Wild Lotus Yoga Teachers

Wild Lotus Teachers and Staff

Seán Johnson - Founder of Wild Lotus Yoga

• Teaches: Serenity Yoga / Power Yoga / Flow Yoga
• Teaches..:Yoga Basics / Partner Yoga / Kirtan (Singing)

CDs/MP3s of Seán's classes are available at www.AliveYoga.com

For off-site and out of town events, visit seanjohnsonkirtan.com

Seán Johnson, M.A., R.Y.T., is the founder of Wild Lotus Yoga. Seán is nationally certified at the highest mark with The Yoga Alliance, and teaches yoga classes to all levels. A native of New Orleans, Seán began studying yoga in college and continued his training in graduate school at The Naropa Institute in Oakland, CA where he received an MA in Creation Spirituality. At Naropa, Seán completed an apprenticeship in yoga, meditation, chant, and music with South Indian teacher Russill Paul. He has also trained with Bhakti yogi and Grammy-nominated chanter Jai Uttal. Before opening Wild Lotus Yoga in 2002, Seán taught at The New Orleans Yoga Center, The University of New Orleans, Loyola University, Delgado Community College, L.S.U. Medical School, and other regional yoga studios. He facilitates workshops and retreats and kirtan music concerts with The Wild Lotus Band in the region, around the country, and abroad, and is one of a small group of teachers selected by AliveYoga to offer audio versions of his classes online. Sean has also been invited to be a presenter at international yoga conferences including The Midwest Yoga Conference, The Las Vegas Vinyasa Yoga Conference, The Miami Vinyasa Yoga Conference, and The German Yoga Conference. Sean was named one of New Orleans' outstanding achievers in Gambit Weekly's 10th Annual 40 Under 40 Issue. To find out more about Seán's musical endeavors visit www.seanjohnsonkirtan.com.

You may also read his articles on this website.

"I see myself as a guide seeking to help students connect to a deeper awareness of the life force within them. I offer an inspiring approach to yoga that weaves together informative and poetic instruction, uplifting music, and a deep respect for the creative spirit of each individual. My intention is for students who take classes at Wild Lotus Yoga to feel charged with vitality, peace, and inspiration."


Amy Archinal

• Teaches: Yoga Basics / Intro to Yoga Course

Amy Archinal is a painter, Reiki master, and certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist. She was certified to teach yoga at Shoshoni in Colorado and is registered with the Yoga Alliance (RYT). She is also a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She studied Tai Chi, Ba Kua, and Taoist meditation with Wilson Pitts and has also practiced hatha yoga for many years. She previously worked as a manager in the natural foods industry. Her passions include cooking and hiking.

"I've had a longtime interest in yoga and meditation in motion, first through Taoist forms, then through Hatha Yoga, and most recently through Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy training . The practice of yoga brings a deep level of awareness into the body; as we cultivate awareness without judgment we become more present and compassionate, essentially making more space for ourselves inside ourselves. I love helping students to connect with the innate wisdom of their bodies and to create more openness in their bodies and in their lives."


Amanda Bennett, R.N.

• Teaches: Flow Yoga / Energy Yoga

Amanda has spent the past several years living in Hawaii, where she strengthened her passion for yoga and spiritual healing. As an R.N. with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, Amanda has transformed her knowledge of body, mind and spirit through the study of Yoga, Reiki and Tarot. She has completed a rigorous Teacher Training Program through the Shanti Yoga Institute in Hawaii, where she learned how to teach students to incorporate breathing, movement, and chanting into everyday life.

Amanda has studied a wide range of yoga disciplines, including Hatha, Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Tri yoga. She has taught classes for several years in Hawaii and New Orleans. When not spending time with her children and husband, Amanda also works as a Spiritual Healing Coach, Tarot card reader, and is a fluent speaker of Spanish and French.

"Yoga has brought a sense of balance to my life. Studying and teaching yoga has allowed me to share the gains I have made in overcoming life's inevitable physical and emotional challenges. I have discovered an even greater joy in helping others to explore and enjoy this wonderful discipline."


Laura Flora

• Teaches: Yoga Basics / Heart Yoga / Teen Yoga / Intro to Yoga Course

Laura Flora, R.Y.T., is a professional educator and completed her yoga teacher training through the Living Yoga Program in Austin, TX. She has studied Iyengar yoga for several years, and has been licensed by Anusara Yoga as an  "Anusara-inspired" yoga teacher in recognition of her ongoing commitment to the study and practice of Anusara yoga.  She is always seeking inspiring ways to incorporate Anusara's alignment principles and philosophy into her teaching.

"My practice of yoga has helped me to develop freedom and spaciousness in the body, but more importantly, freedom and spaciousness in the mind. It continually amazes me that the physical practice of hatha yoga relates directly to our thoughts and actions off the mat. My highest wish for my students is that they also can experience more freedom and live more skillfully each day. I am a life-long student and hope to pass the excitement of learning new things onto all my students. I am excited to be part of the Wild Lotus community and look forward to all it can do to help New Orleans renew."


Stacey Gengel

• Teaches: Flow Yoga / Power Yoga / Hot Power Yoga

Stacey Gengel, RYT, Ph.D. is a nationally certified yoga instructor and school psychologist. She has practiced yoga since 1998 and has been influenced by Ashtanga, Iyengar and Vinyasa yoga systems. Stacey was certified to teach at the Peach Tree Yoga Center and Atlanta Yoga Fellowship. Her approach to teaching encourages physical challenge, heart-centered meditation and the development of personal wisdom.

"I believe that yoga deeply enriches the body, mind and spirit. My focus is to encourage presence rather than perfection."


Cheryl Golich

• Teaches: Flow Yoga / Hot Power Yoga

Cheryl has a deep love and appreciation for the transformative power of yoga. She completed her teacher certification program in vinyasa yoga at The White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, California. Cheryl teaches vigorous classes in a calm, supportive and encouraging manner. Her friendly, relaxed, confident presence is an inspiration to her students. Guided by a vibrant eye for detail, Cheryl entices students to challenge themselves while maintaining deep respect for their bodies. Cheryl also loves biking, running, golf and playing with her dog Buddha.

"I have yet to meet a yoga teacher who teaches yoga purely as a profession. We choose to practice and teach because of a passion for yoga. My students, my teachers and the yoga community continually educate and inspire me and my practice. The intention I have for each class is to encourage you to work your edge while listening to that inner voice that tells you when to ease back, staying focused but always having fun no matter how challenged you feel. Yoga teaches us to be strong and flexible on and off the mat. Come to your mat and watch your practice blossom from there!"



Beverly Morris

• Teaches: Flow Yoga-Waves

Beverly is a Certified Yoga Teacher for Kali Ray Tri Yoga Basics and Level I. She is working towards certification in Level II. She also works as a clay artist, primarily using coil-building, one of the oldest forms of creating pottery. She has participated in three1,600-mile walks across Europe, each of which took approximately three months; and one 600 mile walk across England and Ireland.

"As a teacher, I most want to be experienced as simply a channel - relaxed, calm, encouraging, able to provide an opportunity for any student to have a wonderful yogic experience; to truly experience being present. I think Kali Ray Tri Yoga is one of the most beautiful forms of yoga - I appreciate its beauty, its system; its gentleness; and it is through this form of yoga that I truly was able to connect the breath with the movement and understand the importance of the breath. Prior to that it seemed like some unsolvable mystery that only hermits or gurus attained."


Elaina Petrucci, R.N.

• Teaches: Power Yoga / Intro to Power Yoga Course

Elaina is a certified yoga instructor who has studied mainly ashtanga and vinyasa style yoga. She teaches challenging power vinyasa classes in a fun, uplifting manner. She encourages her students to joyfully develop strength, flexibility, and peace of mind through her contagious passion for yoga. Elaina has been teaching yoga for the last five years. By day she works as a nurse clinician at Ochsner Hospital.

"Since I began practicing yoga it has transformed everything: the way I think, the way I work, the way I live. I began teaching yoga in the hope of sharing this powerful transformation with anyone who is open to it."


Leslee Reed

• Teaches: Kids Yoga

Leslee is certified to teach Kids Yoga by Next Generation Yoga in New York - a studio exclusively for kids. Her Kids Yoga classes incorporate yoga poses, art, music, storytelling, and relaxation techiques. She has done graduate work at UCLA in learning disabilities and has been a teacher for 30 years, mainly teaching first grade and kindergarten. She currently teaches kindergarten at St. Andrew's Episcopal School and has a part time gardening business ("Quite Contrary").

"I have an abundance of energy, enthusiasm and patience! I love being with children. The world is fresh and new for them. I love looking at the world through their eyes. That joy is communicated to them."


Nicole Rezza

• Teaches: Power Yoga / Flow Yoga / Prenatal Yoga

Nicole Rezza, RYT, is a yoga teacher, group fitness instructor, and personal trainor who received her yoga teacher training from Frog Lotus Yoga in North Adams, Mass. Nicole fell in love with Wild Lotus in 2002 at the first class she took at the original Mid-City location and is excited to share her passion for yoga with others. In addition to practicing and teaching yoga, Nicole also enjoys reading, volleyball, biking, and traveling with her husband.

"I am excited to learn and grow with my fellow yogis at Wild Lotus. There is so much to learn about yoga-- it has no beginning and no end, and there is no one way of practicing. When you are on the mat, it turns into this inspiring dance between your body/mind/soul, and as you step off the mat out into your daily activities, you carry this groove with you creating a confidence and openness about the self. I want my students' practice on the mat to really benefit their daily lives."




Cecilia Rojas

• Teaches: Yoga Basics / Therapeutic Yoga / Flow Yoga

Cecilia Rojas, R.N., R.Y.T., M.S., is a certified yoga teacher through the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA, where she lived for several years. Cecilia is a long time student of Hatha/Raja yoga and T.M. meditation. While studying Hindu philosophy, meditation, and yoga she managed the Himalayan Institute's Ayurvedic Center for Health and Healing. Cecilia is a Gerontological Nurse with a Masters degree in Gerontological Counseling Psychology. She is also an educator in local nursing schools. She combines her work as a Reiki Master, application of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy techniques, and gentle massage techniques to assist her students in releasing energy blocks that cause disease and pain. Cecilia is also a marathon runner.

"I practice and teach yoga with an approach to attaining and maintaining good physical, mental, and emotional health. Through practicing yoga we can come to know our bodies on a totally intimate level and this knowledge keeps us mindful and alert of any early symptoms of dis-ease and helps us detect habitual patterns of tension and movements that in time can result in physical limitations. Yoga trains our mind and body to work together to create a healing environment."


Amanda Rubinstein-Stern

• Teaches: Flow Yoga / Power Yoga / Yoga Basics

Amanda Rubinstein-Stern is certified in Pilates and Yoga fitness. She is certified also as a personal trainer. Since 2001 she has taught Yoga at JoEllen Smith Fitness Center. She also teaches Yoga at West Jefferson Fitness Center and Artopia House. She has taken Rodney Yee's advanced teacher training workshop at the Karuna Center for Yoga and Healing Arts in Northampton, Massachusetts. She studies frequently with Dean Lerner, an Iyengar teacher, at the Center for Well Being, in her home town of State College, Pennsylvania. Her University of Texas degree is in secondary education with a concentration in dance. She has raised two grown children, an experience that she feels is in the nurturing spirit of Yoga.

"Yoga has brought me to a purity, a clarity, in my thinking that I wasn't looking for, but am delighted by. I understand that all of my life I had been practicing Yoga in the guise of dance. Dance stilled my mind and quelled the fury inside my heart, and brought me to the company of others. I understood then only that dance made me feel better. I discovered that my body was a fortress, a refuge. Yoga let me make my body my home. The place to find love. The place to love from."



Jennifer Teague

• Teaches: Power Yoga / Flow Yoga / Prenatal Yoga / Postnatal Yoga

Jennifer Teague, R.Y.T., believes that yoga should be accessible to everyone - regardless of body shape, physical ability, or experience. Jennifer is committed to teaching demystified, sensual, and invigorating classes while offering options and modifications to ensure that everyone in the room can find their own personal challenge during the practice. Jennifer is Yogafit ™ (Levels I-IV), Mamaste ™ Prenatal Yoga, and Yoga West certified and is registered with The Yoga Alliance. Jennifer is employed as an Occupational Therapist at Touro Infirmary. Jennifer enjoys reading, traveling, and entertaining friends and family at home.

"Many first time students tell me they can only come to one yoga class a week and then ask, 'is it even worth it'? I tell them that attending a yoga class once a week over the course of a lifetime has a huge cumulative effect and I do think it is well worth their time. And then an amazing thing happens; I begin to notice the student coming to two or three classes a week, experimenting with different styles of yoga and various teachers, and asking for advice on how to start a home practice - right before my eyes, I see this person who thought they could only come to one class a week, fully embracing the practice of yoga because they've found a system to help them achieve balance in their life. A regular yoga practice (whether it be once a week or once a day) promotes positive, healthy changes in people….this is why I teach yoga."




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