Teachers

Abby Ritter

Abby Ritter is an E-RYT 200, RYT 500 certified Hatha Yoga teacher and Ayurvedic Health Counselor trained through the Himalayan Institute. Abby believes in the importance of subtle body work, and often incorporates agni sara, aswini mudra and mula bandha into her classes. She enjoys teaching students of any skill level or ability.

Angela Ross

Angie has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. She came to the practice for physical pain relief from sitting long hours and found it especially helpful for stress management. Since 2011 she’s been practicing yoga at Schoolhouse and has benefited from the diverse styles taught here. Her style is eclectic, pulling from many teachers over her years of practice. Angie encourages her students to explore their own journey and find their own practice.

Christine Meng

Christine (230-hour RYT) was introduced to yoga when she was a graduate student in New York City. She has been practicing ever since and decided to become a yoga teacher in 2017. With a background in dance, Christine was initially drawn to the physical aspect of the asanas; however, what keeps bringing her back to the mat is the mental benefits of yoga. Christine believes that everyone who practices yoga has a unique yoga story. The role of the teacher is to help yogis write their stories in their own ways, gaining understanding of themselves, and finding balance in their lives. She is a mother of two beautiful daughters, who inspired her to bring yoga to new moms and children of all ages.

Jamie DeMarco

Jamie DeMarco began practicing yoga in 2007. A former gymnast, she was initially drawn to this practice because of its union of strength, flexibility, and balance. Over the years her love and appreciation of yoga has grown exponentially, with deeper knowledge of not just the physical, but also the mental benefits. Jamie received her Level 1 teacher training through Amazing Yoga in 2014. She then sought out Schoolhouse Yoga in 2015 to receive her 200 hour teacher training. Jamie received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 2005. She brings a strong anatomical focus to the practice and is knowledgable in modifications for those students suffering injuries. She is currently pursuing her Professional Yoga Therapist certification. Jamie resides in Wexford with her husband and two children.

Jennifer Tober

Jennifer Tober received her training through Joanne Vandenhengel/3rd Street Yoga/Schoolhouse Yoga. Jennifer has practiced yoga since 1999, and teaches many forms including Vinyasa Flow, Hatha, Pre-Natal, Mommy and Me, and Meditation. She infuses her teaching with creativity, a quest for beautiful movement, and and inspiration for each student to explore and develop her/his own spiritual and physical practice. Off the mat, Jennifer is a professional actress and the artistic director of Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks. She is a mom of two amazing children, with whom she enjoys many creative and academic endeavors.

Jessica Duffell

My name is Jess, and I've been practicing yoga for about 13 years. When I first found yoga, I treated it as just a workout. I wanted to get into those advanced poses just to say that I could. I would work too hard at it and I stretched too far. Over the years, I've realized that yoga is so much more than keeping our bodies strong and flexible. It's about moving with intention and moving with the breath; being aware of what are bodies are doing and how they're responding; and taking a quiet few minutes or few hours to put the world into perspective.

Joni Staaf Stamford

Joni Staaf Stamford is a passionate teacher and student of yoga and mindfulness. She earned the advanced yoga and meditation teaching designation of ERYT-500 from Kripalu, plus she is a licensed professional counselor and studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as well. For 20 years, she has shared insights on mental, emotional and physical wellness to individuals, corporate populations, cancer patients, caregivers, therapists, educators, and students of her training programs. Joni’s Plugged into Mindfulness professional development program has been adapted for school districts, counselors, first responders, and medical professionals. She is a member of the Vistage Speaker’s Bureau, an Amazon best-selling-author of Heart of All Life, a book of poetry, as well as a proud mother of two sons. Joni can be reached via her website, www.insightwithjoni.com.

Laura Kustaborder

Laura Kustaborder (she/her) found yoga in college but really began to deepen her practice when she discovered how it could benefit her physical and mental well-being. She is a forever student who completed her 200 hour teacher training at Schoolhouse Yoga immediately followed by Meditation and Mindfulness teacher training through Insight with Joni. She has over 20 years of experience as a physician assistant and brings to her teaching a passion for anatomy, neuroscience and breath-linked movement. Laura believes yoga is much more than a physical practice and teaches in a way that honors the roots of yoga. You can expect slower paced, accessible classes that incorporate a connection between breath and movement and explore a creative, playful use of props. Laura is passionate about how the body works and how these practices can positively impact our nervous system so that we can better navigate the challenges of life. You can also find Laura rock and ice climbing, cycling or having fun with her dogs Sydney and Franklin. Learn more about Laura at her website www.approachableasana.com.

Laurie Held-Ireland

Laurie has a strong background in gymnastics and has competed in triathlons. In 2003, she discovered Schoolhouse Yoga and became inspired to study yoga. She has studied with Manju Jois, Angelique Sneeden, Tim Miller, and Doug Swenson. Laurie completed teacher trainings in Ashtanga yoga with both David Swenson and Tim Miller.

Leslie Wright

Leslie Wright (E-RYT 500) creates stimulating classes that are fun and full of joy. She teaches her students to develop awareness of the structures of their physical bodies through movement, breath, and touch. Students undertake familiar poses as a way of exploring and assessing the state of their tissues. During class, students practice thoughtful exercises which are intended not only to improve their experience of the poses, but also their experience of living in their bodies altogether. Leslie’s investigations will often be supported by a practice of self-massage using Yoga Tune Up balls. Teachers of particular inspiration have been Judith Lasater (Relax and Renew); Susi Hately and Doug Keller, who are clear, good-humored teachers of anatomy; Tom Meyers and Jill Miller, who are reverent lovers of fascia; and all of the faculty at the Himalayan Institute.

Leta Koontz

Leta Koontz, E-RYT and founder of Schoolhouse Yoga, has been studying yoga since 1998. Leta trained at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India, and has completed her 200 hour certification with the Himalayan Institute and her 500 hour training with Lori Brungard. www.leta.guru

Lexi Oplinger

Bio coming soon!

Natassia Dickey

Natassia Dickey is a wellness ambassador and a holistic therapist (licensed professional counselor). Her yoga teacher training includes 200 hour certification from Schoolhouse Yoga and 300 hour advanced Spiritual Warrior training from Yoga Farm Ithaca, which incorporated intensive Kundalini Yoga, Ayurveda, Enneagram, and Moon Archetypes teachings. Natassia sees herself as an eternal student and feels deep appreciation for the opportunity to spread her love of and healing from the yogic lifestyle by helping others connect to it. She strives to create a safe and sacred space for each student to connect with themselves and their own unique path, while deepening their practice. Her hope is that with each session a student will leave with increased knowledge of yoga, Ayurveda, and/or self as well as an experience that they resonate with.

Rebecca Gilmore

Becky completed her RYT200 training in 2015 at Yoga on the Square in Pittsburgh, and her Aerial Yoga teacher training in 2017 in Chicago. Her trainings were focused on powerful slow flow with attention to alignment, somatics and anatomy. She has moved and taught in multiple states while obtaining her master’s degree in occupational therapy. Becky loves exploring holistic health through these two fields, with all the variations and similarities (although with different language) on how we find holistic wellness through movement and the mind-body connection.

Richard Gartner

Since 2005, Richard Gartner has been fostering a non-dogmatic and compassionate attitude about students’ abilities and circumstances in Pittsburgh and beyond. Richard’s style is paradoxically both unique and universal. His instructions allow for any student to approach the practice, embracing all levels of experience and ability. This allows for yogis to explore their own unique structure and make every practice their own. His teachings fuse traditional posture and breathwork with contemporary anatomy and bodywork. He draws from many forms of yoga, fascial release, mindfulness techniques, and common sense.

Rose Silfani

After several years of practicing yoga, Rose decided to follow her passion and become a yoga instructor. She enjoys sharing the uplifting energy of yoga while leading classes and workshops. She holds a CPR certification and is a 200 hour RYT with Yoga Alliance. One of her favorite poses is balancing half-moon – Ardha Chandrasana. It feels open, expansive and truly uplifting. Her hope is that her classes promote the mantra, “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu,” meaning “may all beings everywhere be happy and free.” When is she off the mat, she enjoys supporting local farmers markets, cooking, long walks in nature and traveling when the opportunity arises.

Shikha Pasrija

Yoga, for me, is not just limited to the aspect of physical practice. It is an extraordinary experience and freedom that is gained by observing, understanding, and controlling the modulations of the mind. It is the blossoming of one into a whole being through physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual growth. My classes generally comprise of gentle mindful and therapeutic Tao-Yin (yoga and qigong fusion) movements with focus on energy flow, yogic breathing through pranayama, chanting, meditation, and yogic wisdom to help raise self-enquiry, self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-care. You can expect philosophy from ancient scriptures to be weaved into the class. The classes are simple, casual, inclusive, and accessible to all. In addition to yoga, Shikha is a Reiki Master, Qigong instructor, Medical Qigong practitioner, and an Ayurveda enthusiast, who is dedicated to holistic living and healing practices. She is currently pursuing a yoga therapy research program with a focus on mental health, chronic pain, stress, and anxiety. Shikha is deeply passionate about giving back to her community and regularly volunteers her time and expertise with various non-profit organizations. She warmly invite you to join her on this transformative journey towards holistic well-being and inner peace.