Meet the This Is Yoga NJ Team
Amanda Truppo
I am a young enthusiastic yoga teacher who has found teaching & sharing yoga with others to be my true passion in life! After completing my 200RYT, at The Center for Health & Healing, Jennie & I were eager to start sharing yoga with everyone. That’s when we started our pop-up yoga business, This Is Yoga NJ, allowing us to bring yoga to unconventional places where we could share yoga with those who may not have tried yoga in the first place. When presented the opportunity to open a permanent yoga home in Seaside Park there was no way we could say no.
Using intention, pranayama, asana & meditation practices throughout my classes, my goal is to always have my students leaving class feeling better than when they came in. Not to mention I love to make my class flowy & feel good! I love sharing what I know about yoga with my students of all ages & walks of life, yoga has the magic to bring everyone together!
Jennie Madama
I first found yoga when I was looking to enhance and expand my fitness routine. I was hooked after my first class. I always left my yoga mat feeling reassured, empowered and better prepared to handle life's obstacles. Yoga has changed my life and continues to teach me about myself every day. I hope to extend that experience to others. After completing yoga teacher training, Amanda and I started brainstorming about locations where we could bring a yoga experience to others outside of yoga studios. We started with pop up events at local, fun venues. One day, we reached out to Ocean Organics and joined forces with Jason and Lisa Wacha. That meeting concluded with a pop up partnership and a home base yoga studio dream in the making. We continue to strive to introduce yoga to those who think they “can’t do it” or “yoga isn’t for them” and make yoga accessible to everyone!
I am an energetic, fun-loving RYT 200 (Center for Health & Healing) certified yogi! I like to infuse humor and personality into my teaching. My goal is to combine creative sequencing, lightheartedness and inspiration into each class. I believe that yoga is for everyone. I want my students to have a feeling of acceptance and beyond.
Amy Solo
‘I teach. I write. I flow.’ —Amy Solo
Amy Solo is a Yoga Teacher and Breath Coach for studios and online classes coast to coast. She has been teaching yoga since she was 19, has practiced all styles and variations of yoga throughout her travels, and has trained with Bobbie Ellis in New Brunswick, Molly Lannon Kenney in Seattle and Lucas Rockwood in Barcelona—900+ hours of training. Her specialties include- Yoga for Educators and Students, Yoga for Dancers, Kids Grit Series, Trapeze Yoga, Yoga for Balance, Beach Flow, Teaching Teachers and Yoga for Athletes. Every class is always a practice of strength, flexibility and balance. Amy skillfully teaches the students in front of her, meeting students where they are in their yoga journey.
Belle Burns
Belle Burns is a 200 hour yoga instructor and certified Pilates instructor. She has a deep personal study in metaphysics that she shares in workshops such as crystals, astrology, tarot, manifestation, magick, and sound healing. She offers Astrology Natal Chart Readings, Tarot and Oracle card readings, and Crystal Bowl Sound Baths. Being a library employee as her day job, she is always learning and loves to share that knowledge in a community setting. She is an advocate for sticking to the roots of yoga and incorporating its’ rich history and philosophy into class. She believes yoga is for every body of every walk of life, and that this practice would benefit anybody. When not working or teaching yoga, you can catch her out enjoying nature, thrifting, and being a student of life!
Brittany Sanzone
Brittany Sanzone is a certified 200-hour yoga teacher whose journey with yoga revealed her true passion and purpose in life. Through yoga, she discovered a path to healing and self-discovery. As a Reiki practitioner, Brittany has found her niche in helping others heal, using the same practices that profoundly transformed her own life.
Cathy Edenfield Brown
A retired middle school teacher, I am a mom to 2 Amazing boys… Well, men,....
I have been in the fitness industry since Jane Fonda and have found a regular yoga practice in the past few years. For me, it brings peace to the mind, a smile to the heart, less stress and more strength to the body. I have 500 hours of teacher training in yoga and will continue to be a student first. I totally enjoy leading everyone in their practice, hoping to bring more positive attitude, and inspirational message to everyone each day, with each class, to help each person find themselves physically, spiritually, and mentally, creating only a better world for everyone.
Namaste
Danny Fuggi
Danny is a passionate and dedicated yoga teacher with a profound commitment to holistic well-being. With a comprehensive 500-hour certification, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide students on their transformative yoga journey. He is on a mission to inspire and uplift individuals through the transformative power of yoga.
His teaching philosophy revolves around the fusion of mindfulness, breath awareness, and movement. He caters his classes to fit diverse needs, offering practices that range from invigorating flows to restorative sessions. His focus areas include stress reduction, flexibility/strength enhancement, and promoting a harmonious lifestyle.
Deborah Solazzo
Deborah is a mother of two beautiful boys and owner of Shore and More a beach and gift shop in Seaside Park. Her relationship with yoga began 20 years ago as a way to help release tight muscles from competitive swimming and running. She quickly discovered yoga not only released physical tightness but gave her deep mental and emotional peace.
Deborah was blessed to study with Sudha and Ed Allitt at Kula Kamala yoga and received her 200-hour certification there in 2012. She received her 30-hour Prenatal yoga certification from Kripalu and used the wisdom of yoga in both her pregnancies, labors and post postpartum. She has a BA in Health Promotion and additional certifications in Personal Training and Group Fitness. Deborah has over 15 years of experience in the health and wellness field. She strives to bring her knowledge of healing foods, movement and mindset to those she meets. Her classes challenge you to leave behind a limiting belief mindset through fun filled yoga flows with lots of love, play and joy sprinkled in.
Diana Fiore
Diana Fiore lives at the Jersey Shore. She grew up with the love of the sun on her face and the sand between her toes.
Diana is an Esthitican and a proud mom of three amazing children.
Her passion has always been yoga and has been practicing yoga for 20 years. Diana is a certified RYT200 and registered with Yoga alliance. She has a strong practice But her heart is all in to help others learn the fundamental foundations of yoga, Combining a gentle flow with dancer like movements . Fitness and weight training have always been a very big part of her life and knows the importance of constantly staying active .
This year she was given her spiritual name “Mohini” And truly believes in the importance of bringing the spiritual aspects of the practices into her classes.
Diana is excited for all the new adventures Yoga has to offer and is looking forward to sharing it with all.
Donna Pollin
Donna is a Hatha trained yoga instructor certified by Yoga Alliance. Donna is also a Reiki practitioner certified at the master level. She is a graduate of Rutgers University with a B.S. in Chemistry & Nutrition. Donna firmly believes that an understanding of science enhances the belief that life is truly a miracle! She has attended many workshops & trainings on yoga, spiritual practice & meditation. Her path includes seminars with Jon Kabet-Zin, Carolyn Myss, Don Miguel Ruiz, Brian Weiss to name a few. Donna has been practicing Reiki for the over 20 years and incorporates this in her yoga practice. Donna teaches her classes with a spirit of light heartedness in a fun relaxed atmosphere. The goal of all her classes is to share the sense of peace & calm she has gained though her practice of yoga, Reiki & meditation.
Heather Ell
Heather Ell RYT-200 was drawn to yoga 12 years ago, when she was subconsciously embarking upon a path of recovery from addiction, disordered eating, and anxiety and depression. After her first yoga class, she was able to get out of her own head enough to witness a subtle energy shift… a spiritual presence, a spark of inner strength, a space of inclusion, safety, and connection…. Little by little a transformation began to happen. She studied yogic texts, dove into mantras, and learned to harness and direct her energy and life in a healthy way through movement, sound, prayer, and breath. She learned to love herself.
Heather weaves an intention of self-exploration, love, compassion, strength and acceptance into her classes whether she is teaching beginner or advanced classes. She meets each student where they are regardless of experience so they can experience a lovely and safe yoga journey to themselves.
She uses various spiritual tools to facilitate deepening the practice and enhance the student’s experience. “Bring the body, the mind will follow, and the heart will expand.”
Jessica Mandela
Jessica embarked on her yoga journey in 2015 and was captivated from the start. As an RYT-200 certified instructor and Body Image Coach, she blends her dynamic gym background with the empowering principles of Baron Baptiste’s Journey into Power. Living with anxiety throughout her life, Jessica has found solace in the spiritual and mindfulness aspects of yoga, which help her embrace a serene, quieter side. Her yoga style is as vibrant and spirited as she is—creative, spicy, and centering. She celebrates the uniqueness of every body and honors this diversity by infusing her classes with extra inspiration and a deep sense of inclusivity.
Kat Franczak
Kat is a student, teacher and lover of yoga with 200+ hours of training. In both personal practice and in classes, she tries to cultivate habits of self-love, mind-body awareness, and gratitude for the ways our bodies as vehicles carry us faithfully through each and everyday A part- time photographer, Kat has learned to experience and delight in the often-overlooked simple pleasures of life, encouraging others to allow the even the smallest, or seemingly ordinary of miracles to enchant and fascinate them. A free and open mind, Kat teaches yoga with the heartfelt hope to brighten her student’s day however slightly, and spread love and mindfulness as far as it can reach.
Kate Pape
Kate found her connection to yoga when she was a dance major in college. Since then, Kate became immersed with the relationship that yoga brought to the mind, body, spirit and most importantly, self love. She wanted to share the beautiful gift of yoga and received her 200 RYT certification in 2019. Kate believes that yoga is more than just asana postures. Yoga helps you accept and become aware of your body while experiencing a spiritual journey. Yoga changed Kate’s life and she is looking to do the same for her students. Kate loves teaching Gentle/Beginner,Hip, Slow Flow, Moderate and Vinyasa.
When Kate is not on the mat, you can find her reading, traveling, cooking, hanging out with her dog and husband or relaxing on the beach.
“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” - Thích Nhất Hạnh
Kim McGowen
Kim is a summer Seaside Park yogi! Splitting her time between the jersey shore, long valley and lake placid NY. Kim fell in love with yoga in 2013 and it became her true passion. In 2019 she enrolled in a 200 hour training program in NJ. Currently she is in the process of completing her 500 hour certification! Along the way she developed a strong liking to Pilates as well and her studio in NJ urged her to begin training and learning. She is now a Pilates instructor as well. She has created unique classes offering yoga with weights and a Pilates/Barre Blend. She has been teaching senior citizen chair yoga for the past few years as well as restorative yoga which is so beneficial for all athletes to help recover from their hard work. Kim enjoys skiing, running, hiking, biking, kayaking and SUP. Basically, anything to keep her moving. Peloton enthusiast and avid strength training too!
Krysta Berkowitz
I'm Krysta! My Yoga journey began in 2010. The gym never quite fulfilled me so I decided to give yoga a try one day from home via you-tube and have been hooked ever since. Most of my "teachers" have been online instructors (RIP Leslie Fightmaster). Yoga has brought a peace to my "monkey brain" and has taught me how to breathe. One of the most beautiful discoveries for me is the ability to find the zen that I feel on my mat while OFF my mat. The decision to obtain my RYT 200 hr certification via the Yoga & Ayurveda Center (Yoga Alliance registered) was to learn as much as I can about this practice we all love. I am a never-ending student and looking forward to sharing my hatha practice with you.
As a nurse for > 15 years and current nurse practitioner, I recognize the importance of self care/self love and hope this translates during our time together.
Sarah Cetta
After years of traditional exercise I found my self in a yoga class. I was drawn to the compassionate and non competitive nature of the class. I continued going to classes and found that I really looked forward to this time to disconnect from the outside world and connect to myself through breath and body. Once a week practice turned into a couple times a week plus some. Finding yoga has been life changing. Something that started for me as a physical practice transformed into a spiritual journey. I have learned the true meaning of self care and I’m discovering my true self.
I decided to take my 200 RYT as means to deepen my practice and to share the gift of yoga with others. As a yoga instructor I believe it doesn’t matter what the question is, yoga is the answer. In our world today we are constantly over stressed and in need of healing. I want to share the gift of yoga and make it relatable to anyone.
Tori DiTaranto
Tori has been an artist and Art lover for as long as she can remember. Art, and all its forms, has the uncanny ability to move people. Ironically, for nearly 2 decades she has been moving Art. Quite literally: She manages the handling & shipping of fine artwork from Picassos to Warhols to Monets and more! She moves Art, but Art also moves her. She believes Art awakens something deep inside us that connects us with our innermost truth.
She was drawn to Yoga for its stress-reducing ability and because of its similarities with Art. It, too, has the uncanny ability to move people. Whether you are the one practicing, creating, or observing – it’s a personal & unique experience every time. You might come back to the same pose (or the same painting) on a different day and have a completely different experience. Yoga, like a form of Art, unites the mind, body and soul.
TTori dove deeper into her yoga practice, became a 200-hr RYT, and then a certified Barre Teacher, learning in the traditional Lotte Berk method. She continues to expand her knowledge in both areas, and enjoys incorporating a little art-talk into her classes.
When she's not practicing yoga or shipping art, you can find her running along the beach, walking her pup Barkley, or loving all things from her alma mater, Penn State.