Teachers
Here is a list of our teachers:
JANET CARSCADDEN, PT - Yoga Therapeutics, Yoga for a Healthy Back, Yoga Nidra
Owner, Evolution Yoga
Janet Carscadden took her first Hatha yoga class in 1995. As a licensed physical therapist Janet found yoga to be useful in improving flexibility, strength and clarity of mind. Gradually over time she discovered the healing art of yoga therapy and stared integrating yoga practices into her patient treatment sessions.
In 2000 she attended her first Jivamukti class with Sofi Dillof. A whole new world of the eight limbed path of yoga was opened up to her. Janet traveled to Bali to complete a 200 hour certification in Vibrant Living Yoga Teacher Training that included instructors teaching Hatha Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Sivananda and Kundalini yoga. Her style of teaching has been influenced by instruction received from, Daniel Aaron, Govinda Kai, Chris Kummer, Patrick Oanacia, Judith Lasater, Swami Vagishananda Saraswati and Sky.
Janet’s classes include flowing vinyasa asana, music, chanting, pranayama and meditation all built around a central theme. Drawing on her expertise of the physical body, Janet offers her students detailed instruction in alignment and adjustments to bring their practice to a new level. She challenges students to remain focused on being in the here and now; meeting their practice where they are at that moment in time.
SUSAN CLINE LUCEY - Vinyasa, Pre/Post-Natal Yoga, Children's Classes
Evolution Yoga Studio Director
For Susan, yoga exists in a myriad of forms: sometimes it's a full practice on her yoga mat, other times it's a deep breath during a tough parenting moment. Yoga practice comes to play during the intensity of birth and months later, stretching and singing in baby yoga. In her teaching, Susan blends her experience as a certified yoga teacher, childbirth professional, modern dancer and mother to create a practice that is full of heart and joy.
Susan's love of teaching began in 1990 as a creative dance teacher to young children in her hometown of Lexington, Virginia. She continued her dance and teaching education as a student at Connecticut College, and later in New York City as a teaching artist in public school classrooms. Susan received her initial 200 hour yoga teacher certification in 2001 from Cyndi Lee at OM Yoga Center in Manhattan. Upon moving to Vermont in 2004, Susan immersed herself in prenatal/postnatal yoga teaching, which led her to receive an advanced certification in pregnancy yoga and childbirth education from Colette Crawford of the Seattle Holistic Center. In the past three years, Susan has developed a unique series of infant, toddler and children's yoga classes which spur from her knowledge of creative movement and utilize activities appropriate for each child's developmental stage. She is the mother of 3 1/2 year old Emmett and 4 month old Zinn.
ANDREA O’CONNOR - Anusara-Inspired, Yoga for Women 40+ Series
Andrea has practiced and taught yoga for six years. With a background of study in Bikram and Astanga, she now teaches Anusara-Inspired Yoga and pursues training with John Friend, Todd Norian and other senior Anusara teachers. Anusara-Inspired Yoga includes a simple and powerful set of physical alignment principles that you can use while doing any form of yoga or standing in the grocery line or sitting at your desk. And this practice includes a life-enhancing outlook and focus on life that you may find to be inspiringand fun! Choose a gentle or vigorous class.
Here are a few comments from students on classes with Andrea:
“Andrea is one of the best yoga teachers I’ve ever had. It’s so clear that she lives her practice. Her genuinely welcoming, open demeanor and careful attention to my particular needs felt healing.”
“Well, I have been to CA and back…am now living on Martha's vineyard...and still looking for a yoga teacher who was as great as you are.”
“You have been by far the most influential yoga teacher I have ever had.”
ANNETTE URBSCHAT - Children's Classes
Annette Urbschat has been working with children for 25 years, mostlyteaching creative movement and dance, while raising and homeschoolingher own three kids, now 21, 19 and 13. Her attachment-style parenting philosophy has led her to teaching parent-and-tot classes and to Evolution Yoga.
Her partner Danny Weiss was her first yoga teacher in 1999. Since then her yoga training has included studying with Libby Kellington (Kripalu, Flow and Hatha Yoga) and Piper Petri (Vinyasa Flow Yoga) as well as training at Kripalu Institute. She has been teaching adult yoga classes at the Shelburne Athletic Club since 2005.
ALICE NEILEY - Children's Classes, Family Yoga
Alice is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher with additional experience in children's theater, movement, and improvisation. Both on and off the mat, she continues to draw from her yogic studies with Emily Garrett, Sofi Dillof, Megha Buttenheim, and Jairaj Williams. Based on the concept, "How gentle can you be with yourself?" as well as the idea of simply cultivating joy through yoga, Alice's classes are open and accessible to all levels. More specifically, she offers creative sequences of traditional asana (posture flow) that allow students to decide the amount of challenge their individual bodies need, and hopefully draw them into a more connected relationship with their bodies and a deeper sense of relaxation. An artist at heart, Alice also can't help but include a bit of silliness, some poetry, and a song or two.
BILL O’CONNOR - Vinyasa
Bill O’Connor started practicing Astanga yoga in 2003. From the first class, he knew that yoga would be part of the rest of his life. He loves Vinyasa, Bikram Yoga and incorporates the principles of Anusara Yoga in his daily practice. When he started teaching in 2005, Bill developed a vigorous, eclectic Hatha style for his classes, drawing on his love for many types of yoga. With focus on breath strength and flexibility, each class is designed to bring you to a place of peace and relaxation that stays in the body and mind when you leave the studio. Bill calls it “the happy place”. When not teaching or practicing yoga, Bill sells and teaches about wines throughout Vermont.
CARRIE STEELE - Pre-Natal
Thanks to my wonderful mother, I discovered yoga as a teenager. Now
at 35, I feel great comfort in knowing I will always have yoga to help
me embrace the challenges and mysteries of life. In 2006 I traveled to
Thailand to do my first yoga teacher training.
Yoga for me is about returning again and again to the sweetness, pain and joy of being human in a thoughtful, supportive and grounded way. My classes emphasize breath, clear language and a pace that invites depth and deep relaxation. It is a delight for me to teach yoga.
In addition to teaching at Evolution, I offer yoga at schools for teachers and for the community through Burlington Parks and Rec. I have a Thai Yoga and Kripalu Bodywork practice in downtown Burlington.
HEATHER CRACOWER - Vinyasa
Heather’s yogic journey began 10 years ago following a back injury, when yoga was recommended as a way to manage her symptoms. Once introduced, it became a practice that has continued to evolve over the years. What began as an intervention to heal the body eventually became a way to also calm the mind and nurture acceptance for what we are capable of on any given day, both physically and mentally. As yoga began to spill off the mat and onto the pavement of everyday life, Heather decided to pursue teacher training. She recently completed a 200 hour certification at OM Yoga Center in Manhattan. Her style of practice is that of Vinyasa, emphasizing the dance of breath with transition and postures, while being mindful and precise with alignment. She strives to empower her students to enjoy the flow and grace that is inherent in movement within an environment that is grounded, accessible, and of course, fun. Heather is also a licensed physical therapist and certified Thai massage practitioner, at Evolution. Each of these separate paths has merged beautifully into complimentary disciplines.
JANE JARECKI - Kripalu
Jane began practicing yoga during college after a fateful journey to India. She has studied with Sri Dharma Mittra, Nancy Gilgoff, and Rusty Wells. Jane is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher who considers yoga to be one pathway to peaceful life. Jane sees yoga as a tool for preventing illness, cultivating self-awareness, compassion and love. Her class is a flowing and dynamic experience with emphasis on self-acceptance, relaxation, breath, alignment, and exploring one's edge. Jane is devoted to studying and sharing yoga as yoga has opened Jane to herself and the world.
JENNIFER HARRIS - Vinyasa
Jennifer Harris has a fresh, inspirational teaching style that blends the physical and spiritual aspects of the practice. Her classes are challenging and packed with fun. She encourages students to listen to their own bodies and create a practice which will result in self-acceptance and joy. Jennifer has been teaching yoga since 2002. Her teaching has evolved through life, intention and Ashtanga and Anusara teacher trainings. Jennifer is a massage therapist, a chemical engineer and a mother of two.
JULIE EPSTEIN - Vinyasa, Children's Classes
Julie received her training as an interdisciplinary yoga teacher at the Nosara Institute in Costa Rica. Continuing her journey in India, Julie lived at an ashram in Rishikesh, received teachings from the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, and began her inquiry of Ayurveda. Her meditation instruction draws on retreat experiences at PlumVillage with Thich Nhat Hanh and with Vipassana guide Mr. Goenka. An Anusara practitioner since 2004, Julie rejoices and takes refuge in her yoga practice. By teaching yoga she aims to support the evolution of each student.
LISA LIMOGE - Vinyasa
Lisa Limoge began practicing yoga intuitively as a teenager in Burlington, Vermont. She leads a passionate, dynamic and inspirational class in the methods of Kripalu and Kali Ray Tri Yoga. The blending of these styles offers concise application of alignment, fluid spinal wave-like motion with attention to the inner journey of meditation for connection to spirit and perfect health. Lisa is certified as a massage therapist and yoga teacher with 15 years experience. She has studied with many yoga masters in the USA and India.
For more information about Lisa, call 802-324-7074, or see www.homeyogapampering.com. You can reach Lisa via e-mail at lisalimoge@aol.com.
LYDIA HILL - Iyengar, Restorative
Lydia Hill is known for teaching in the classical Iyengar style, where focus on precision and alignment are predominant features of any class sequence. She attempts to soften the Iyengar reputation with her gentle humor and humility. Lydia began studying yoga in 1988 at the University of Pennsylania with Joan White, a senior Iyengar teacher. Since then, she has continued to study with Patricia Walden, Peentz Dubble and Janice Vien, as well as other renowned Iyengar teachers. She has completed two extensive Teacher Training courses and has received Iyengar certification. In addition to Evolution, she currently teaches in her home studio in Charlotte. Lydia lives in Charlotte with her family.
MARGARET DUNN-CARVER - Anusara-Inspired, Evolve Your Yoga Series
As a little girl, Margaret joyfully “played” yoga on the braided rug in her living room with her younger sister, Kate. Twenty years later, through the influence of Anusara Yoga, Margaret has witnessed a new spark of celebration in her yoga practice. In 2005, Margaret completed her 200 hour teacher training with Todd Norian and is a certified Anusara-Inspired yoga teacher. Weaving in elegant alignment principles and the heart centered philosophy of Anusara Yoga, she brings an intelligent enthusiasm to her classes and encourages self discovery in all her students. Check out her monthly blog musings at www.lilayogavt.com or email her at lila.yoga.class@gmail.com.
MARTHA WHITNEY - Kripalu, Restorative
Martha offers a mindful, inspiring and welcoming yoga environment that fosters an enhanced self-acceptance and embodied well-being. Her in-depth training in anatomy, movement and breath allows her to artfully guide postures that access body ease and aliveness. Martha compassionately meets her students where they are while encouraging them to stretch beyond what they have known and to experience more fully who they truly are. Students leave class feeling more comfortable, confident and resilient in themselves and in their lives.
Martha has been studying yoga and body-mind therapy since 1991. In addition to group and private yoga classes Martha is in private practice supporting life change through Hakomi, a body centered psychotherapy. Martha’s other great passion is long canoe trips in the open landscape of Labrador, where, as in yoga, she feels vastly alive.
MICHELLE SPRAGUE - Anusara-Inspired
Michelle Sprague has practiced yoga for 14 years, and teaching for two. She became a yoga instructor after discovering Anusara Yoga. Anusara Yoga has shown her beauty in the intricacies of the human body, and helped her experience the inherent goodness of the world. Her awe of and respect for the body and love of life make her a grounding and inspiring teacher.
MIRIAM LEFLER - Vinyasa
Miriam Lefler began practicing yoga in 1999. She has studied a broad range of styles including Iyengar, Ashtanga, Kripalu, Anusara and Vinyasa Flow. In 2003, Miriam was certified to teach by Jacqueline Heisel in Western Massachusetts. She is a certified practitioner of Thai Yoga Bodywork and massage therapy. Her own yoga practice continues to evolve as her knowledge of anatomy deepens. She strives to teach classes that are challenging and supportive – using yoga postures, breath awareness, meditation, and music to open the body, quiet the mind, and expand the heart.
PATRICK McANDREW - Kripalu
Patrick
McAndrew became a serious student of yoga at age 17 when he had an
oceanic experience learning Hamsa Sohum meditation from the dancer
Margaret Beals, a devotee of Swami Muktananda. In pursuit of deepening
that connection, he has practiced with many great teachers through-out
California, Vermont, and his native New York City. He is a graduate
of the Kripalu 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, the Institute for Integrative
Nutrition, and Goddard College.
REBECCA BOEDGES - Nia
Rebecca Boedges recently relocated from Boulder, Colorado where she attended Naropa University for Dance Movement Therapy. Dance has always been a part of her life and she appreciates the healing that movement can bring to all. She believes that movement heals and encourages health of the body, mind, and spirit. Flexibility in movement can translate to flexibility in mind and spirit.
Seven years ago, Rebecca walked into a Nia class for the first time, immediately hooked, she began practicing regularly. In Nia, she found a home in her body, a joy for the class which kept her coming back again and again. Knowing that she would be moving to Burlington, VT where the Nia community is still developing, Rebecca after many years of being a student attended a week long intensive training to become a certified White Belt Nia instructor.
Rebecca now attends the University of Vermont, continuing her education to become a mental health counselor and teaches Nia. During her free time she enjoys dancing, hiking, skiing, biking, and spending time with her husband.
SABRINA GIBSON - Middle School Yoga
I took my first yoga class in 1986 and thought it was strange and wonderful. I was drawn to it immediately. I practiced on and off throughout the years but it was during my pregnancy in 1999 when yoga really became a part of my life. Because of my practice, my two children were exposed to yoga at an early age. Watching them roll out their mats and practice their favorite poses together has inspired me to teach yoga to children. I completed the level one Radiant Child Yoga program teacher certification course at Kripalu Institute to help me prepare for this new venture. Children’s lives can be so busy. With breath awareness, age-appropriate postures, and simple meditations, we can help children slow down, focus and relax. I believe yoga for children should be fun and accessible. It should bring joy and calm and peace of mind. It should inspire children to believe in themselves, to be the best they can be. This is my intention with each class I teach.