Welcome to Assisi Yoga
In alignment with the mission of The Assisi Institute, Assisi Yoga is a unique yoga studio which invites all practitioners to heal and grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Our team of instructors is here to guide and support you on your journey to greater well-being, which starts exactly where you are, as you are. Yoga is for everybody; yoga is for you!
To sample one of our classes, please email Christianne at c@assisiyoga.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Parking
Please park in The Assisi Institute main entrance parking lot, opposite the intersection of Hurstbourne Rd. From the main entrance, take an immediate left into The Assisi Institute’s main lot, directly in front of the building.
Yoga is for everybody; yoga is for YOU! No matter where you are on your physical, emotional, or spiritual path, yoga can meet you there. Maybe you aspire to greater physical comfort. Yoga will bring you improved posture, strength, and range of motion. As well, yoga will bring you greater body awareness so that you will grow increasingly able to release the unconscious grip of tension which intensifies pain. Maybe you wish to shed old eating, sleeping, or other behavior patterns which no longer serve you. Yoga will help you access greater mental clarity and emotional ease. Whatever your aim may be, yoga begins with a simple yes to a consistent practice.
Namaste’
Christianne, Caretaker of Assisi Yoga
WORKSHOPS, SPECIAL EVENTS & CLASS SERIES
What People Are Saying
“Restorative Yoga is refreshing relaxation for my soul.”
“I can touch the floor with my fingertips for the first time in my life!”
“I am stronger and more flexible than I have felt in over a decade.”
Meet the Assisi Yoga Team
Christianne Asper-Contant
CAS, E-RYT 500, YACEP, Director of Assisi Yoga
Christianne began exploring mind, body, and soul around the globe 30 years ago and has been coaching and teaching those who share her curiosity ever since. As a clinical ayurvedic specialist since 2003 and yoga teacher since 2008, she pursues her passion for refining her understanding of these two sister sciences so that they can be taught in interesting, useful, and accessible ways.
Jessica Gogolski
RYT-200
Jessica Gogolski, RYT-200, has been a favorite substitute teacher for Assisi Yoga from the start. Now we are thrilled to welcome her to our community. Like our other teachers, Jessica is a graduate of Open Sky Essential Teacher Training. She strives to meet students where they are with open eyes, compassion, and love.
Sandra Kurzdorfer
RYT - 200
Sandra has been teaching yoga since 2010 and practicing since 2003. She began her studies in Kriya yoga and earned her 200-hour certification from Blue Lotus in Anusara-inspired yoga. She has since been certified and specializes in Yin, Restorative, Therapeutic, Sound Bathing, and VST (Vibrational Sound Therapy). She runs Yin and Sound Bath workshops regularly. Her focus is on healing the physical body while relieving emotional and mental stress through mindful awareness of the breath in coordination with gentle movements, correct alignment, sound, and vibration. She has experience teaching chair, aqua, beginner, intermediate, and advanced alignment-based classes, gentle flow, yin, restorative, therapeutic classes, and self-massage techniques. She regularly teaches classes and Sound Bathing workshops throughout the community and was a featured teacher at the 2015 Rochester Yoga Festival. She teaches to students aged 3 to 104, including such diverse populations as children at inner-city recreation centers, professional dancers, mentally and physically challenged seniors and everybody in between. She strongly believes yoga to be a deeply healing practice that should be made accessible to everybody.
Kasia Pelepko
RYT - 200
Kasia says: “I’ve been practicing yoga in some form since I graduated from college, but I’ll never forget the first time I rested in silence at the end of the first yoga class I attended. I had a glimpse into what it felt like to feel really connected to “everything.” That experience motivated me to try and recreate that feeling again, on & off the mat. Since then, I developed into a bit of a learning “addict,” thinking that each new course I took would make me feel ready to teach other people. The truth is, the more I practice, teach, and study, the less I know for certain, except that there is no one way that works perfectly for everyone. But I see that as very valuable information and a great jumping-off point. That means I’m there as a guide. YOU are the real driver. We’ll start right where you are and learn so much as we explore this practice together! Our world is vast and full of things to wonder about, and I hope to continue learning as long as I’m here. My most recent continuing education studies are focused on pain science and yoga biomechanics. I’m so grateful to my formal teachers for their continued inspiration, my students who share so generously and have taught me so much, and the practice of yoga which I’ve found to be fertile ground for learning, fresh perspective, & play.”
Sarah Lamb
RYT - 500
Sarah got her 500 hour Hatha Yoga certification from Prana Yoga college in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2005. Since then, she has accrued more than 3000 hours of training. The more training she has, the more of a beginner yogini she feels like. Yoga is her constant teacher. Sarah found yoga in 2000 after her sister, Rebecca died suddenly. It was then that Sarah found practices like restorative yoga to be deeply emotionally healing. For Sarah, yoga practice on the mat is only a smart part of yoga. The most advanced forms of yoga in her life are her relationships. She is a mom, a former therapist turned mental health coach, a self-help writer, tree lover, and a constant student of life. Her favorite forms of yoga are yin and restorative. Sarah has taught in the Rochester community, South Korea, New Mexico and now teaches yoga virtually for her co-workers who live all over the U.S.
Learn more about Sarah’s inspiration for practicing and teaching restorative yoga HERE:
https://medium.com/mystic-minds/how-yoga-taught-me-i-know-nothing-ea603dc5d1a6
Lori Lefkowitz
Lori is a graduate of the 2-year teacher certification training in Mindfulness and Meditation taught by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. These healing arts as well as a regular practice of Yoga, meditation and exercise are an important part of her day-to-day. Lori is an experienced educator (30+ years) with expertise in teaching children with learning and reading challenges.
A few words from Lori: “Energy is all around us, in everything and everyone…it permeates life. We each have the power to heal ourselves, through our words and actions as well as our choices and belief systems.
Moving energy and the power of that, has always been a part of my life. Life–changing events led me to look within to find answers to heal. I knew there was potential. This awareness of my own healing process motivated me to know more, learn more, study more and now share.
During this journey I was drawn to many healing energies and alternative therapies to support my own health and well-being…specifically, Acupuncture, Qi Gong, Yoga, Reiki and Mindfulness + Meditation.”
Alana Cahoon
CYT 500, CNHP, CRMT
Alana began her yoga practice in the 1980s in New York City. She continued her training in holistic health and opened Grow 2 B U Studios, where she also led meditation, private coaching and group retreats. Alana became certified to teach in 2015. She is a Mindfulness Coach and author of Mindfulness, Mantras & Meditations: 55 Inspirational Practices to Soothe the Body, Mind & Soul. Alana is married with an adult son who has followed in her footsteps in the wellness field and has an adorable Shiatsu! She loves nature, music and art. More info at www.alanacahoon.com
David Wells
C-IAYT, E-RYT500, YACEP
We gratefully welcome David as a guest instructor for Assisi Yoga. An expert in the discipline of Thai Yoga, David conducts online and in-person Thai Yoga classes and workshops. David’s experience with Thai Yoga grew out of his three-year term working in the Peace Corp in Thailand. There, he received certifications in Thai Yoga massage and Thai Yoga “Reusi Dat Ton.” David works in an Integrated Pain Management Clinic helping people to manage and reduce their chronic pain naturally. Click here for more information on David’s background and experience. https://wellsyoga.com/bio/