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Peter Rizzo
 Peter
has been teaching Yoga since the early nineties. He was certified at
the 500- and 200-hour level at Jivamukti in 1997. In 1999, he opened Bhava
Yoga Center in New York City. For four years, Bhava served the East Village
Yoga community with a unique mixture of substantial, amazing classes
offered at low prices in a supportive and genial atmosphere which was
made possible only by running a Yoga center by yogic principles.
Through
his free six-month teacher-training program, many devoted Bhava students
are trained to teach Bhava Vinyasa Yoga. They now teach all over the
U.S. and abroad. Peter is happy and grateful
to be in Brattleboro and to offer Bhava Vinyasa Yoga in this magical,
beautiful place. |
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Bronwyn Sims
 Bronwyn Sims is an actor, acrobat and educator. She has appeared in movies (Next Stop Wonderland, Dischord, Enough Already, Trial by Fire) and on television including a role in the Emmy award-winning first season of The Sopranos. In addition to movies and television, her New York City and regional stage credits are extensive.
As an Acrobat and Aerialist she has performed with The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, LAVA, Odonata Dance Project, Cirque Boom, Wise Fool & Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Festival. She is a Founding member of The New York City Circus Theatre company KIRKOS.
As an educator Bronwyn has taught classes and workshops at Colorado College, University of New Hampshire, University of Florida, Streb/ Slam, The Trapeze Loft and numerous other yoga, dance, and aerial studios throughout New England and NYC.
Bronwyn currently performs with the Nimble Arts Touring Company and teaches aerial and circus arts at The New England Center for Circus Arts. |
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Cheryl Cullen
 Cheryl took her first yoga class by accident. That was 9 years ago.
She has since completed teacher training under Asa Dustin of At Om Yoga and continues to study with Peter Rizzo at Bhava.
Her practice is ever evolving; encompassing Iyengar's principles of alignment, the tradition and intensity of Ashtanga, and the spirit and freedom of Jivamukti. The un-learning of limitations is what continues to energize her practice and teaching.
Cheryl's practice off the mat includes raising 2 pre-teens, caring for 2 dogs and a cat, and working with developmentally disabled students at a local high school.
When not busy with any of the above, she is likely to be found with her nose in a book or her feet on a mountain. |
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Emily Wolfman
 Emily comes to yoga with 30 years of dance training. Finding yoga in 2000, Emily embraced it as a complement to flexibility, strength, and balance. Since then, she has studied with masters such as Anna Forrest, Seane Corn, and Baron Baptiste.
Emily completed a 200 hour teacher training through Lotus Gardens, Inc. in Naugatuck, CT. She is currently engaged in an Integrative Yoga Therapy program which will culminate in a 1000 hour certification of study and practice.
Emily has found her bliss sharing the joys, challenges, and healing powers of yoga with children and adults of all levels and capabilities |
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Marybeth Kover
 Marybeth first began a formal yoga practice when Bhava Yoga opened its Brattleboro doors in the summer of 2004. She was instantly taken by the challenge, flow, support, and growth offered by bhava vinyasa classes. After completing Peter’s yoga teacher training in August 2008, Marybeth has embraced the journey of teaching others all that she has learned. She combines her work as a Certified Rubenfeld Synergist® with her love of yoga to offer students a safe and supportive environment to enliven their passions and listen to the wisdom of their bodies.
In addition to teaching yoga at Bhava, Marybeth has a private practice in Rubenfeld Synergy® and coordinates community-based support for developmentally disabled individuals. She is currently involved in a four-year teaching internship to become a Certified Rubenfeld Synergy® and a teacher of this gentle, yet powerful bodymind therapy. |
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Rebecca Pedersen
 Rebecca came to Brattleboro in 2007 and gratefully found Bhava Yoga.
In August 2008, she began the invigorating journey of instructing yoga after completing Peter's teacher training along with an enthusiastic and sweet bunch of fellow students.
In addition to
teaching at Bhava, Rebecca volunteers at the Brooks Memorial Library, visits the animals weekly
at the Windham County Humane society, and works behind the counter serving the public at
Amy's Bakery Arts Cafe. She follows a vegan, environmentally conscious lifestyle and is dedicated
to the practice of peaceful living. She lives in town with her partner, Mark, and their two cats,
Maxine and Junior. |
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Rick Contino
 Rick’s first experience with yoga was in 2003 doing handstands and crow poses in his friends’ living room. Since then he has dabbled in yoga, tai chi, aikido, and wilderness survival while traveling the country and living out of his vintage Chevy pickup.
In 2006 he moved into a rustic cabin in Newfane, Verrmont and started taking Peter Rizzo’s yoga classes, and in 2008 took the Bhava Yoga Teacher Training.
Teachers and influences other than Peter include: Sifu Ray Hayward, Stonehouse , the I Ching, Nietzsche, Emerson, Dostoyevsky, and Iyengar. Other hobbies include Tai Chi, ultimate frisbee, berry picking, tree climbing, and listening to old country music. He also works seasonally as a carpenter and occasionally as a musician. |
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 Sarah's practice is filled with her passion for the Ashtanga Vinyasa system, as well as her love for dance, acrobatics, and circus arts. In 2008, she traveled to Mysore, India to deepen her studies with the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson, Sharath Rangaswami. She has also had the joy of studying with Kino MacGregor, Tim Feldmann, and Nancy Gilgoff. However, her practice began right here in Brattleboro with Lisa Mendelsund and Peter Rizzo, and to them she gives much thanks.
Last May, Sarah completed the Professional Development program at the New England Center for Circus Arts, and she feels that a consistent yoga practice is the key to being a strong and well- balanced aerialist. In her class, Sarah strives to challenge and inspire her students while creating a fun and safe environment for them to fully embody their own strength and grace.
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