Swan River Yoga – Michele Baker

“A Jivamukti Yoga class with Michele is physically and spiritually uplifting; she teaches yoga as a means to enlightenment, and awakens your remembrance of what is eternally beautiful and absolutely peaceful.” – Sharon Gannon: Co-founder and Guru of Jivamukti Yoga

Contact Michele: Michele@swanriveryoga.com

About Keith Porteous:

Born in New Orleans, Alexandra KeithPorteous (who has always been called Keith) attended Trinity School,just down the street from Swan River Yoga Shala. Trinity’sexcellent music program helped fuel her fascination with music, largelyinspired by her immensely talented Grandmother, “BigKeith”. She left New Orleans for boarding school followedby college at Princeton University, where she was a history major (witha focus in Medieval Studies). She moved to New York City aftercollege in the hopes of pursuing a singing career (once again,encouraged by Big Keith, who attended her first New York performance ina bar on Bleecker Street). Working during the day and auditioningor performing at night, stress began to take its toll. Afterbeing introduced to the daily yoga classes at the Jivamukti Center onLafayette Street, she knew she had found the one thing that could keepher glued together. Beginning with her first class in 1999(Kristina Pao Cheng brought her to a class instructed by Kelly Morris)she became a constant student.

After the events of both September 11^th and Hurricane Katrina, it became apparent to her that she wanted to do something to help those affected by these traumas, but she felt ill-equipped to do so. After her father’s death from cancer in 2006, she realized that what she could do was share what had been most helpful to her, yoga, with others. She attended the Jivamukti Teacher Training in 2007 under the mentorship of her teacher and dear friend Kristina Pao Cheng. She’s happier than ever to be home in New Orleans, sharing what she loves and once again singing at Trinity, this time as a member of the Yellowdog Prophet Choir under the instruction of Albinas Prizgintas. In addition to Jivamukti classes, she teaches a special yoga class inspired by the “Labyrinth” event at Trinity every Tuesday evening. See class descriptions.

She is deeply thankful to MicheleBaker, to Sharon Gannon and David Life, the founders of Jivamukti Yoga,to all her family, with reverence for her recently departed father andgrandmother, and to Kristina Cheng, without whom none of this everwould have happened.

About Lisa Dunn:

Lisa Dunn is the founder and owner of Amrita Massage Sanctuary, and a certified Swan River Yoga Teacher. Introduced to yoga only ten years agoby her beloved teacher and seragant mystical GRAND Mother Becky Gelatt,yoga, massage and a love for the interconnectedness of life havebecome a passion for Lisa. Enticed by a Thai Massage workshop, Lisaperused her interest in massage therapy at Blue Cliff School ofTherapeutic Massage earning a national certification with over700educational hours. She has since completed beginning andadvancedThai massage training, traveled to Thailand and become anassistant for her Thai Massage teacher and intuitive body worker,Stephanie Shrum.

Lisa is the founder and primary therapist of AmritaMassage Sanctuary, the in house spa of Swanriver Yoga shala, where,with sacred intention she believes massage can access your own innerhealer and assist in healing and reconnecting one to the Divine withinthemselves.

Lisa is also a new graduate of the first Swan River Yoga Teacher Training in October of 2008, acquiring 200 hours. This is the first teacher training in the history of New Orleans, yet another way to invite one to connect with the Divine within themselves.

Certified Anusara Yoga® instructor Catherine McCarthy is a native New Orleanian and Emmy-nominated TV&Film Producer/Director, based out of New York City since 1993. While pursuing her Master’s degree in Film at NYU, she began her studentship of yoga under the guidance of senior Anusara Yoga teachers Amy Ippoliti and Elena Brower. After she completed her first teaching certification in Kripalu Yoga in 2002, Catherine started to study directly with Anusara Yoga founder John Friend and became a Certified Anusara Yoga instructor in 2008. She has achieved the 500-hour status with the Yoga Alliance and is an active member of KYTA and the NYC/NOLA yoga communities.

Since August 2005, Catherine has been spending the majority of her time New Orleans (NOLA), serving her post-Katrina community via teaching yoga and making documentary films. Through the transformative and therapeutic technology of Anusara Yoga, Catherine encourages students to radically affirm their vast potential with strong bodies, open hearts and curious minds. She enjoys the Anusara teachings which embrace contrary compliments simultaneously, focusing on physical alignment, while making the whole journey of learning seriously playful. You can hear Catherine’s voice on the Anusara “Invocation” CD by Tala Records, as well as on Krishna Das’ “All One” CD , as a member of the Kosmic Kirtan Posse.

Inspired daily by her students and over the years by her teachers John
Friend, Amy Ippoliti, Elena Brower, and Rajanaka philosophy scholar Douglas Brooks, Catherine is thrilled to share all that she has learned both on and off the mat. Thanks to the life-affirming encouragement and relentless support from her husband, family and friends, Catherine is helping rebuild her hometown of NOLA, one practice at time.

About Libby Bryan:

Libby Bryan has been practicing yoga in different forms since her teenage years. She earned her B.A. in business management in 1995 from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, where she also studied ballet and modern dance. In 2003, Libby discovered Jivamukti yoga at the New Orleans Athletic Club and began to study under Michele Baker.

In 2004, Libby relocated with her family to Kufstein, Austria, and continued practicing in Germany at the Jivamukti Center in Munich. Under the direction of her mentor, Petros Haffenriechter, and the founders of Jivamukti yoga, Sharon Gannon and David Life, she completed Jivamukti Teacher’s Training in New York in May 2007.

Immediately following her certification as a Jimvamukti instructor, Libby began her teaching career at the Anaratma Yoga Shala in Innsbruck, Austria. There she led classes for students at all levels who were inspired by her enthusiasm and comprehensive approach. Libby taught in Innsbruck until her return to New Orleans in November 2007.

In her classes, Libby caters to the possibilities of the students with a focus on alignment and flow, each person at their own speed. Her intent is for the student to work with their breath and intuition, focusing their inner strength to direct what their physical body can achieve. She teaches that the goal of yoga is to find the connectedness of the individual to all beings, and that, in so doing, one can realize strength and confidence through their practice and peace and happiness in their lives.

Contact Libby: Libby@swanriveryoga.com

Laura studied yoga off and on for 12years until taking one ofMichele's classes, where she then became highly devoted and aconstistant participant in the yoga teachings. This inspiringexperience led her to develop aserious practice. She then went on to receive her certificationfrom the SivanandaAshram in the mountains of Val Morin, Canada, a 200 challenging Teacher Training course with extensive discipline of asana, pranayama, jnana, raja, and bhakti yoga. Laura is currently working towards her Anusara certification, and hascompleted numerous workshops and Immersions with the likes of JordanBloom and Kelly Haas. She frequently works with students who are newto yoga, or those who have limitations due to injury. Laura alsoteaches yoga at The New Orleans Athletic Club, in local elementary schools and a women's shelter.

About Sarah Inman- Aerial Yoga

Before Sarah K. Inman was introduced to the aerial arts in 1998, she had been studying yoga, jujitsu, and boxing. A skilled hula hooper and member of Aurora Aerial and the Whirly Bones Circus Arts Collective, she and Raven Hinojosa began teaching aerial yoga at Swan River this spring. When Sarah’s not performing, training or teaching, she writes. Her first novel, Finishing Skills, was published by Livingston Press in 2005. Several of her short pieces have been anthologized.

Christine Gladney has taught Yoga and Pilates formore than 6 years. Trained in NYC and studying in many different stylesof yoga, sheo chose to train formally with Ana Forrest, whose techniquespecifically addresses trauma stored in the muscles and cells of thebody, and releasing emotional blocks. Having been diagnosed with PTSDafter witnessing 911 while in NY, she knows the experience first handand is drawn to helping others by using what she has learned on her owncontinuing path to recovery.

About Melissa DeOrazio:

Aaron Lind M.A., is a certified yoga teacher in the Swan River Yoga style developed by Michele Baker, ERYT. He has also studied alignment and body mechanics extensively with Cat McCarthy, Zhenja LaRosa, and Jordan Bloom of Anusara Yoga, and completed Martin Kirk's Anusara anatomy training for yoga teachers in Chapel Hill, NC. He is incredibly grateful to all his teachers for sharing incredible healing wisdom that has brought him much relief and joy, which he wishes to share as a teacher. He is very excited to share his knowledge of yoga in its many forms with the wonderful New Orleans community. Aaron actively engages yoga as form of service, and strives to provide students with a skillful blend of intelligent alignment, flowing vinyasa, and deep yogic philosophy.

A native of Boise, ID Aaron moved to New Orleans in 2001 to participate in the incredible local music scene and complete Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Jazz Guitar from the University of New Orleans. He brings his musical experience to Swan River in the form of Kirtan events, Mantra classes, and uplifting chants in yoga classes. Aaron's intention for teaching yoga is to provide students with an opportunity to deepen their experience of life on and off the mat by creatively engaging bodies, hearts, and minds to flow more gracefully in the currents of our everyday experiences. Namaste!

Ali Arnold is a recent graduate of SwanRiver's inaugural teacher certification program, but she has been teaching dance in New Orleans since 2003 and performing since 2000. She finds movement in all forms to be transcendent, allowing her to escape the intellectual mind (where she spends most of her day as an instructor of English at UNO). With Sacred Movement Yoga, she fuses her two favorite forms of movement, tribal bellydance and asana, in one mind-blowing class.

Addy discovered yoga in 1999. As a college student, yoga brought her a sense of strength and balance to be prepared to deal with many of life’s challenges. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Orleans in General Studies with a focus in Women Studies and Anthropology with the hopes of studying birth from a cross-cultural perspective.

Addy’s mother was a midwife who taught her to have respect for and fascination with the world of birth. Exposed to pregnant women her whole life, Addy’s attraction to the world of birth has only deepened throughout her life. She feels so grateful for being born into this world of women and babies.

In 2007 she attended a 200hr yoga teacher training in Sedona, Arizona and there realized that her two passions could become one; yoga and birth. As a prenatal teacher Addy wants the women to recognize and learn through pregnancy and birth their personal inner strengths and beauty by using yoga as a tool. She is currently enhancing her teaching skills in the advanced mentor program with Michele Baker at Swan River, as well as training as a DONA certified doula.

Born in Panama, Amanda grew up all over the world experiencing a rich diversity of cultures. It was while living in Dubai at the age of six that she experienced her first yoga class – the only memorable moment being when the Hindu male teacher touched her third eye during shavasana – go figure! She was reintroduced to yoga during college at Mt. Holyoke and again while studying acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. When she moved to New York City, she began taking yoga classes at the original Jivamukti Center.

She attributes her yoga practice to saving her sanity whilst touring around the country with Poetry Alive!, a performing company dedicating to enriching students with the joy of poetry. While living in Ahseville. NC., She studied Tai Chi and taught Chi Kung under the tutelage of Sufi Mark Small . She also live at a Buddhist meditation Center during that period and is incredibly grateful to have received instruction in various Buddhist meditation techniques. After moving to New Orleans, she was thrilled to discover Jivamukti yoga again with Michele Baker and was so inspired by her that she signed up for yoga teacher training! She has so much gratitude for Michele for passing on her knowledge and energy in such a powerful and generous way and for being a beautiful, loving role model. Namaste! Amanda currently teaches community classes in the 9th ward, and is a recent graduate of the inaugural Swan River Yoga teacher training under the direction of Michele Baker.

Lauren received her yoga teacher certification through the first Swan River Yoga School in October, 2008, under the direction of Michele Baker. She took her first class in High school and found herself being continuously drawn to classes throughout college, after which she decided that she wanted to share yoga by teaching. After moving to New Orleans in 2003 to attend Tulane, Lauren fell in love with the music, people, and vitality of the city, unveiling her rebel nature and revealing the explosive possibilities of life. At Tulane Lauren studied psychology and Latin American Studies and taught english as a second language. Her greatest passion is traveling, a time when all of her interests merge and unity exists.

Lindsey is a local actor and improv comedian who moonlights as a law student at Loyola University College of Law. She is a native New Orleanian and spent time teaching in Orleans Parish public schools. She has recently begun teaching yoga at schools in our community. Lindsey has been passionately practicing the art of yoga for 4 years and loves nothing more. She is a recent graduate of thel Swan River Yoga teacher training under the direction of Michele Baker.

Marisa, an Anusara-Inspired teacher, began a steady yoga practice after being introduced to yoga by her mother-in-law, in the summer of 2004. After Hurricane Katrina, Marisa was relocated by her company to Jackson, MS, away from her husband and family for 5 months. Through Divine grace, she happened upon a small Anusara studio in Jackson, and was completely inspired by the students, the teachers, and the heart-oriented practice that she found there.
After returning to New Orleans permanently, Marisa continued her studies of Anusara in Jackson, MS under the guidance of Anusara Certified Instructor Scotta Brady. She completed a Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Immersion, as well as a Teacher Training Program, which qualified her to be registered at the 200-hour level with yoga alliance. Through her dedication to the practice, she was able to continue her studies with Anusara Yoga founder, John Friend, attending his Level 1 Immersion, Level 1 Teacher Training, and most recently, his therapy-training, and weekend workshop, in Park City, UT. Marisa has also had the privilege of studying with many other gifted Anusara teachers, including Sianna Sherman, Betsey Downing, Bruce Bowditch, Jordan Bloom, Martin and Jordan Kirk, and last but not least, local certified Anusara instructor, Cat McCarthy.
In 2007, the heart-opening practice of Anusara inspired her to leave her corporate job, and pursue a new career as a high school math and physics teacher. She has not regretted the decision since!

Marisa is currently working towards her certification in Anusara Yoga, and is completely honored to help bring the gift of Anusara to her beloved hometown.

Tesek is a Certified Swan River Yoga Teacher and has a devoted practice of yoga and community service, teaching the wise elderly in the 9th ward at Catholic Charities and the St. Bernard Community in the lower 9 Commmunity Center. He is a long term New Orleanian and general 9th ward denisen. He is a licensed massage therapist and energy worker whose forcus in the healing arts tends toward the eastern modalities and thai massage. An avid gardener, and firm believer in frivolity, he is part of the consortium "the grinder girls" who do large scale stell sculptures for burning man, integrating art, polititcs, sexuality, and social environmental senses. Oh yeah, for anyone who think s that life is static, all things have happened on the far side of his 50th birthday!

Tony is a Certified Swan River Yoga teacher and devoted yogi who has studied consistantly with Michele Baker since the year 2000 when he came into class with tremendous pain and scepticism, which instantly turned into surrender and being one of Michele's most devoted students and friend. He now has an incredible yoga and meditation practice, taking his devotion of practice and service very seriously. Tony just started the first "12 Step Yoga Program" ever in New Orleans similiar to the 12 Step of A.A., which will focus on assisting those with addictive tendancies. in our city and turning them into healing life affirming traits. We are very proud to have this program at Swan River Yoga.Tony will also assist a yoga program specializing on reaching out to Veterans of war as his passion for the topic of Ahimsa increases, and those that have been through the challenging experience of loss of love ones passing on.

Being a Bhakti Yogi, Tony is an avid dancer who can tear it up all night with his dancing shoes on in celebration. He is a huge supporter of local music and second lining in the community, and a Fine Art collector, being of the infamous Mary Cassatt family lineage. Tony has also just announced his engagement to his beloved Natalie to take her hand in marriage!