ASHTANGA YOGA - Full Primary Series
This class is taught by:
Rachel Stine
Rachel Stine, E-RYT 500, Thai massage therapist, reiki master.
Rachel started her yoga journey in college where she quickly fell in love with the physical practice. In 2010, Rachel lost her brother to a drunk driver and she delved deeper into the practice of yoga; both physically, mentally, and emotionally. She completed her 200 hour certification in the Pocono's in 2010. In 2017, she completed her 500 hour teacher training at Kripalu in Massachusetts.
Rachel also holds her BS in early childhood, elementary, and special education from East Stroudsburg University. She is currently working towards her masters in education.
She loves working with children of all ages and introducing them to yoga. Rachel holds additional yoga certifications in Prenatal, kids, yin, restorative, meditation, Kripalu vinyasa, and is a reiki master.
She is also a Thai massage therapist.
In addition to teaching, Rachel loves to learn and has studied with Kino MacGregor, Seane Corn, Tao Porchon-Lynch, Jason Crandell, Tymi Howard, Michelle Dalbec, Sudhir Jonathan Faust, Coby Kozlowski, and Sudha Carolyn Lee. When Rachel’s not only her mat, you can find her
spending time with her husband, two daughters, one son, and three dogs. They enjoy hiking, exploring, and traveling.
Nikol Kallinteris
Nikoleta Kallinteris began her yogic journey in 2006 through the practice of Ashtanga Yoga — a doorway that opened her to the deeper wisdom of yoga and its timeless teachings. Since 2010, she has shared this path with others, inviting students to cultivate body awareness, mindful reflection, and self-embodiment. Her offerings arise from a lived understanding of yoga, nurtured through the depth of her own practice.
Driven by a deep curiosity for life’s quiet mysteries, Nikol independently continues her study of sound therapy, physical vitality, spiritual discernment, and the enduring wisdom of contemplative traditions, such as the philosophy of Yoga, Zen, Buddhism, Taoism, and more.
Formal Training: 500 E-RYT Certification in Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Anatomy Studies for Yoga Teachers (ASFYT 1–3), Essential Yoga Anatomy (Glo), YogaRenew Anatomy & Physiology; Third Degree Usui Reiki Attuned; Received the Tao through ceremony by Holy Master Hsu (2018).
Nikol has studied with many esteemed teachers, including Jennifer Allen, Chris Loebsack, Swamini Ramananda, Glenda Dawson, Manju Jois, Paulie Zink; Doug Swensen, Tao Porchon, Jason Ray Brown, Seane Corn; Kino MacGregor, Jason Crandell, Paul B. Roache, MD, and Joe Miller.
Additional Studies: B.A. in Communications/Psychology, A.A. in Fashion Design, Certified Graphic Designer, Certified Beauty & Special Effects Cosmetic Artist.
“If you are a pattern for the world, there will be nothing you can’t do.” — Lao Tzu
Rocio Varela
Rocio started practicing Kundalini yoga in 2007 as a way to recover her health and build her immune system. A few years later in 2012 she fell in love with the discipline and structure of Ashtanga yoga.
Rocio became a student of David C Kyle and was very dedicated to her practice. Inspired by such great teachers at AshtangaYoga Puerto Rico, led her to become a teacher in 2013.
By learning the Primary series, she went into a journey inward that not only saved her physical health but also brought her back to herSelf after going through some difficulties.
A chef by trade, Rocio started teaching Ashtanga yoga part time and has transitioned her daily life to her true purpose; to serve and help people live a better life physically, mentally and emotionally.
Continuing her education, in April 2016 Rocio completed a 40-hour teacher training with David Swenson and also completed 200 hrs of Hatha/Vinyasa Teacher Training at the Yoga Loft in Bethlehem.
Rocio sees herself as a yoga student for LIFE, she continues her yoga education and stays inspired by attending workshops and practicing daily. She truly believes yoga saved her health, and her life and has taught her how to live in joy.
Continuing her education, in April 2016 Rocio completed a 40-hour teacher training with David Swenson and also completed 200 hrs of Hatha/Vinyasa Teacher Training at the Yoga Loft in Bethlehem.
Rocio sees herself as a yoga student for LIFE, she continues her yoga education and stays inspired by attending workshops and practicing daily. She truly believes yoga saved her health, and her life and has taught her how to live in joy.
Ashtanga yoga offers one of the most effective ways to simultaneously gain strength and flexibility as the student practices and eventually memories the repetitious sequence. This method is the heart of Vinyasa, Bhandas, Ujjayi Breath and Moving Meditation.
The sequence is designed to aid in physical purification, mental clarity and higher awareness in all aspects of the individual. From this place one may begin to appreciate the subtler aspects of yogic philosophy.
The sequence is designed to aid in physical purification, mental clarity and higher awareness in all aspects of the individual. From this place one may begin to appreciate the subtler aspects of yogic philosophy.
*The Ashtanga Method of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois contains ‘Six Series’ of posture sequences - we will focus solely on the (first) primary series in this class, however modifications will be offered to those in need of more support as well as those ready for more advanced poses.
* It is not required, but if you would like to learn the TRADITIONAL OPENING AND CLOSING MANTRAS so we may recite them together, please use the following links:
Opening Mantra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrQKrt5Ji5U
Closing Mantra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsmxQOsdWBQ