SANDY GOLA-RYT

Sandy Gola - A student of diverse spiritual traditions, Sandy has a an interest in the subtle energetic bodies, particularly the emotional and mental bodies and their effects on the physical realm.  Through asana, guided meditation, and breathwork, she hopes to facilitate growth and higher understanding in her work with students. Plenty of hands-on adjustments and personal attention are integral to her teaching style, with an emphasis on self-mastery through awareness of body mechanics and alignment.

Sandy has been a long time student of Raji Thron's and completed his Yoga Synthesis Teachers' Training in June of 2006. Prior to taking up yoga 10 years ago, she was a certified fitness instructor. Sandy currently teaches yoga at several locations in Bergen, Essex and Morris Counties. Sandy is registered with Yoga Alliance and has received additional certifications in Pre Natal Yoga with Kelli DeFlora and Masala Restorative Yoga with Ellen Pfeffer. As an energy and healing arts practitioner, she also hold certifications in Level 1 and Level 2 Reiki and in Level 1 Bach Flower Essences.  With a lifelong interest in Indigenous Peoples, Sandy has traveled and supported the Thirteen Indigenous Grandmother's Conference in various locations, including McLeod Ganj, India, and met with the Dalai Lama.  Sandy also enjoys working creatively with her hands, including the making of handmade body care products with essential oils, flower essences and herbal ingredients.

Hallmarks of Sandy’s Classes:
• A strong, personalized standing flow practice incorporates 
strength, balance and opening a greater flow of energy throughout the 
body
• A focus on finding the groove of proper alignment through movement 
techniques - we pay attention to the spaces between the poses.
• Floor work of forward bends, backbends and twists emphasizes 
thoughtful entry into and out of poses, designed to align and prepare 
the body for the more static portion of the pose.
• Inversions and more challenging poses are offered at the student’s 
individual level. We promote a non-competitive outlook and seek to 
work within our own abilities, without judgment or criticism.
• Our final resting posture is always accompanied by the playing of 
Tibetan singing bowls, and is one of the most appreciated elements of 
the entire practice.
• An overall greater awareness of one’s own body dynamics and energy 
systems is promoted directly through the framework of this class.

Sandy's Intensive Trainings Include:
300 hour Yoga Synthesis Certification, (Yoga Alliance RYT), 2006,
Masala Yoga Restorative Teachers' Training, Ellen Pfeffer, 38 hours,  2007
Prenatal Teacher Training, Kelli DeFlora, Starseed, 2007
AAAI/ISMA Yoga Certification, 1999
Vedic Conservatory, Thai Yoga Massage Bodywork, Michael Buck, 2007
NDEITA, Primary Aerobic Certification, 1999
North Jersey Massage Training, Lomi Lomi Bodywork, Bianca Franchi, 2008
First & Second Degree Reiki, Dr. Sharma, 2006
Bach Flower Remedies, Level 1, 2006
Pranic Healing, Cynthia de Leon, 2002