Philosophy

The professional faculty at Yoga in Middletown are committed to helping each student reap the many benefits of yoga practice according to that person's ability and state of health.To that end we teach varying sequences of asana (physical postures) and pranayama (breathing practices). 

We carefully observe our students and offer suggestion based on sound anatomical/kinesiological/yogic principles. Variations and substitutions are offered when indicated. 

Beginning students are not expected to already be flexible or strong, or to know poses; we teach them.
Experienced practitioners are taught to refine and deepen their practices.

Props are sometimes used to insure safety, to deepen poses, and to provide variety in order to awaken the bodymind's intelligence.

We incorporate ancient yet timeless yogic philosophical teachings that lead students' minds towards the experience of stability and serenity.

We are long time yoga practitioners who have personally undergone profound personal changes through yoga, as well as having prepared to teach yoga with some of the finest teachers in the world.
We continue to study the Iyengar method for ongoing personal development, and to continually update our knowledge and teaching skills.

We are here to serve you, and we do so with joy, humor, and expertise.

Faculty

Sandra Kopell, E-RYT Yoga Alliance, MALS, Studio Director, began the Yoga in Middletown program in 1991. She is a graduate of the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Center of Greater Boston Teacher Training Program where she studied with Patricia Walden and Peentz Dubble, and has been a teaching assistant to the latter. Her teaching is informed by nearly four decades immersion in movement and mind/body studies that include the practice and teaching of yoga, modern dance, choreography, dance improvisation, anatomy and kinesiology. She holds a post-graduate degree in Dance and Movement Studies from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. She also teaches yoga to children at area public schools and to the Wesleyan University Men's Lacrosse Team. She has trained new Yoga Instructors according to Yoga Alliance Standards, and is known for her innovative sequencing. She continues to study the Iyengar method.

Madeleine Hexter, Certified Iyengar Instructor, RYT-500 Yoga Alliance, is a graduate of The Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco's two year, 500 hour teacher training program, and has been teaching yoga since 2002. She apprenticed with Senior Iyengar yoga teacher Elise Miller, a renowned expert in yoga for back care and scoliosis. Thus, Madeleine is experienced in teaching students with chronic back pain and scoliosis. Presently, she is a student of senior Iyengar instructor Patricia Walden . Madeleine brings 30 years of personal yoga practice to her teaching. Her alignment oriented sequences will gently guide you to connect mind, body and breath.

Kerry Darby completed the 200-hour teacher training at Karuna Center for Yoga and Healing Arts in Northampton, Massachusetts. She began practicing yoga in 2002 and has been much inspired by her teachers Sandra Kopell, Sheila Bunnell, and Eileen Muir. Additionally, she has a B.A. in Environmental Studies and certification in Elementary Education. Kerry has experienced improved health and greater peace of mind through the practice of yoga and hopes to share this with others.

Amy Tate, M.Ed., RYT Yoga Alliance, PhD candidate in Yoga Studies, has fifteen years experience of hatha-yoga practice, and has been teaching yoga since 2004.She has taught children and adults in various settings in the greater Boston community and in Connecticut including Lesley University, Wesleyan University, Franciscan Hospital for Children, and the Cambridge Eating Disorder Center. She holds a Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health certification, and is currently immersed in the Iyengar method. Amy's teaching is informed by her present studies with Patricia Walden and other Iyengar yoga teachers.

Rikki Alrutz holds degrees in Standing Pilates from the PhysicalMind Institute, and Matt, Reformer and Orbit Pilates from Balanced Body University. After playing professional tennis and suffering a career-ending injury, Rikki turned to Pilates and Yoga rather than to surgical procedures to recover. This experience led her into teaching  which she has done since 1998.  Melding her earlier career with her current one, she creates sport-specific therapeutic movement programs as well as general classes. Rikki is also certified in The Franklin Method, a system that  incorporates he practical elements of body design and mind/body connection through imagery, experiential anatomy, movement, and touch. Rikki has taught internationally.

The practice of yoga is the commitment to become established in the state of freedom.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, I. !2 tr: Alistair Shearer