Teachers

Jacque Denney graduated from the Universal College of Healing Arts in September of 2007. Her services include: Swedish, corporate chair, myofascial and deep tissue massage. She also uses aromatherapy when requested and mixes her own oils and creams for such things as muscle aches, psoriasis, bug repellent, etc. She is very interested in Eastern and Native American medicine and continues to expand her knowledge of both.

Mark & Geri Bjorling are the happily married parents of 6 and grand parents of 5. Mark is degreed in accounting from University of Oregon, and is a CPA working in industry. Geri is a degreed sign language interpreter working in deaf education.

Patrick Davis is an experienced health care consultant and massage therapist. As a "hospice chaplain turned life coach" he supports caregivers and professionals with the many transitions of life. As the founder of Desired Outcomes, he has created a host of original tools for managing stress and life. Patrick has worked with various organizations as they develop cutting-edge programs that address the holistic needs of the community.

Robyn Tait took her first Yoga classes in 1975 as a way to escape the confines of boarding school in Nelson, New Zealand. She incorporated bits of Yoga into her life for many years, but began her "real" practice after moving to Washington D.C. in 1987. Yoga practice has been a consistent part of her life ever since, providing a link to herself and to the spirit of her homeland, all land, where ever she is.

Cary, "I’m the mother of two young men. My interests include reading, hiking, walking, and water sports, kitchen arts, gardening, health and longevity, and world peace. Yoga is an outgrowth of my interest in sports and fitness. It’s my belief that yoga is a scientifically based method that, with dedication, leads to a healthful and peaceful life-style.

Dr. Rajesh Kotecha is the chief physician and executive director of Chakrapani Ayurveda & Research Center in Jaipur, India. He graduated from Ayurvedic college in 1985 and received his doctorite in 1991 from Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar. He contributes to many health publications and research in the area of Ayurveda. Dr. Rajesh travels and teaches while maintaining a thriving practice in Jaipur, India.

Laurie Hodges has been studying Yoga for over 10 years and has been a certified teacher for 4. Her propensity towards delving into realms unknown has inspired her to research and put together some fun and interesting classes, including a comprehensive on the Chakras and a session combining Yoga and the zodiac signs.

Nischala is a guest teacher for OYBC. Nischala Joy Devi is a masterful and compassionate teacher, internationally renowned since 1974. Educated by masters in India and worldwide, she was a monastic disciple of Swami Satchidanandaji for over 20 years.

Rolf Sovik is the spiritual director of the Himalayan Institute and a clinical psychologist in private practice. He has studied yoga in the United States, India, and Nepal, and holds degrees in philosophy, music, Eastern studies, and clinical psychology. Co-director of the Himalayan Institute of Buffalo, he began his practice of yoga in 1972, and was initiated as a pandit in the Himalayan tradition in 1987.

Marissa McMillin was raised in Omaha surrounded by a community of alternative healers. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 2003 with a B.A. in Political Science and wrote her senior thesis using feminist theory to explore women's body image issues in our society. After struggling to understand an illness that she endured post-college, Marissa was hugely inspired by Ayurveda.

Vidyarani (Lisa Hofmann) --- growing up in New Jersey in the 70's, Vidyarani's curiosity about Yoga and Meditation originated from her love of the Beatles. Wondering how she would ever find a teacher in the land of malls, it took a move to Nebraska for her to find her inspiration.

Dr. Michele Desmarais, Assistant Professor, joined the department in Fall 2002. She was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia and is Lakota-Métis-Canadian. Dr. Desmarais has a BA in psychology from Simon Fraser University, an MA in Religious Studies from the University of British Columbia, and a PhD in Asian Studies also from U.B.C. Dr. Desmarais’ specialty is Sanskrit and Indian thought.

Ramona Miller received her training at the Universal College of Healing Arts in Omaha, Nebraska. She has training in Therapeutic Swedish Massage, deep tissue, pre-natal/pregnancy massage, comfort touch, myofascial release. She also has training to perform bodywork and massage for people with fibromyalgia. Ramona is also Level II Reiki.

First introduced to Yoga through a video in 2003, Monika Duszynska started Yoga as a way to loose weight. Her practice cost her 40 lbs; 5 years and counting!

Liz Dolejs received her training from the New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has training in Swedish massage, deep tissue, ortho-bionomy, pregnancy massage, comfort touch with a focus on subtle energy techniques. She also incorporates elements of shiatsu, traeger work, aroma therapy and myofacial release. She has studied cranial sacral therapy in Boulder, Colorado.

In the fall of 1989, Deborah Pufall arrived at a time in her life when the door to growth opened wide. She stepped through it into her first Yoga class and knew very quickly that she had found where she needed to be. The gentle yet strengthening physical activity, the moments of quiet reflection and insight, and above all the love & joy that emanated from her first teacher helped her begin to find a better way of living in the world.

Sri Beehivanandaji started life auspiciously as the youngest child in a family of 13 born to Pakrit, a Snake Charmer in the Trans-Bhutan Starlight Wonderwheel Circus, and his wife Lemura, the Leopard Wrestler. Her parents, fearful she would grow up neglected in their already massive brood, left her at the feet of their beloved teacher Ohno to be raised and educated in the ways of spirit.

Amy is a guest teacher for OYBC. Amy Matthews, CMA, SME, RYT, RSMT/RSME has been teaching movement since 1994. She is a Certified Laban Movement Analyst and a Body-Mind Centering Practitioner. Amy has been on the faculty of the Year-Long Certificate Program at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies since 2000, and teaches embodied asana classes and workshops at Movements Afoot, the Breathing Project and the Society for Martial Arts Instruction in NYC.

Julie has been a mental health profession al for over 10 years. She graduated from Boston College with her Masters degree in Clinical Social Work in 1998. In 2004, she earned her Diplomate in Clinical So cial Work. Julie founded The Center for Counseling and Psychotherapy and Emerging Mindful ness, where she works mostly with adults dealing with life's challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Suzanne Swang was born in California and was first introduced to Yoga in 1985 by Lilias Folan on PBS television. From there, she dabbled in books and random classes until she moved to Omaha where she studied with Susi Amendola and Mark Watson in 1997.