Metrowest Yoga Studio • 69 Milk Street • Westboro, MA • 508-525-5025

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Instructors

Shawn Shaw has been involved in various forms of fitness for over 25 years, and has been practicing yoga for over 30 years. She is the proud mom of two wonderful children. Shawn is a certified Power Vinyasa Yoga instructor, has studied with Baron Baptiste in his Boston and Cambridge Studios, and has completed his Level I and Level II teacher trainings. In addition, she has completed teacher trainings and workshops with Yoga masters David Swenson, Shiva Rea, John Friend, Rolf Gates, Ana Forrest and Beryl Bender Birch. Shawn is an AFAA (American Fitness Association of America) Certified Personal Trainer as well.

"I was introduced to yoga as a teenager in 1980 as a way to compliment my long distance running. I found that it also calmed my mind and relaxed me. Years later an abusive marriage left me alone and hurting with two young children. Suffering from anxiety and depression, I again turned to yoga and began to practice regularly. It helped. But it wasn't until 2001 after having lost my best friend (my Dad) and my job as a software developer that I found the yoga that would transform me.

With my career over and my heart broken, I stumbled into Baron Baptiste's studio in Cambridge and discovered this transformative style of Vinyasa or Flow yoga that would change my life. I realized immediately that this style of yoga was exactly what my body and soul needed to heal. With regular practice, my body became stronger and healthier than it had with any other form of exercise. In addition, I learned to love more openly, speak more truthfully and live more in the moment. I also realized that I found my new career. I wanted to teach, to bring this beautiful, ancient healing practice to my community. I completed teacher trainings and opened a small studio in my home in 2002. With much support from students and friends, I opened MYoga in 2005.

This journey has taught me to have faith. I now believe that things happen for a reason. I've learned to put one foot in front of the other and trust that "things will work out exactly as they should. "

I am forever grateful to all of my teachers. In addition to the ones mentioned above, Patricia Lotterman, Jene' Rossi, Elizabeth Huntsman, Alyssa Sullivan, Gregor Singleton and Coeli Marsh have been instrumental in guiding me on my path.

I humbly bow to each of them.

Tom Slattery’s study of yoga was a natural extension of his career as a dancer. He has had the opportunity of studying with many great teachers who have both educated and inspired him to share the wonderful benefits of yoga with others. Tom is a master yoga practitioner, artist, and dedicated fitness advocate. He has incorporated influences from several different yoga systems along with his passion for dance and movement of the human form to develop his unique approach. He has been a professional dancer for many years including seven spent in Paris performing with a leading cabaret. While in Europe he studied art and design. His work as an artist has evolved with his passion for yoga and the balance it brings to his life.

Tom strives to lead students in a practice that is revitalizing, restorative, and motivating. His supportive style of teaching and enthusiastic sense of humor consistently leave his students refreshed, thoughtful, and smiling.

He currently lives in Newton and maintains a studio in Boston’s South end.

To learn more about Tom's art and see some of his beautiful work, visit www.crossyourtoes.com

Anne Toupouzis has studied various styles of yoga and pilates for the last 10 years. Her desire and passion to help others leave a healthier lifestyle drove her to leave the “corporate world” in 2001 to pursue a new career in teaching yoga and pilates. When she walked into her first Baptiste Style yoga class 2 ½ years ago little did she know that this would be the yoga that would transform her life. After struggling with the asanas physically and emotionally over the years this style resonated with her. She realized it wasn’t about having the perfect pose but learning to practice yoga “on and off the mat”. She believes that yoga is not only about the physical but also the spiritual, something that she believes is important in every practice.

Anne’s passion for yoga and willingness to help others find their true self is what inspires her to teach. What we are looking for to be happy and fulfilled with ourselves is inside of each of us we only have to peel away the layers to find it.

She has taken various workshops and classes with yoga masters Ana Forrest, Seane Corne, Baron Baptiste and John Friend. Anne continues to work with her teacher Shawn, who has been her inspiration and who has helped her to deepen her practice and continue to grow as a teacher.

She completed her Level 1 Teacher Training in 2007 with Baron Baptiste and her Ashtanga Primary Series Teacher Training in 2005 wth David Swenson. She is a fully certified STOTT PILATES® instructor.

Karen Mott, as a hospice nurse, has learned that if there are changes you want to make in your life, the time do it is and always will be now. If not now, when?? Yoga has allowed her the space to connect within, and has been instrumental in her personal healing, both physically and emotionally. Shoulder surgery halted her yoga practice for several months, and she began Shawn Shaw's teacher training program as a way to return to, and deepen her own practice. The yoga teacher training proved to be that and much more. Karen found teaching yoga was a natural extension of her healing practices of nursing, hypnotherapy and reiki. The teacher training and regular yoga practice helped her to heal her body, open her heart, and speak with her authentic voice. Her desire to share the enormous power for healing of a consistent yoga practice with others has inspired her to teach vinyasa flow yoga with compassion and grace. Her spirituality and connection to the Divine are instrumental in her desire to teach from her heart. Karen has a special love for guided meditations, which she facilitates for those who are physically or emotionally diseased, and has taught meditation classes for teens.

Karen would like to acknowledge her deep gratitude for Shawn, and thanks Shawn for leading her on the path of yoga. She has a great respect for Baron Baptiste, and credits him for a life-transforming experience at his teacher-training boot camp.

She completed Shawn Shaw's Level one teacher training in May, 2007; Baron Baptiste's level one training in August, 2007

Sarah Whiteman (Phaneuf) discovered her love for yoga in May of 2001 while working at Fidelity Investments. Soon after pursuing certification, she decided that teaching the bliss of yoga had to be a part of her life, and she has been sharing ever since. She received her Hatha certification in August of 2002, and began her Baptiste Power Yoga training in December of 2003. Yoga has always been a grounding point in her life, giving perspective and strength like nothing else.

Jeffrey Myers, a four time marathon runner and passionate bicyclist, initially began teaching yoga to share the benefits with the fitness population and found an even deeper calling. After over 20 years in corporate finance Jeffrey now makes teaching yoga his full time focus.

Jeffrey received his yoga certification through Fitness Resource Association of Needham, MA in the Vini yoga methodology (yoga that adapts the various means and methods of practice to the unique condition, needs and interests of the individual) and is a nationally registered yoga teacher, RYT200, with National Yoga Alliance. In 2005, Jeffrey completed the Baptiste In-House Teacher Training course at the Baptiste Power Yoga studio in Boston.

Besides teaching yoga, Jeffrey is a licensed massage therapist; a graduate of Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester, MA and is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Jeffrey finds massage therapy to be a natural and complimentary extension of his career as a yoga instructor. Learn more by visiting www.holisticnetwork.org/aibhealth

Jennifer D' Annunzio completed Shawn Shaw's teacher training in January and credits Shawn with inspiring her to teach. She has been practicing yoga in various forms for the past eight years but finds that the style taught at Metrowest Yoga is what truly resonates with her. When Jennifer isn't teaching or taking class, she is a Massage Therapist in private practice in Natick, Massachusetts. She enjoys yoga for the benefits she gains in body and soul, for helping her to consistently dwell in the moment, and for inspiring a sense of playfulness and joy in her life.

"Never am I more present and embracing the current moment, than when I am on my mat. The goal of course is to grow and develop in such a way that we carry this sense of presence with us throughout our day and in every aspect of our lives. Teaching gives me great joy; watching students come into the moment and discover all the possibility that is the present is truly a gift".

Paula Shapiro began studying yoga at Iyengar style classes about ten years ago. When she discovered Vinyasa yoga at Metrowest, she immediately fell in love with it and began a regular practice with her husband. She was drawn to this style because of its challenging physical side but soon realized that she had embarked on a life-changing spiritual path. Paula has practiced through several injuries and chronic arthritis and has learned the importance of modification and listening to your own body's needs. Paula completed teacher training at Metrowest Yoga this past May with Shawn Shaw. She is forever grateful to Shawn for organizing the teacher training and giving her the opportunity to assist and teach. Paula also completed an Art of Alignment and Assisting training conducted by Chanel Luck and Roberto Lim.

Paula is thankful for the path she has found to share the gift of yoga. She hopes to infuse her teaching with challenging sequencing that encourages her students to mindfully explore their boundaries. She stresses the importance of breath not only during the asana practice but as a powerful tool to self discovery.

Erin E. Christiano is a licensed mental health counselor who has been working with children of all ages for the past ten years. Throughout her work with children she discovered that she was spending a considerable amount of time educating children about themselves and their bodies. Basic relaxation skills, body awareness, and self-esteem were topics that she addressed with children on a daily basis. In addition, Erin has also been personally committed to various forms of physical fitness, and has worked diligently to incorporate movement and exercise into her own life, as well as her work with children. Through developing individual programs for her students aimed at increasing self-esteem and awareness, while allowing for movement and exercise, Erin has been actively involved in assisting children live healthy and happier lives. Recently Erin has enrolled in the YogaKids International Intensive Training Program, where she is a YogaKids Associate. Erin is very passionate about the YogaKids mission and feels that the combination of traditional yoga philosophies and asanas, presented in a child friendly, fun manner, has a tremendous positive impact on a child’s self-esteem and learning. With her skills as a counselor, and her yoga background, Erin is committed to educating the whole child’s mind, body, and spirit, while creating a connection with the world around them.

Donna Evans Orr is an elementary school teacher and leadership development facilitator with over 20 years of experience with children and groups of all ages. Donna is a YogaKids® Associate currently studying under Marsha Wenig, the founder and author of “YogaKids. Educating the Whole Child Through Yoga”. She has been practicing Yoga for over 10 years, and believes deeply in the ability of Yoga to center one’s self and reap the benefits of mind and body.

Donna has completed a 12 month Yoga Teacher training program (June of 2007) at the Debbie Turner School of Dance and Yoga (Tully, New York) and taught peers within the training program, as well as adult students in studio classes. In addition to her ongoing training through YogaKids® she currently volunteers weekly and practices at the Metrowest Yoga studio in Westborough Massachusetts

Having personally enjoyed the health and spiritual benefits of Yoga, Donna has included teaching Yoga to her students within her elementary school classrooms throughout the past two school years. She often integrates Yoga with learning academics in the classroom using a multi-sensory approach including shared breathing techniques and Yoga poses. These activities have been very well received by the children and they often share poses they know with members of other classes. By presenting Yoga in a fun and creative way she has successfully engaged her students of all ages - from Pre-Kindergarten through teens.

She is committed to advancing her personal and professional involvement with Yoga instruction for children and adults through continued lifelong practice and formal training.

Jennifer Moiles is trained in the Baptiste Power Vinyasa method of yoga. An ACE certified group fitness instructor, Jen has been working in the fitness industry for more than 15 years and has traveled the U.S. and Canada training group fitness instructors in mind/body disciplines. Jen is also a certified holistic health counselor and member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She believes that vibrant living is an art form: an expression of how we relate to ourselves, our life circumstances, and nature. In addition to her wellness industry credentials, she is a wife (to a very cool guy), mother of two awesome children, and an avid cyclist. In her free time she enjoys traveling with her family, sharing good food with great company, and getting outdoors to read, relax, cycle, or just soak up the sun.

Lara Wahl has practiced various forms of yoga for over 10 years. She earned her certification at the Sivananda Forest Accademy in Kerela, India. She has also studied Ashtanga in Mysore, India, and at the Baron Baptiste Yoga center in Cambridge, MA. Lara loves how the Sivananda yoga ashram and centers integrate all aspects of yoga into daily life. She's taught at Roslindale Yoga in Roslindale, MA; Lavinia Borcau Spa in Brookline, MA; and various health clubs and fitness centers in and around the Boston area. While nannying she has also taught kids yoga as well as "Mommy and Me".

As a mom she is refining her art of multitasking, patience and unconditional love. More than ever motherhood demands Lara to be her best yogic self, and she is enjoying the challenge. Having just had a baby, she has a great advantage on teaching our Mommy and Me class!