Gayle Stefanelli has been an exercise enthusiast for most of her life. She has been studying exercise science for many years. She had taught floor work, aerobics, and weight lifting to women in her town for many years while her children were young. She attended her first yoga class 9 years ago at a local gym, and has been a dedicated yogi since. She received her teacher training from Ruth Anne Lundeburg and Josh Schumer at Mama Nirvana's New Yoga (March 2004). She was hired to teach at their new studio in Amherst immediately after her training. She taught there for three years, along with at other studios in the Pioneer valley, and now has decided to open a studio in her own community. Gayle also taught at Now and Zen Yoga in Indian Orchard, Wood Wellness Center in Florence, and Holyoke Catholic, and taught yoga to 7th and 8th grade students through a grant program in the public school system.

Gayle is also a certified yoga therapist—trained and certified in adapting yoga for people with life threatening illnesses. She studied with the renowned Nischala Joy Devi at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in Paradise Island, Bahamas (March 2006). Nischala showed her how to bring out the compassionate side in her teachings (Yoga of the Heart). Recently, Gayle completed an advanced teacher training with Eric Schiffman in Venice CA (August 2007). She studied Moving into Stillness, which teaches 'breath with movement', as well as recognizing the stillness within the body as we get deeper into our practice. Eric taught her to bring out the creative side in her teaching which has made a huge difference in her latest approach to teaching Gayle is a Pilates instructor as well (Pilates Institute of America, Andover MA, February, 2005).

Over the years, Gayle has enjoyed a variety of yoga styles, mainly Iyengar (hatha) but has also added Vinyasa, Jivamukti, and Viniyoga. She has carefully woven them all into a style of her

Gayle believes that anyone, regardless of their mental, physical or spiritual state can benefit from yoga on and off the mat. She is looking forward to teaching her restorative and senior classes in her new space, as well as encouraging young adults to reap the benefits of yoga and Pilates.

"It is clear that yoga brings balance, strength and flexibility to all parts of one's life. Enjoy!"