Yoga Harmony

Phil DiLavore

Phil has always carried a love and joy of the yoga tradition with him in his life as well as in his teaching. He feels that all students can experience the spiritual and energetic awakenings that are brought forth through the yoga practice. Phil likes to color his classes with the knowledge that he has received both from his infinitely wise teachers and from his personal practice. His classes are fun and loving with a kick of spiritually awakening sarcasm. He wants all students to feel welcome whatever their background or ability and drives his classes to the place of universal acceptance. His classes are known for bringing students to places they didn't think were possible. He has a specialty in working with therapeutic issues.

Phil has studied yoga intensely since 2000 receiving his first hatha yoga teaching certification in 2002 and his 500 hr certification in 2003. He has since become a dedicated student of Anusara Yoga. He has received teacher training from his teachers John Friend and Zhenja Larosa. He is also thankful to his first Anusara teacher Sharon Kenny for all her shared wisdom and lighthearted playful teaching. Phil runs the teacher training program at Yoga Harmony. He has trained many of Morris County's up and coming teachers at the 200 and 500 hr level. Phil also has a special interest in working with cancer patients. He has helped heal and inspire many students in treatment, recovery, and remission through yoga. In his spare time Phil enjoys listening to and playing music, and spending time with his wife Lori and cat Samsara (Sammy).

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Andrew Thorpe

As an avid practitioner and humble student of yoga, Andrew brings together his extensive training and personal practice to his teaching so he can help others in a meaningful way. During classes, Andrew tries to make you feel like although you are in class with others, you are receiving the individual attention you need. He is a firm believer in "action" or purposeful movement and right intention. He teaches one to become aware of how they are mentally approaching a pose, moving, standing, sitting, or breathing, and then shows the student how make the necessary adjustments to improve. With prolonged practice, these improvements will translate into your everyday life. You should expect that you will learn how to be autonomous, for personal practice is the core of yoga.

Andrew has been in the health and well-ness field for over ten years. He began studying Iyengar yoga with Theresa Rowland, of Studio Yoga, in Madison, N.J. where he also completed four years of teacher training. He has taken teacher training with senior level Iyengar teachers, such as: Mary Dunn, Kofi Busia, Gabriella Guibliaro, Lois Steinberg and many more. He had the honor of studying with Guruji himself, Mr. Iyengar, in 2005. In 2001 Andrew began the quest to become a certified Iyengar teacher, and after a rigorous five year journey, completed the task to become a fully certified Iyengar instructor. Currently, he is pursuing a doctorate of physical therapy, not as a new career, but as another avenue to help others.

Claire Lichtenstein

Claire uses her sense of fun and attention to detail to ensure that everyone gets the most out of her classes. Combining clear directions with a focus on the mind/body connection allows students to experience their body in a whole new way. After class you can expect to feel like you have worked your body but also wonderfully relaxed.

Having left the corporate world to raise a family Claire has found a whole new level of purpose and fulfillment through her teaching and practice of yoga. She is a registered Yoga Teacher at the 200 hour level and is also certified in prenatal yoga. Claire regularly attends workshops and retreats and in 2008 completed a second 200hr teacher training, in Anusra yoga.

Jonnie Lester

Jonnie Lester teaches a style of Hatha Yoga that allows her students to experience a joyful path to health and happiness. "Practicing yoga has helped to bring more clarity and balance into my own life. My goal for my students is to help them attain awakening in the moment, which leads them to the awareness of peace and well being of their body, mind and spirit." You can expect a spiritually awakening class with instruction on breath techniques and meditation.

Jonnie is certified at the 200 and 500 hr level through Phil DiLavore and Yoga Harmony. She leads yoga and meditation classes for multiple women’s non-profit organizations including the Women Reading Aloud Workshop and is also a Certified Massage Therapist adept in many different massage modalities as well as Reiki. Jonnie has her own massage practice, From the Heart Massage, located in the same complex as Yoga Harmony.

Kessiah Carlbon

Kessiah fosters a playful, lighthearted, and encouraging approach to yoga. She likes to challenge her students to their full potential while honoring their inner sparkle and divine luster. During her class you can expect to reveal your innate gracefulness, even if you never knew it was there, through physical, mental and spiritual exercise.

Kessiah received her 200 hour yoga teacher certification from Yoga Harmony Studio and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. Her physical background includes a love of running, mountain biking, hiking and gymnastics. She currently studies Anusara yoga and is training toward her inspired status. Kessiah is delighted to share the fun, beauty and light of yoga with her students at Yoga Harmony.

All pictures except Andrew's taken by Slavica Kostovski. For more info on Slavica's work please email her at: slavicasly@yahoo.com