Paula Puopolo radiates a zest & exuberance for life and its pleasures. She brings her enthusiasm and clever sense of humor to her detailed Anusara Yoga instruction. She is known for her precise teaching skill of breaking down complex poses into smaller, digestable actions, while empowering students with relevant principles of philosophy for a completely uplifting experience! Her commitment to helping individuals tap into a positive energy extends beyond the mat, and she and Ocean Yoga actively contribute to several community organizations, locally including BEAM and Hubbard House. Paula also volunteers to teach a superlative math program in her children’s school and coaches a pre-teen outreach program, Girls on the Run. Throughout her life, Paula has been willing to take a stand and clearly communicate. As a former US Navy helicopter pilot, in recognition of her leadership in modernizing the roles of women in the military, in 1992, she was honored as “Woman of the Year” by Vanity Fair and photographed by Annie Leibovitz. Glamour also awarded her the esteemed accolade, she now serves as an Advisory Board Member for Glamour’s Woman of the Year award. An avid runner and swimmer, Paula has practiced yoga since 1992. After running the Boston Marathon in 1999, she aligned with her primary Yoga teacher, John Friend, Anusara Yoga’s founder, to whom she offers heartfelt gratitude for continuously re-connecting her to what is true and good. She has over 1,000 hours of Yoga Teacher Training in the Anusara system and in 2007, while attending an Anusara event, she was photographed for a Prana ad in Yoga Journal. She is the Featured Yoga Instructor in a DVD created for Men’s Fitness Magazine. Her articles have been published in Glamour, International Spa Living, and Currents – Anusara Yoga’s electronic magazine. Ever expanding her outreach, Paula’s latest endeavor is designing and building a new Ocean Yoga Studios building in Atlantic Beach, after pairing with business partner, Kate Cordell, ERYT 500, as their business outgrew the space. Ocean Yoga is leading the health and wellness industry in combining an austere space to practice yoga and a fully equipped AV recording center while overseeing the creation of a full yoga program in a new facility that is complimented by the raw-foods café in the lower level; this mecca for teachers and students will be complete July 2008. Her greatest accomplishment, though, is also her greatest joy… raising two open-hearted children along-side her incredibly understanding & supportive husband, Joe.

Read about Paula in the Wall Street Journal

Kate's uplifting philosophy: “Life is good and live it fully in every moment”, is easily enjoyed by all her students from beginners to experienced clients. Kate embodies this philosophy of living fully- in her pursuit of knowledge, training, and sharing her experiences with others. She is dedicated to her community and is considered a leader in empowering students to live their lives without pain and in peace. Kate Cordell E-RYT500, a qualification by the National Yoga Alliance and earned by less than one percent of the registered yoga teachers worldwide, began her practice of yoga in the 1970’s while living in California. Kate’s tremendous yoga teaching experience is loved by those especially new to any physical fitness or therapy. As an E-RYT500, which denotes her as an Experienced Registered Teacher at the 500 Level, requires her 2000 hours of teaching experience and a minimum of 500 hours of teacher training, she is qualified to teach Continuing Education for Yoga Alliance Teachers. In addition, Kate, Kripalu Yoga Certified, has been teaching Yoga for ten years, and recently earned her license as a Massage Therapist. She is a dancer with a degree in Dance from Sonoma State University. Movement has been important throughout her adult life: she has studied many forms of dance and movement and performed in the Annual FCCJ Dancing With The Stars Benefit. Kate is also certified in Yoga of the Heart Cardiac Training, Pre-Natal Yoga, Pilates Mat and Level II Reiki. She has had the opportunity to study with some of the current day Yogis including Erich Schiffmann, Rodney Yee, Nischala Joy Devi and others. She teaches both group and private classes.

Kirk Farber is President of The Working Warrior, Inc. Graduating as a math/statistics/computer science major from the University of Florida; he has evolved into an international speaker, leader and trainer. His wisdom and knowledge of 30+ years as a martial artist motivates his audience and imparts a straightforward approarch to training and always keeps the classes FUN! Kirk’s engaging and compassionate leadership style instantly creates a trusting, fruitful relationship for students to learn and grow, and parents immediately see their child’s physical and emotional health soar!

Kirk Farber is a sixth degree black belt, and one of the ten highest senior ranks in the world within Cuong Nhu (Kung New) martial arts. Mr. Farber is a certified center judge in competition, a national competitor who has won numerous awards including the overall 1997, 2004, and 2005 grand champion in tournament competition for all three divisions. He has received the instructor of the year award in 1985 and 1993, along with leader of the year in 2001 from the Cuong Nhu Oriental Martial Arts Association. He travels around the U.S. teaching seminars, and is well known and respected within the Martial Arts community. He has been president of the Cuong Nhu international association since 1999. Mr. Farber has produced two martial arts instructional videos, soft style training manual, training CD, and written numerous articles in various publications.

Kirk developed F.A.C.E. (Fitness And Character Education) in 2002, which has been taught at over 25 different locations for the last seven years. The program emphasizes fitness while building self-esteem and confidence for children. The Martial Arts focuses on balance, flexibility and control; Animal games focuses on motor skills and teamwork competition; Jumping rope focuses on agility and endurance; juggling focuses on hand-eye coordination; public speaking on a different character trait each week focuses on self-esteem and confidence. The graduation class of every session includes recognition awards with different level colored F.A.C.E. shirts, juggling balls, wristbands, graduation certificates and more.

Bridget Cartlidge - Founder/Director/Teacher

Bridget is a certified Yoga, Art, Theater and Elementary school teacher & Shiatsu/Acupressure Therapist. She is an active substitute teacher for many of the Duval County Schools. Her real passion and gift is teaching creative arts to children so that they can express themselves authentically and feel loved. She has the uncanny skill of quickly cultivating trust and respect with young children all the way to teenagers- and helping them find their real self-worth. Her talents empower children love after they have left the art room.

She has been a teacher of Yoga, Art, Kindergarten, Performing Arts and Theater programs for 15 years in New Jersey, Philadelphia, The Netherlands (American Embassy School in the Hague) and in now at home in Jacksonville. She has designed, funded, and implemented the Artoga Program in several public and private schools all over the Eastern US, community places, festivals & events.

Bridget has been creating and performing art, yoga/movement and theater since childhood and happily maintains a joyous, child-like attitude in the classes she teaches. Her experience and professionalism matches her creativity and she clearly inspires her students to discover themselves and experience self- love. Having worked with children from ages 6 weeks - 12th grades, Bridget has keen knowledge in the development and progression of children--mind, body and soul. She recognizes that children are an extension of the adult world and she has always integrated Yoga, breathing & focusing techniques into her class curriculum to keep children stress free and able to cope happily. Her work often is sought by parents with children that suffer from stress or attention problems and helps them learn to express themselves in a socially conscious way for our world.

Bridget also received her Shiatsu Therapist certificate from International School of Shiatsu. Bridget recently founded Artoga II- a non-profit organization to do community outreach bringing wellness and calm to families. One of her very favorite things is having adventures with john & her doggie & 2 kitties....

Bridget Cartlidge
W/ Artoga -
Yoga, Art, Theater & Karate
477-0400
www.artoga.org

Shae Young, MS, RYT 200

In 2001, Shae enrolled in a “Yoga for Beginners” series in Alexandria, Virginia. In class, she learned breathing techniques and physical postures that helped her manage stress as a Youth and Family Counselor. With consistent practice, she also noticed increased flexibility and quicker recovery time after running.
Shae moved to Jacksonville in 2002 to work for a local youth foundation. The stress of her job and demands of her schedule made it easy to miss practice and skip workouts all together. In late 2003 she changed careers and dedicated herself to a new beginning and a regular Yoga practice. Over time, Shae began to recognize an inner dialogue taking place, a conversation her body had been having with her heart for years.
Shae holds a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Psychology and Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She worked as a counselor for nine years in Chicago, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida. She is committed to Yoga as a stress reducer and mood regulator.
Shae also advocates for Yoga's benefits in the corporate world where she has worked as a media executive since 2003. She attribute her improved health and positive outlook to her regular yoga practice and points to lower blood pressure, relief of lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome as just the beginning. Having experienced healing two serious injuries on the same ankle, she is deeply passionate about the healing power of a dedicated Yoga practice.
Shae is excited to share this enthusiasm with others. Her goal is to make Yoga's rewards more accessible in today's society. Her energy can translate to a vigorous flow or deep practice. She loves questions about Yoga, so don't hesitate to ask when you attend her class.

Brenda barks began taking Yoga classes 15 years ago, exploring many styles of Yoga.  In the spring of 2003 she completed the one month intensive teacher training program in the Jivamukti method for which she honors her teachers in gratitude- Sharon Gannon and David Life for their vision and on-going support. Her goal as a teacher is to share the joy and depth of her love for yoga with each of her students through an authentic Jivamukti Yoga class.  Brenda bows to her loving spouse, Larry, without his support her wonderous world of yoga might not have been possible...Om Shanti.