Deb Manera Cunha, owner of Essence Yoga, is a Yoga Teacher, Reiki practioner and freelance writer. Deb's passion for Yoga began after the birth of her first child in 2004; and has allowed her to have an open exploration of practice, defined through various teachers and styles. She collaborates traditional and non traditional methods into her classes and workshops in order to encourage students to find their own authenticity, creativity, and flow...not only on the mat but in all aspects of life. Deb's personal practice and trainings in Hatha, Vinyasa and Anusara Yoga inspire her to teach from her heart...helping students connect with their bodies in an accepting manner; weaving together a flow of grace, breath, alignment, strength, intuitive expression, humor and love. Deb's appreciation for all living things is honored by her embrace of a vegan lifestyle, not only for her own health, but the environmental impact,  and awareness toward animal cruelty. Deb began writing at a young age for emotional release...and in adulthood writing provided her with a soothing balance. Her aspirations for published writing drew her to The Federal Hill Gazette in 2007 where she has since written several "Tribute Pages"  honoring  local Veterans of the United States Military and their families.  Deb's love to explore life with her husband Kevin,  and two young children, her greatest inspirations, continues to help her grow...physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Emma is a 200 hour certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher. Her classes are tailored to the needs and wants of her students. She brings a light-hearted and playful attitude to the intuitive and experiential Kripalu approach.
Emma incorporates her love of music into her classes, she will play anything from traditional chants, instrumentals, or Led Zeppelin! Emma allows the music during class to encourage her students to dive deeper..into their practice.
Emma grew up with a clear connection to the body; before discovering Yoga, Emma dedicated 12 years to the study of Classical Dance. 
When not in the studio teaching, or practicing herself, Emma loves to spend time outdoors,  pursuing her love for photography and nature. Emma says she is blessed to be given the opportunity to change her life through Yoga. She is excited to pass on the blessings!  If you'd like to reach Emma feel                                                                   free to take a look at her site. www.deepseeyoga.com.

Aura Muccio is a Certified Zumba Instructor. Aura's love of fitness has blended perfectly with her love of dance. For the past few years, Aura could be found with kettlebells in hand ready to rock a workout, or running two full marathons sprinkled with variety of 5K races, or even competing in her first Strong(wo)man competition in 2012. Always the active one, Aura would routinely break out in dance when a particularly inspiring tune would play with hardly a regard to her current surroundings. Having been involved in Portuguese dance since she was young, she naturally gravitated towards becoming a Zumba instructor. Since then, she has been sharing her love of fitness, laughter and life at various locations and looks forward to sharing these with you. Much love.

Lori has embraced the practice and wisdom of yoga for over twenty years. She is continually affirmed by the way yoga quickly focuses the body and mind in a way that draws us into our heart center. Through yoga she finds life to be more easily in balance, living day to day, hour to hour with more happiness and peace. Yoga helps to keep us connected to what matters in the more challenging times, making space to handle what comes our way.
Lori’s yogic path has led her to Iyengar yoga, Kripalu yoga and currently to Anusara yoga. Anusara came into Lori’s life at time where she had decided to shift her life’s path towards helping others on a deeper level. Anusara‘s strong connection with healing & aligning the body through dynamic body mechanics combined with non-dualistic Shaivic philosophy to see the good in all beings and delightful connection with community(kula) inspired Lori to  share this beautiful practice.
Lori has completed her 200 hour TT and is working towards her 500hr Anusara certification. Blessed with amazing teachers , Lori has studied with  John Friend, Sara Davidson, Desiree Rumbaugh , Mark St. Pierre and others .She is so grateful to share these teachings and delights in seeing her students love of yoga grow with joy from their hearts. She has been teaching private and group classes throughout Rhode Island for two years.

  For nearly 20 years Jeri Verdi has been a practioner of the healing art of Belly Dance (Egyptian, Lebanese, Cabaret, Folkloric, Greek, and Oriental). She has worked closely with the internationally known Nourhan Sharif as well as Sabra Jamal and Shadia Malfouf through classes and workshops studying the basic moves found within exploring Raks Sharqi: Arabic term for "Eastern Dance" or "Dance of the Orient." Since 2001, Jeri has enjoyed teaching - whether with private students, troupes, or various dance studios including the annual belly dance workshop/performance at Rhode Island College for the Anthropos department. This beautiful dance is a fun, sensual, &  healthy form of exercise! Jeri's classes start with a Warm-up which incorporates yoga and breathing techniques, then the importance of posture, and onto Basic Positions for arms and feet. Hip demonstrations also focus on how the feet help to execute hip movements correctly. Next, there are Basic Travel Steps used for transition. Rhythms will be incorporated with "Across the Floor" combination travel steps. This beginner class is sure to delight any student who wishes to explore the path to a healthy mind, body, and spirit. No previous dance training is necessary and everyone is  welcome for fitness and fun! Let's Shimmy!

     Mary's personal journey with Yoga began in 1993 when she studied at one of the first Iyengar Yoga schools in Rhode island.  As Mary's understanding and love of the practice deepened, she realized lessons learned on the mat appeared in everyday life. (Self acceptance, finding balance, letting go of that which doesn't serve you).       After completing "Prana Flow Yoga Teacher Training" with Coral Brown in August 2010, Mary's journey continues with purpose and passion as she teaches a breath inspired flow, with creative sequencing, encouraging students to honor their body while playing with their edge.     
  Mary is grateful to be able to share with others the gifts her benevolent teachers and mentors have given her.       "Through our physical practice of the asanas' we create a strong body and gain resilience, helping us to find inner peace,equaminity, and bliss in our lives"   Om  Love&Blessings

Betsy Gray is certified to teach  mat, reformer, cadillac and chair Pilates.  She began her Pilates practice with mat classes in 2007.  After one free lesson, she was hooked.  In 2010, she began her training with the Jen McWalters Studio in Pawtucket.  The strength and better body alignment she has gained through Pilates has been very empowering and Betsy hopes to share this feeling of empowerment with her clients.
 When not practicing Pilates,  Betsy and her husband  enjoy the fresh air out on their sailboat and  spending quality  time with family. 
Pilates is great for all ages and body types.  Joseph Pilates encouraged people to get strong doing his exercises so that you have the strength and endurance to enjoy all other aspects of your life.  

Thea Izzi began taking dance workout classes in the mid 90's when she lived in the SF Bay Area at Rhythm and Motion Dance Studios. From there it was Salsa, Swing and Samba (and yoga) classes for many years until she discovered the principles of "conscious dance" and began to explore her own body's desired way of moving. This eventually led her to the Nia technique, which she discovered was the right balance of fun dance choreography and expressive freestyle movement. It had such a profound physical as well as emotionally healing effect that Thea was compelled to take her practice further and earned her White Belt in order to begin teaching. At present she is guest teaching at Samadhi in Newton Center, MA where she learned the practice of Nia. Thea is also the facilitator and DJ of a monthly freestyle "no shoes, and no booze" conscious dance party in RI called "Ecstatic Dance Providence".  For more information on this global movement, visit  ecstaticdance.org/providence and Ecstatic Dance Providence FB page. You can also keep up with Thea's teaching schedule on her Nia Now Page

Aria Mia Loberti is a 200 hour Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher. At sixteen, she began practicing and studying Yoga to nourish her health as she healed from a four year illness. Aria Mia has nearly fourteen years of intensive dance training, with a concentration on classical Russian ballet. Correspondingly, she has a range of artistic, acting, musical theater, and dance performance experience. She is also a passionate spokesperson for blind and visually impaired students, having advocated on the local and state levels. Aria Mia received her certification from Kripalu at age 18. She is dedicated to sharing the compassionate, healing, and integrative approach of Kripalu methodology. With a focus onsafety and cultivating awareness, her intellectual, lighthearted teaching style emphasizes an amalgamation of fluid movement, rejuvenating breath work, strength building, and dynamic alignment principles. She encourages students to take the tools of self-inquiry and mindfulness, fostered through the practice of yoga, off the mat and into the world. You can connect with Aria Mia on Facebook and at arimialoberti.blogspot.com      Jai Bhagwan!

Laura Smith is an AAAI certified Group Fitness instructor and licensed
Zumba instructor. Sine the early 90's she participated regularly in
various group fitness classes including step, kickboxing, toning and
circuit training.  She discovered Zumba on DVD in 2002 and was hooked.
While living in CT, her love of dance and appreciation for global
music inspired regular participation in Zumba classes.  Laura has
worked with many personal trainers and fitness experts to find the
right balance of exercise and sustainability.  Zumba became a passion
because it appeals to various ages and fitness levels, which allows
everyone the opportunity to participate and have fun.  It is her
mission to spread the word and show people that exercise an be FUN!
When not in class, Laura works full time as a Customer Service Manager
and can often be found walking or running with her labradoodle Roxy.

Yamel Pablo Mandese, 200 hour TT Yoga Journey Vinyasa .
Yamel  began her yoga practice in the year 2000 at the encouragement of her beloved late husband.  Cuban born and raised in New York, she studied ISHTA in Westchester County under the direction  of Yogiraj Alan Finger. Yamel is also a student of the inspirational, 94 year  old Master Yoga Teacher,Tao Porchon Lynch, founder of  the  Westchester Institute of Yoga who studied under Indira Devi and BKS  Iyanger.  Her  belief lies in the great power of the universe believing that we are all part of  the same whole; if you follow your heart it will guide you to  where  you are meant to be. Yoga has inspired her to live every moment as if she were  on the mat, moving with breath, finding grace and balance – noting that all that  exists is that one moment in time. The subtle changes we experience in Yoga create balance, strength and  flexibility of body and mind which produce creative energy. She has practiced various styles including Kundalini and Ashtanga and her creative practice inspires inner calm and heartfelt gratitude. Yamel is grateful to all her New York teachers at Be Yoga, Yoga Works and to her current teachers in the RI  Community.  Yamel shares her time  volunteering at a local hospital, painting and enjoying her  family.