Faith Scimecca
Faith is the owner and director of Woodley Park Yoga. She opened the studio in 2007 after receiving authorization from the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute now known as the Sharath Yoga Centre in Mysore, India. She first traveled to India in 2002 and returned annually, spending a total of 2 years learning directly from the founders of Ashtanga Yoga, Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Jois.
Elsie Scimecca
Elsie began practicing yoga over 15 years ago in Faith's classes and fell in love with Ashtanga yoga. When she met her daughter's teacher, Pattabhi Jois, and his daughter Saraswathi, at one of his New York City workshops, their loving encouragement to her as an older beginner with chronic running injuries and stiffness inspired her to do the same for others. Elsie has a special interest in teaching beginners, older students and runners.
Kate Belber
Kate started practicing yoga in 2000 to overcome stiffness from riding horses. She soon realized the many gifts that ashtanga has to offer. She was privileged to study with Pattabhi Jois when he traveled to New York in 2001, as well as attending David Swenson's teacher training in 2002. She continues to be grateful to ashtanga and to all the teachers who help her in her practice.
Diana Aram
Diana first encountered yoga in 2004. Although she could barely touch her toes that first day, something about the energetic movement with breath clicked with her and kept her coming back. She soon witnessed firsthand the power of the primary series to transform the body and mind. In addition to maintaining a daily practice, Diana continues to develop her understanding of Ashtanga Yoga by traveling to Mysore, India and assisting her teacher, Faith.
Donna Martin
Donna Martin, 500 hr-RYT, began her yoga practice over 18 years ago. Her teaching is rooted in her deep belief that each student comes to the mat as they are. She endeavors to support each student in their unique body, mind, and constitution through her extensive training in Yoga Therapy, Ashtanga Yoga, anatomy, kinesiology and exercise science. Donna is available for private therapeutic sessions by appointment. Email info@woodleyparkyoga.com to schedule.
Gail Harris
Gail has been teaching yoga for over 30 years. She began her practice in 1974. In 1978 she went to Canada and became certified as a Sivananda Yoga instructor. Gail has always had a vigorous teaching style and found herself drawn to Ashtanga in 1994. After taking a number of workshops with nationally recognized teachers such as Richard Freeman, Gail made Ashtanga her primary practice. Gail has studied directly with Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Jois on their world tours in New York as well as senior Ashtanga teachers Dena Kingsberg and Lino Miele.
Jeselene Andrade
Jeselene’s yoga journey began in India while working in villages with women to promote maternal health. The physical practice was introduced to her by her host mother who practiced every morning and invited her to join. She is a 200hr RYT from Roots Love Yoga School Lead by Marie Belle Perez Rivera and practices Mysore daily at Woodley Park Yoga with Faith Scimecca. She also holds a BA in the Community Health & Biology and a Master’s in Public Health.