Melissa began practicing yoga in 2008.  She was living in New York at the time, pursuing an acting career, and working at a 3 Michelin star restaurant.  Yoga proved to be exactly what Melissa needed to stay centered and grounded in such a fast paced, high energy city. After several years of practicing, Melissa decided to deepen her practice and knowledge, and received her 200 hr certification from The Yoga Room. Melissa has practiced Jivamukti, vinyasa, and Iyengar yoga and her classes incorporate elements from all of of these styles.  Her classes are designed to build strength and flexibility while maintaining proper alignment. Melissa uses her background in dance to create sequences that flow naturally and have seamless transitions. She encourages her students to stay true to their practice and offers multiple variations of poses as well as prop guidance.

Melissa's yoga experience and teaching interests have always run a parallel course to her life.

In 2015, after two early pregnancy losses, she knew that she wanted to teach prenatal yoga. For the brief time she was pregnant, she was fascinated with the way a woman's body, breath, and mind changes while growing a baby. She felt that practicing yoga while pregnant would only deepen that connection of the mother and the baby, while also preparing the mother to give birth.  Melissa now has two healthy children and she practiced and taught through both of those pregnancies.  She uses these experiences to relate to the beautiful mamas who take her class.  
 
Melissa and her husband left the city in 2015 and moved to Milford, CT. Melissa found a home teaching vinyasa and prenatal yoga at Ganga Flow.  What she loved most about Ganga was the community. It was more than strangers coming to their mats. Whether teaching or practicing there, you always felt a sense of family. A major goal of Just Be is to continue to foster and grow that community.

In 2018 with a 2 year old at home and a new baby on the way, Melissa decided she wanted to teach yoga to children.  Raising children today, you quickly see the amount of over stimulation and over scheduling children are often subjected to.  It was important that she had the tools to offer her own children as they grow up in today's world.  After receiving her certification, she taught a 12 week yoga and mindfulness program at an elementary school in MA. Melissa is excited to have the facility and the opportunity to introduce and teach yoga and mindfulness to local children. 

Certifications:
   •  RYT 200, The Yoga Room, NY
   •  Prenatal Certified Teacher, The Yoga Room, NY
   •  RCYT, Little Flower Yoga, CT


 

Lenora found yoga over 20 years ago and almost immediately felt the shift it offered in her physical strength and flexibility.  More importantly, there was a definite shift in the ability it gave her to manage physical and mental stressors.  She leaned on yoga to accelerate as a marathoner, triathlete and businesswoman running a 30+ million-dollar global business unit.  

Learning from globally and nationally renowned experts like Bryan Kest, Sarah Powers, Ana Forest, Rolf Gates and Ame Wren has shown her the need for strength and restoration, yang and yin.  She relies on the combination to foster a balanced life.

Enrolling in Rolf Gate’s teacher training stemmed from a desire to learn more about the traditions and origins of yoga and to create a home practice.  Once she taught her first class, she could not wait to teach again and became committed to helping others in their yogic journey.
Lenora enjoys the challenge of a vinyasa flow and uses it to tap into physical and mental awareness.  She encourages her students to try new things and believe that they can do it.  She is most rewarded by witnessing her students of all levels, grow in their practice and achieve greater awareness and sense of self off the mat.  Lenora does this through humor and reminding her students to not take themselves too seriously.  

“I hope my class offers you the ability to try new things and believe in yourself.  Our lessons will become a resource for managing the daily stresses in your life. I look forward to being your “yoga tour guide.”

Kimmarie has been teaching yoga for 20+ years and her passion for it has had a profound effect on her life and her interactions and relationships with others and herself. 

Kimmarie teaches in-person & live-stream classes & also hosts a variety of yoga & meditation workshops, classes, fundraisers, and retreats, both locally and internationally.

Kimmarie considers it her dharma being able to share the gift of yoga & the yoga lifestyle to help others to live their best, most peaceful and fulfilling life!

kimmarieyoga.net

Tom Jermain is an experienced yoga and meditation teacher and yoga therapist who has been teaching since 2004. His approach is welcoming, thoughtful, and centered on helping each student develop a practice that meets their individual needs while encouraging growth both on and beyond the mat.

With extensive training in the Iyengar and Anusara traditions, Tom teaches a wide range of styles, from Iyengar and Restorative Yoga to Chair Yoga and Vinyasa Flow. Over the past two decades, he has taught at studios, wellness centers, resorts, and health clubs across the country and around the world, including Equinox, City Yoga/YogaWorks, The Houstonian, and Crystal Cruises.

Tom has worked with students of all ages and abilities, from beginners and experienced practitioners to elite athletes, adults 55+, and individuals with special needs. His classes are informative, challenging, accessible, and fun—with a touch of mindfulness, spirituality, and humor.

Tom is excited to share his experience and love of yoga with the just be Yoga & Wellness community in Milford.

Jodie Luongo is a dedicated yoga practitioner and educator who discovered the transformative power of yoga during her honeymoon in 2002—and she hasn't stopped exploring its potential since. With a 250-hour Vinyasa certification, certification in Yin yoga, and specialized training in Qi Gong and deep expertise in Ayurveda, Jodie brings knowledge, passion and humor to every class. Her teaching philosophy centers on clarity and accessibility. She guides students through anatomically precise cues that honor the integrity of each pose and each body, while weaving in practical Ayurvedic wisdom—the sister science to yoga—that extends far beyond the mat.
 
When she's not sharing her love of yoga, Jodie channels her enthusiasm for wellness into her work as a fourth-grade teacher in Madison, CT. An animal lover at heart (with a particular soft
spot for dogs), she brings the same spirit of care and mindfulness to everything she does.

Michelle graduated from SCSU with an Exercise Science and Nutrition degree and is full of passion and knowledge about fitness and nutrition helping students be the best they can be!! She loves to empower others to create space and energy in mind and body using breathe and movement. Her goal is to create a playful and safe practice where students can explore and build deep core strength both on and off the mat. Michelle teaches in a way that will motivate you to go deeper and reach your full potential. You will leave her class feeling calm, uplifted, and  in love with your yoga practice. Michelle teaches a full spectrum of classes from upbeat Vinyasa Core Flow to Prenatal, and Baby & Me Classes. So whether you want to move, play and flow or simply sit and breathe you are always welcome in class.
I’ll see you on your mat!!
                    Certifications:
    •    200 HR YTT Fresh Yoga, New Haven CT 
    •    STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer 
    •    Prenatal Certified Teacher, Prinakriya 

Lisa has been practicing yoga for more than 20 years and has been teaching since 2015. After practicing for more than a decade, she was inspired to share what she had gained from the practice by teaching others. Lisa is a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Reiki II practitioner, who teaches from the perception that every ‘body’ is unique, and that each pose (asana) will differ from student to student. Her teaching focuses on self-awareness, encouraging students to be mindful of how their bodies feel while practicing each asana, and suggesting modification as needed to either reduce discomfort or deepen the pose. No matter the level of experience, she encourages all students to begin where they are and progress from there, each and every time they step on the mat. To beginning yogis and those interested in trying yoga for the first time, she emphasizes that we do not need to be flexible, strong or have good balance to practice yoga…but, with consistent practice, flexibility, strength and balance will improve and be maintained.



 

Kelly Warters is a 500 Hour Registered Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Teacher.  She has been teaching yoga since 2010, and holds certificates in Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga, Reiki, Ashtanga, Yoga Nidra, Kids Yoga, Chair Yoga, Restorative, and Yin.  Her classes are based upon the Eight Limbs of yoga philosophy, and are truly inspirational. You will be guided through her class with care, learning proper breathing techniques, postures, and meditation.  With themes such as Letting Your Energy Flow, Loving your body, and Time In for Gratitude, Kelly helps you connect your mind, breath and movement with beautiful awareness. She is well versed in Meditation and performs Chakra Healing Crystal Bowl Meditations, as well as Chakra Workshops. 
 

 
Nancy is a newcomer to Milford, having moved here at the end of 2018 from Edgewater, New Jersey when she retired from her career in sales and marketing in the medical field. In a short time she has established herself as an active member of Milford’s yoga community. Nancy became a 200 hour certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor in 2009 and has enjoyed an active and faithful yoga and meditation practice for over 20 years. Nancy recently returned from a month-long yoga retreat in India where she deepened her knowledge of the yoga of sound, devotional mantras, mudras, chakras, chanting and meditation. She is also a classically trained singer who has always valued the connection of breath and movement as a way of fostering creative expression and a pathway to knowing greater consciousness. Nancy teaches Gentle Yoga and Guided Meditation, with a foundation in Hatha Yoga, mindfulness, and body awareness.