Who are We?
Meet Our Artists
Christopher
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Naomi Gogas
Yoga for me is about the journey, not an end goal. My journey has truly been life changing...hard to put into words honestly. Body awareness, mindfulness, peacefulness, clarity are a few things that stand out...seeing all of the little things blossom into this amazing experience for me, is simply put...AWESOME.
I completed my 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher Training with Art of Yoga and registered for my RYT 200 in June 2019. November 2019, I had my first ever MRI to hopefully discover what was causing a paralyzing sensation in my legs. In January 2020, I had spinal surgery to remove a large benign tumor from my L4 L5 vertebrae. The tumor had been with me for a while, and it changed the shape of my bone! I am so thankful to my yoga practice to help me understand something was not right with my body. Recovery was an experience all in itself as well, and thankfully, I’m back to normal movements and getting stronger everyday. I encourage use of props and modifications to help encourage proper alignment allowing your body to get the most benefit from your practice. I love yoga and you might too...Join me! I look forward to sharing my practice with you! Jennifer Wilson
After the loss of three loved ones in less than a year, I was desperate to find myself and my purpose.
Thus, my journey with yoga began. Getting grounded through meditation, breathing techniques and postures, led me to being more mindful of my thoughts, feelings, and everyday choices. Yoga guided me to self-discovery that results in healthy actions and relationships. It has led me to discovering the "true me" and my purpose in life. David Wright
David has been practicing yoga since 2015. David found a new appreciation for the yoga practice after attending a class with Christopher a.k.a.
The Yoga Doctor. "If you aren't going to take care of yourself, then who will." This quote resonated with David as he embraced his yoga practice as a sincere form of self care. Over time, his desire to share a practice of self care with others increased which led which led him to deepen his studies and attain his 200 RYT certification with Art of Yoga in 2021. "We need a practice of self care now even more than ever before in the midst of a global health pandemic... I'm just doing my best to serve others and do my part in keeping the world happy, healthy, and well!" Katrin Hodgins
I thought I just signed up for another exercise class, when my journey with Yoga began. I had no idea how deep it would take me into my own way of existing.
I came to discover that yoga is much more than the Asanas (physical postures). Part of the practice of Yoga is Svadhyaya, the study of the self, and it has captivated me. My focus is to help others positively change their emotional state, become more confident and empowered, eliminate self doubt and fear, and move into a state of enjoyment. For this reason, I chose to teach Kundalini Yoga. My biggest influence is Aftab Khalsa, aka Yogi Aftab, who specializes in Kundalini/Tantra, and was taught by Yogi Bhajan himself. His class catapulted me into a phenomenal transformation, and I became a believer in the science behind Kundalini. Take the self awareness journey with me, and together we'll be working on letting life energy flow freely. Lakesha Torregano
I found yoga as a stressed-out college student who needed to fulfill physical education requirements before graduation. Yoga was new to my university, so no one had taken the class and I didn’t know much about it. My only expectation walking into my first class was to learn something new. After each class I would leave feeling more flexible, more aware of my body and stress seemed to just melt away.
Fast forward to over 15 years later and I’ve managed to continue with a yoga practice, but not on a consistent basis. My goal for 2022 was to recommit to my yoga practice and deepen my understand of yoga by completing by 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at with Art of Yoga and becoming and registered yoga teacher. I believe that yoga is for everyone and if more people practiced yoga, the world would be a better place. My intention is to share the gift of yoga with you. Meghan DuToit
Hello! My name is Meghan DuToit, and I am just beginning my yoga teaching journey.
Yoga has been a very important part of my life ever since the first time I tried it. Yoga helped me get through the #75hard challenge, improved my mental and physical health, and helped me to realize so many things about myself that I had not known before. I am so happy that I now have the knowledge and opportunity to pass on such a beautiful practice to people who need it just as much, or even more, than I did! Jeffrey Oakman
Jeffrey Oakman originates from Central Florida and has been making music since the age of nine.
After years spent performing classical music and musical theatre, he has since shifted his intention to helping others find peace and transformation. His sound experiences explore many instruments, both ancient and modern. He has invested his efforts into researching and experimenting with the consciousness-shifting power of sound, and how it can be used to bring healing to all people from all walks of life. |
Berth Bartolin
Berth is a newly certified 200 level RYT and is trained in the Kemetic YogaSkills practice. “I am fueled by seeking unique experiences, family, community and by the endless beauty of humans and the earth. My intention is to create a peaceful space that allows you to ignite your self awareness and explore your overall wealth through mindfulness.”
Elise Feinberg
Elise has been practicing yoga for over 15 years, attending classes at several local studios. For three years she studied with Sarah Nordin, a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher. Elise has attended yoga workshops with Eddy Marks, Mary Obendorfer and Livia Shapiro-Cohen.
In February 2017 at the age of 70, Elise completed her 200-hour teacher certification at Yogafly in Auburn, Alabama. Practicing and teaching yoga is one of her life passions. Elise and Bob, her husband of 54 years, own Feinberg Center for Well-Being since 1982. Their passion is to teach people to live a balanced lifestyle and eat healthfully. They have two children and five grandchildren. Elise believes you can do yoga and benefit at any age. Yogi Aftab
Yogi Aftab is an eRYT-500 teacher specializing in Kundalini Yoga. His teaching career spans for more than 46 years of inspiring students to go pass their limitations in Europe, Australia, South America, the US and the Caribbean.
At eleven years old he discovered Yoga, and under the guidance of Yogi Bhajan, he completed his teacher training in 1972 at one of his Ashrams in Arizona. He is a strict vegetarian, likes to make herbal tinctures, does energetic healing, enjoys chanting, and loves cold showers. He is here now with us in Columbus, and is looking forward to meeting you! Versandra Kennebrew
Versandra Kennebrew, ICHC, discovered yoga twenty years ago during her massage therapy certification at Irene's Myomassology Institute in Detroit, Michigan.
After providing massages for more than 2000 clients and receiving her health coach certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, she returned to yoga in 2019 and studied at Kashi Atlanta Ashram for her 200-Hour CYTT. Versandra is committed to sharing the message of healing and transformation through living a holistic lifestyle on stages and in studios big and small. She is the president of Optimal Living Education & Retreats. Yogini Zelda
Shailza Vanacore is RYT-200, she is also known as Yogini Zelda. She was born and raised in India. She started going to yoga classes 10 years ago back in New Delhi. When she moved to United States, she was all by herself and did not know anyone, that’s when her journey to her true self took off. She started doing more and more yoga and meditation, which helped her to get attuned with her true nature and also helped to get introduced to like minded people in the community.
In summer of 2018, she decided to become certified yoga teacher so she can share her love for yoga with others. Practising yoga is the very first thing she does every morning, it is an essential part of her living. She loves painting, meditating, chanting in addition to doing yoga. She does different forms of meditations as per the need and loves to share her knowledge and experience. She sees yoga as not just a physical practice but a union of mind, body and soul. She has heard a lot of healing stories from her students and experienced it herself. Her teaching style is a fusion between Vinyasa and Hatha. She loves the flow but also emphasizes on diving deep in every posture. She also likes to teach workshops. She has taught Cultivating Intuition and Chanting workshops in the past. She wants everyone to try chanting workshop at least once to experience the energy shift themselves. Jennie Ren
The reason that I started practicing yoga was for my neck pain. My yoga practice has been a journal of a miracle since 4/1/2021. My disciplined daily practice of yoga helped me overcome my physical pain.
I was confused about what was the power leading me to do this regimented practice, until one day, the answer came to me! Yoga can help me build the communication between my body and mind, so that they can talk with and encourage each other during my yoga practice! I am so enthralled with the great feelings I get from my practice, and the benefits I've received to my body, mind, and spirit! I am so thankful that I feel compelled to share the practice with you all! Namaste Tommy Butler
My name is Tommy Butler. I have been a martial artist for 13 years and love sharing my love for the arts with others! Martial arts have helped me tremendously in life and I want to give as many people as I can the same experience!
Hannah Boyette
From a young age, Hannah was drawn towards a spiritual way of living and mind/body connection. She loved yoga right from the start, exploring many different styles. Practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga quickly became Hannah’s favorite. The fluidity, beauty, and meditative qualities captured her heart.
Hannah had no intentions of teaching yoga. She wanted to immerse herself in a training to deepen her own personal practice. Little did she know, the universe had other plans. Hannah completed her yoga teacher certification from the Shuniya Center under the mentorship and guidance of Christopher Wilkes (aka Dr. Yoga) and Yogi Aftab. As a teacher, Hannah realizes that yoga is not a "one size fits all" practice, and that every person is on a different path. She offers her students the opportunity to take that path in their own way, at their own pace, and to modify when needed. She emphasizes honoring how you feel and listening to your body. Come and join her on the mat. Namaste |
