Mindy Miller Muse
Mindy Miller Muse (she/her/hers), Yoga teacher trainer at Bridge Studio at Art of Awareness, began practicing Yoga in 1997 and teaching in 2003 and is Registered with the Yoga Alliance (ERYT 500, YACEP). She has a background in clinical social work (MSW) and is certified as a Yoga Therapist by the International Association of Yoga therapists (C-IAYT). In addition to years of clinical practice (LCSW), she has specialized training in trauma sensitive yoga. Mindy offers a trauma informed, choice based approach to the practice of Hatha Raja Yoga and believes that our greatest teacher is our own unique and innate wisdom from within! She combines this approach with her knowledge and study of anatomy and the use of props to offer accessible options in posture practice. With gratitude and acknowledgement of the ancient Indian roots of Hatha Raja Yoga, she aims to integrate philosophy and the 8 limbs of Raja Yoga into her practice and teaching. She has a special appreciation for Hatha Yoga’s potential to strengthen the mind, body, and heart connection both on and off the mat. Mindy developed Yoga Muse School of Yoga RYS(200) in 2016 and offers certification and ongoing continuing education and mentorships for teachers and yoga practitioners of all levels of experience. In addition to teacher training, Mindy teaches full time in a variety of settings in southern Maine including online (zoom) sessions and shares yoga with practitioners of all ages and abilities. She is a program teacher for Yoga in Action’s Yoga for All Abilities program and is also certified in Childlight Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and Yin Yoga.
Melora Gregory
Melora Gregory has been passionately teaching alignment based yoga since 1993. She is registered with the Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT500hr and continues her studies, most recently in Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Yoga Nidra. Melora is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern Maine teaching a course entitled Yoga and Feminism. She is also a member of SeaChange Yoga, a non-profit organization which works to bring yoga to underserved populations. Melora has also been practicing Yamuna Body Rolling® since 2003, and later became a certified YBR® instructor in 2009 after seeing the real benefits of the deep tissue release and creation of space in the joints. Inspired to further train in the YBR® method she completed the Foot Fitness Certification in 2011, and the Advanced Ball Certification in 2012. Melora currently teaches both Yoga classes and Yamuna Body Rolling® workshops at Bridge Studio at Art of Awareness, as well as various local businesses. She also offers workshops and teaches private lessons.
Susannah Sanfilippo
Susannah Sanfilippo, RYT-200, is the founder of Yoga for your Grieving Heart – a yoga and bereavement support-based program. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher who has practiced yoga for over twenty-five years. Along with her training in classical yoga, she has in-depth studies in breathing for relaxation, pain reduction and emotional regulation, mindfulness, restorative yoga, somatic movement. Her psychologically-informed teaching style enables students of all ages, experience and physical conditions to discover the benefits of yoga. Her classes are both joyful and challenging as she invites students to explore ways to create ease.
Natalie O’Donnell
Natalie O’Donnell (she/her/hers) is a multi-talented healer, artist, and clinical leader who offers a unique and holistic approach to wellness. Natalie has over a decade of experience in the mental health field, supporting a team of clinical psychotherapists, and is Co-Practice Manager at Art of Awareness and Co-Owner of Bridge Studio. Natalie is trained in Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra™, offering restorative and immersive meditative journeys through the layers of the five koshas (energy sheaths). As a poet and writer utilizing her skills to craft imagery for Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra™ meditative journeys, Natalie is also a Co-Creative Director of The Conscious Collective LLC, a New England-based independent media source and art-lit magazine. Natalie holds certificates in Reiki II, Healing Touch, and Munay-Ki Shamanic Initiation Rites that support her diverse approach to wellness and healing. Natalie strives to help others remember their radiant, multidimensional selves through trauma-sensitive, restorative, and psycho-spiritual exploration.
Karie Wik, PT, CYT, LMBT (she/her/hers)
Karie had her first introduction to yoga over twenty years ago during a college Phys. Ed. elective class. The following years have led to a steady growth of her love and respect for the yoga practice and tradition. Her personal practice has evolved over the years and includes a daily sitting meditation practice. Her classes strive to create safe and accessible spaces for movement, breath and expression while staying anchored in the roots of a whole yoga practice. This usually includes some self-inquiry, and curiosity, along with explorations of a breath guided movement class. Along with being a licensed physical therapist and pelvic health specialist, she has completed many yoga courses and intensives including the following in 2009 and 2020: the EmbodiYoga, Body-Mind Centering® 230 hour Yoga Training program with Lisa Clark, and the Subtle Yoga® Teacher Training and Transformation 200 hour program with Kristine Kaoverii Weber. When she is not teaching classes, Karie enjoys getting out in nature for long hikes, going camping, or just adventuring to explore new places, especially here in Maine.
Catherine Escamilla
Catherine (she/her/hers) has been a student of yoga for 18 years, attending various studios and creating a routine at home practice. In 2020 she took her practice to a more consistent level with an online yoga teacher training with My Vinyasa Practice in Austin, TX. Since this training, everything changed and she knew introducing others to various forms of yoga was an important step to add balance to our lives. Catherine enjoys working with students of all levels with a gentle flow hatha class, Yin, Restorative, Chair Yoga and Yoga Nidra. She is also certified in Reiki Level 2, and has additional training in Yoga for Anxiety and Trauma Informed Yoga. Catherine loves to incorporate positive affirmations into her work and classes to create a positive and accessible yoga practice. Born and raised in South Portland, Catherine is currently living in South Portland with her family and their dog Milo. She enjoys time in nature, especially at the beach and local parks.
Stephanie Carlson (she/her)
Stephanie has been an Occupational Therapist since 1997 and has worked in a variety of settings including vestibular rehab. She discovered the healing power of Qigong and Tai Chi after sustaining a debilitating injury herself twenty years ago. Stephanie experienced significant functional impairment and chronic pain, and although she benefited from traditional medical services including multiple surgeries, she found that Qigong and Tai Chi helped her to improve steadily in all aspects: body, mind and spirit. Since that time Stephanie has committed herself to the further study and practice of these ancient arts. She believes that they have kept her on a path of healing and have helped her avoid re-injury. Stephanie is passionate about sharing what she has learned to help others create the wellness and health that they desire. She has been teaching since 2011 with an emphasis on helping people to maximize their functional potential. Stephanie is certified in Dr. Yang’s Evidence-Based curriculum, which is aimed at achieving quicker results with more ease.