RYAH - Rivertown Yoga and Health (Practicioners)

OPERATIONS

Phyllis Bookspan - Founder

Phyllis has been practicing yoga since 1976, and teaching Kali Ray TriYoga® since 2002. Over the years, Phyllis has studied many forms of Yoga. When living and going to college and graduate school in New York City she studied at the Integral Yoga Center. She also studied hatha yoga with Frank Finnerty in Greenwich Connecticut and took classes at the Sivananda Center in WestChester, NY. She spent many summers attending classes and workshops at Kripalu Center in Lenox, Mass. In 1994, Phyllis met her true teacher, Kashi (Carolyn Armstrong) and discovered the power and bliss of KaliRay TriYoga. Since 1994, Phyllis has devoted her yoga practice to TriYoga, and has studied with many senior Kali Ray TriYoga teachers and with internationally famous yogini, Kali Ray. In 2006, Phyllis decided to share the joy and sense of well-being yoga brought to her life and opened RYAH.

In addition to being a certified TriYoga teacher, Phyllis also is a law professor. She brings the skills developed over twenty years in the law school classroom, along with her life long commitment to yoga practice and philosophy, to ensure a gently balanced and flowing approach to all RYAH programs and clients.

Bunnie Malazita - Front Desk

Bunnie comes to RYAH after a long and rewarding career in the Corporate Sector. As a member of RYAH's Yoga Community for almost 2 years the progression to the front desk position when it became available, was a perfectly natural move. She brings a wealth of experience in Customer Service and Operations to RYAH.

Bunnie has lived in Conshohocken for over 35 years and has 4 wonderful children and 3 beautiful grandchildren. She was very active in the Conshohocken Schools Community and was the Plymouth Whitemarsh High School Varisty Cheerleading Coach for 11 years. Since arriving at RYAH, Bunnie has become a level II Reiki Practitioner and hopes to continue on to the Master Level.

Maura Manzo - Managing Director

Maura sought out a position at RYAH because it fulfilled her goal of working in a place that complements her current career as certifie health coach. She has been with RYAH since their doors opened in 2006. Her creativity, high energy personality and strong work ethic help her funnel her passion of working with and helping people become the best versions of themselves possible.

In June 2007, Maura graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City. She also received additional certification through the Teacher's College of Columbia University. Maura holds a B.A. in Creative Writing and Popular Culture from Penn State. In April 2010, Maura graduated from RYAH's first teacher training program and became a registered yoga teacher.

Maura currently sees clients privately at RYAH and teaches weekly yoga classes. She blogs weekly for Philadelphia Magazine's Be Well Philly website and is the Head of Nutrition at Julian Krinsky Fitness Camps at Bryn Mawr College. To learn more about her programs and classes, visit www.mauramanzo.com or see her additional bios below.

Jeannine Modica - Assistant Manager

Jeannine joins RYAH with an extensive background in administration and customer service experience in the salon and spa industries. She brings to RYAH a passion for helping people and creating an enjoyable experience. Her warm personality makes her a wonderful addition to the RYAH Front Desk staff. Jeannine is also a licensed esthetician whose desire to learn about and incorporate the use of natural products, in treatments ranging from skin care to waxings, falls in line with her goals to meet each person's individual needs. In her free time, Jeannine enjoys practicing and learning more about yoga, Italian-style cooking and spending time with her family.

Jill Patterson - Front Desk

Coming Soon!

Candace Stevens - Front Desk

Candace is another member of Ryah's front desk team. She graduated with a B.A. From Villanova University, and is pursuing her Master's in Counseling Psychology at Chestnut Hill College. She recently completed her 200-Hr Yoga Teacher Training. In addition to practicing yoga, Candace loves making music, meeting new people, her poodles, and eating Asian food.

YOGA/PILATES [top]

Phyllis Bookspan, E-RYT - Yoga Instructor

Phyllis has been practicing yoga since 1976, and teaching Kali Ray TriYogaÂ® since 2002. Over the years, Phyllis has studied many forms of Yoga. When living and going to college and graduate school in New York City she studied at the Integral Yoga Center. She also studied hatha yoga with Frank Finnerty in Greenwich Connecticut and took classes at the Sivananda Center in WestChester, NY. She spent many summers attending classes and workshops at Kripalu Center in Lenox, Mass. In 1994, Phyllis met her true teacher, Kashi (Carolyn Armstrong) and discovered the power and bliss of KaliRay TriYoga. Since 1994, Phyllis has devoted her yoga practice to TriYoga, and has studied with many senior Kali Ray TriYoga teachers and with internationally famous yogini, Kali Ray. In 2006, Phyllis decided to share the joy and sense of well-being yoga brought to her life and opened RYAH. In 2009, Phyllis became an Experienced RYT at the 500 hour level.

Maureen Collins - Yoga Instructor

Maureen took her first yoga class in 1999 and has been in wonder of it's healing powers ever since. Her desire to be more connected with her body inspired her to enroll in the prestigious Barbara Brennan School of Healing, where she graduated in June of 2007 with a Diploma in Brennan Healing Science. In this four-year program of healing and personal transformation, she realized her yoga practice grounded her energy and that the energy awareness deepened and expanded her yoga practice. This realization led to her senior project, a paper that was written on the connection between yoga and healing. Maureen believes that every body can benefit from a yoga practice and she is passionate about helping others gain a deeper awareness of and connection to their body and internal energy. She earned her yoga teacher's certification from Dhyana Yoga in February 2007 and looks forward to learning about yoga and bodywork the rest of her life. She teaches in the vinyasa flow style and gives lots of individual attention through assists and adjustments. â€œI love that yoga is a truly individual practice, that it's not about how easily you can touch your toes but how mindful you are getting there."

As a Brennan Healing Science practitioner, Maureen is available for individual bodywork sessions in which an integration of massage and hands-on healing techniques are used for healing on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.

Diane Dibeler - Yoga Instructor

Diane has her Yoga certification from the Yoga Life Institute in Devon Pa. She also is a Certified Massage Therapist and Licensed Special Education Teacher.

All about Diane

I came to yoga searching for a deeper connection to myself, a desire to live a more fulfilled life and to experience more joy. In the beginning I was afraid of what I might unearth, yet in each meditation and yoga practice to my wonderment and surprise I began to tap into a rich inner source of strength, wisdom, courage, passion and faith. As I dedicated myself to this incredible exploration of mind, body, and spirit, I have been able to release long held tensions and emotions that were holding me back. I have a greater capacity to breathe in life and truly experience inner joy and bliss! I have practiced yoga and meditation since 1995 and started teaching in 2003.

Come along for an amazing journey.

Nicole Fugo, RYT - Yoga Instructor

Nicole Fugo beautifully blends her formative professional training and education with an innate passion for art, healing, and integration with the natural world. Yoga classes are influenced by the seasons as well as Nicoleâ€™s unique gift to sense what is needed from the students at that particular moment in time and draw upon her wealth of tools to provide a class that is nourishing to the body and spirit. She began studying yoga over ten years ago in the Iyengar tradition and has since branched out to deepen her practice incorporating styles such as Vinyasa, Anusara, Sivananda, Yin, and various other hatha branches. She received her teaching certification in 2006 under the tutelage of Yogi Hariâ€™s Ashram in Florida. She is currently pursuing an Advanced Teacher Training certification with Shiva Rea and supplements her learning with mentors such as John Friend and Sarah Powers. Both her massage therapy and yoga styles are greatly influenced by her certification in acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and Five Element Energetic Theory.

Betty Levengood - Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer

Betty Levengood, NSCA-CPT Betty brings over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry to RYAH. She is a certified Personal Trainer and certified Pilates Mat and Reformer Instructor through PHI Pilates. For the last 11 years she has worked at the Healthplex Sports Club in Springfield, Delaware County. She was their Group Fitness Director for 7 years before giving up her administrative duties and devoting her time to training clients one-on-one, teaching group fitness classes, instructing Pilates Mat classes, and doing both one-on-one and small group Pilates Reformer training. She was voted Best of Delco Female Personal Trainer in 2003. She brings to RYAH experience, knowledge, enthusiasm, and the ability to bring out the best in each participant in her classes. Betty strongly believes that staying healthy in mind, body and spirit is a life long process and we only get better with age!

Maura Manzo, RYT - Yoga Instructor

Maura Manzo began to practice yoga to â€œlearn to breatheâ€ after a fire destroyed her home in 2006 and has been in love ever since. She contributes her training as a competitive gymnast in her early years and year round athleticism thereafter to her immediate physical attraction to yoga but quickly recognized the significance of the connection of breath to mind, body and spirt. Her classes are challenging, creative and inspiring (and always have a good playlist!)

Maura completed her 200-Hr yoga teacher training in the spring of 2010. As part of her practicum, she created Local for Global, a project aimed at creating local events to support a global cause. She is currently fundraising $20,000 for Off the Mat, Into the World's 2010 Global Seva Challenge which will support the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa, where she will travel to in February 2011 to work directly with the organizations and children affected by the disease. Learn more or donate at www.localforglobal.org

Marissa Paino, RYT - Yoga Instructor

Throughout her life, Marissa knew she was meant to teach, but her subject had yet to reveal itself. After working 10 years in corporate finance, she discovered her true passion for yoga. During her journey of discovery on the yogic path, she experienced a profound physical and emotional transformation, and heard her calling to share this special gift with others. Marissa has been practicing since 2005 and earned her RYT-200 hour certification in Pranakriya Yoga, developed by Yoganand Michael Carroll, in 2008. Marissa fully embraces the Pranakriya style of yoga, and aims to inspire her students to look within and find the transformational magic of the practice that can improve overall well-being. Marissa brings energy of enthusiasm and humor to her classes, but also offers her students the opportunity for self-reflection and exploration to improve their quality of life. Marissa is continuing on her path of swadhyaya (study) to enrich her practice and classes. She is currently pursuing RYT-500 hour certification in Pranakriya Yoga with Yoganand Michael Carroll.

Sarah Rose Reilly, E-RYT - Yoga Instructor

Sarah found yoga the way many people do--at their local gym. After arriving too late for spin but right on time for a class called Power Vinyasa, Sarah left feeling elated and exhausted but wanting more. After studying various styles of yoga, Sarahâ€™s hunger for more than just the physical practice lead her to yoga teacher training. She received her 200-hour Vinyasa Power training from Power Yoga Works and her 95-hour Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training from Jade Graff, RN, NCTMB. Both are certified by Yoga Alliance as credited hours. Sarah became an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) in 2008.

To delve deeper into guided meditation and the restorative practice of Yin Yoga, she studied with Sarah Powers. Always growing as a teacher, Sarah will attend Kripalu for the second time this summer to study with Gary Kraftsow. Sarah flows spirituality borrowed from the Buddha and Hindu mythology, to inspire and uplift her students.

Cyndie Slagle - Pilates Instructor

Cyndie is a Pilates Matwork Specialist. She brings passion, inherent knowledge and skill to her classes - working with each student at his/her level. Students love Cyndie's friendly style, and clear instruction. When not teaching Pilates, Cyndie can be found swimming, running, or bicycling, training for the triathylon that she runs on a regular basis.

Cyndie is a mom and teacher in the Planetarium in the WhiteMarsh School District.

HEALTH AND THERAPY [top]

Dr. Joseph Carchedi, MD - Holistic Integrative Medicine Physician

Dr. Joseph Carchedi is a board-certified, Integrative Holistic Medicine physician, with extensive experience in Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Sports Medicine.

While working and supplying medical support for the professional cycling team of Lance Armstrong in the mid 1990's, Dr. Carchedi felt compelled to provide the same type of specialized, tailored medical care to non-professionals.

After being trained in Functional Medicine and having practiced for the last ten years in this realm, he transitioned into Integrative Complementary Medicine exclusively and has been concentrating on detoxification, nutrition and preventive holistic medicine.

Dr. Carchedi, through various methods and established scientific protocols, offers the best of conventional and complementary medicine. Dr. Carchedi has an expertise in the basic biological, biochemical diseases of today but uses complementary treatments and therapies in conjunction with conventional medicine to obtain therapeutic solutions.

Dr. Carchedi confronts and treats issues of immunity, disease prevention, and energy problems, such as fatigue and Lyme disease, hormonal imbalances, women's health, cancer issues, inflammatory diseases, and weight management.

Dr Judith Farber ~ Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist -

Dr. Judith Farber is a licensed psychologist and the founder/clinical director of Gwynedd Psychological Services, a group private practice.

Dr. Farber has been a respected psychologist, educator, lecturer, and clinical supervisor for over 25 years in the state of Pennsylvania.

She received a Masters from Cornell University with an emphasis on nutrition and a joint Ph.D. in Psychology and Social Work from Bryn Mawr College.

Dr. Farber has presented on couples therapy and family dynamics nationally and internationally. She was a founding faculty member at an innovative family therapy institute where she taught family therapy courses and supervised practicing clinicians. She has been a renowned contributor to â€œCan This Marriage Be Saved?â€ in Ladies Home Journal.

She has particular expertise in the areas of child and adolescent development, school-related issues, and couples therapy. Dr. Farber strives to balance a healthy work/life schedule. She enjoys a holistic approach to life including yoga, pilates, kickboxing, and healthy eating. She is married and has twin daughters.

Sari Goldmuntz, MSW, LSW - Therapist

Sari Goldmuntz, MSW, LSW has been helping children, adolescents, and adults for 7 years. She received her Bachelors of Arts from Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio and received her Masters of Social Work from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2003. She is currently licensed as a Licensed Social Worker. She obtained her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Sari creatively counsels individuals, couples, and families utilizing psychodynamic, strategic family therapy, play therapy, and cognitive-behavioral techniques. She also administers and interprets comprehensive psychological assessments for children and adults.

In her spare time, Sari is an avid lover of many aspects of life, including spending quality time with family and friends, walking in the woods with her dog, cooking healthy foods, exercising indoors and outdoors, playing the piano, and writing poetry.

Maura Manzo, HHC - Health Coach

Maura is graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and received additional cetification from Columbia University. She received her B.A. in Creative Writing and Popular Culture from Pennsylvania State University.

Maura is thoroughly intrigued by the ever-changing world of nutrition and saddened by the poor state of health in our country today. She sees clients for a range of health issues, including but not limited to: weight loss, increase in energy, improved eating habits & healthy alternatives, meal planning, and awareness in eating & life. Maura meets with clients individually and teaches nutrition classes and workshops at RYAH. She recently completed a cooking internship with The Nourishing Well in Havertown and becameregistered yoga teacher through the RYAH/Schelter Teacher Training Program. In the summer of 2010, Maura was the Head of Nutrition for Julian Krinsky's Fitness Camp at Bryn Mawr College. She also is blogger for Philadelphia Magazine's Be Well Philly website. Learn more at www.mauramanzo.com

Melissa McCall - Therapist

Melissa McCall is a predoctoral clinical psychology student and licensed professional counselor. She provides individual, family, and play therapy for children and adolescents, as well as specializing in psychoeducational assessment for diagnosing and and treating stress-related, motivation, and learning issues. Melissa also focuses on treating autism and anxiety, in addition to conducting social skills groups and workshops for parents and teachers.

Bernardo Merizalde, M.D. - Consulting Physician

Bernardo Merizalde, offers services to RYAH as consulting physician. Upon request, he is available to RYAH practitioners for case discussion and evaluation.

Dr.Merizalde believes in integrating the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions to reach a maximum of health and well being. To reach this goal he incorporates various therapeutic modalities such as homeopathy, counseling, relaxation and visualization techniques, traditional natural remedies, herbs, exercise, physical treatments, flower essences, counseling and conventional medicine.

He has been in the practice of General Medicine since 1980 and is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology. A writer and researcher, he has lectured to undergraduate, graduate, and medical students at the University of Pennsylvania, Jefferson University, the Medical College of Pennsylvania and consumer groups.

Dr. Merizalde believes that the process of healing occurs when the individual is given an environment that maximizes its innate abilities to cure itself. The optimum environment is created through proper food, respiration, psychological and spiritual factors, and the use of medicines when the organism is not able to continue the process without aid.

Mary Beth Workman - Pediatric Nutrition Consultant

Mary Beth Workman is experienced in pediatric nutrition consultation and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in Clinical Nutrition. Mary Beth works in collaboration with Dr. Carchedi to diagnose, treat, and prevent pediatric chronic illness through nutrition and lifestyle. She specializes in disease prevention and loves to work with new parents to teach them how to feed their babies from the beginning, as well as children throughout their teenage years. She believes that early intervention through nutrition can prevent long term issues such as diabetes, ADD, ADHD, food allergies, and much more. Teaching children and their parents how to eat when they are young can improve their quality of life, now and in the future.

Mary Beth is the mother of a 6 year old daughter named Vera-Michele, and has two dogs, Sydney and Samson. She began studying pediatric nutrition 7 years ago when she became pregnant with her daughter, and sick herself, simultaneously. Raising her daughter holistically, with a focus on nutrition, became a passion and something she loved. Seeing the results made it all worthwhile! In her free time she loves gardening, mountain biking, yoga and pilates, the beach, and anything outside.

ENERGY WORK/MASSAGE [top]

Maureen Collins - Mind Body Therapist

Maureen also is a yoga teacher at RYAH. See her complete bio above.

Julie Deery - Certified Massage Therapist

Julie has over 20 years experience as a massage therapist. She began by taking classes in Florida at the Humanities School of Massage. There she passed the State Board licence and worked in a rehabilitation clinic until moving north. She has since worked with two chiropractors, a wellness center, and doing chair massage for corporate events. Recently Julie has become involved in the muliti-sport community. She enjoys working with athletes and her own standing as a nationally-ranked athlete gives her a greater understanding of her clients needs.

She approaches massage as an individual caring process in which she is the facilitator for a person's own innate capacity for recovery and healing. She will assess her client's physical and emotional state through touch and talk, looking in particular for irregularities of motion and tension. "I want my clients to leave experiencing relaxation, looseness, centeredness, and a distinct feeling of being cared for." Her studies included Deep Tissue, Therapeutic Swedish Massage, Reflexology, Sports massage, Cranial Sacral and more.

Nicole Fugo, L.Ac., M.Ac. - Acupuncturist

Nicole Fugo, L.Ac., M.Ac. is a Pennsylvania State Licensed and Nationally Board Certified Acupuncturist. She completed her 3 1/2 yr Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine as well as her clinical internship at the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in Gainesville, FL with highest reviews from her supervisors and teachers. This degree combined with her certification and license as a massage therapist from the esteemed Educating Hands School of Massage in Miami, FL and a certified yoga teacher gives Nicole a very indepth training in working with both the physical as well as the energetic body.

She specializes in women's issues (such as Menstrual Irregularity, Fibromyalgia, Migraines, Infertility, PMS, and much more) as well as emotional imbalance (such as depression, anxiety, hopelessness, loss of passion, lack of direction, spiritual crisis). Nicole strongly believes in the philosophy of both treating the root cause of an illness to prevent future symptoms from arising as well as empowering her clients to connect and honor the incredible healing wisdom in their own bodies.

She gathers her deepest inspiration for her treatments from observation of the cycles and rhythms of the natural world as well as from her extensive training with a wide array of highly-skilled and talented practitioners/teachers.

Marlene Henkin - Mind Body Energy Therapist, Usui Reiki Master

Marlene has 20 years experience in corporate management and executive roles and a Master's degree in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania. She currently works as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Health, PA Department of Health. Marlene has been practicing integrative healing since 1995.

Marlene is a Master of Usui Reiki, Karuna Reiki and Integrated Energy Therapy. She has certifications in Reflexology, Polarity Therapy, Basic Acupressure, One Brain, Touch for Health and Tachyon Energy Therapy.

She is also a practitioner of Color Therapy and Swedish Massage. In August 2007, she obtained her PA state licensed 600 hour Diploma program in Integrative Body/Mind Therapies. Marlene also teaches Reiki Level 1 and Level II Trainings at RYAH Yoga and Health.

Marlene is passionate about integrating complementary health care into a comprehensive health and wellness program within the traditional practice of medicine, and bringing alternative stress reduction techniques into the workplace. She also helps others in understanding the interrelationship between the body's inner healing abilities and the mind.

To learn more about Marlene and energy therapies, visit www.henkinenergytherapy.com

Heather Meeker - Certified Massage Therapist

Heather is originally from upstate New York and has been practicing massage therapy for over 3 years.She has her National Certification with over 1000 hours of education in massage and bodywork. She specializes in Therapeutic Massage, Deep Tissue Therapy, and personalizing each to meet the individualâ€™s needs for improving quality of life. She believes that massage therapy relaxes the mind and body to aid in healing properly, along with skills and techniques to improve range of motion and ease muscle tension. Heather is also certified in Hot Stone Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy (level 1), Swedish Massage, and is a certified Reiki l practitioner.

Heatherâ€™s knowledge and skills apply to a wide variety of conditions whether the client suffers from sports related injuries, postural and structural discomfort, or emotional stress that manifests within the body. She understands that every personâ€™s body works differently, therefore needing specific techniques to balance the body to preserve its state of well-being.

Along with helping others, Heather also enjoys the beautiful sounds and relaxing waves of the ocean. She loves to travel mostly to tropical getaways to cleanse her spirit and beleives being one with nature is one of the most grounding activities you can do. She likes to stay active whether it's hiking up to waterfalls or exercising, staying in motion keeps the body and energy flowing which in turn balances the mind, body, spirit.

Jennifer Herfurth Ristine - Certified Massage Therapist

Jennifer is a nationally certified massage therapist who completed her massage training at Sanford Brown Institute in 2007. She specializes in listening to clients and is able to provide massage and range of motion stretching that fits the individual needs of her clients. Jenniferâ€™s training includes Swedish massage, neuromuscular therapy, and pregnancy massage. She is also a certified Reiki II practitioner and Trauma TouchÂ® Therapist.

Jennifer believes that all people are equipped to heal and take care of themselves. She views her bodywork as an interactive tool to facilitate healing and self care. Jennifer feels privileged to work with clients whether she is providing relaxing massage, bodywork directed at a specific condition or injury, or body and breath work to help break the debilitating effects of trauma.

Lisa Marie Welsh - Certified Massage Therapist

Lisa Marie has been praticing Massage Therapy for over 15 years. She graduated from the Massage, Arts and Science Center of Philadelphia in 1991. Her studies included Therapeutic Swedish Massage, Reflexology, specializing in Prenatal Massage and treating Fibromyalgia.

Lisa Marie has a chiropractic background, as well as spa background. She has been working with seriously injured patients for over 10 years as well as pampering clients at some of the most elite spas in the Philadelphia area.