Ossi Raveh

Class Type:

Vinyasa Flow

Teaching Style:

Mindful, Inspirational, Grounding, Thoughtful, Fluid

Bio:

Ossi opened Brooklyn Yoga Project (BYP) 8 years ago. She chose to dedicate her life to the practice of yoga in the hopes of offering its power to the world around her. BYP has allowed her to live and fulfill this dream.

When she founded BYP she set out to build a unique and beautiful space where everyone in the neighborhood could find safety and solace within the bright lights of New York City. She was introduced to the movement, intentional breath work, and life-changing philosophy of yoga over 20 years ago. At that time she was in the process of healing from many physical and emotional injuries. She was teaching Pilates, Gyrotonics, and dance as well as practicing several types of therapeutic massage.

Working through intense pain and struggle, yoga brought her healing, grounding, balance, strength, and acceptance.

She is the founder of the Brooklyn Yoga Project.

Bethany Leigh (Be)

Class Type:

Vinyasa Flow

Teaching Style:

Traditional, Spiritual, Athletic, Layered

Bio:

Spiritually athletic in nature and practice, Be finds gratitude in movement, stillness, and transition. The Gemini in her is most clearly expressed through being an old soul, and yet maintaining a deep connection to her inner child. The balance of the two being currently explored as the sacred feminine: intuitive, loving, energetic, fierce, playful. She teaches sequencing that is traditional, spiritual and geometric -with boundaries of line and space that do not limit, but rather guide and show oneself - to oneself. Exposing one's strengths, as well as one's vulnerabilities. Freeing the spirit, igniting the soul.

Be graduated from NYU's Gallatin School with the concentration of Human Wellness, Addiction, and Culture Studies and completed her original 200 hour training in Todos Santos, Mexico at the Yandara Yoga Institute.  As an ERYT she has completed advanced trainings with Manju Pattahbi Jois in the Primary Series of Ashtanga, Hala Khouri in Teaching Yoga to At Risk Adults and Youth, Allison Eaton in Reiki Master Training, as well as through personal one-on-one mentorship with Lauren Imparato of I.AM.YOU.

Be is thankful for these teachers as well as Raghunath , Nikki ViIella, and Erika Hildebrandt for their continued inspirations and teachings on and off the mat.

Dennis Teston

Class Type:

Vinyasa

Teaching Style:

Challenging, Hands-on, Integrative, Reverential

Bio:

Dennis guides a challenging and fun class incorporating intelligent sequencing, hands-on adjustments, and posture modifications to ensure everyone leaves feeling successful.  He credits his own practice with the many shifts - professionally and personally - he has made in his life.  Dennis encourages students to integrate the gentle shifts that occur on their mats with the outside world.

Dennis has practiced, studied with, and has been inspired by a variety of styles with Cyndi Lee, David Life and Sharon Gannon, Dharma Mittra, Bryan Kest, Rudy Mettia, and Michael Stone, but it was the intelligent sequencing  at Sankalpah Yoga with Isaac Pena, Mary Dana Abbott, and Jude English that transformed his practice and ultimately how he viewed teaching yoga.

Dennis weaves together, with a quiet authority and humor, an energetic vinyasa flow. He loves this opportunity to guide people towards a deeper level of the physical aspects of yoga and a stronger connection to their mind, body, and spirit.

Dennis also teaches through The Lineage Project (www.lineage project.org), bringing awareness practices to disenfranchised youth in juvenile detention centers, alternative-to-incarceration programs, and public schools for struggling students in New York City.

Allegra Romita

Class Type:

Vinyasa Flow

Teaching Style:

Alignment Based, Aware, Compassionate, Freeing

Bio:

Allegra has been dancing her whole life. Deeply impacted by her mother’s work as a modern dancer and an Alexander Technique teacher, Allegra studied Dance and Kinesiology/ Movement Science while in undergrad at the University of Michigan. In 2007, her father convinced her to take a yoga class as a way to stay in shape during the summer break. By 2008, she had completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Sid McNairy in Baltimore, MD. Yoga became Allegra’s saving grace when she injured her back in 2010. After suffering this major back injury, her practice led her to understand the power of positive thought and self-healing. Her daily practice is what makes it possible for her to continue her dance performing and teaching career.

Allegra recently received her Masters degree in Dance Education from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. She trains in Thai Yoga Bodywork, and has a certificate in dance rehabilitation training from Westside Dance Physical Therapy. Allegra is also the co-creator and founder of Functional Awareness Anatomy in Action—a practical somatic approach providing a series of explorations in experiential anatomy to enhance our understanding of movement function, facilitate ease in body action, improve dynamic alignment, reduce tension and improve performance.

Body understanding, awareness, and self-exploration are important parts of Allegra’s practice and teaching. Allegra hopes to guide her students, through anatomical awareness and freedom of thought, to a place of alignment in body and mind.

Brittany Sylwestrak

Class Type:

Vinyasa Flow

Teaching Style:

Intentional, Athletic, Expansive

Bio:

Brittany began her study of yoga while in college, where she recognized its ability to be an incredible support and recovery for a moving body. After receiving her BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois in 2011 she moved to NYC to pursue her artful dreams, while also working in a job centered on people development and coaching at a yoga-inspired company. Living in the city furthered her interest in the practice of yoga as a way of living with compassion. Brittany completed her 200-hour teacher training at Prema Yoga Brooklyn in 2014. She aims to instill choice and personal ownership in her students’ practice with a strong focus on alignment. Believing that each individual has the ability to learn and grow from every person and situation, she empowers individuals to form a true sense of community on the mat. She is grateful for the wonderful teachers in her life and is honored to be a part of Brooklyn Yoga Project’s beautiful community.
 
lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu

Thai

CLASS TYPE:

Vinyasa Flow

description:

Thai curates classes that are inclusive and accessible for all practitioners from beginners to advanced. He teaches progressively, equipping you with the tools and knowledge to listen to your body and truly express yourself through your flow. Be prepared to integrate playfulness, alignment, mindfulness and body awareness into each class with him.

BIO:

Thai James is a 500-hr certified yoga teacher based out of Brooklyn, New York. He provides empowering classes of mindful movement hoping to curate a practice of abundance and self exploration. In addition to his passion for alignment and muscle engagement, Thai encourages students to weave in elements of playfulness and curiosity truly making the experience their own. Thai provides in-person and virtual instruction for private, group and corporate settings.

Mikki Raveh

Class Type:

Iyengar Inspired Flow, Prenatal, Baby/Toddler Yoga

Teaching Style:

Alignment Based, Engaging, Challenging

Bio:

Mikki Raveh practiced yoga for many years, but she really fell in love with it when it healed her hip injury. It was at that time she realized that yoga not only helped her physically, but that it was a way for her to step outside the everyday and explore the energetic possibilities of the world that surrounds her. After many years of both teaching and practicing Pilates, Mikki added yoga to her teachings.

She completed her yoga teacher training at Baptiste Power Yoga Institute with her Boston mentor, Gregor Singleton. Mikki spends her summers teaching and studying in Vermont. It was there that she first began her Iyengar practice. Upon returning to New York City Mikki began to practice and study at the Iyengar Institute. In addition she was inspired by Marco Rajas’ teachings and continues to grow from his influence.

When teaching, Mikki focuses on the present, this is what drew her to yoga and what she shares with others. Her classes focus on proper alignment and continuous movement through breath. Mikki strives to empower her students to leave the world behind and be in the moment.

In addition to her yoga training, Mikki was certified in the Pilates method through Physical Mind Institute, Power Pilates, and the Pilates Method Alliance. She obtained her Gyrotonic Expansion System® certification in 2003 under the guidance of Master Trainer Maria Rosa Gugielmi. In 2001, Mikki taught in Tel-Aviv, Israel where she worked directly under physical therapist Dror Raz. In 2004 after the birth of her first child, Mikki studied Itsy Bitsy Yoga® (baby and toddler yoga) and in 2006 got trained by Helen Garabedian, Certified Yoga Teacher, Infant Development Movement Educator and founder of Itsy Bitsy Yoga® International.

Aside from her experience in bodywork, Mikki holds a business degree (BS) from Boston University and has over seven years of advertising and marketing experience.

Diana Ross-Gotta

class type:

Restorative, Yin, Vinyasa Flow

teaching style:

Nurturing, Calming, Inquisitive

bio:

Diana is an intuitive healer, drawn to the therapeutic qualities of yoga and especially those of the restorative practice. She seeks to create safe spaces for people to let go, transform and experience their own inner healer. Her teaching is inspired by a variety of sources -- from nature and five element theory to astrology and crystals to neuroscience and psychology. Her classes weave together breath, asana, mindfulness, meditation, and touch; culminating in a practice that connects mind, body, and spirit.

In December 2014, Diana received her initial certification through the 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified program at Area Yoga in Brooklyn Heights (Keri Setaro & Paula Loose).  She has continued her studies under the guidance of Jamie Lyn Skolnik (Restorative Yoga), Bo Forbes (Restorative Yoga), Be Shakti (Yin Yoga), Padma Gonzalez (Reiki) & Lisa Levine (Reiki).

Jen Nigro

Class Type:

Vinyasa Flow

Description:

Jen teaches a sweaty, dynamic flow built on her dance background + infused with her experinece in fitness. You can expect a beat-driven, athletic class geared towards regular practitioners who want to play with arm balances, inversions + breath linked to movement. 

Bio:

Jen Nigro is a mover, healer, and boundary-breaker. She?s been dancing for as long as she can remember (before she could talk!) and has found true home in the ability to heal through movement. Her classes fuse her dance background with her career in fitness for a music-driven, athletic experience.

Jen teaches yoga, sure?but really she teaches the ability to sift through all the stuff that goes on in our heads while we?re not on our mats and tunnel it back into the light with our bodies. Once we see it, we can move it. Jen lives by the premise: ?bring it all in, breathe it all out.?

Jen completed her RYT-200 with Yoga Vida NYC in 2016 and went on to mentor with Christine Chen (Spellbound Yoga) and Dennis Teston. She later completed her trauma training certificate with Exhale to Inhale and then continued her studies in a 3-tier trauma and somatics course with Somatics Experiencing International. She is currently enrolled in additional therapeutic learnings with Peter A. Levine.

Susannah

Class Type:

Vinyasa Flow

Bio:

An RYT 500, Susannah has completed Yoga Teacher Trainings in the U.S., South America, and Indonesia. She is certified in Hatha/Vinyasa style yoga, Tantra Yoga, and indulges in her own Mysore Ashtanga practice. This unique blend of knowledge gives Susannah a different perspective through which she can create an environment that is energizing, yet grounding. More than anything, Susannah wishes to provide her students with space to feel bold and authentic.

Jeremy

CLASS TYPE:

Vinyasa Flow

BIO:

NYC native Jeremy Blackman graduated Brooklyn Yoga Project’s 200-hr RYT certification program in 2021. His classes focus on the integration of mindful breathing and challenging, intelligently sequenced riffs on traditional Ashtanga vinyasa yoga.

After studying Buddhism and Hinduism at Columbia with world-renowned scholars, Robert Thurman and Jack Hawley, respectively, Jeremy integrated his love of eastern philosophy with embodied practice, immersing himself in daily asana under the auspices of Ossi Raveh, Dennis Teston, Bethany Leigh and Allegra Romita. Most recently, he’s studied new translations of a few key Sanskrit texts through the Yogic Studies online platform, including the Bhagavata Purana and The Amrtasiddhi.

Jeremy is also a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He views his yogic and artistic interests as intersecting opportunities to grow creatively while being of service to others.

Jane

CLASS TYPE:

Vinyasa

Description:

Expect to be challenged and restored in Jane’s intentional classes, building heat with breath and movement. Jane will always offer modifications and amplifications for postures, so you are able to take what you need from class - whether it be relaxation or a challenge. Open to all levels.

BIO: 

A former dancer, Jane fell in love with yoga as the practice provides her the same joy of movement, while also offering the immense benefit of finding stillness. Jane completed her 500-hour teacher training with Natasha Rizopoulos at Down Under School of Yoga in Boston. Alignment of the body and mind, as well as the balance of effort and intelligence with ease and creativity are important parts of Jane's practice and teaching. Upon moving to Brooklyn, Jane was lucky enough to find a home in the Brooklyn Yoga Project community, continuing to study with Ossi and the wonderful BYP teachers.

Lok

CLASS TYPE:

Sound Baths

TEACHING STYLE:

Challenging, Hands-on, Integrative, Reverential

BIO:

Lok has been practicing yoga for more than 13 years. Lok immigrated to Portland, Oregon from Hong Kong when she was 5 and spent her mid 20s living in places like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Akashi, Japan. Her yoga journey has brought her in contact with teachers from Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United States . She has received her 200 Hour Foundation Yoga Teacher Training at Vikasa Yoga in Ko Samui, Thailand in 2019. She has a strong focus on Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation and Sound Baths.

Her sound journey began at an early age from playing music- piano, clarinet, bassoon, and the flute. She believes through sound vibrations from singing bowls and tuning forks, we can reach deeper into a more relaxed, meditative yogic state. Lok found that through sound baths in a group, with their collective energy, she found an ability to heal and transform.

Find her at one of her classes or at a sound bath workshop at Brooklyn Yoga Project!

Neha

CLASS TYPE:

Vinyasa

BIO:

What once started as a creative way to move the body while breaking a satisfying sweat, quickly transformed Neha's life. As a lifelong dancer and athlete, Neha (pronounced Ney-ha) was introduced to yoga at the tender age of 4, but her relationship with the practice deepened years later while navigating mental noise and physical healing. After an awakening metamorphosis which led to discovery of a powerful connection between body, breath, mind, and spirit, she knew she wanted to become a forever student and teacher of yoga. Neha deeply believes in embracing self-evolution and transformation. She inspires each student to explore new terrain, and boldly step into their radically authentic self.

Neha Sharma is a wellness guide, yoga instructor, mindfulness facilitator, instructional program designer, and multidisciplinary artist. She has worked in the healthcare and wellness space for over 10 years, and holds over 1000 hours of yoga training from internationally acclaimed yoga schools. She has trained in Rishikesh, India — the birthplace of yoga, NYC, and across Europe with world-class teachers like Jared McCann of Lighthouse Yoga School. Her teaching style is creative, dynamic, engaging, challenging, and accessible, with a blend of traditional and modern practices including Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha, Ghosh, Dharma, Forrest, Yin, and Restorative yoga. With alignment-based asana classes rooted in yoga philosophy, pranayama, meditation, and energy healing, Neha is passionate about guiding her students through an immersive experience. Neha’s foundations in health sciences and holistic wellness shape her interdisciplinary approach. She received her Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences from Northeastern University and has credentials as an ERYT 200, RYT 500, and Continuing Education Provider (YACEP).

Neha resides in Brooklyn, NY. When she isn’t wearing her artist or yogi hat, she enjoys writing, contortion, cooking, hiking, traveling, modeling, photography, and her many plants.

Ana

CLASS TYPE:

Vinyasa

description:

Expect to be challenged, to build strength, slow transitions, creative flows while always offering modifications to suit everybody. Connecting breath per movement to feel focused and relaxed.

BIO:

Ana started her yoga journey in college, she was always interested in the human body, learning more about anatomy and physiology. She has a degree in the Faculty of Pharmacy in Montenegro but after her internship she realized yoga was her true passion and she wanted to share it with her students.

She finished 200 YTT at Yoga Vida in New York, has a 20hrs yin training certificate, certified NASM personal trainer and currently is in 300 YTT with Jason Crandell.

Ana’s classes are strong and energizing while always offering modifications to best suit your body. Her accent is on breath work and connecting it with movement while being aware of your body alignment.

Andrew

CLASS TYPE:

Vinyasa

BIO:

Andrew is a certified 200-hour RYT and a dedicated Yoga student for 10+ years with his preferred class type is Hot Vinyasa. Yoga has personally taught him a lot about himself, and his goal as an instructor is to replicate this for his students and have them reap the benefits of this beautiful practice. His teaching style is intention based, breath-focused, and concentrated on "breathing through the hard stuff." Poses are worked up to, modified, and enhanced through hands on assists and verbal cues. Andrew's classes are grounding yet strengthening and always based around traditional yoga postures. In his free time, Andrew enjoys practicing yoga at new studios throughout NYC, traveling, hiking, and spending time with his wolf-looking dog Aspen.