Meet the Teachers

Gina Pachkowski, E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP®
Owner of Alluem Yoga, Gina is an energetic, certified yoga instructor. Her practice embodies a combination of power, vinyasa flow and yin yoga. She has tapped into her 15 years of dance training, fitness instruction and physically active lifestyle to create her own unique yoga style. This mother of three children has incorporated yoga and meditation into her daily living and finds joy in educating others about the mental, therapeutic, physical and spiritual benefits of the practice. You will love the energy and spirit that Gina brings to her class. Not just because of who she is but because of who she wants the rest of us to be, our true essential selves. She believes that only by giving we gain what truly matters. Gina received her 200hr YTT at The Yoga and Healing Center in Scotch Plains, her 300 YTT through Bhakti Barn in Millburn and is certified through the National Yoga Alliance. She gained an additional accredited 40 hours with Seane Corn, an internationally celebrated yoga teacher. Gina continues to study with Seane and assists her at events like Yoga Journal NYC or Wanderlust, VT. She has traveled to Haiti and India with Off The Mat Into The World and is an active community member. Gina acquired her Yin YTT from the brilliant Corina Benner, director of Wake Up Yoga in Philly, PA. and her certification to teach people who have experienced brain injury from the Love Your Brain Foundation. Gina is forever grateful to her teachers for sharing their voice and knowledge of yoga and for being part of creating a life she loves.
Gina has participated in workshops and classes with renowned yoga instructors such as Seane Corn, Suzanne Sterling, Kerri Kelly, Nikki Myers, Elena Brower, Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea, Dana Flynn and other local teachers who she admires. In 2010 Gina participated in a week long intensive with Off the Mat Into the World. OTM uses the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and to ignite grass roots social change. She is inspired and continues to learn from Seane Corn, the creator of OTM along with Suzanne Sterling and Hala Khouri.
Gina is the founder and owner of Alluem Yoga and a Cranford Resident. She is most proud of the community Alluem Yoga has built. "It humbles me every day to see old and new faces walk through the door to roll out their mats. People show up, so I do too. We're in this crazy life together. I am grateful that we have this practice to manage it all." Gina’s intention is to create a fun, supportive and nurturing environment for all yoga students. Not for one second does she take this practice for granted. She believes it is a luxury and a privilege to 'get to' do this to better ourselves in hopes to live a more compassionate, empathetic life.

Karen Gilmour
Studio Manager of Alluem Yoga, Karen discovered yoga in 2004. She watched her true self shine through every time she practiced. After experiencing the many benefits of yoga first hand, she knew bringing these benefits to children could help shape their awareness, self-esteem and confidence now and in their future. The most beautiful thing is watching a child come into a better understanding of self - mind, body and heart. Karen completed her Children's Yoga teacher training with Little Flower Yoga under the direction of Jennifer Cohen Harper in 2009 and the Every Kid's Yoga: Yoga for Children with Special Needs training in 2015. She now runs the Alluem Kid's Yoga Program along with making regular local school visits ranging from preschool to high school. She has even traveled to Haiti with Go Give Yoga to teach Haitian educators how to use yoga in the classroom.
Karen continues to further her knowledge of this practice for children by attending many developmental workshops with Little Flower Yoga, Embody Love Movement and YogaKids as well as workshops for development of the self, including the week long intensive with Off the Mat Into the World. Most recently, she completed a continuing education course in Art Therapy: Creative Interventions for Kids with Trauma, Anxiety, ADHD and More. Infusing art into her yoga classes is one of her favorite things to do!
When she isn't teaching yoga, she's usually found drawing kid's doing yoga! Karen is a published illustrator and her work has been featured in Yoga Journal. Her children's books are available in the studio and anywhere books are sold! You can find her other publications The Yoga & Mindfulness Card Deck for Kids, and one for Teens, and Activity Books at the studio and on Amazon.com! www.karengilmour.com

Abrianna Rossi
Abrianna began exploring her yoga practice in 2017 with the one and only Alluem Yoga. She started this journey with a close circle of friends where weekly classes were a way for them to spend time with each other and get some physical activity in. After uncovering the positive impact yoga had on her mental health, Abri decided to start her YTT with Tula Yoga in Aberdeen, NJ.
She received her 200hr certification in June 2020 and is now a RYT200 member of the Yoga Alliance. Since then, Abri has completed her certification in Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery with Veterans Yoga Project, supporting the veteran community and those who experience PTS(d). She has also joined the organization as the NJ Area Manager & Teacher Alliance Member. Abrianna has most recently earned her certification in Yoga for TBI Level 1 with the Love Your Brain Foundation, which serves those who have experienced traumatic brain injuries.
Abri's family and community inspire her to continue to create accessibility to the practice and awareness of the multitude of benefits that yoga has to offer. She is a plant collector, slow flow & yin enthusiast, and proud cat mom to Frankie Marie & Stevie Nicks Marie.

Rebecca Wall
Rebecca began practicing yoga in 2018, taking hot power classes as a complement to her regular exercise schedule. What began as another workout quickly evolved into a more consistent routine to wind down after work. By 2020, with the start of the pandemic, yoga became her solace and her way of grounding when she felt unmoored. After months of following videos at home, Rebecca’s curiosity was piqued - she wanted to learn more about yoga so she could deepen her practice and fully implement it in her life. Once she attended an active breathwork workshop, she was fully hooked and went on to obtain her 200hr YTT and breathwork certification by February 2024. Through her training, her interest in yoga evolved beyond her expectations and she realized she wanted to share this life-changing practice with others as well.
While taking her time to explore different studios and class styles, Rebecca eventually found herself at Alluem - a studio that felt bright and welcoming right away. She soon began working behind the desk and found a home in the community. She looks forward to deepening her role and furthering her involvement in the studio, including teaching more classes to find her individual style.
When she isn’t behind the desk, she’s probably spending time outdoors, admiring mushrooms, plants, and animals anywhere she sees them; enjoying quality time with her loved ones; or mulling over which hobby she wants to get into next (painting, woodworking, pottery, kayaking, who knows!).

Melissa Kaban-Ortiz
Melissa is a dynamic teacher with a style born from a background in dance, a career using movement as a healing agent and a deep reverence for this practice. She became certified in 2011 with Ellen Kaplow at Satsang Yoga and has continued her training with Shannon Elliot at Onyx Yoga. Melissa offers her students unique and meaningful sequences while teaching safety and sustainability within an energetic flow. By day, Melissa is a passionate dance/movement therapist working fiercely to advocate within the realms of domestic violence and behavioral and emotional health. Her love for traditional yoga philosophies and supreme music both feed and energize the practice. Ultimately, she is grateful to the connections yoga has brought her including and especially this community at Alluem and is committed to sharing this with her students.

Mindy Cullen
Mindy first discovered yoga in 2004. After years of dancing, sports, running, and a multitude of gym classes, she stepped into an Ashtanga-based yoga class and discovered her true passion. She has practiced and studied in many styles of yoga: Bikram, Ashtanga, Anusara, Vinyasa, and Soul Sweat. She acquired her 200-hour yoga certification through Wendy Gross-Pinto’s Soul Sweat Asana training. Her training gave her more than just a knowledge of postures and breathing techniques. It gave her a better understanding of the mind, body, and spirit connection that is formed on the mat and brought into her daily life. She compliments her physically meditative and spiritual flow with her previous experience as a dancer and choreographer on Virginia Tech’s nationally ranked dance team. She is grateful to all of her teachers for their inspirational and powerful instruction, Wendy Gross Pinto, Kim Kiamie, Ellen Kaplow, and Gina Pachkowski. As a certified yoga instructor and a member of Yoga Alliance, Mindy looks to motivate and lead others to discover their true potential on the yoga mat as well as in their lives. Her husband, and two amazing children, motivate and teach her every day to be present and more connected to life’s true purpose.

Mark Paczkowski
Mark was first drawn to the physical practice of yoga as a complement to his traditional workouts and participation in other sports. After embracing the deeper aspects of a daily practice, he saw great changes and recognized how yoga can permeate and enhance all areas of life: physically, mentally and spiritually. Eager to share this gift with others, Mark completed his 200 hour teacher training at the American Yoga Academy with Claire Diab and his 500 hour training with Christian Valeriani and Lisa Brodrick Triolo of Even Flow Yoga and Ohana Rising Yoga School. Mark is committed to continually deepening his knowledge through workshops, self-study and a deep daily practice. Mark incorporates various aspects of yoga into his work as a personal trainer, nutrition coach and group fitness instructor. With his knowledge of functional anatomy, Mark creates safe, effective classes grounded on proper alignment that appropriately challenges each of his students. He is happy to see the many benefits yoga has had for his clients and his students.

Kim Kiamie
Kim is an enthusiastic yoga practitioner. She has studied under many talented yoga teachers. Kim received her 200-hour teacher training in 2003 under the tutelage of Wendy Gross Pinto, her first beloved yoga teacher. Kim loves teaching a strong vinyasa flow class and her strength lies in her creative sequencing. In 2009, Kim became a certified Relax and Renew Trainer in Restorative Yoga through Judith Lasater. She enjoys leading restorative classes as well as workshops with her husband, Ross Marshall. She continues her professional development by attending Yoga Journal Conferences in NY & Miami. Some of her favorite instructors include Jason Crandall, Kathryn Budig and Kino MacGregor. At present, Kim teaches a variety of classes including vinyasa, restorative and basic yoga.
Kim is so grateful to all her teachers including Wendy Gross Pinto, Clarissa Alliano, Mary Roth, Cindy Fechter and Gina Pachkowski. They have all blessed her journey. Above all, Kim is most grateful for her family - her husband, Ross Marshall and her amazing son Michael William Marshall. They bring love and light to her life every day.

Ross Marshall
Meet Ross Marshall, the yogi extraordinaire who's been on a journey since 1978, when he first picked up Richard Hittleman's book, Yoga: 28 Day Exercise Plan. Ross experimented with different styles of yoga until he found his calling in Ashtanga-based Power Yoga, discovered in 1990 at the New York Road Runners Club, courtesy of Beryl Bender and Thom Birch.
Ross is no stranger to hard work, and his dedication to yoga has resulted in some impressive credentials, including a 200-hour certification from Wendy Gross-Pinto's "Soul Sweat Asana" training in 2003, and a 250-hour certification from "The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institute" in the same year. He's studied with countless yoga gurus, including David Swenson, Kathy McNames, and Deb Williams.
But what sets Ross apart from the rest of the yoga scene is his fearless approach to teaching Ashtanga-style power yoga. This guy doesn't just push his students; he challenges them in ways they never thought possible. Ross creates a supportive and safe environment where his students can feel comfortable and confident while exploring their limits.
If you're looking to take your yoga practice to the next level, Ross is your guy. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just starting out, Ross's classes will leave you feeling invigorated, stretched, and stronger than ever before. So come check him out and see what all the fuss is about!

Tricia Pizzi
Tricia began her practice of yoga in 2002. As a multi-sport athlete, yoga originally began for her as a great way to create a stronger and more flexible body, but has since developed into a lifestyle. She has received her certification from Yoga Works NYC in a style that combines aspects of Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Vinyasa flow in 2009. She also received her Prenatal Yoga certification at Yoga Works NYC and teen and kids certification with Little Flower Yoga.
Surfing and yoga are Tricia's true passions and compliment each other perfectly; to her, surfing is yoga on water. Her ideal day would include and early morning yoga practice followed by some sick morning and evening surf sessions, topped off with some ice cream from the Beach Plum at Bradley Beach, NJ.
Tricia has also been a tenured faculty member at Westfield High School for the past 10 years where she teaches US History and AP Government and Politics (still trying to figure out a way to have the practice of Yoga be an approved elective in high schools!). She spends much of her time with her husband, Adam, and her son, Dante.

Mary Connolly
What began as a new workout quickly turned into a soul inspired passion for Mary. She began her yoga practice in 2005. Being devoted to group fitness and spin classes, Mary was looking for a new form of exercise to cross train. Excited and inspired to learn more, she completed her 200 hour vinyasa flow teacher training from Hot Yoga Revolution under the instruction of Danielle Mojo and Toni Reino.
Her years in the advertising industry were about channeling energy to flow outward…filling our screens with messages. Now she seeks to share an internal energy to help you find your joyful potential through your own breath and body movement. Mary’s goal is help her students find a life of balance and happiness through their yoga practice.

Karen Mustard
Karen is most happy at the Old Mill teaching her students to practice body awareness with gentle yoga and guiding them in to deep relaxation during her restorative yoga classes. She has been registered with the Yoga Alliance since 2008 when she completed her 200 hour teacher training under the guidance of Wendy Gross-Pinto. Since then she has continued her education working with many teachers, all of whom she is most grateful for. A few highlights include learning the intricacies of vinyasa flow with Seane Corn, and getting certified to teach restorative yoga with her friend and mentor, Jillian Pransky. Both of these women prove over and over again, to be an inspiration to Karen on her life journey. More recently under the watchful eye of friend Kelly Coyle, she was certified to teach Yin yoga and this past fall participated in a Love Your Brain teacher training to bring yoga to those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. Karen will continue to further her studies and broaden her horizons, as she lives by the adage once a teacher, always a student. Born and raised in Canada, she has lived in the U.S for 30 years and has called New Jersey home for the past 23. She lives locally with her loving husband and is most grateful for her three, beautiful children.

Cynthia Tarantino
Cynthia has a dynamic practice that integrates pranayama, body alignment and yogic philosophy to guide you into a moving meditation. Her work with the National Dance Institute, a career as a professional dancer, and the exploration of several yoga styles, including Iyengar, Ashtanga and Hatha, has influenced Cynthia's vinyasa teaching style.
Under the inspirational instruction of Laurie Green at Yoga Nine, Cynthia completed a 250-hour certified teacher training with an emphasis on technique, alignment and adjustments. She is grateful to all of her teachers that have helped to shape her practice and life.
Like her own yoga practice, she wants you to have greater body awareness, mind focus and a sense of well being.
Cynthia engages in an active lifestyle with her husband and their three children and Irish Setter. Together they enjoy hiking in the woods, biking at the beach, skiing the diamonds and quilt making and cooking with family and friends.

Tara Goldin
Having an active lifestyle but always a mild fear of yoga, Tara decided to step inside the sanctuary that is Alluem Yoga on Thanksgiving of 2012 to attend the donation based flow class led by Gina Pachkowski, and walked out completely smitten with the offering that day. There was a feeling of warmth from the energy created in that room that was unlike any other
experience she had known. She discovered a deeper connection not only to herself, but to the universe as a whole, and was moved to explore and nurture this space within. She began attending classes regularly, and then decided to deepen her practice, along with what she can offer to her community, by completing a facilitator training for the Embody Love Movement with Dr. Melody Moore. She continued her studies with a 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher Training at Bhakti Barn with Betsy Davis E-RYT and Lauren Magarelli E-RYT. Tara has deepened her commitment to the healing arts by becoming a Level III Reiki Practitioner as well as a Certified Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner. Tara is also an RN and somewhat of a veteran in the childbirth world, as she has been helping deliver babies for over 20 years.
Tara believes that yoga is so much more than the poses and reflects that in her teaching style. She has a tender spot for those that believe that they ‘just can’t do yoga’. Her classes aim to explore and connect with that space inside of us all where there is harmony of mind, body and breath; a sometimes playful and often reflective space for learning how to just be. here. now.

Michelle Weintraub
Michelle fell in love with yoga in 1998 when she discovered Anusara; which in a nutshell is yoga from the inside out. “Instead of trying to control the body and mind from the outside, the poses originate from a deep, creative and devotional feeling inside, from the essence of divine goodness within.” Michelle continued to show up on her mat regularly and for years knowing the time would come to deepen her practice; ultimately sharing and teaching others. In 2012, Michelle found Tara Madore; certified Anusara teacher, chiropractor and owner of Inner Light Yoga Center, with who and where she completed her 200-hour teacher training — but the training never really ends. Since that time, Michelle has learned that we are all beginners every day. She hears regularly and from many all of the reasons someone cannot “do” yoga. Words like “I’m not flexible, I need to sweat, it’s not a workout…” And then the famous, “I can’t touch my toes”, leading her back to her daily words, “Yoga is a breathing practice, that’s all it is. If you can breathe you can do yoga. The physical effects of yoga are all just fringe benefits and stem from the breath. And that glow. Talk about an oxygen facial."In Michelle’s classes you can expect to breathe into, move with and listen to your body (and some great music!). If something feels good, do it; if it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it. There is always another pose, a modification or refinement. Skipping a pose to hold the one you are in because it feels good is the message and once you get “the message” you are “doing” yoga.

When Michelle isn’t on the mat, she is mom to Drew & Jack, who she learns from every single day. In her spare time, Michelle manages her own business, forevergreen soaps, where she has been creating handmade soaps, candles & body products for 18 years - for sale in the Nook!

Erin Goldfeder
Erin started her fitness career as a NASM-certified personal trainer in 2009. At the urging of a couple of her clients, she took her first yoga class. Erin continued to take classes sporadically in between working with her clients and her own fitness routines. She didn’t begin practicing in earnest until after successfully recovering from a year-long battle with cancer. She started practicing regularly at the suggestion of her oncologist. Erin’s mind and body immediately began to feel the benefits of a consistent yoga practice. She came to the realization that she wanted to share her knowledge by becoming a yoga teacher, inspired greatly by her own teachers.
Since becoming a certified yoga teacher Satsang Yoga Studio in 2016, Erin has leveraged her knowledge and love of personal training into her own style of Vinyasa Flow that she refers to as “Athletic Flow”. Athletic Flow combines the movement, breathing, and pose to pose flow of Vinyasa with the stretching and strengthening of fitness training. Her style can modified regardless of the level of the student – from beginners to advanced. The goal of any class Erin teaches is that her students walk out feeling good mind, body and spirit.
Erin is married and lives with her husband and three children in Cranford.

Cindy Fechter
Cindy vividly remembers years ago writing in her journal that she wanted to become physically fit and develop a closer connection to the Divine. She knew she had come home after taking her first yoga class in 1998. Throughout years of deep study – over 1000 hours of trainings, workshops, and retreats and a daily yoga/meditation practice – Cindy finds herself drawn to the following aspects of the practice: 1) the spiritual, healing and transformational; 2) the fun, creative, and playful; and 3) the optimization of body alignment to feel good! Her teaching is reflective of these aspects, as Cindy teaches primarily to give back and share her knowledge and love of the practice. In addition to her love of yoga, Cindy is a pediatric physical therapist and wife and mother to her wonderful husband, three amazing sons and two adorable golden doodles.

Annmarie Ramirez
Being an avid seeker of heart-pumping workouts for most of her adult life, Annmarie took her first yoga class (Kim Kiamie was the teacher!) at a gym in 2011 and never looked back. She was shocked at how challenging she found it – not only physically, but mentally as well. She immediately incorporated yoga into her life, amazed at the benefits she was experiencing – increased physical and mental flexibility, peace of mind, and a clarity to her thoughts that hadn’t existed before. Inspired tremendously by her own instructors and eager to share these benefits with others, in 2015 Annmarie became a certified yoga teacher under the instruction of Claire Diab at The American Yoga Academy in Summit, NJ. Since then, Annmarie has continued to incorporate yoga into her routine, sharing her passion and knowledge with others. Since becoming a full-time working mom in 2017, Annmarie has found that the art and practice of yoga has helped her maintain a levity to her life that previously seemed inaccessible. Annmarie is grateful for the impact that yoga has had on her life and hopes to impact others’ lives in a similar way. Annmarie’s style is vinyasa based, always hoping her students leave class feeling inspired, confident, and at peace.

Mary Roth
Mary has found that yoga and a healthy lifestyle have given her positive energy and balance, even in hectic times. She is passionate about sharing her love of yoga, good food and healthy living.
Mary has been a Registered Yoga Teacher since 2006 and a Registered Dietitian since 1993. There is a yoga path for every age and every fitness level and Mary enjoys encouraging others to tap into their own energy for optimal health.
Mary trained in Soul Sweat Asana with Wendy Pinto and is a certified Relax and Renew Trainer in Restorative Yoga through Judith Lasater. She is certified to teach kids yoga through Next Generation with Jodi Komitor. She currently teaches many styles of yoga including vinyasa flow, basic, gentle, restorative yoga and kids.
Mary emphasizes the importance of taking time to unplug from our busy lives to slow down, breathe deeply, and move mindfully. When Mary is not teaching yoga she enjoys cooking, reading, writing and hiking. She treasures spending time with her husband and three children, her extended family and friends and her favorite four legged pups Charli and Lacey.

Jackie Wyman
Jackie is a native Clevelander currently residing in Elizabeth, NJ. She is a 500hr certified power yoga instructor with additional training in myofascial release. Jackie’s power classes are meant to remind you how strong you are in case you forgot. Her love of music is evident in class and singing is welcomed in all of her classes.
Outside of teaching yoga, Jackie is a high school special education teacher in NYC public schools and mother to one beautiful baby girl, Willow, and a fur baby named Floyd.

Claire Bilavsky
Claire is a creative, soulful, genuine and authentic human being. As a graduate from York College of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s in Fine Art, Claire continues to live out her passion through personal work and teaching private lessons. She has always been comfortable getting lost within the rhythm of her paint brush. Once yoga had been introduced to her in 2008; Claire’s art form expanded into the realms of breath and body. Both have become therapeutically focused on the feeling and what will emote while grooving in the flow. She is 200hr Yoga Alliance certified through Indigo Yoga with Stephanie Parcells and Cindy Romano and looking forward to making yoga an accessible art form to all through teaching.

Christina Reed
When Christina began practicing in 2008, she could not have imagined how yoga would impact her life. While she adores and craves the physical postures, she has learned some truly life changing lessons through the practice of yoga. Christina remembers being in a yoga class and thinking, "This is such a gift. I want to give this to other people." After completing her 200-hour teacher training at YogaWorks, NYC with Paula Lynch, this dream became a reality.
"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier." Christina takes these words from her hero Mother Teresa, to heart, and it is her hope that people leave her class feeling better, happier and more at peace. She would like to thank Gina for giving her the opportunity to teach at Alluem. Yoga attracts amazing people, and Christina is beyond grateful to be part of the Alluem family.

Genevieve Hall
Genevieve E. Hall is a dedicated and experienced yoga teacher, passionate about guiding others through their yoga journeys. With a rich background as a psychic-medium, meditation facilitator, and Reiki Master/Spiritually Guided Healer, Genevieve offers a holistic approach to wellness and self-discovery. She received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification in 2013 from the Yoga & Healing Center in Scotch Plains, NJ, and went on to achieve her 500-hour certification in 2024 from the Gopi Yoga Center in Warren, NJ.
Genevieve's yoga practice began in 2007 when a friend shared how yoga had been "life-changing" for him—a sentiment she soon embraced wholeheartedly. Since 2015, she has been teaching yoga with a focus on the transformative power of hot vinyasa, encouraging her students to connect deeply with mind, body, and spirit. With over 25 years of meditation practice, Genevieve brings profound mindfulness into each of her classes, inspiring students to cultivate peace and self-awareness on and off the mat.

Chia Gemmato
Chia's yoga journey began in 2015 as a personal exploration that deepened into a lifelong passion. While studying medicine, she realized her true calling wasn’t in treating disease but in preventing it—supporting others in feeling better through movement and mindfulness. This discovery led her to Yin Yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine, shaping her unique, therapeutic approach to wellness and Vinyasa yoga.
With a strong foundation in biomechanics, anatomy, functional movement, and creative sequencing, Chia blends ancient wisdom with modern techniques to support healing, self-awareness, and balance. She invites you to connect with your body and intuition in a way that fosters strength, recovery, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. Through her teachings, she creates a safe space for exploration, healing, and transformation—both on and off the mat.

Clarissa Alliano
For Clarissa, yoga is life. She has been a devoted yogi for many years and since her training in 1998 at the Integral Yoga Institute in Yogaville, VA. She has been able to share her love of this ancient practice with students of all ages in New Jersey, New York and California. Clarissa integrates pranayama, meditation, yoga nidra, chanting and yogic philosophy into her teachings so that her students can benefit fully - body, mind and spirit. She holds the following additional certifications and is constantly learning and growing as a teacher and practitioner:
~Radiant Child Yoga 2001
~Veterans Yoga Project Teachers Alliance 2015 & VYP NY Metro Area Manager
~Chinmaya Sanskrit 2021
~VYP Mindful Resilience for Compassion Fatigue Assistant Facilitator 2022
~LoveYourBrain (TBI) Level 1 Certified Teacher 2022
She gives love and thanks to the studios and ashrams in which she has been able to hold space, as well as to the many students who have touched her life as she continues to move along this ever transforming path.

Nicole Coons
Nicole is a mom of two and an experienced yoga teacher and coach to birthing and postpartum people who want to feel vibrant and strong though pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.
Guided by her lifelong passions for movement, mindfulness and personal growth, Nicole delivers transformative practices that address the whole person - mental, physical, emotional and spiritual—to help release stress and anxiety, ease the aches and pains of pregnancy and postpartum, and cultivate strength and confidence for birth and parenthood.
Presenting the teachings of Yoga, Meditation, and Ayurvedic Self-care through her creative lens, she guides her students to deeper levels of awareness, appreciation, ease and love so they can restore their energy and strength sustainably.
Nicole works with people in groups and privately in New Jersey and around the world. She is also the author of multiple online yoga, birth preparation and wellness programs she developed to support birthing people worldwide. Growing from a deep personal practice of yoga since 1998, Nicole completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Alan Finger and Chrissy Carter at Yoga Works NYC in 2007. She completed her advanced Prenatal Yoga Teacher Certification with the Prenatal Yoga Center NYC in 2012 and studied in 2017 with Dr. Sarah Ellis Duvall, PT, DPT, CPT, CNC for her training as a Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist.
Nicole also trained as a health coach with Live Well International and has completed extensive complimentary education in meditation, Ayurveda, postpartum Ayurveda, the chakras and the energy body, yoga for traumatic brain injury through the Love Your Brain foundation, trauma-informed birth professional training through Childbirth International and has attended a Spinning Babies Workshop and is a Spinning Babies enthusiast.

Barbie Barone
Barbie (200 RYT, Certified Children’s Yoga Teacher, DONA certified postpartum doula, Reiki Master, certified personal trainer) began practicing yoga in 2003 with the guidance of her English and Theatre Arts teachers at JPS in Edison, NJ. Through their support, she discovered how much yoga and breathing helped her with performing on stage, taking exams and overcoming anxiety. She became very passionate about learning more about yoga and its benefits and wrote her senior thesis on it. In college she made sure to take the yoga elective courses and continued to practice at several studios. She earned her BA at Kean University, Union, NJ in Therapeutic Recreation and Theatre Arts. Her early years post graduation she taught yoga and activities to children and seniors with disabilities and she became a professional nanny as well. While caring for children she realized how helpful yoga was for them as well. Soon, Barbie completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Baker Street Yoga via Yoga Works in Maplewood, NJ. She also received specialized training in Children’s Yoga from The American Yoga Academy in Summit, NJ. In addition, she embraced her intuition and received her Master Reiki certifications through Carol Anne Patterson at Alluem Yoga, Cranford NJ. She specializes in helping people with PPD, PTSD, traumatic birth stories and childhood trauma. Throughout the years she has attended several workshops at studios and yoga festivals and loves continuing education. Her last adventure was becoming a certified postpartum doula and infant specialist. Barbie has a passion for nurturing and healing.
In addition to the spending time in realm of wellness, Barbie enjoys being with her fiancé and daughter, watching the sunrise and sunset, seeing live music & being at the beach. She has a passion for art, theatre, photography, surfing, being outdoors and traveling.
Barbie is looking forward to meeting you at her home studio, Alluem and is honored to teach in such a magical and beautiful space!

Danielle Romano
Danielle began her yoga journey in 2016, taking her first class in beautiful Long Beach Island. It soon became her passion as she realized the impact it had on her whole mind, body, and spirit.
After moving around the state of New Jersey, Danielle landed a permanent job as an elementary school counselor and she, her husband, and cat, Willow, found their home in Cranford. Right before the pandemic, she was drawn to Alluem and the beauty that surrounded the studio, taking her first class with Gina. Realizing this was a special place, she continued to attend as many classes as she could both in person and online.
It was in 2022 that she realized she wanted to share this practice with others and applied and completed the Breathe For Change 200 hour yoga teacher and SEL*F program.
Danielle has worked as a school counselor in various districts and states and currently is a tenured elementary school counselor with Sayreville Public Schools where she offers weekly yoga to her fellow staff members and is in the process of developing a class for her students. Danielle is a National Certified Counselor, an animal lover, and her classes will offer you a chance to pause, to listen to your body, and to realize all that you and your body can do.

Trish McDermott
In November of 2016, Trish first found herself on the mat. She was apprehensive yet excited. Yoga had alluded her for years and she finally found that her time to practice had arrived organically. She quickly fell in love with her home studio Onyx in Warren, NJ and, nearly a year later, she began her 200 Hour Certification at the studio under the guidance of Shannon Elliott (Malati), Jane Lindemann, and Gabriella Perotti; all of whom have been integral in shaping the person Trish has become as a teacher and a person on and off the mat. She is eternally grateful for all of the wisdom and support they have shared with her.
While away from her mat, Trish spends her time embracing activity and the arts. It’s common to find her hiking or trail running on any one of the many beautiful trails New Jersey offers. Coming from a background in ballet and modern dance, she feels at home moving and grooving on the dancefloor at any one of the many live bands she enjoys seeing.
Trish knows first-hand the healing powers of yoga and the yoga community. After struggling with anxiety and an eating disorder for years, she credits her yoga journey as the major catalyst that propelled her to the healthiest state of her life. Her intention is to utilize yoga to help others to overcome the obstacles that arise in all of our lives with confidence and perseverance, as they embrace progress over perfection. At the heart of it all, Trish wants to help people achieve their goals, learn to take the speedbumps and setbacks in stride, and celebrate their victories because, on this journey, it is not what happens to us that define us but rather how we react to them that define us.

Jean Fitzpatrick
Jean found yoga in 2008 and was quickly hooked; drawn to its philosophy of health and spirituality. In an effort to spread the joy of yoga, Jean completed her 200-hour vinyasa flow teacher training with Hot Yoga Revolution. Jean's goal is to inspire and help her students live their best life through yoga, strengthening their body and mind, and find peace and clarity in their lives. "I want everyone to open their hearts and minds to the practice of yoga, it's life-changing."
Jean leads the Alluem Book Club which brings together people of all ages, creating a community and allowing space for amazing exchange of knowledge and inspiration. She continues to offer her soul-care mini retreats, sharing the practices of hygge and guiding students to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
When not on the mat Jean can be found leading people on their wellness journey, biking, hiking, paddle-boarding, reading or taking a mini adventure to explore an old town with a bookshop!

Meg Zambell
As a yoga instructor, Megan is passionate about creating a nonjudgmental space for self-discovery. She strives to meet her students where they're at, while also encouraging them to challenge themselves.
When a friend gave Megan a gift certificate to Alluem many years ago, a seed was planted. It would take years to bloom as Megan was accustomed to a different style of exercise, but little by little, she realized the depth and magic of yoga. It wasn’t until the lockdown, when she found herself in a tiny apartment in Madrid, Spain, that she decided to start every morning with a daily personal practice, which shifted everything.
Megan has worked as a public-school teacher for over 15 years and taught EFL (English as a Foreign Language) in Spain, for three years. What was intended to be a one-year experience in her late thirties ended up being three years as it allowed her to really step outside the competitive, fast-paced culture she had been immersed in for most of her life. What she gained most from this time abroad was the absolute importance of slowing down, turning inward, and reconnecting with one’s true nature.
She completed her 200-hour Vinyasa and SEL training with Breathe for Change and her 300-hour with Lakshmi Rising. She recently trained in Yin Yoga (30-hr) at Home Power Yoga in Cranford. All three are on a mission to enhance the well-being of communities and to cultivate strength, peace, and balance on and off the mat. In addition, Megan is a level III Reiki practitioner and intrigued by the subtle energy body.
Outside of the studio, she enjoys nature, music, and time with family.

Darren Orr
Dr. Darren Orr is a Doctor of Classical Chinese Medicine in Medical QiGong Therapy, Formless Daoist Priest, QiGong Master, Nationally Board Certified and NJ State Licensed Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapist/Teacher, Reiki Master, Sound Healer, QiGong, Dao yoga, Dao Yin and Meditation teacher.
He has over 5000 hours of training in the holistic field specializing in Massage Therapy, Classical Chinese Medicine, Medical QiGong and ShenGong and has over 12 years clinical experience teaching and treating people in their homes, businesses, hospitals and hospices all over the tri-state area.
Darren is an A-Z Doctor who tailors each treatment to each patient. Every person is treated individually and uniquely no matter the condition, disease or diagnosis. Like old school Doctors, Darren makes house calls to your home, hospital or hospice room, apartment or business for any and all treatments or therapy.
He specializes in treating the human condition with preventative, holistic and integrative medicine. Areas of expertise are: life-altering illness, palliative care for the terminally ill, bereavement services for family/friends, cancer and chronic disease, PTSD, fibromyalgia, MS, lupus, addiction, trauma and abuse, house/space clearings, cleansings and blessings, mental/emotional imbalances, pain and stress management, juvenile detention/prison programs as well as preventive and integrative medicine.

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Photos by Mark DeHanes: dehanesphotography.com