Yoga Haven was founded in 2012. We are a "boutique" style studio offering small class learning.
Our commitment is to wellness, self care, self awareness through yoga, a means to embrace "your authentic self". Our classes, workshops and trainings are in a "small group learning" environment.
Yoga Haven is located in a secluded serene mountainous suburb of Bergen County, NJ. Our studio is a safe, comfortable haven to learn and practice yoga. Classes are small by design enabling individualized attention and support. We believe healing occurs each day and yoga is an excellent method to enhance your wellness and healing experiences. .
"My yoga practice taught me techniques to obtain calmness, and I use these practices daily. I am a spiritual person by nature and Yoga has enhanced my spiritual well being, calmed my mind for clearer decision-making and reduced tension and stress. As a result I am better able to manage daily demands while maintaining an optimistic serenity, both on and off my mat. Healing isn’t something to attain, it is something that is worked on a little each day. Every day, the body's needs change, and through yoga I have a better awareness of my body's needs. I teach with lightness to align body, breath & mind. Yoga is suited for everyone, for all body types, shapes and sizes; Yoga is a great way to become aware, self evolve and connect to our inner selves. When we are better connected inward we learn what we need holistically for balance and wellness. I believe in energy and enjoy teaching Hatha & Iyengar inspired flow classes, Restorative and Yin style yoga. I teach the practice of Acu-Yoga (Acupressure & Yoga combined)".
Nancy Nehama, RYT/300 With a background in nursing Nancy began to appreciate the many benefits of practicing yoga 15 years ago. Nancy earned her teacher certification through the American Yoga Academy 300-hour Teacher Training Program. Studying under the guidance of her guru Mary Ann Gebhardt, to whom Nancy will be forever grateful for encouraging her to broaden her yoga and meditation experiences and introducing her to the singing bowls. Nancy enjoys teaching a Hatha/Vinyasa style yoga providing her students with a gentle but stimulating practice, incorporating the beautiful sound of the singing bowls in conjunction with the asanas and ending with a peaceful rejuvenating survasana.
Phyllis Rowley, RYT/200 Phyllis started practicing yoga in 1974, when a physics professor put up a note, “hatha yoga, 4 pm, Lecture Hall”. There were only a couple of sessions, but they started a life long practice. The practice deepened when Phyllis found Anusara Yoga, a style that emphasizes the alignment in the poses to increase body awareness and develop balance, strength, and flexibility. Her 200 hour training was in the Anusara style. Phyllis’ classes are friendly and light hearted. She teaches classes for cancer patients through Kula for Karma.
Alane O'Hagan, RYT/200
Chrissy Esteve, RYT/200 I fell in love with yoga about 14 years ago when we lived in Singapore. I have always been devoted to teaching. Before having a family, I was an elementary school teacher in Colorado and Mexico. So, becoming a yoga teacher came naturally in the next stage of my life.
Yoga gives me so much joy and peace. It is so incredible to connect the mind, body, and soul through pranayama, asana, and meditation. I teach with love, humor, and focus on alignment. I have been so blessed with my incredible teachers Sheryl and Neil Edsall at Naturally Yoga where I completed my yoga training. Charlotte Stone at Stone Yoga also provided me amazing therapeutic yoga training to those with cancer, Parkinson's, and MS.
Gina Vantuno, RYT/200 Energy Flow Gina has participated in sports and athletics for as long as she can remember and was drawn to yoga because she realized that she needed something to counterbalance the high intensity of her other interests. While CrossFit and running have been two of her passions for many years now, she has fallen in love with yoga and strongly believes that the practice of yoga has made her a better athlete. Yoga has helped her to strengthen her core and stability muscles, has taught her how to breathe, has improved her flexibility and range of motion, and has shown her how to simply be in the present and be mindful during a workout. In other words, she has learned to listen to her body. Gina also teaches high school English and has been looking for ways to incorporate more “mindfulness” into the classroom, as she has learned through her own practice that yoga helps reduce stress and anxiety which sometimes seem to flood the hallways of her school. Gina received her yoga teacher training right here at Yoga Haven under the guidance of Beverly Weed-Scherzer, and she is so excited to embark on this new journey and share what she has learned from her practice and training with others.
Samantha Martino, RYT/200 Energy Flow
Astrid Nuesslein, RYT/500
Astrid's yoga journey started as a 10-year old in Germany. Seeking for postural alignment and perfection her path took her to ballet, gymnastics, dancing (waltz, salsa, tango) and finally to yoga. Yoga gives her freedom because 'You simply cannot fail.'. She believes that yoga will make you happy no matter someone's reason to try the practice.
Her classes are linked to philosophy, guided imagery, relaxation techniques and alignment instructions. The yoga sutra 'Yoga pose is a steady and comfortable position' (Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, II, 46) is her favorite one. In every asana or pose there is a place where you can just relax and explore the ease.
She graduated from Raji Thron's basic and advanced teacher training program. And by the way... she loves to live in the States.