Bios

Stephanie Anne Sirico- FounderStephanie in Wild Thing Pose

Professional Yoga Therapist, E-RYT 500 Yoga Instructor, Budokon Yoga, Pilates Instructor

After 10 years working in corporate finance, Stephanie always had a vision to be a part of the yoga community. In 2003, she had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Yoga Mountain organization in Rockland County, NY where she taught classes and co-directed the 200 hr and Yoga Therapy teacher training programs for over 5 years. In 2007, Stephanie decided to pursue the advancement of Yoga and its philosophies full time, and finally left the corporate world.

Stephanie created New Breathe Yoga, a project that she has been working on for over a year, that will aid in taking yoga out of the studio and out into the community. The former managing Partner of Yoga Mountain Wellness Center in New City , NY and Cornwall, NY, Stephanie has been involved with yoga and teaching for over 14 years. During that time, she has earned her Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher 500 certification (E-RYT 500) and Professional Yoga Therapy certification, has maintained an active membership with the Yoga Teachers Alliance (YTA) and the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).

Most recently, The Breathe Yoga Project, a resource for workshops and not-for-profit events has been developed out of the strong drive to take yoga out into all communities.  Stephanie has also spearheaded a new division of Breathe Yoga, Breathe Consulting.  A company that will allow Stephanie to share with other organizations the benefits of having a yoga program in their facility or assisting with making existing yoga programs stronger.

Stephanie’s special interests focus on individuals with challenges of all types, demonstrated by programs taught at the Friendship Club in Valley Cottage, NY (Rockland Mental Health Association), teaching yoga in the classroom with BOCES in Rockland County and various other programs for adults and children alike. In addition to these ongoing programs, Stephanie had developed a summer Youth Yoga Program that has been running for 3 years in Yoga Mountain in New City, NY. Stephanie’s classes are rigorous as well as deep and grounded, focusing on breath, alignment detail and overall benefits of each posture.

Jill Monaco

Dance Instructor, Yoga Instructor

Jill started her career in the field of dance.  She has trained in many different styles and received her BA in Psychology and Dance from Montclair State University.  She is a Dance Educators of America certified instructor.  She began teaching in 1998 and since then has taught in a variety of settings.  A highlight of her career came in 2006 when she had the opportunity to develop and implement a dance curriculum for a public elementary school in Fort Meyers, FL.  This allowed her to share her love of dance with students who may not have otherwise been exposed to dance education.

She began practicing yoga in 2003 as a supplement to her dance training.  She immediately felt the benefits of it and began incorporating elements of yoga into her dance classes.  In 2010 she decided to dedicate herself further and entered into the Breathe Yoga 200 hour teacher training program.  Since then she has become an active member of the yoga community, volunteering for The Breathe Yoga Project, teaching classes and continuing her education and practice.  Jill believes that yoga, like dance, is for everyone.  She is committed to sharing the joys of yoga and dance to others.

Edwin Thompson

RYT 200

RYT 200 Yoga Instructor and Chiropractor

Dr. Ed Thompson earned his Doctorate in Chiropractic from Life University in September 2008.  He was first introduced to chiropractic care at the early age of ten when he received his first chiropractic adjustment.   This started him down the path to become a Doctor of Chiropractic. Attending college at the University at Albany where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Biology, he also was introduced to the world of yoga. As a health care provider,  Dr. Thompson is passionate about his personal health and is eager to share and teach his patients.  He was an accomplished high school wrestler, an active runner and bike rider, weight lifter, and yoga practitioner.  In 2009, he enrolled in the Yoga Mountain Teacher Training program in order to become a Yoga Alliance registered 200 hour Yoga Instructor, where he met Stephanie Anne Sirico.  Since then, Dr. Thompson has become very involved in the yoga community, and together with Stephanie, doing health talks at local libraries, school systems and teaching individuals the benefits of yoga and chiropractic for overall health and wellness.