meridian, and Pilates. Erica’s classes are laced with humor and music while she attentively instills the importance of proper alignment and injury prevention in her students. Using breath as a guide, Erica hopes that through creative sequencing, each student will discover moments of joy, laughter and peace. Her approach has been described as deceptively soothing as she guides her students through a playful, yet challenging flow.

Vivian Rein is an accomplished marathon runner with four marathons to her credit. Since 1999 she has coached, motivated and inspired runners in Massachusetts through working with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Team in Training. She is a certified running coach, under the teaching of Dr. Jack Daniels. With a certification through AFFA she has since crossed over to strength training and is continuing her education through NASM and by attending functional training seminars through Perform Better.

Lou has over 15 years of experience teaching, training and managing in the fitness industry.  Lou has a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology and is also an RKC and SFG Certified Kettlebell Instructor, FMS Certified (Functional Movement System), and Rip 60 Suspension Training Certified Instructor.  Lou’s believes in taking a progressive approach to fitness and better health is the best way.  He focuses on helping his clients move better, feel better and increase their strength and endurance.Lou offers Private, Duet and Small Group Kettlebell Training.

I started practicing yoga six years ago, while I was in high school and applying to colleges. The first yoga class I took was a hot power yoga class. I knew it would be challenging but, as a high school athlete, I thought I would do just fine- that was not the case. I was determined to conquer yoga and reap the benefits that everyone raved about. As a high school senior, my mind was running non-stop, thinking about college acceptances, grades, and maintaining a social life, I was constantly wondering- will I ever be able to relax and stop the chatter? I was determined to achieve the fitness benefits of yoga, but I was unconvinced of the mental benefits- until I stopped thinking about it and just did it! It was then that I began to find the greatest gift that I could ever give myself. Eventually, I was able to get on my mat and relieve myself of the academic stresses that were constantly burdening me. Throughout college, I thought about furthering my practice and sharing what I had learned with others. As a teen that benefited so deeply from yoga, my goal was to teach students at a young age that you can cope with the academic, athletic, and social pressures that come with growing up through breathing and simple movement. I began to explore teacher training programs that would allow me to reach this goal- and I discovered Pretzel Kids®! My love for children and mission to find my own personal calm through yoga is what has driven me to share my practice and teach yoga to kids!

Nine years ago, while out in the neighborhood taking a walk, Julie’s neighbor invited her to take a yoga class. At that class, Julie “found” yoga, adding it into her routine of strength training and exercise classes. Having been a fitness instructor for over fifteen years and a triathlete, Julie found that yoga not only improved her flexibility and balance, but it also greatly reduced injury, changed her physique in a positive way and best of all, led to greater peace of mind. As the mom of two children, this pathway to balance and serenity has been invaluable. This past year, Julie earned her RYT 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification , along with a Personal Trainer Certification. Her goal as a yoga teacher is to make yoga accessible and enjoyable to all those willing to give it a try. For those experienced students, her knowledge of proper alignment and her experience as a fitness instructor combine for a class that will allow those students to explore to their edge.

Kerry’s yoga journey began almost ten years ago with a Hatha class. It was the feeling of peace, calm, and a quiet mind while lying in Savasana at the end of class , a feeling which eluded her for many years, that originally drew her back to the mat. Having journeyed through many of lifes storms, including the death of her father at an early age, postpartum depression after the birth of each of her three children and then the end of her marriage, she was left feeling empty and depressed. The physical practice of yoga became a moving meditation. Yoga helped to heal the emotional, psychological and spiritual trauma of the mind while at the same time providing a physical benefit to the body. Kerry is a graduate of Open Doors 200 hr teacher training, certified to teach Yoga for Depression, recently completed The Art of Alignment and Assistant Training with Chanel Luck at Down Under Yoga, is now participating in an Assistant Team Training at Down Under, and is currently enrolled in a nine month online Yoga Anatomy Principles certification course with Leslie Kaminoff. Kerry leads her classes through a vinyasa practice which not only creates strength and flexibility in the body but provides a space for students to take their life struggles and learn to let go and relax the mind. Students will be offered modifications, alignment cues, hands on adjustments and assist, words of wisdom, and TLC with Reiki at the end of class. No matter what the age, experience, physical ability, or outside circumstance a person has, everyone can benefit from a yoga practice, only needing a willingness to show up and allowing oneself to work with whatever ability they have. Om Shanti <3

Jaime arrived at her first yoga class in 2004. That first class changed her life in ways she could have never imagined. Through that initial class she immediately realized the potential to retrain her physical body and soon it began translate into a retraining of the mind. In this fast paced, competitive world, many of us do put a lot of pressure on ourselves. The powerful teachings of yoga remind you to be kind to yourself. When this inner kindness is cultivated it makes it easier to interact with others and to move through life with a sense of grace and ease.
Jaime became a licensed massage therapist in 2006 through the SpaTech Institute of Plymouth, and has been actively practicing since. In 2009, she completed her yoga teacher training through Open Doors of Weymouth. Since then, she has also studied Kids Yoga and has become a Reiki II and Advanced Polarity Practitioner.
Students can expect a creative and safe vinyasa flow in a nurturing environment with a strong emphasis on breathwork.

Julie is a 200hr RYT, cer­ti­fied with Yoga Alliance. Initially, she was drawn to yoga as a way to balance out the stress of being a full time pharmacist, but then it became a way of life. She com­pleted her teacher train­ing through South Boston Yoga’s Body Awak­en­ings Teacher Train­ing. Her hope is for you to find the joy, play­ful­ness and peace that yoga can bring, both on the mat and in every­day life. Expect to find classes that chal­lenge you to chal­lenge your­self and dis­cover your own inner teacher, creating balance, harmony and bliss. Julie looks for­ward to shar­ing in your yoga journey.