Our Teachers

Dominique Garstin

Dominique Garstin

Dominique was initially drawn to yoga and meditation as methods of reconnecting with her inherent spirituality, and of coping with a demanding career in retail/ fashion. Immediately captivated, she knew that a radical change in trajectory was in store for her. Inspired by her teachers and guides, Dominique embarked upon a journey of discovery that ended in a lifetime commitment to her evolving study, practice and love of yoga, which she now has the pleasure of sharing with her students.

Dominique received her 200 hr Interdisciplinary Yoga Teacher Certification and 100 hr Inner Quest of the Yoga Educator training at the renowned Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica, studying under Amba Stapleton and Don Stapleton, Ph.D. She continued her studies at the Nosara Yoga Institute, becoming a Certified Practitioner of Pranassage, a synthesis of yoga and bodywork that deepens the effects of yoga.

Dominique continues to be a dedicated and impassioned student and is grateful to her teachers and students for their continual inspiration.

Teaching an “interdisciplinary style” of yoga, Dominique integrates vinyasa flow with other styles of currently practiced yoga. In her classes, she encourages students to deepen their awareness of technique, breath and movement, and focuses on the connection of body/ mind, alignment, flexibility, strength building and meditation. Her classes focus on empowering students to listen and respond to the intelligence in their own body and mind.

Christine Hoar

Christine Hoar is the founder and director of both Bristol Yoga, VT and Ashtanga Montauk, NY.Christine Hoar is the founder and director of both Bristol Yoga, VT and Ashtanga Montauk, NY.

Christine has been a practitioner of the Ashtanga Yoga System for 22 years and has been teaching Ashtanga yoga for 20 years. From 1997-2014, she served as the founder and director of Vermont’s only dedicated Ashtanga Yoga studio, Bristol Yoga. She has now moved and created a new practice space in Montauk, New York. Specializing in the integration of the Ashtanga method with the principles of Ayurveda and the depth of Yogic philosophy, Christine offers students unique insights into the Yogic lifestyle. Christine has made many trips to Mysore, South India to study with her Guru, the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and she is honored to have received his blessing and authorization to teach. She travels annually back to Mysore to continue her studies with both his daughter, Saraswati Jois, and his grandson, Paramaguru Sharath Jois.

Christine is also a certified Ayurvedic consultant. As a practitioner, she is devoted to creating health and joy by fostering an awareness of the karma associated with our lifestyle choices and our connection to all of nature.

As a teacher, she integrates alignment and intuition, strength and fluidity, mindfulness and humor. Christine is passionate about the teachings, and brings a gentle, compassionate, and light-hearted, yet powerful, hands-on approach.

Ashley Dorr

Ashley began practicing yoga to supplement her training as a runner. Through the years she recognized the transformative and spiritual components of yoga and her practice became a devoted part of her daily life. In 2011 Ashley completed her 200 hour Teacher Training at The Shala Yoga House in NYC under the warm and wise guidance of Barbara Verrochi and Kristin Leigh where she teaches now. Over the last 3 years Ashley has traveled to Mysore, India for month-long studies of ashtanga yoga with Sharath Jois. Ashley is deeply grateful to her Ashtanga teachers, as well as influenced by her early teachers from Jivamukti, her acupuncturist Abdi Assadi, the dharma of Pema Chodron, and the inspiring students and clients she works with.

Ashley’s classes weave together strong and creative vinyasa flow with the tradition and energizing asana of ashtanga yoga and incorporate meditation, breath work, yoga philosophy, and great music. She hopes her students will find both inner and outer strength, and also have some fun!

Ashley is also a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in private practice. When she isn’t at the beach in Montauk she can be found back in Brooklyn walking her beloved rescue dog Soumy, making art with kids, or planning her next trip abroad.

Heather Joe Payne

Heather Joe Payne

Heather Joe Payne

A Montauk native, I have always been drawn to tuning in to the quiet within. Starting my yoga journey with an alignment book of stretching in yoga at twenty one while living in Park Slope. Continuing to add classes. Becoming more and more intrigued. Finally culminating in a 300 hour teacher training with Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman Yee, Heidi Folkine, Richard Rosen and Richard Freeman completed in July 2013.

I am interested most by the natural feeling of many postures, realizing that as a child I did tripod headstand and hung out in shoulder stand. Watching my own two children repeating the same and mimicking many of my movements is pure joy.

I teach with alignment and kindness to your body as priority. Four years of collegiate volleyball and triathlons have shown the importance of both.

Sara Tallett

Sarah Tallett

Sara Tallett

Sara finds herself in constant exploration of life and enjoys utilizing breath, movement and attention as tools for creating balance. Her practice provides her with a sense of readiness for whatever is to come. She sees her classes as a chance to step outside the everyday and discover new energetic possibilities.

“By collectively practicing without judgment we are able to transform and open up to the simple wonder of being alive.”

Sarah is registered with the National Yoga Alliance and completed her 200 hour training certification with Tricia Philpott and Gregor Singleton. In addition, she has studied the Breakti method under Anya Porter,  Bhakti meditation under Acharya das, Baptise Power Vinyasa with Kathleen Lyons and Kundalini with Guru Purkh Kaur.

Cathy McGuire

Cathy McGuire

Cathy McGuire

Cathy McGuire began studying Yoga in 1996 and has been teaching since 2001. Her first teacher was a student and friend of BKS Iyengar and gave Cathy a firm foundation in alignment and safety. She went on to study Anusara and Vinyasa. She was certified as a Yoga therapist in 2003.

Yoga therapy consists of asana, meditation, and Therapeutic dialogue inspired by the psychologist Carl Rogers. When a client feels safe in a non judgmental environment they can look within and feel supported by a practitioner. When toxicity is released the individual feels more open and free in their body, mind, and spirit! “Our issues are in our tissues.”

Cathy is also a registered Yoga instructor and a Reiki practitioner. She taught Aerobics in gyms and as an adjunct in Queensborough Community College in the phys Ed dept for many years. She credits her Yoga practice for being able to stay active and injury free!

Cathy loves Montauk and feels a deep sense of gratitude for her life here! She hopes to inspire her students to be the best version of themselves!

Jenni Falcone

Jenni Falcone

Jenni Falcone

A long time track and field athlete, Jenni was first introduced to yoga almost 15 years ago while living in Manhattan and looking for something to balance out her physical regime. As a mom of 3 girls, Jenni has continued her practice throughout the years with vinyasa, prenatal yoga and meditation.

It wasn’t until 2014 that she packed up her running shoes and began diving deeper into her yoga practice. In 2015 Jenni completed her 200 hour RYT Vinyasa yoga certification at Practice Mind Body Soul, where she continues to teach a multitude of classes ranging from beginner to advanced Vinyasa Flow. As a student and practitioner of the Ashtanga tradition, Jenni integrates her love for Ashtanga yoga into her Vinyasa Flow classes. Her playful teaching style make her classes fun and accessible to all levels. She loves to empower her students, offering a safe place to explore and progress.

Outside of her practice, you can find Jenni frolicking around town with her 3 little yogini’s and yogi husband❤.

Christiana Eva

Christiana Eva

Christiana Eva

Christiana is a dedicated student of yoga and meditation. She uses the foundations of yogic philosophy to navigate her human experience and takes great joy in sharing this knowledge. Christiana entered her first comprehensive yoga studio in 2012, this monumental experience led her to embark on the path of a seeker. Within a year, she left for Satchidananda’s ashram in VA and completed their LYT training. With the strong foundation of a yogic community behind her she left to learn from teachers throughout the world. She has lived at Ashrams in the US, Nicaragua, India and Nepal and completed her 200hr YTT at Kranti Yogashala in Patnem, India.

Her classes are a blend of wholesome intuitive movement, breath work and meditation. Christiana’s love for the ocean has also led her to become a certified SUP yoga instructor. During these classes she invokes an awareness of the surrounding nature with stabilizing, alignment based postures.

Elizabeth Grignon

Elizabeth Grignon

Elizabeth Grignon

Elizabeth is a Montauk local who received her Kundalini Yoga and Meditation training in Santa Monica with her teachers Tej and Harijiwan.

She is dedicated to the lineage of Kundalini Yoga and hopes to share its technology with other yogis.

Kundalini Yoga is a practice for everyone with no yoga experience required.

Elizabeth’s spiritual name is Shabadjot meaning “to receive God’s light through sacred sound”. Elizabeth resonates deeply with mantra and the healing Gong, and uses these in her classes.

Sally Richardson

Sally Richardson

Sally Richardson

Sally is a year round Montauk resident and has been teaching her dance class for 8 years.

Dancing has been a big part of her life and she has tried every dance class out there, from step, salsa and flamenco. Living in London in the 1980’s she was a frequent visitor to Pineapple Studios in Covent Garden and the YMCA on Tottenham Court Road for jazzercise and dance cardio classes. After completing two Zumba workshops in NYC Sally modified her class to create a combination of aerobic workout with easy-to-follow dance steps incorporating salsa, merengue and cumbia to improve coordination, flexibility and balance.

Sally’s approach to exercise is to get fit through dancing in a friendly and welcoming environment, her class is for all ages and all levels.

Sally and her husband own and operate a small 20 acre vineyard in Martinborough, New Zealand. She is also a sculptor, carving wood and stone by hand.

Brittany Thompson

Brittany Thompson

Brittany is a nature, adventure and animal lover.  The Montauk native also loves healthy food, making yummy recipes, green living, and her family. Her mission is to help people eat healthier, move more, love their body and find happiness. She subscribes to the notion that true beauty comes from the inside out. This is why she loves Pilates! Pilates exercise works from the inside out and regular exercise does the opposite. The deep intrinsic muscles of the body are activated allowing you to discover muscles you never knew you had.

Brittany was introduced to Pilates during her training as a ballet dancer. Pilates gave her core strength to combat the challenging demands ballet placed on her body. The benefits of Pilates were so apparent to her dancing and the overall health of her body that, after turning in the Pointe Shoes, she decided to train to teach. Movement is an important aspect of everyday life -and Pilates works to help your body be dynamic, balanced, and supported so you can move throughout your life with ease, strength, and health. She offers private, duo, and group Pilates sessions at Yoga Lila in Montauk.

Heather D’Agostino

Heather D'Agostino

Heather D’Agostino

Heather’s Hatha Yoga classes are lively and fun; full of thought and philosophy. She encourages her students to find focus through their breath, to expand and play with their strengths and boundaries but also find their own expression of self in their practice. Principles of alignment are instructed and encouraged so to experience the deepest openings through safe body awareness.

Heather begans practicing yoga 20 years ago while dealing with illness utilizing yoga therapeutics. In addition, she counted on yoga throughout her pregnancies and has a strong desire to share with others how yoga can transform the body and mind as well as inspire the soul. Heather is grateful to her teachers Lois Nesbitt and John Seelye.

Rodrigo Apiolaza

Rodrigo Apiolaza

Rodrigo Apiolaza

Rodrigo is originally from Chile. He moved to the US permanently in 2004 and, although he originated his work in HR, he couldn’t ignore the spiritual lineage of his family bloodline of healers. He is an energy healer stepping into full power as a Reiki Master & Teacher.

Rodrigo creates a multisensory experience through meditation, reiki, sound healing, smudging and essential oils.

Carolyn Cahill

Carolyn CahillCarolyn, a Montauk local, started her yoga journey about 10 years ago. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Applied Psychology and Human Development and minored in photography from Boston College.

She is a 600 hour certified yoga teacher in Kripalu, Vinyasa, and Kundalini Yoga. She received her first two certifications at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Western Massachusetts and has just completed her third training at the Sattva Yoga Academy in Northern India where she was exposed to the most ancient teachings of yoga & meditation in the world. She is so excited to share her unique combination of Eastern and Western techniques with you all on the mat!

Lauren Hanna

Lauren Hanna

Lauren Hanna

Lauren began a serious study of Yoga with Sri Dharma Mittra in the early 1990’s. Since then she has studied with many of the great masters, but has been most profoundly influenced by the brilliance and spontaneity of Shiva Rea, the devotion of Dharma, the bhakti of Jai Uttal and Krishna Das, the unconditional love of Amma, and the radiance of Sri Swamini Mayatitananda. She is always in the current of studying Prana Flow with her friend and teacher Shiva Rea, who inspires her to live her life with spontaneity, to remain close to the source and to move deeply in tune with the pulse of the universe.

Lauren is a devoted Yogini whose deep love of nature inspires her practice and her life. She humbly aspires to share the insights of her teachers and to encourage her students to celebrate life, with an open heart and mind. She shares her passion with her students on Yoga surf retreats, from Montauk to Morocco.

When not practicing or teaching, she spends her free time enjoying life with her family, JJ, her partner and her baby girl Jaya Lynn. She can also be found communing with nature, riding waves and snow, developing her inner creativity, dancing, chanting, gardening, cooking, & playing djimbe in her home in the surfside village of Montauk, Long Island.

Leo Turpan

Leo Turpan

Leo Turpan

Leo was born and raised in East Hampton. A lover of the ocean, the surfing, the farms, and the forest that surround the East End he returns home as often as possible, and always for the wonderful summer months. An extensive traveler, Leo continually seeks out worldly opportunities and experiences to inform his path forward. Along the way meditation and yoga took a strong foothold in his outlook and approach to living life with awareness and slowing down.

Leo received his 200 hour teaching certification in February of 2019 at Yogendra Ashram in Cali, Colombia from teachers Syam Vallabhi Devi Das and Chaitanya Nitai Das. He then continued his studies of yoga and ayurveda with Myra Lewin at Halepule on Kauai. Leo’s classes emphasize mindful movement and surrender through challenging, but slower paced alignment based vinyasa.

Jimmy Minardi

Jimmy Minardi

Jimmy Minardi

Jimmy Minardi, founder of Minardi Training, has been working as a certified personal trainer and yoga instructor to top athletes and fitness enthusiasts across the country for over 20 years. A former professional cyclist, he is also a Class-A Body Wise International Athlete, certified snowboard instructor, swimmer, avid surfer, and black belt.

​Renowned for his motivating training style, emphasis on the outdoors, and the exceptional results he achieves, Minardi works closely with each client, customizing a program to maximize performance while minimizing potential injuries. Through his personally designed Minardi Beach Workout, Minardi Yoga, Minardi Vinyasa Weight Training and Minardi Cycling, he focuses on helping clients develop a level of athleticism and dedication to their own health and well-being that is truly life changing.

Tara Kirkpatrick

Tara Kirkpatrick

Tara Kirkpatrick

Tara Kirkpatrick is a 200-hour RYT based in New York City. Yoga is a byproduct of her 20-year dance education, which you see in her creative, free-flowing vinyasa sequences always made to the music. Tara was drawn to yoga because it was the one “workout” with a mindfulness component, and she recognized the importance of this balance and with connecting with oneself in today’s fast-paced world.

Tara guides her students to enhance performance in their everyday lives, working though the body and breath to raise energy and take control of thoughts. She draws on her other line of work in public relations for entrepreneurs to coach students to self-study and discover their own stories through their practice.

Tara received her 200-hour Power Yoga Teacher Training with CorePower Yoga in spring 2018 and began teaching and continuing study right after for the summer season in Montauk for group and private clients. During the year she instructed in New York City with I am hOM and CorePower Yoga.

Tara recently completed an additional 200-hour certificate with Colleen Saidman Yee and Rodney Yee at Yoga Shanti Sag Harbor.

Rowan Hausman

Rowan Hausman

Rowan Hausman

Rowan began teaching yoga at the age of 18, studying under Heidi Michel Fokine. Rowans passion of working with the breath, body, and spirit is represented in her classes which include meditation, pranayama, and asana.

Rowans classes are vinyasa style with mindful, intuitive movement. Rowan believes in living a passionate and healthy life style, and is able to find magic in everyday life through the practice of yoga. 400 hour RYT

Jenny Baker

Jenny Baker

Jenny Baker

Jenny brings over twenty five years of experience to her classes. After receiving her yoga teacher trainingin Nosara, Costa Rica in 2001, she has been teaching yoga ever since. The last few years have brought a greater sense of “there is something more”. Through her shamanic studies, grace interceded and she was introduced to Rudra Meditation.

With the encouragement of her teacher, Silver Ra, Jenny began combining her meditation practice with yoga asanas creating a new dynamic class, Shadow Mountain Yoga. Jenny’s ability to hold a nurturing space for all beings on different levels gives everyone an opportunity to rise to their Divine Potential.

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