Meet Our Founder
Amber
Amber was introduced to yoga in college two decades ago but did not maintain a consistent practice. Recently, she has relied on yoga more often and started on a journey to help deepen her practice. She became a 500-hour Registered Yoga Instructor (500RYT) and continues to learn and grow from her practice daily. As we all know, life can be joyful and challenging, and using yoga off the mat has helped Amber learn to remain present in each moment. Learning from amazing instructors at various studios has helped her personal yoga practice evolve.
Amber teaches many styles of yoga and breathwork, which has expanded her practice in unimaginable ways and hopefully, in turn, helps others as well.
Amber is a certified Level 2 Sound Healer. Sound Experiences are offered upon request or in conjunction with sessions. Let the sound surround you and create positive energy in your body.
Amber is certified in Mindful Eating, Children's Yoga, IET, Reiki
Amber has a BA in Psychology, Masters in Special Education, and Supervisor’s Certification in Education. During the day, she is one of the lucky ones who enjoys teaching middle school students and evenings spending time with her husband and three children.
Amber’s playful approach to life and yoga helps her teach different levels of the practice and make a connection with others.
Meet the Team
Erin
Erin is a teacher with a passion for personal growth and emotional wellness. As a certified coach, mindfulness instructor, meditation teacher, and emotional wellness expert, Erin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her practice. She is also a podcast host, a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (200-RYT), and a professional developer. Erin's approach is deeply rooted in meditation and reflective self-awareness practices, guiding others on their journey to inner peace and self-discovery. Her dedication to continuous learning and growth makes her a compassionate and insightful teacher, committed to helping individuals achieve balance and mindfulness in their lives.
Ginger
Ginger Mancini, a certified mindful coach, is on a mission to help others find their still, quiet place. Her own life experience sparked her desire to help others to breathe through life’s storms. At every opportunity, through mini retreats and one-on-one practices, she leads others in mind and body exercises to minimize anxiety and cultivate inner calm. Her most recent mission has been to find ways to help others move through their sorrow using breath, sound, and movement. Ginger sees each day as an opportunity to discover new ways to integrate mindfulness and other healing modalities into her life and the lives of others. Certifications: Mindful Meditation Coach, MBSR (Mindful Based Stress Reduction),Youth Exercise Specialist, Senior Fitness Specialist (NASM), Massage Therapist,Teacher of English and Special Education
Jeannie
Jeannie is a 200 RYT, certified level 2 Sound Healer, and certified in IET. She is currently working towards her 500 RYT. Jeannie offers and believes in the power of all forms of yoga, sound healing, meditation, and breathwork. She currently teaches hot vinyasa yoga, warm gentle flow, restorative yoga, and sound. Jeannie's open approach allows her students to feel welcomed and confident. She is so excited to share the benefits and magic of these gifts with the Emerald wellness community!
Jodi
Jodi is a 200-hour certified Vinyasa yoga instructor with a profound appreciation for the holistic benefits of yoga. Initially drawn to the physical aspects of the practice, she soon discovered the integral connection between the body and mind. Her teaching style seamlessly integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual elements, making her classes accessible and enriching for yogis of all levels. In Jodi’s classes, you can expect breath work, dharma talks, well-balanced sequences, hands-on assists, and an overall sense of peace. She aims to provide anemotionally and spiritually stimulating class that leaves her students feeling strong and confident.
Lauren
Lauren Wessol is a 200 hr YTT (Hudson Yoga Project, Hoboken NJ), with additional certification in Prenatal and Children’s yoga (Yoga Renew), and currently working towards her 500 hr YTT (Yoga Renew). Lauren found yoga to help calm her mind and fell deeply in love with the practice. She has been teaching since 2017. Her classes are fun, focused on linking movement and breath, positive, lighthearted, but also challenging (as long as you want it to be). She's a mom of 2 and passionate about yoga, especially prenatal yoga to support the prenatal community during pregnancy as well as offer tools to utilize during labor and parenthood.
Liz
Liz is a Certified Yoga Instructor, Reiki Practitioner, Sound Healer, and Meditation teacher. Over a decade ago from the first yoga class she took, Liz knew she needed the tools of a yogic lifestyle to carry her through life’s peaks and valleys. She enjoys each of these modalities and weaves as many as possible into all of her offerings. Her experience in facilitating classes and healings span from preschoolers to 80+ year-olds. When her clients understand the mind/body connection, the peace and serenity that follows is truly a gift that keeps on giving. With a background mix of private and public offerings, Liz is sure to craft her classes with love, compassion, and attention to proper alignment.
Melinda
Melinda’s self-discovery and wellness journey began in 2012 when she stepped into her first yoga class. She realized she opened the door to something very special and was called to dive deeper into the practice. She completed her 200 RYT in 2018 at Sol Full Yoga in NY and her 300 RYT in 2023 at Flow Yoga in NJ. Her classes are designed with the intention to be where your feet are, breathe, and meet yourself with compassion. Expect an inspired functional sequence accessible for all with opportunities to get curious, create space, and connect with your true Self. Always a student, Melinda continues to seek opportunities to learn and grow as a teacher and studies a variety of modalities for healing and energetic wellness. She also offers breath work and meditation sessions, sound healing, reiki, and tarot card readings.
"Embrace the mystery of life. Embrace the mystery and magic of you."
- Melody Beattie
Tara
Yoga Instructor | Holistic Health Coach | Functional Nutrition Counselor | Ayurvedic
Health Counselor Inspired by her grandmother, a yoga teacher, Tara Merson embraced the practice early in life. As a dedicated Yoga Instructor and holistic health professional, she holds certifications as a Holistic Health Coach, Functional Nutrition Counselor, and Ayurvedic Health Counselor, integrating these disciplines to help individuals achieve optimal well-being.Tara earned her MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and enjoyed a successful career in brand management at Sony Corporation. Her journey took a transformative turn towards health and wellness, aligning her career with her passion.Reflecting her deep commitment to service, Tara volunteers by providing yoga classes to women at Oasis, a sanctuary for those in need, and serves on several boards, including the Jewish Federation of Northern NJ and Jewish Children and Family Services. She is also the Executive Vice President at her local JCC.In her leisure time, Tara enjoys creating healthy vegetarian meals and cherishing moments with her family, friends, and her dog, Maverick.Tara offers yoga classes that are challenging, uplifting, thought-provoking, and infused with joy, creating a transformative experience for all participants.
Walter
Walter started his yoga journey over a decade ago. He fell in love with the physical practice very quickly. It was not until he took his first class with his teacher Ben Wisch that his life changed forever. Walter completed his 200 hour YTT under the guidance of Ben and Leslie Moscou Corren in May 2023. Always determined to live his life both on and off the mat as the “best version of himself”. Walter is eager to continue his spiritual life path through his yoga teachings and always strives to bring more heart, humor and humility into the world. Walter’s greatest love are his two sons Brandon & Cameron (and of course the Rolling Stones!)
Danielle
Danielle is married with three crazy beautiful daughters, and her family has been a huge inspiration for her yoga journey. Her practice began in 2013, and from that moment on, yoga has always been a safe place for her to ground herself, catch a breath, and relieve anxiety.
In 2018, after having a second daughter, the need and pull for something more than just taking yoga classes while being a mom of two was strong for Danielle. She went on to complete her 200-hour Vinyasa certification, led by the inspirational Erica Stanzione at Flow Yoga Studio in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ.
In April 2024, Danielle expanded her knowledge and love of the practice by completing her 300-hour certification, making her a 500 RYT.
Today, Danielle thrives to share this amazing opportunity with others. Whether it be to help guide them to a deeper understanding of the practice, or to assist as they go through this amazing journey of life.
Danielle also has a connection with healing and has her Reiki Level 2 certification led by the lovely Toni Chianetta.
Fran
Fran began her journey with mindfulness and meditation in October 2021 and quickly found a practice which brought her the peace she had been seeking her whole life. Always looking for the answer “out there,” meditation shifted her view right back to her very own power. In March 2022, Fran completed her teacher training under Karen Mascari at Be.Here.Now- A Center for Mindfulness. Shortly thereafter, she taught mindfulness and meditation classes for parents of children with special needs, as well as women’s circles. She is a certified K-8 teacher, currently working with young adults who have autism, and holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. Fran brings an open heart, honest vulnerability and sense of humor to most situations she encounters. She believes that living each day in the present moment, building community and finding one’s own inner light are keys to peace and happiness, and is inspired to help others discover this as they walk their path.
Joann
Joanne's passion and gratitude for this practice is unmeasurable. Growing up as an athlete Joanne's self care was geared towards running and high intensity exercise. She was introduced to yoga in 2013 during a time in her life where she needed to go inside and dig deep to find herself. Yoga was Magic! It has changed her life. Joanne's offerings are geared towards healing . Listening to your inner voice. Letting go of what no longer serves you. And most importantly self love. Joanne found love for herself on her mat. She was nugged by her inner voice to take a teacher training. And in 2020 she did just that. Joanne completed her 200hr RYT at Flow Yoga with Erica Stanizione. When asked what that experience was like for her Joannes answer has always been Life Changing! Joanne went on to complete her 300hr RYT with Flow yoga this past year. She is certified in Trauma informed yoga through Kula for Karma. Joanne is a ceritfied sound healer and also Level Two Integrated Energy Therapy thru Sanctuary Den with Toni Chianetta. Lastly Joanne is open about her recovery from alcoholism. And also depression and anxiety and how yoga plays a huge part in her daily life. Joanne can not wait to see you and your mat. Get ready to heal.