Staff and Teachers

Anuttara Yoga Shala
620 S.E. 10th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
954-322-YOGA

Staff and Teachers

Meet our Staff and Yoga Teachers:

Philip Christodoulou is a Yogi and an environmental artist with a background in the Arts, Philology and Law. He is co-founder of the Anuttara Yoga Shala. Philip is certified with Yoga Alliance as an ERYT 500 (experienced registered yoga teacher with 500 hours). His study and understanding of Yoga is extensive with valuable, long term experience as a Senior Teacher of Yoga as well as Yoga Teacher Training. A Jnana Yogi, he is committed to reconciling the core teachings and intentions of this ancient science with a modern practice. The Anuttara Yoga method is unique in its expression, based on Raja Yoga Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga Tantra. It is very challenging physically and intellectually. Students will however find it liberating and life-transforming. Yogi Philip welcomes everyone home to the Anuttara Yoga Shala.

Don is co-founder and managing partner of the Antuttara Yoga Shala. He has a BS in Construction Engineering and is a State of Florida Licensed General Contractor with over 25 years experience in the engineering, environmental consulting and construction fields. As a relatively new yoga practitioner he found many other intrinsic values to practicing yoga besides just the challenging physical aspects. No more lingering back and neck aches from being hunched over the computer all day. Yoga provides better and sounder sleep patterns, digestive benefits and the all-around key to keeping peace and balance in his life. He invites new and experienced practitioners to become a part of the Anuttara Yoga Shala and fellowship in our community. It is sure to benefit all that come in their own special way.

Christine Lewis-The most important work we will do in this life is the work we do to improve ourselves, and so much of the work to change the body and mind from within starts on the yoga mat. As in life, balance in our yoga practice is much more about mental focus and awareness of the present moment than it is about physically muscling our way through the pose or the circumstance presented to us. The Anuttara Yoga philosophy is perfectly designed to achieve this balance between the physically rigorous practice of the yoga asanas with a mental work-in that purifies and rejuvenates the spirit.

Although my educational background is concentrated in Geology, I consider my Self to be a student of the universe. I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale and returned in 2003 after living in different regions of the country while in school and traveling the world working on various Geological research projects. Yoga became an integral component of my spiritual awakening from the moment I took my first class in 2002. The physical and mental strength I have developed as a yoga student inspires me to share the gift of yoga with the world as a teacher. I believe that it is vitally important to find joy and beauty in every moment and harness the power of my purpose by propagating positive energy through every interaction with the people around me and with the Earth that sustains my physical being, and I bring this philosophy into my yoga practice both as a student and a teacher.

As with everything in this life, my yoga practice is constantly evolving and I make a conscious effort to explore all styles and expressions of yoga to build and expand my practice every time I step onto the mat. I tailor every yoga session to address all imbalances and discomfort in the body to relieve pain, tension, and anxiety to rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit. I encourage everyone to be conscious of the power of their own presence as we use the practice of yoga to remove external distractions to focus on opening our hearts and minds to receive joy, peace, and blessings with every breath on and off the yoga mat.

~Invest in the Evolution of your Soul~

Christine J. Lewis,

President, Soul FoundNation, Inc.

Laurie Amacker has been a serious student of yoga for more than a decade, and a corporate jet pilot in South Florida for 8 years. She took her first yoga class - and her first flying lesson - in 1994, and her travels as a pilot have offered the opportunity to take classes and workshops in many different schools, in cities and countries around the world. But it is here at Anuttara Yoga Shala she has found a true home.

Laurie decided to take her practice to the next level by completing Anuttara Yoga Teacher Training in February of 2011. She now teaches here at the Shala, and in her classes you will experience both a challenging physical practice and a peaceful, meditative energy. As you move through the asanas, Laurie offers individualized options for expression to help you work safely and effectively, allowing you to trust your body, and to reconnect with the inner truth we all possess deep inside. She believes that with yoga we can all take flight, find liberation, and reach our true potential.

Jessica is a passionate yogi, teacher, Vedic Thai-Yoga Bodywork practitioner, and 2 of the 8 teachers for the Vedic Conservatory of vedic style Thai-Yoga Bodywork under the lineage of "Mukti" Michael Buck. She is also a certified Reiki practitioner, mantra/kirtan singer/artist, and lover of life! Jessica had influences of meditation and inquiry into Self since childhood, as she remembers meditating with her father some mornings at the early age of 3. She also found herself naturally doing different meditation & yoga practices as a young girl that she was unfamiliar with at the time. Jessica finally found her answers at the age of 21 when she was "re-introduced" to yoga. Now a dedicated teacher at 26, she continues to learn, practice, and study the sacred science & different healing arts and modalities. She teaches that our yoga is in EVERY moment, not just in the hour and a half we dedicate to the mat. She believes a yoga practice is as unique to each individual as is our lives, encouraging and supporting each student to have and create their own. She pays close attention to breath and alignment, and encourages self exploration & expression. She brings a variety of styles & disciplines into her teaching; Using a vinyasa base (flowing movement married with breath,) and includes "yin" (surrender & presence in opening postures) pranayama (controlled breathing practices) and kriya (as related to physical "cleansing" techniques.) Her teaching influences come from Ashtanga, Kripalu, and Siddha yoga paths, as well as her own personal experience & discovery of the practice. Jessica has a passion for music and has been singing and performing since she was 5. It was only natural after discovering sound healing and mantra, for her to incorporate the healing vibrations of mantra into her singing, and playing various instruments, including her harmonium, for her yoga classes and various events. She holds regular workshops and Vedic thai-yoga trainings with her beloved & partner in their company JAI Healing Arts.

"Through healing ourselves, we heal the world" -Jai

~Peace & Light~

Jessica

Aaron Erickson sees life in an inspired light. He shares his spirit and vision with students and is passionate about the healing arts. "Aaronanda" is a vedic shaman and has a full time healing and teaching practice. He believes we are here for two main reasons 1. To enjoy the human experience and 2. To Contribute in manifesting Heaven on Earth through love and service. "Aaronanda" teaches a fusion style of Hatha-Vinyasa yoga and Chi Kung. His approach is dynamic and incorporates body, breath, mind, nature, and spirit as a way to relieve physical, emotional, and mental suffering and to connect with nature, humanity, and God. Aaronanda was initiated into the Siddha Yoga lineage 9 years ago and has studied many disciplines and philosophies since. Everything he teaches he has self tested which allows him to accurately guide students on their path to self realization.

Peace, Love, and Health to all! Jai!

Maxine Scherr has been teaching yoga in our community for over 10 years. She has been trained under Jimmy Barkan in both Hot Yoga and Vinyasa, levels I, II and III. She is certified with Yoga Alliance.

Maxine’s class helps to bring vital balance and restore all systems of the body to optimal health. Consistent practice of this type of yoga will create a physical, mental and spiritual harmony that will be felt in all areas of the student’s life. Maxine’s intention as teacher is to guide her students to strengthen their bodies, calm their minds and open themselves up to a transformational experience!

Maxine is so pleased to share her passion for yoga with the students of Anuttara Yoga Shala!

Elisa Buller has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. She has traveled extensively and attended classes all over the world from the UK, to Egypt, Thailand, Costa Rica, and the Cayman Islands. Elisa finally settled in South Florida where she chose her teacher as Philip to help her learn more about the philosophy of yoga. She completed the first teacher-training program that Anuttara offered in April 2010. After slowly distancing herself from her stressful job as First Officer on a large luxury yacht, Elisa now teaches yoga. Yachting allowed Elisa to lead an exciting way of life traveling and serving some of the wealthiest people that inhabit the planet. But seeing how excessive material wants and desires do not lead to happiness, she now enjoys a less hectic life now surrounded by friends and family. In a world that is sometimes difficult to understand, she finds that yoga brings understanding, peace and happiness into her life. As an honors student with a degree in Biology, Elisa has always been fascinated by all kinds of wildlife and nature. Her other passion is to capture images of nature through the lens. She photographs and films both on land and underwater and loves all the beauty that surrounds us in nature.

Jessica Chinfong has been practicing yoga for 7 years. Jessica found yoga while looking for a way to manage the daily stresses associated with work and life. It wasn't love at first sight, but she eventually fell in love, when she realized than yoga was more than just a workout. Jessica believes that yoga is a graceful dance of the body, mind and spirit. She feels that this dance, allows people to relax, unplug and reconnect with their bodies. Since then, she's made yoga part of her every day life, and by teaching, she hopes to inspire people to make little changes in their personal lives, and hopefully change the world one person at a time.

Michele Anello ended up in her first yoga class after receiving sports related injuries. Sense her teens she has always been into running, biking, and weight lifting. Michele found yoga gave her that same “high” that she found in other sports, only with yoga, something more.......spirituality. She immediately fell in love with yoga then became certified 200 plus hours, levels 1 & 2 with Anuttara Yoga teacher training and 200 plus hours, levels 1, 2 & 3 with The Barkan Method. Michele's two passions are yoga and animals. She is an animal activist, cat lover, has a background in nutrition and belly dancing. Michele's teacher (guru) bestowed upon her the name Karuna Putri which translates to daughter of compassion. Which she does live up to in her classes and in all of life.

Nicholas Matthews was born in London, and has spent most of his life traveling while working as a scuba instructor, photographer, and entrepreneur before settling in South Florida. He has studied extensively with Jimmy Barkan and was certified as a Level I and Level II Hatha/Classical yoga teacher under the guidance of Phillip at Anuttara Yoga Shala. (300 RYT) Nick is drawn to the physical benefits of yoga as well as the understanding of the science of the mind that is derived from yogic philosophy. Nick’s focus is on helping students to master the stillness of the mind that comes with regular practice, in order to bring conscious awareness to the path of the ego, so that decisions are based on a clear mind and the illusion of a separate Self is dissolved.

Michelle has a Bachelor's degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing from the University of Redlands in California. It was here that she was first introduced to yoga. She began a serious practice 7 years ago and graduated from the Anuttara 200 hour teacher training in July 2011 and the Level 2 Raja training in February 2012. In addition she has training in Restorative and Yin Yoga. She enjoys to continually expand her knowledge and practice. She is also a Reiki Master and and Integrated Energy Therapy practitioner. She believes in incorporating different modalities to heal the body, mind, and spirit. Originally from NH, she loves the outdoors and also does nature photography. Her students say she has a very gentle and calming presence. She is passionate about yoga and the benefits each person can gain from practicing. Yoga has been an integral part of her own healing journey.

Nellie has been practicing yoga for 10 years. Throughout her career as Accounting Manager at New York law firms, she would start the morning off doing a Baron Baptiste flow while meditating upon whichever intentions she wanted to have manifest and gradually saw the universe comply as her wishes unfolded. A daily yoga practice gave her calm, balance, and peace of mind while working long hours in a high stress, fast-paced environment.

Yoga and a vegetarian/vegan diet is her cure for all natural approach for a healthy mind and body in order to avoid medical costs and use of prescription medications. She has served her community through over 400 hours of hospital volunteer work and has gained recognition for her healing, nurturing, and compassion in rewards of honor at the Waldorf Astoria and full page article bios in The Daily News and New York Post.

Her life purpose is to inspire and empower through a positive outlook and sharing the truth that using the unlimited power of your mind, you can achieve, have, and go anywhere to your hearts content.

~ The universe conspires to fulfill your greatest good~ Nellie

Carole is a Yoga Alliance ERYT 200 Barkan Method, ERYT 200 Anuttara Yoga Level 1 (Hatha and Vinyasa)and ERYT 100 Anuttara Level 2 (Raja Yoga) Teacher.

“My journey into yoga started in 2001. My inspiring teacher James Morrison sparked the idea of following the teacher’s path and I was soon absorbed by the desire to learn and try various styles of Yoga to enrich my practice and my life. I studied Iyengar and the principles of alignment and breath with Lisa Walford, Ganga White and Tracey Rich Flow yoga for a graceful body in movement with breath, Jimmy Barkan Hot Yoga & Hot Vinyasa for the powerful healing that comes from a rigorous and disciplined practice and of course Anuttara Vinyasa Krama and philosophy with Philip Christodoulou. These are the foundations of my learning and teaching. Yoga teaches me every day to be grateful, graceful, to treat myself with love and respect and take everything I learn on the mat out into the world to share with all. Yoga is my vital breath.”

Carole teaches a class designed to create meditation in movement, allowing for the flow to release physical restrictions, move the emotions as well as strengthen the mind and body connection. Her passion lies in helping her students and fellow yoginis create the building blocks for a healthy body and life, mindfully and with compassion, or simply sharing vibrant positive energy.
As a Massage therapist, Skin Care Specialist and Yoga Teacher, Carole wishes to blend the need to take care of ourselves and our body holistically. Her Yoga practice has allowed her to find her SELF, her PEACE and be at her HEALTHIEST physical shape.

Juli teaches with a strong emphasis on anatomy, core strength and posture yet simultaneously connecting and embracing the soft side of yoga, Juli’s classes work the body mindfully, providing opportunities to enhance patience, concentration and equanimity while diminishing the negative qualities of judgment, struggle and disapproval. Ultimately, she believes yoga helps us come to know our Self so we can better understand others.

Classically trained & certified in Pilates since 2002, Juli found a deeper mind-body relationship in yoga and earned that certification in 2010 from Leslie Glickman (Vinyasa) and Philip Christodoulou (Anuttara). She is currently working towards her 500 hour Experience Registered Yoga Teacher certification

A self-professed life-long learner, Juli has a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology, with an emphasis in lifelong/adult learning. Above all, she is a teacher. Join her for an engaging class that will generate more awareness in your body and equanimity of the mind.

Call or email for more information

Anuttara Yoga
620 S.E. 10th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
(954) 322-YOGA (9642)
info@anuttarayoga.com

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