Meet Our Instructors
Alicia Markuske
Instructor
Alicia began experiencing elements of yoga as an adolescent in her dance studio training. Formally introduced to yoga and sound bowls in a course at Montclair State, she found it to be profoundly healing. Alicia stepped into the world of professional dance, teaching dance and dance fitness. Yoga has always been her solution to center, rest and rejuvenate. After a labral tear injury lead to hip surgery, Alicia became more involved with mantras, meditation, breath work and mindfulness as a self practice. With this balance, she continued teaching body connection and movement. 200-YTT has been the biggest blessing to deepen Alicia’s practice and help her feel even more in harmony and flow mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Chavie CJ Rosen
Instructor
“STRENGTH doesn’t come from what you CAN do, it comes from OVERCOMING the things you once thought you couldn’t.” (Ben Francia) Chavie is #backfromabrokenback. After suffering a debilitating back injury in 2010, she went through two surgeries and was in need of a third leaving her at high risk of paralysis. Until she found yoga! Yoga saved Chavie’s life.
Certified as a 200 hr trained Hatha Yoga Instructor under the extremely talented Mandy Grant, Chavie guides yoga students of all ages and all levels.
You can expect fun and dynamic flows, while integrating breath control and proper alignment through each movement helping build overall strength and flexibility and keeping you energized. The music will be pumping and the energy flowing!
Nama-slay it to Namaste!
Cheri-Ann Santini
Instructor
Cheri-Ann, a 500-hour certified yoga instructor under the guidance of renowned teachers Raji Thron and Steph Ball-Mitchell, is a passionate advocate for holistic wellness. With a deep-rooted understanding of ancient yogic principles, Cheri-Ann empowers students of all levels to unlock their full potential through mindful movement and breathwork. Her classes are thoughtfully designed to cultivate physical strength, mental clarity, and emotional balance, creating a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation.
As a dedicated teacher, Cheri-Ann fosters a welcoming and inclusive community where individuals can connect with their bodies, minds, and spirits. Through her expertise in alignment, breath awareness, and mindfulness, she guides students towards a deeper sense of self-discovery and inner peace. Join Cheri-Ann on a transformative journey of self-care and empowerment.
Daniela Hoffner
Instructor
Daniela began her journey with yoga having been a competitive athlete most of her life through college, seeking a fitness outlet a little less taxing on the body. She has been a full-time practitioner for 15 years and completed the 200 RYT certification in 2019 under Raji Thron. In her class expect to move through fun, creative and challenging sequences, guided with alignment cues and great music. Several options and modifications will be offered and encouraged for beginners to more advanced yogis to get what they need from practice.
Darrah Phykitt
Instructor
Darrah has been a massage therapist for the last 42 years. She found yoga 22 years ago and realized that in correlation with her massage therapy, she could provide her clients additional relief for their injuries. She earned her 200 hour yoga certification in 2017 and has been teaching for the last four years. She is passionate about her own practice and about pushing her limits to meet her body’s fullest potential, in safe ways. This, among the additional gifts of movement and breath, are what she opes to pass onto her students during every class.
Ellen Davies
Instructor
Ellen has been involved in the fitness industry since 1994. In 2017, after a total hip replacement, she became certified through Soul Body Barre, to continue to strengthen and tone, after completion of physical therapy. In a journey to continue to build strength Ellen fell in love with yoga and completed her 200 hour certification in 2021.
Ellen personally lives an active lifestyle. She has participated in triathlons, half marathons and completed the Marine Corps Marathon in 2015. She earned her first degree black belt in 2009 and her second degree black belt in 2012. She also enjoys attending spin and yoga when she is not teaching. Her mat gives her perspective, where she learns patience, balance, and strength in mind, body and spirit.
Her philosophy is that everyone should be the best that they can be. Everyday is a chance to make small improvements to your health and well-being and a little progress each day adds up to big results!
Eilish Bresnan
Instructor
Eilish has been practicing yoga for over 25 years. Eilish graduated from Fire Shaper’s 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2017. In 2020 and 2021 she found herself, like much of the world, focusing on herself and self care. In January of 2021, she graduated from a second 200 hour yoga teacher certification in yoga and mindfulness from Yoga Farm in Ithaca NY.
Eilish is also a certified Antigravity Fundamentals, Antigravity Yoga, and an Antigravity Pilates instructor through Antigravity fitness in NYC. As Christopher Harrison reminds us “we are only as young as our spines are flexible.”
Eilish completed her 300 hour Pilates Certification through the Evolve Your Studio Pilates teacher Program in Harrington Park, NJ.
Eilish is a true believer that yoga and pilates are for everyone. She can be heard saying in her classes….. “to take a moment. A moment to be grateful. Grateful for the bodies that we have that allow us to be here. And grateful to the person and/or people that give us the time, space and place to be here.” - quote from Eilish Bresnan
Irene Pernick
Instructor
Irene has been a yoga enthusiast and practitioner since 2007. She is an E-RYT 500 receiving her 200 hour certification in August of 2015 and completing her 500 hour Advanced Certification in November of 2017 with Raji Thron at Yoga Synthesis. Irene holds additional certifications in Advanced Personal Training and Group Fitness Instruction.
Irene’s enthusiasm and love of all things yoga and fitness are evident in every class that she teaches. Her intention for anyone walking through Humble Yoga’s doors is to have them feel welcome, safe, happy and watch them leave their practice feeling challenged, encouraged, and above all else, smiling!
Isabel Zelkas
Instructor
Isabel is an experienced Vinyasa Yoga instructor with a deep passion for creating dynamic, fluid classes that connect movement with breath. With a focus on hands-on assists, Isabel offers personalized guidance to help students deepen their practice and achieve proper alignment. Each class is a harmonious blend of flowing sequences set to carefully curated music, enhancing the experience and helping students to fin their rhythm on the mat. Drawing on the principles of spiritual healing, Isabel weaves intention and mindfulness into every session. Isabel creates a space where students can challenge themselves, find balance and leave feeling rejuvenated both body and soul. 200 hr Vinyasa Flow Certified with Santosha Yoga Institute, Australia. 200 Hr Restorative Yoga Certified with Abhyasa Yoga, Brooklyn.
Malia Luzzi
Instructor
Malia's journey with movement began in childhood with dance, which laid the foundation for her deep connection with yoga. She took her first yoga class in 2014 at the age of 14 at Yoga Bohemia on Long Beach Island, NJ and it quickly became an integral part of her life.In 2017, Malia earned her 200 hour certification from the American Yoga Academy in Summit, NJ marking the start of her professional journey.
Continuing her pursuit of mastery, Malia completed her 300 hour certification with the Bohemia School of Yoga. Malia's teaching repertoire ranges from invigorating and dynamic power vinyasa and yoga sculpt to a more calming, gentle slow flow, all of which include the use of hands-on assist to deepen the student's connection to the asana. She prioritizes creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, ensuring that all students feel comfortable, supported and liberated in their practice. Malia's classes are a space for reflection, release, and being open to new possibilities with joy, curiosity, and compassion.
Melanie Rud
Instructor
Melanie is a yoga instructor and personal trainer based in Cresskill, NJ. Originally from Argentina, she lived several years in Israel where she experimented with different kinds of training modalities and yoga styles that deeply influenced her as a practitioner and teacher. She studied under Rose Erin Vaughan, Authentic Movements, Awakening Yoga Academy and Carson Calhoun.
Melanie's classes are rooted in breath awareness and can be described as an intelligent and playful sequence that nurture self-awareness. Students can expect challenges, choices and encouragement to experiment and find the variation of each posture that is most beneficial to them in the present moment.
Raluca Minea
Instructor
Raluca is a dedicated yoga teacher passionate about empowering individuals of all ages to discover their inner strength and balance through the practice of yoga. With years of experience guiding both children and adults, Raluca brings a nurturing and inspiring approach to every class, fostering self-awareness, confidence, and mindfulness. Through creative sequences, breathwork, and an emphasis on personal growth, Raluca creates a supportive environment where students can thrive and carry the lessons of yoga into their everyday lives.
Renée Scherer
Instructor
Renée is a 500 ERYT with a diverse background in martial arts and pilates, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to her teaching.
As a dedicated yoga instructor and sound healer, Renée blends these disciplines to offer a holistic approach to well-being, focusing on the harmony of body, mind, and spirit. Her classes are dynamic and fun with an emphasis on challenging sequences with energetic, upbeat music.
Shira Gadot Teichmann
Instructor
Shira is a proud mom of three, a certified yoga teacher, and a therapist and clinical social worker. She is excited to teach at Humble Yoga where she appreciated the intimate and personal atmosphere.
Shira starts her classes with stretches and heart-openers, gradually building the flow to make it more challenging, and conclude with a soothing Shavasana. Shira believes that yoga is a practice that integrates both mind and body. It involves moving with intention, shifting and creating energies, and focusing on what serves us while letting go of what doesn’t.
Shira’s happy place is with her kids and family, and at the beach — feeling the sand on my feet and breathing mindfully.
Stacey Accardo
Instructor
Growing up as an all state athlete in track and field, strength, flexibility along with dedication, devotion, determination and discipline remain a key part of my life. Teaching now for 12 years with a 500hr certification as well as being a professional registered nurse, I love to inspire, encourage and motivate my students to become the best versions of themselves mentally, emotionally and physically, living their best lives each and everyday, one breath at a time.
