Ellen Schaeffer is the founder and owner of , a Center for Yoga and Wellness. She began her studies of Yoga shortly after graduating from college with a degree in Psychology in 1984. It was a perfect match from the start and Ellen has been studying and practicing Yoga since this time.

Ellen worked for many years in the human service field. Her experience includes group-home work and day treatment work with folks with developmental challenges and the chronically mentally ill. She has experience with adjudicated youth as well as adults living in the prison system. She worked as a social worker in state child welfare for 7 years and then with a private, nonprofit, special needs foster care program for struggling adolescents.

She loved her work, although she found the systems that served her clients increasingly challenging to negotiate. This reality taught her the value of Yoga in managing stress in her own life and in the lives of her clients.

While exploring options for further education, Ellen did some deep soul searching and decided to make a career change that would allow her to follow her passion. In 1994, she traveled to California to participate in the Yoga therapy teaching program offered by Integrative Yoga Therapy. Here she studied with many well known and highly knowledgeable Yoga teachers. This program ignited her interest in Yoga psychology and Yoga as a therapeutic modality for body mind and spirit. Ellen's primary certification is with Integrative Yoga Therapy.

Since this time Ellen has explored many styles and practices of Yoga. She is certified in Vinyasa style Yoga by her longtime teacher and friend, Tom Gillette. She studied in Montreal, Canada with Kam Thye Chow and the Lotus Palm School and is certified through them as a Thai Yoga Body Work practitioner. She has also achieved second dregree Reiki training. Ellen has spent a great deal of time studying with and exploring the work of Gary Kraftsow and the American Viniyoga Institute. She integrates Viniyoga teaching methodology in many of her classes. Ellen is registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 500-hour level. Her training and experience do however exceed this.

During a trip to Brazil in the winter of 2004, Ellen reestablished her relationship with Joseph LePage of Integrative Yoga Therapy (from whom Ellen received her basic certification). As a result of this rekindled connection, Ellen has begun training teachers in the Integrative Yoga Therapy (IYT) teaching method. Also as result of this connection Ellen has decided to complete her Professional Yoga Therapy training with IYT. Ellen states, "reconnecting with IYT has been like a journey home. It has reawakened a raw, beginner-like enthusiasm for Yoga practice and teaching similar to what I experienced years ago when I first studied with Joseph."

Anita Bevans
Anita is immersed in the ongoing process of personal transformation. Moving from work as a highly focused business person to work which inspires deeper compassion and greater connection with others. Recovery from emergency surgery brought Anita to Yoga as a means to heal body, mind and spirit. Through this process Anita became aware of an absence of deep joy in her life. She found herself wondering when the disease of adulthood, rational thinking, took over 100% and questioned if this was simply how she should live her life. After some contemplation Anita responded with a big NO. Through her Yoga practice and teaching Anita hopes to open others to the possibility of experiencing joy in the moment and to embracing themselves as the unique individuals that they are.

Anita's classes are for everyone and everyBody. Anita welcomes students with physical challenges and those who like to challenge their preconceived notions of what they can or cannot do. Props and modifications are used as needed. Anita likes to share her belief that the physical body is meant to be active in order to maintain optimal health and that Yoga can be used as a tool to soften the aging process and aid in recovery from injury. Anita's intention is to share her knowledge of joyous and mindful movement while supporting others in connecting to and rekindling the joy within.

Anita is a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 200 hour level. She is certified by Integrative Yoga Therapy and has taken a certified class for teaching Adaptive Yoga to those with MS. Anita is also a certified Kripalu DansKinetics Teacher (Yoga Dance). Her training involved the completion of over 130 hours in Kripalu DansKinetics with an emphasis in the Chakras, Body Awareness, Pratapana and Breath, Kripalu Yoga, Music Appreciation, Practice Teaching, Voice and Ethical Practice.

Joan Corey
Joan holds a B.S in physical education and has worked as a fitness instructor for 25 years prior to teaching at One. She has extensive experience working with children, adults, seniors, and special populations. Currently Joan teaches physical education for students grades Pre K – 8 at St. Augustine School, Providence, RI.

Joan has a passion for Yoga, which she began exploring and practicing 13 years ago after the birth of her son. She was first attracted to the physical aspects of yoga; however, she gradually discovered and enjoyed the mind/body experience. She believes that the experience of yoga happens on and off the mat.

Joan is a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 200 hour level. She is certified by Integrative Yoga Therapy. Joan enjoys teaching a flowing class that is seasoned with opportunities to build strength. Joan's personal interests include spending time with family and friends, gardening, walking, reading and cooking.

Lora LoPiccolo
Lora is an energetic and fun-loving wife and mother to three beautiful children. Her teaching style is dynamic and supportive, yet disciplined. She brings her perspective as a woman living in the real world to every aspect of her philosophy and style of yoga instruction. Her teaching credits include: Yoga for the Equestrian, Baby and Me, Vinyasa, Kids Yoga, and coming soon, Yoga for the Athlete.

Lora's personal interests include cooking, skiing, weight-training, outdoor life, music and, of course, Yoga. Lora has studied with Yin Yoga practitioner Paul Grilley, Taoist Yoga Master Paulie Zink, and completed her 200 hour training with Ellen Schaeffer and the Integrative Yoga Therapy program. She continues to further her yoga studies on a regular basis, and offers this knowledge to her students through her real world perspective.
 

Ed Merck
Ed has been practicing yoga for over 30 years, is certified as a yoga instructor, and has been teaching for 5 years. As a businessman, classical musician and father, he brings a wealth of experience and understanding to his teaching. He is committed to personal growth and transformation, for both himself and his students, as an outcome of regular yoga practice.

Donna Smith
Donna worked as an elementary education teacher for 29 years. She has a passion for working with children. This passion is very evident in her fun and creative Yoga for Kids class at . Donna has studied several styles of Yoga and is a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher.

Kathleen Swanson
Kathleen has been studying Iyengar Yoga since 1993. She is certified through the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level and is currently immersed in an Iyengar Teacher Training program. Kathleen is especially interested in helping students to awaken the Intelligence of the body through the use of precise language and focused points of concentration in Asana.