The YogaScape & Spa

Her formal yoga study began in 1995 as part of her BFA Acting training, and has now become her daily education and practice. Amy founded “TheYogaScape©” (www.theyogascape.com) in 2003 as a sacred studio where students are guided to discover the many practical applications Yoga offers daily living. While celebrating the studio’s 3-Year Anniversary, she and her dedicated staff moved to a newly renovated 3,200 sq. foot Yoga Studio and now Spa. The shala offers Classical Yoga Instruction for all-levels and ages; 7 days a week, as well as additional healing modalities such as Reiki, Massage Therapy, Therapeutic Body Wraps and Healing treatments, as well as introducing a holistic approach to skin care with licensed estheticians on staff. Prior to Directing TheYogaScape Studio Amy acted as Director of Sales and Membership for the highly acclaimed NYC Complementary Health-care facility named “Haelth,LLC” where clients found various Mind-Body Modalities to support their lives, including yoga. She has studied Alexander Technique as well as Gymnastics, Contemporary Movement, Modern, Jazz, and Tap Dance that informs her knowledge of the body as an instrument for creative and spiritual endeavors. Prior to teaching, Amy studied Yoga in Chicago and New York City in various branches and schools of yoga. She made her first pilgrimage to India in 2005 to continue the pursuit of yoga through further study in the yogic and Ayurvedic traditions. Amy has studied under the tutelage of Gabriel Halpern, Lisa and Charles Matkin, Lawrence Biscontini, Michael Lechonczak, Dharma Mittra, Sharon Gannon, David Life, and Duncan Wong. Amy is certified by the Satsang School of Yoga, recognized by Yoga Alliance. Today her classes, Teacher Training, workshops and private instruction can be found available throughout the NYC metropolitan area. Amy teaches authentically from her own practice while allowing the wisdom of the Sages before her to pass through from a Higher Consciousness. Her aim is to bring a sense of presence, spontaneity, healing and Self-Realization in a compassionate manner to her students. Additionally, Amy studied at DePaul University’s (Chicago) Conservatory Professional Theatre School in their BFA program as well as with A.M.D.A. (the American Musical and Dramatic Academy) of NYC.

In 2005, she completed a 200-hour RajaHatha Yoga Teacher Training and became a Certified RajaHatha Yoga Teacher in spring 2006. Litsa is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW of New York State). After receiving her Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University, she has worked as a social service provider in hospitals and education. Both her social work training and yoga practice have enriched her personal and professional life, allowing her to serve others while learning to strive for balance in her own life. To continue to serve her community, Litsa created “Workshops for Wellness” – a business and website that informs communities on holistic information and offers various workshops and series on wellness topics. Litsa regularly attends programs at the Ananda Ashram of Monroe, NY, founded by Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, of which she is a member. She is also a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, Green Yoga Association, National Association of Social Workers—New York State Chapter and the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT).Litsa – Candra Devi (chun dra day vee) – currently teaches a weekly gentle yoga class at the YogaScape and Spa. Her class focuses on breath work, mindfulness techniques, and gentle yoga poses. To contact her, email: w4wellness@gmail.com or call: (845) 742-2642. You can also visit her website at www.workshops4wellness.com.

Before leaving Boston, she had practiced many forms of Yoga including Vinyasa, Hatha and Astanga. After discovering the YogaScape in 2005, Jenay began her studies to become a Yoga teacher. She was certified as a RajaHatha Yoga teacher and registered with the Yoga Alliance in 2006. Jenay has been teaching in studios, small settings, public schools and even in homes. Every student she has met has needed something different. “One of my biggest goals as a Yoga instructor is to be able to make the practice tangible for all types of people. I have noticed, as a classroom teacher, that everyone learns differently. You have to be able to offer people what they need in a way that they can understand it. That’s how I teach Yoga.” To her, yoga is an outlet for what she holds inside, whether that is stress, anger or even memories. It provides her with a way to calm and control her body and mind. Over time, her emotions have become more under control and she even has a more “glass half-full” view of things around her. “Yoga can be anything you want it to be. It can be physical, spiritual, emotional or even relaxing. Don’t let yourself get caught up in everything at once. Just like life, you have to take it one step at a time or you can get overwhelmed.” As a teacher, you are always learning. Even though your Guru may sit up in front of the class and suggest ideas and offer knowledge, it may not be what you need. Take what is offered and find what you need in it. Every step of life is a lesson, every breath a moment and every second something changes.

Cathy Stubbs, RYT, RN

Cathy has been taking yoga classes since she moved to Dutchess County from Westchester 14 years ago. She became serious about studying yoga when she met Amy Pearce-Hayden from TheYogascape, and decided to pursue teacher certification in 2006. The past couple of years have been an incredible learning experience and teaching yoga has enriched her life tremendously. She is inspired by the other teachers she’s met and trained with at the YogaScape and considers them lifelong friends. For Cathy, teaching gentle yoga is like offering a lifeline to people who are drowning. Yoga is a way out of the dysfunctional culture we find ourselves living in. It is a way of restoring our natural rhythm and finding the compassion and courage to love ourselves the way we are right now, today. Cathy became an RN while her three children were small and enjoyed hospital nursing for many years, working in Oncology and ICU units and for a local Dr. as an office nurse for eight years. Since serving during Hurricane Katrina, she’s been a volunteer nurse for the American Red Cross of Dutchess County. She currently maintains a Massage Therapy practice in her home office in LaGrangeville, NY where she offers intuitive custom massages. She feels blessed to be able to do all of this work that she loves and hopes to be teaching yoga when she’s in her eighties and beyond!

And it became a more structured part of her life when it provided direction in the form of a yoga book which she used as a springboard for the creation of her own home practice. It was her gym membership, which provided the consistency of classes that at last enabled yoga to become a constant in Robin’s life. The more she learned, the more she wanted to know. Reading, studying, meditating, and practicing asanas became an important component of Robin’s life, particularly once she began attending classes at The YogaScape. Her love for yoga continued to grow as her dedication to it blossomed, and she has now incorporated into her daily life the physical practice and spiritual nature of yoga. Becoming a teacher was always Robin’s aspiration, and she considers herself fortunate to have had her desired profession become a reality. As a public school teacher for many years, she has worked with children in various grades, most recently those in fifth. And she can now share her love for yoga with students in an after school yoga club which she was given the opportunity to create. Teacher training was embarked upon for knowledge of yoga, but it later seemed a natural progression for her to share her knowledge and lead others along the yogic path. Through the process of teaching yoga, Robin continues to evolve physically and spiritually, learning from texts, students, other instructors, and self. Robin’s classes are based upon her own home practice as well as on the classes she continues to take. Though her focus is on basic poses, where particular attention is given to breath and alignment, she also tries to include asanas which are a bit out of the ordinary. Students are typically offered insights into yogic thought and philosophy and are introduced to a variety of breathing, chanting, and meditation techniques. She urges her students to take from each class what is needed and to practice purposefully and compassionately. The journey along the yogic path has enabled Robin’s continuing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual growth. She is thankful for each new day and is grateful to be able to pass on her love for yoga to others.

Monica Kane, RYT

Monica begain studying yoga with Amy Pearce-Hayden in 2003 and completed her 200 hour-Teacher Training at the RajaHatha School of Yoga under her guidance in June, 2006. In addition to being a Registered Yoga Teacher, RYT, Monica has been teaching 3rd grade in the Katonah-Lewisboro School district since 1998. She is the founder and director of "Girl Power" summer camp. The camp, for 8-14 year old girls, is designed to empower young girls to make good choices. Currently, Monica subs at various studios in NY and CT, runs an after-school program for 3rd-5th graders called “Yogabop”, teaches a weekly class for her teacher-colleagues, as well as at TheYogaScape. Monica's classes are designed for all levels, with a strong focus on moving energy through breath work, chant, and asana. Monica is grateful to all of her students and teachers, especially Amy, for sharing their knowledge and love for yoga.

Melissa Zaug, RYT

Melissa began to study yoga in 2003. She embarked on the yogic path to find her inner truth, grow spiritually and to foster a greater understanding of her body. Ever since she was a little girl, Melissa knew she wanted to be a teacher. Little did she know that she would be a teacher to others as well as to herself. Melissa is a certified speech-language pathologist working with preschool and school aged children with extensive communication needs. Melissa specializes in helping children with autism spectrum disorder find their voice. Melissa plans on incorporating her knowledge and love of yoga to help her students. Her enthusiasm for her own yoga practice, and her desire to want to share that with others, lead her to the teacher training program at TheYogaScape. She completed her 200-hour teacher-training program under Amy Pearce-Hayden at the RajaHatha school of Yoga. Melissa is a firm believer in following one’s heart and embracing the fun and joy that life offers her. Her desire has been to bring balance to the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of her life. She is looking forward to teaching yoga to others and continuing to develop and deepen her personal practice.

Angeni (Stina) Reed CYT, RN

Angeni is a currently practicing Psychiatric RN. She has worked as a nurse since 1979, first as a Licensed Practical Nurse, then as a Registered Nurse. She has worked in Postpartum, Geriatric and Psychiatric Nursing. She studied Yoga and Meditation at Woodbury Yoga Center, Woodbury, Ct. She became certified in Kundalini Yoga in 1997 after studying with Ravi Singh in New York. Angeni has also attended Kundalini Woman's Camp in New Mexico. In addition to studying Anatomy and Physiology as an R.N., she recently completed training as an Associate Polarity Wellness Educator at the Open Center in NYC. This training included Anatomy and Physiology using energetic and orthodox models. Angeni also has a B.A in English from Colby College. She taught English at the High School level while in Arizona. Angeni has been an integral force as a Faculty member of the RajaHatha School of Yoga’s Teacher Training Program for 3 years.

Jillian Langenau, CYT

Jillian has been a fitness enthusiast since childhood, and started working professionally in the field at the age of 21. Jillian is an ACE certified Personal Trainer, and specializes in Group Fitness. willPower & graceÔ, yoga, Pilates, and Bosu Integrated Balance Training, are among the classes she is certified to teach, and believes passionately in the philosophy and technique of each practice. Jillian is also the founder and director of an outdoor group exercise program, “Outdoor Obstacles”. In addition to her career as a Group Fitness Instructor, and Personal Trainer, Jillian is working towards her academic achievements. Jillian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English, with a minor in Creative Writing, and she is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in teaching English.