All of our bodywork modalities are provided by certified/licensed practitioners who are active members of the IYI community and committed to offering the best therapeutic care.

 

Brahmi Bergamini

Brahmi Bergamini

Aura-Soma Color Therapy | Beamer Light Pen | Reiki | Flower Essences Therapy

Brahmi has been a color therapy practitioner for 15 years having trained in the Aura-Soma color system in Italy, England, and Germany. Her newest tool in this modality is the Aura-Soma Beamer Light Pen, the next generation of Color Light Therapy. This tool stimulates the energy centers, harmonizing the subtle body with light and color. Brahmi is an Aura-Soma Advanced Level practitioner, registered at the Art &Science International Academy of Colour Technologies (ASIACT), Aura-Soma Beamer Light practitioner, and a Reiki Master. As a Flower Essence Therapist Brahmi identifies and prepares your unique blend of flower essences to be used in restoring overall well-being and balance.

Cristina Lipka

Cristina Lipka

Foot Reflexology

Cristina began practicing reflexology in 1998 after being certified by the American Reflexology Certification Board. She was a vice president on the board of the New York State Reflexology Association and also its newsletter coordinator for many years. During that time she developed a successful private practice and began working for a corporate health event organizer. She has continued to hone her skills by attending reflexology workshops and conferences over the years. In addition, she has volunteered at the medical examiner’s office, the FDNY, the PAPD (Port Authority Police Department) cleanup crew, and the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases—The Initiative for Women with Disabilities. Currently she is volunteering with Community Relief and Rebuilding through Education and Wellness (CRREW) doing reflexology on residents impacted by Hurricane Sandy on Staten Island, and she continues in her practice serving a wide variety of clients, given her ability to speak Spanish, Polish, and English.

Francesca Biryukov

Francesca Biryukov

Acupuncture | Facial Rejuvenation |Cupping | Gua Sha

Francesa is a New York State‒licensed acupuncturist and a National Board‒certified herbalist in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. She is a graduate of the Tri-State College of Acupuncture and served as the clinical director of the Yu Wen Acupuncture Clinic at the Swedish Institute for 15 years. With more than 25 years of experience in classical Chinese medicine, Francesca approaches her work from a perspective of body, mind, and spirit. Her respect for the uniqueness of each individual and for a person’s ability to heal in a safe and compassionate environment brings warmth and understanding to her treatments. Facial Rejuvenation using ancient techniques of Acupuncture is a safe and effective method of enhancing appearance to reduce the signs of aging by stimulating the flow of Qi to the meridian pathways of the face. It leaves one feeling more energetic, calm, healthy and vibrant. Cupping places small suction cups over vital energy body points to break up blockages, restoring the body’s natural flow of energy and blood, promoting overall good health and well-being. Gua Sha gently scrapes the skin using a Gua Sha jade tool to break up stagnant energy and increase blood flow

Johanna Schwarzbeck

Johanna Schwarzbeck

Shiatsu |Swedish Massage | Reiki | Core Energetics Therapy

Johanna, COI Certified Ohashiatsu Instructor, LMT NY State Licensed Massage Therapist, Usui Reiki Master, IYI Certified Yoga Teacher, has been a Wellness Practitioner for more than 25 years. Her broad range of training and expertise includes pre- and post-natal treatment and experience as a childbirth assistant. Currently Johanna is studying at the Core Energetics Institute which offers training in body-centered therapy focusing on unifying mind, body, emotions, sexuality, and spirit. As a long-time Zen meditator Johanna brings calmness, an intuitive approach, and an array of skills to her sessions ensuring a total wellness experience for her clients.

Rev. Laksmi Scalise

Rev. Laksmi Scalise

Shamanic Chakra Balancing | Reiki | Sound Healing | Spiritual Counseling

Rev. Laksmi Scalise, IYM, RYT 500, an Integral Yoga certified teacher and Spiritual Counselor, began her Yoga practice in 1975. She went on to study under Swami Bua Maharaj for five years, becoming one of his teachers during his travels. Reverend Laksmi is a senior teacher under Grand Gong Master Don Conreaux, having begun her sound healing training with him in 2011. She has also studied numerology, astrology, metaphysics, and theosophy (theology, science, and philosophy). Reverend Laksmi is a Reiki master teacher and a Karuna Reiki 2 practitioner, as well as a dowser, using pendulums and working with crystals, tuning forks, Tibetan bowls, and sound mantras to clear the body’s subtle energies and balance the chakras.

 

Marie Chism

Marie Chism

Swedish | Deep-Tissue | Sports | Medical Massage

Marie is a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist who found her path as a healer through her own practice of yoga. As a 2013 graduate of The New York College of Health Professions she remains dedicated to the mastery of massage therapy. Marie is certified by the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences in Essential Sports Massage focusing on Performance and Recovery, along with the Strenta Method of Medical Massage. Marie incorporates a unique blend of techniques including Swedish, deep tissue, sports, stretching, reflexology, acupressure, shiatsu, and medical massage into each session. Her focus remains on dissolving pain and bringing the body back into a balanced state of homeostasis resulting in an innate sense of serenity, even in a chaotic world.

 

Rev. Sam Rudra Swartz

Rev. Sam Rudra Swartz

Spiritual Counseling

Rev. Sam Rudra Swartz, IYM has been a devotee of Swami Satchidananda since 2001. A 2004 Graduate of the All-Faiths Seminary in New York he received ordination from Rabbi Joseph Gelberman an Interfaith Minister. He has performed wedding ceremonies around the United States, lead interfaith services, and Jewish services at the Actors’ Temple in New York as well as at other synagogues and gatherings. Most recently he lived and served at Satchidananda Ashram Yogaville Virginia as a Karma Yogi as well as participating in religious offerings.

 

Shakti Amitay

Shakti Amitay

Acupressure | Yoga | Meditation | Holistic Wellness Consultation

Shakti Amitay has been a practitioner of the healing arts for more than a decade. She has worked with clients to balance, relax, and restore, as well as served those with chronic health conditions such as cancer, kidney disease, and arthritis. She holds a certification in Shiatsu from the Ohashi Institute, has experience working in a clinical setting with physical therapy, and is a Kundalini Yoga and meditation teacher for self-healing trained at Universal Force. Shakti has also studied Yoga Nidra and other healing therapies in depth with various masters, integrating them into her practice. In her Holistic Wellness Consultation Shakti identifies self-healing tools and modalities to incorporate in your daily life. She is certified in interfaith contemplative meditation. Shakti has for years been providing various services to Integral Yoga Swamis.

Sharyn Hahn

Sharyn Hahn

Yoga Therapy| Holistic Wellness Consultation

Sharyn Hahn, C-IAYT, RYT-500, received her 800-hour IYT certification through the Kripalu School of
Integrative Yoga Therapy. She has been teaching yoga and related healing practices since 2015 to
students of all ages and levels. Her personal journey as a cancer survivor deepened her appreciation for
following a healthy lifestyle. This awareness led her to pursue an accreditation in fitness as an ACE
Personal Trainer, as well as several Yoga certifications. Sharyn shares her passion for guiding others on
their own path to healing with an invitation to explore and balance the chakras, practice pranayama, tap
into mindfulness, and delve into a physical practice that embraces asana to enhance wellness objectives.
This holistic approach reduces stress, strengthens the immune system, and balances the five koshas,
with an emphasis on the physical, energetic, and emotional connections.

Somaliah Williams

Somaliah Williams

Swedish | Deep Tissue Massage | Thai Bodywork

Somaliah Williams is a licensed massage therapist who graduated from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. The foundation of the college is in traditional Chinese medicine, and it has equipped Somaliah with tools in meridian theory, acupressure, fire cupping, moxa, and gua sha, along with Eastern and Western massage modalities. Somaliah offers focus therapy in prenatal care as a certified prenatal massage therapist and doula. She has additional training in Thai Hara work, which is a massage technique targeted at an array of issues associated with digestion, reproductive health, and deep emotional blockages. Somaliah Williams gives full-spectrum holistic care to her clients with healing hands and attunement, which are the basis of her practice.

Swarupa Sky Oak Speaker

Swarupa Sky Oak Speaker

Reiki | Spiritual Counseling | Vibrational Resonance Therapy | Yoga Therapy

Swarupa Sky Oak Speaker, C-IAYT, E-RYT-500 started studying Western methods of wellness, reason, and philosophy in college. Unsatisfied, he embarked on a decades-long journey of renunciation and self-discovery and continues to explore many current and ancient global traditions and practices. In classes, private sessions, clinics, and teacher trainings, Swarupa incorporates his ongoing study of all aspects of Yoga, pranic awareness, and vibrational resonance therapy, bringing them together in an accessible, complementary care approach that is practical, heartfelt, and transformational. Swarupa’s certifications include all levels of Hatha Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Yoga for Stress Management, Meditation, Yoga for Cancer, Gentle/Chair Yoga, Reiki (he is a master teacher), Yoga for Bone Health, Raja Yoga, and Teen Yoga. He is overjoyed to connect with and serve individuals, and communities of all sizes.

You can learn more about Swarupa on his website: https://www.sattviclife.com

Tinuola Bello

Tinuola Bello

Thai Bodywork | Shiatsu | Restorative Healing | Crystal Healing

Tinuola moved from London to New York City in 1998. She received her certificate as a Thai Yoga bodywork practitioner and later became a certified Yoga teacher after successfully completing her training at Integral Yoga Institute in New York. The breath is the foundation of Tinuola’s work. She encourages her students to connect initially with the breath before coordinating it with the mindful movement of Yoga or the assisted effort in Thai bodywork. That connection then becomes a place from which to heal and transition. Her Crystal and Gemstone sessions focus on connecting you with the healing powers of various stones and gems that resonate uniquely with you. Tinuola is passionate about her work and enjoys sharing the tools of wellness with others.

Vishnu Thompson

Vishnu Thompson

Swedish |Deep Tissue Massage

Vishnu, Certified LMT, began his journey into the Wellness profession in 1987 when he joined the staff at the Integral Yoga Natural Food store starting as a stock employee and advancing to Manager responsible for training new staff as part of his managerial duties. His experience during this employment enriched his learning and knowledge of the many benefits of maintaining optimal health.

Vishnu’s growing interest in wellness motivated him to pursue a career in Massage Therapy at Mildred Elley College where he received his certification in 2016. He has been practicing Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage ever since. Vishnu’s focus is on neuromuscular trigger point therapy with the goal of obtaining client homeostasis.