Our Teachers – Karmi’s Angels

Lindsay Carson
A life-long overachiever, Lindsay has lived at a “New York” pace since she was a child. Always finding ways to squeeze more into her day, her multifaceted career as a graphic designer, social media director, and event planner left her desperate for something to ground her. Although she came across yoga in college, the “adrenaline junkie” couldn’t see the appeal in sitting still and didn’t give it a real chance until she moved to the city in 2008. As she discovered there is more to yoga than “standing around and touching your toes,” the incredible physical and mental benefits solidified her obsession. With new-found strength, flexibility, and the sudden ability to breathe through stress, all Lindsay wanted to do was share her discovery! Blessed to be part of the first 200-hour Teaching Training class at Yoga Vida, she is continuing her yogic journey there under the incredible mentorship of Alyssa Arroyo. No matter how “New York” you might be, Lindsay believes yoga can help you find balance and clarity, setting you on a path of self-discovery that will transform your life.

Ria Cooper
Brooklyn-based teaching artist Ria Cooper uses yoga and theatre to educate and build community. She has worked both domestically and internationally, most recently in places as varied as the five boroughs of New York City, New Orleans and Rwanda. Ria first began studying yoga and meditation as a teenager, and currently practices Iyengar-based and Ashtanga-based vinyasa yoga. She received her children’s yoga teaching certification from Karma Kids Yoga, and completed her Yoga Alliance 200-hour certification with Yoga Vida. She holds an MA in Applied Theatre from the CUNY School of Professional Studies, a certificate from the National Theatre Institute, and a BA in Theatre and Dance from Oberlin College.

Sarah Damsky
Sarah is a social worker and yoga teacher whose slow-flow Vinyasa classes are informed by the various styles of yoga she has practiced including the flowing, breath to movement linkage of Vinyasa, the heart-opening playfulness of Anusara, the therapeutic applications of Yoga Tune Up, and the intelligent sequencing and precise alignment instructions of YogaWorks where she completed the 200 Hour Teacher Training with Paula Lynch and Ann Mosca. She has also studied prenatal yoga with Carrie Parker Gastelu.  Sarah completed Adaptive Yoga Teacher training with Matthew Sanford, and believes yoga is accessible to people of all ages, shapes, sizes and ability levels.  Visit www.sarahdamsky.comfor more information.

Maura Dunn – bio coming soon

Meret Hofer – bio coming soon

Frances Pollitzer
Frances aims to teach a kind, relaxing, welcoming class. She draws from over 10 years practice of Ashtanga, Iyengar, Ishta and Yin yoga styles (she is a very curious person). A Londoner born and bred, Frances left home at 17 to surf the world and settled in New York 4 years ago. Recognizing that yoga has kept her happy and healthy through challenging times and numerous international relocations, Frances completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2011 so that she could help others experience yoga’s healing potential. She welcomes beginners, survivors of trauma and physical injury into her classes, and promises that you will leave with a smile on your face.

Patty Schneider
Patty received her 500-hour teaching certification from YogaWorks. She is a RYT-500 with Yoga Alliance.
Patty has studied with Alan Finger, Beverly Murphy, Chrissy Carter, Sarah Bell, Paula Lynch, Jodie Rufty,
Jenny Aurthur, Jeannemarie Paolillo, and Carrie Owerko. Additional training: Yoga Playgrounds – Leah
Kalish, Restorative Yoga – Jillian Pransky, Teaching Yoga to Seniors – Rama Nina Patella, Prison Yoga Project – James Fox.

Patty firmly believes that the practice of yoga heals on many levels – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual – and that yoga is beneficial for everyone, no matter what their age, physical condition, or state of health. Anyone can find a yoga practice to suit their needs. Patty’s goal is to help those who think they could never do yoga to discover their personal practice. Her classes involve intelligent sequencing with an emphasis on safety and compassion. She currently teaches weekly classes at the Fitness Center of The Landmark at Eastview in Tarrytown, NY, and substitute teaches at YogaWorks studios in Irvington,
NY and in New York City.

Monica Van Leer

Monica grew up loving dinosaurs, evolution, and doing shoulder stand in her living room. Her fascination with science and her love of people led her to Rutgers University where she received a BS in Horticultural Therapy. Through her education, she found that people are happiest when they realize the strength they have in themselves. Monica deepened her practice two years ago, being drawn to the strength and love that yoga can bring to the practitioner. She is honored to have graduated from Yoga Vida’s first 200 Hour Teacher Training program under the loving guidance of Zoe Anna, Domenic Savino, and Alyssa Arroyo. She is currently mentoring with Cat Acquaviva at Yoga Vida. As a yoga teacher and a self proclaimed science geek, Monica deeply believes that we never stop learning as long as we open our hearts.

Sara Walshe
Sara took her first yoga class in 2003, but it wasn’t until 2005 that she began a regular practice as a way to cope with the stress of law school. When Sara moved to New York City in 2009, her yoga practice deepened and served not only as a refuge from the city’s hectic pace, but also as a way to harness its energy. As a practicing attorney and New Yorker, she is particularly attuned to the kinds of stress working professionals and city dwellers can experience.  Having recently completed her 200 hour teaching certification at Yoga Vida in NYC, Sara is eager to bring yoga to her students as a way to find grounding in a city that is constantly moving.

Liz Wexler
Liz has always had a passion for action and creating positive change. She is thrilled to ground her energy onto the mat with Compass! Liz has inspired children and adults while teaching and directing theatre for numerous years and has used her artistic practices to facilitate conflict resolution and motivational workshops. Determined to never work a desk job again, Liz recently began teaching Yoga and Spin. She believes that all activities in life should be fun, challenging, and set to a killer soundtrack. Liz earned a Masters in Educational Theatre for Colleges and Communities from NYU. When she’s not saluting the sun, she teaches theatre and dance in community centers and public schools in Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.