Mindful Turtle Yoga and Wellness

Our Teachers

Danielle Goldstein, Director, MS, NCC, E-RYT-200, RYT-500

Danielle is the founder and owner of Mindful Turtle yoga and wellness. She has had a dedicated yoga practice for over twelve years and has studied many traditions of classical yoga, particularly the Ashtanga Yoga Method, developing a respect and appreciation for yoga and its life changing possibilites. Her classes are motivating and inspiring. She works to meet the needs of every student and every body.

Her training includes both a 200 and 500 hour yoga teacher training from the Yoga Teacher Training Institute under the guidance of Ma Mokshapriya Shakti and Marianne Mitsinikos. She is currently working towards her 1000 hour certification with Beryl Bender Birch of The Hard and The Soft Yoga Institute.

Danielle is also a parent and child counselor with over seventeen years of experience in the fields of education and counseling. She holds a Master's Degree in Counseling and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. She also serves of the board of The Morgan Center, a preschool for children undergoing chemotherapy.

Tony Barca, RYT-200, CPT

Tony Barca is a Yoga Alliance registered and an Into This World YTT certified yoga teacher, with an extensive background in personal training and anotomy. These factors, coupled with his 40+ years as a musician provide the tools for a completely unique yoga experience. His dedication to "paying it forward", so that all may share in what he has learned makes his classes fun, informative and enlightening. His dedication to encouraging people and the realization that no one is perfect creates a safe and happy atmosphere for all who enter the class.

Tony's passion for music is felt everywhere in his classes, private sessions and corporate series workshops. Whether it's rockin', or soothing as a lullaby, music is an integral part of Tony's inspiration. A veteran guitar player, singer and songwriter, he uses 40+ years in music to create mood, energy and rhythm. Don't be surprised if he breaks out his guitar and serenades you during the class.

Tony seeks to create balance in his classes by blending his great respect for Yogic traditions and his passion for music with a physical challenge and a practical philosophical approach. Like a magician pulling a never-ending stream of tricks from his bag, Tony brings something new and creative to every class. He weaves music, themes and poses together for a fun and inspiring experience. His kindness, sincere honor & respect for his students, and entertaining sense of humor create a nurturing atmosphere in which sudents are encouraged to think, feel, laugh, work, play, smile and maybe even sing during their yoga practice.

Tony's certifications and affiliations include:

Into this World Yoga Teacher Certified (200 hour)
Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (200 hour)
Trained in Prenatal Yoga
NESTA Certified Personal Trainer
Member of the Long Island Yoga Association

Visit Tony's website for more information about him: www.rockasana.com

Jaclyn "Jac" Chartier, RYT-200

Jaclyn first began her practice in 1999 at her childhood home in Maryland, following along to the "Denise Austin Power Yoga" video or seeking out classes in her local gym. As yoga studios opened in the local area, she began to explore different varieties of style, including Hatha, Ashtanga and Power Yoga. While enjoying these lineages of yoga in Annapolis, Jaclyn achieved a M.A.T. in Education from Johns Hopkins University. After being a devoted practitioner of Power and Ashtanga Yoga for several years, her practice shifted in 2007 to a focus on Anusara Yoga after moving to Lake Tahoe, CA, and eventually, San Francisco, CA.

Her move to Stony Brook in 2010 finally presented the opportunity to pursue her lifelong goal of becoming a yoga instructor. Soon after beginning her training, Jaclyn discovered she was pregnant with her first child. Her child was a true gift she carried throughout her work to become an instructor. She has since completed her 200-hour Yoga Teachers Certification at the Yoga Teacher Training Institute in Queens, NY.

Jaclyn models her classes on her extensive yoga experience across the country. She guides students through uplifting and engaging practices that build inner strength and awareness of the body, focus on the mind/body connection, and create positive transformations through proper alignment and self-awareness.

Kelly Cummings-Briganti

Kelly has studied Dance and movement for years. She started dancing at age six as a way to overcome her shyness. She loved feeling free; after having to sit at a desk in school ALL Day.

She continued her love of movement by attending Point Park University in Pittsburgh for Dance. After Graduating, she worked as a Personal Trainer, Assistant Manager at various Gyms in the Tri-State area as well as the Program Coordinator for the 92nd street Y.

In 1998, she after missing working one on one with people and helping them achieve their personal goals, she became a Certified Pilates Teacher. In 2005 wanting to be able to provide more for her clients she enter The Feldenkrais Method Training Program in NYC with David Zemach-Bersin, Anna Johnsson Chase and Sheryl Field. All students of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais' early trainings in Berkeley, California.

This felt like a re-awakening to her original love of movement. Since graduating in 2009, she has worked with various students from all walks of life; adults looking for relief from chronic back, neck and/or shoulder issues. As well as, young adults looking to improve their performance in singing and dance. Everyday she is more amazed by this brilliant method and looks forward to helping others achieve their goals. For more information on The Feldendkrais Method please visit The Feldenkrais Institute.

Misty Curreli, RYT-200

Misty has been practicing Ashtanga yoga since 2003 and started training to become a teacher in 2004. She received her 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification in 2006 from Lehigh Valley Yoga Center in Allentown, PA under the guidance of Erica McHugh (Sulzer). Since then she has been teaching a number of classes in Suffolk County, including the Ashtanga Primary Series, Beginner's Ashtanga, Ashtanga inspired Vinyasa, Mysore, Yoga in Chairs, and Yoga for Anxiety and Depression. Beginning in 2008, she developed and co-taught a new 200 hour Yoga Alliance approved Teacher Training program and will be continuing to teach this curriculum in 2010.

In addition to many workshops and trainings under her belt, Misty traveled to Mysore, India in the summer of 2007 to study with Sri K. Pattabi Jois (the Guru of Ashtanga Yoga) and his grandson, Sharath Rangaswamy. Beyond the study of asana and pranayama, India taught her many lessons about the 8 limbs of yoga, and she began to know a deeper understanding of ahimsa (non-violence) and non-attachment, which continues to permeate her ways of teaching and being.

Misty is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology and is researching pain management and healing through conventional and alternative medical systems for her dissertation.

Karen Dubi, E-RYT-500

Karen is a dedicated practitioner and student of yoga for over ten years. She is deeply committed to her daily yoga practice. Karen is a graduate of the Yoga Teacher Training Institute (YTTI) of Long Island and a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, accredited with Yoga Alliance.

For many years, Karen devoted her practice and teachings to the Ashtanga Vinyasa System of yoga, as taught by Sri Pattabhi Jois. She holds several teaching certifications in this system of yoga practice.

In recent years, Karen has been inspired to teach yoga in a manner that focuses on the unique needs of each individual, based on their physical, mindful and emotional goals and pursuits. A growing interest in studying and teaching yoga as a means of healing led Karen to her current teacher, in the tradition of Krishnamacharya, as taught by the TKV Desikachar and his family in India and across the world. This tradition views yoga as a healing discipline, offering a variety of tools that promote self discovery, clarity and stability. Karen provides students with a comfortable, safe and supportive environment on an individual basis and in group class settings.

Karen is also a Registered Dietitian and Certified Nutrition Therapist. Students are offered a holistic dietary approach for improving their health which allows them to better manage life's changes.

Valerie Fontana

Valerie's background as a certified medical assistant led her down the path to studying the healing properties of Yoga. With a strong foundation of anatomy and a respect for the human body, her classes span all ages from teens to seniors, with a focus on healing.

Certified at the Kripalu Institue 200 hour and working toward her 500 hour, Valerie is also certified in Yoga Nidra (meditation and relaxation) and holds sessions regularly. She is also certified in Children's Yoga and is a member of KYTA and LIYA.

Valerie has studied with such masters as:

Tias Little - The Chakras
Gary Krafsto - Yoga for Wellness
Todd Norian - Flying, Balancing and Inversions
Seane Corn - Vinyasa Flow Teacher Training, Detox Flow: Purification of Body, Mind and Spirit
Shiva Rea - Foundational Vinyasa Flow Teacher Training
Amrit Desai (Kripalu Institute and Amrit Yoga founder) - Yoga Nidra workshops

With the support of her family and friends, who continue to inspire her, Valerie brings to her classes a passion and commitment for the healing and well-being of her students.

Lisa Iacono, The Peaceful Warrior

To enhance her martial arts practice, Lisa began her yogic journey ten years ago with an Iyengar teacher who studied under Jeff Logan. Over the past 15 years, she has achieved black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Jujitsu.

Lisa is a registerd yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. After her first teacher training with Shiva Rea, Lisa was hooked on Vinyasa, and she developed her Shakti Yoga from this experience. Some of her favorite teaches are Shiva Rea, Duncan Wong, Baron Baptiste and John Friend. Blending science, spirit, philosophy and art into one, the path of the peaceful warrior transforms and energizes body, mind and spirit.

Jackie Incorvia, RYT-200

Jackie's personal yoga practice, which began in 2005, coupled with a growing interest in Eastern philosophy took her to India in 2008 to study classical Hatha yoga. Shortly after, she earned her 200-hour certification with Yoga Teacher Training Institute in Queens, NY. In 2009, Jackie began teaching Eclectic Hatha and Vinyasa classes largely influenced by the Ashtanga system around Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. Jackie's passion to share this ancient science and to deepen her own personal practice are the driving forces behind completing her 500-hour teacher training with Yoga Teachers Training Institute in December 2011.

Her classes incorporate philosophy influenced by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and inspiration that you can take off of your yoga mat, and into your life. She also integrates strong detailed alignment-oriented technical instruction to increase self-awareness and deepen the practice. Jackie's style blends several traditions to create a dynamic cohesive flow, the aim of which is to develop strength, flexibility, stamina, balance, and concentration in order to instill inner peace, confidence, and empowerment in each and every one of us.

Jimmy Lennon

Jimmy Lennon came to Yoga several years ago from an extensive background in the martial arts. He is a dedicated Ashtanga and Power Vinyasa practitioner. Jim has studied extensively with Doug and David Swenson, Baron Baptiste and Manju Jois.

In 2007, Jim traveled to Mysore India to study with Sri K.Patthabi Jois and Sharath. Jimmy has taken Doug Swenson's teacher training and is an Associate Baptiste Power Vinyasa Instructor, having successfully completed Level 1 and Level 2 Teacher Training with Baron Baptiste. Most recently Jim has studied with Beryl Bender Birch in Costa Rica and at the Mindful Turtle. Locally, Jim trains with Christopher Hildebrand in New York City.

Jimmy's classes are based on teachings and lessons learned from all of his teachers presented in a dynamic flow with an undercurrent of traditional ancient Yoga.

Lisa Meléndez

Lisa came to yoga as a means for dealing with asthma, and has now been practicing for over eight years. She is currently deepening her studies as a student in the Healing Yoga Foundation's 500-hour teacher training program. Committed to yoga as a tool for developing self-awareness and a calm mind, both on-and-off the mat, Lisa practices in the tradition of Krishnamacharya.

Jaysun Melia, MS, RYT-200

Jaysun has been practicing yoga for about 8 years and first found his love for it while traveling for a living. Constantly living out of a suitcase and being in foreign cities he was searching for a way to incorporate exercise, relaxation and stress relief into a demanding schedule. He began his yoga practice by watching DVDs in hotel rooms and visiting new studios whenever possible. He believes that yoga finds the person (not the person finds yoga) and when an individual is ready they will be drawn to the mat. Jaysun received his 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certification in June of 2009 from an Ashtanga based studio here on Long Island. He had the pleasure of training under Misty Curreli.

Jaysun has a Master's Degree in School Counseling and is working on finishing up his course work and internship hours to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Jaysun is also a Certified Professional Stunt Performer.

Theresa Moje

Theresa's journey with Yoga began in 2000 with a gift certificate from her husband for a six week Yoga and Meditation session. It was during her first savasana that a shift occurred and she knew there was much more to this practice than relaxation. She then began her path with the teachings of Siddha Yoga, where she became a devote, following the spiritual practices of Gurumayi Chidvilasananda. Theresa stayed at the ashram in Shoughfallsburg, NY where she took Meditation Intensives and Yoga & Meditation workshops with John Friend and Bill Mahoney. It was through these practices that Theresa decided to become a Yoga and Meditation Instructor

Theresa has been practicing meditation for 9 years and teaching for 4 years. Her teachings and studies come from the Siddha Yoga Lineage and Kripalu Yoga & Health in Lenox, Massachusetts. Siddha Yoga meditation focuses on chanting a Mantra, and then bringing the vibration of the mantra within and meditating.

2004 - Certified 200 hour Kripalu Teacher Training
2004 - Kripalu Meditation Certification
2006 - Karma Yoga Kids - Children's Yoga Certification
2007 - Kripalu Yoga Nidra Certification

Theresa is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Practitioner.

Danielle Tarantola

Danielle Tarantola, director of The Yoga Foundation, is a teacher certified by the Krishnamacharya Healing and Yoga Foundation. She also trains teachers and offers Yoga Therapy. Through continued, extensive training in India and across the United States with the Desikachar family, she labors to ensure that yoga's profound wisdom comes through clearly, simply, and with total relevancy for our modern times and conditions.