Our Teachers

VICKY HANNON

Vicky lives in Manchester. She has been practicing yoga for 9 years and teaching at South Windsor Yoga for 6 years. Vicky is a certified Kripalu Yoga and Kripalu DansKinetics instructor. She is currently enrolled in the 500-hour professional level teacher training program at Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA. She is also a puppeteer, singer and songwriter.

“I remember driving home from my first Kripalu yoga class and thinking that this would be a life-long practice for me. I’ve never left a class without feeling a sense of release and inner-peace. Yoga to me is more than just stretching and breathing; it is a celebration of love, inner wisdom, compassion and self-acceptance.”

In her classes Vicky considers herself as merely a tour guide for students who are traveling through their own experience.

LAURA KAHKONEN

Laura lives in Enfield. She is the Retired Director of Libraries for the Windsor Public Library and an active Rotarian.
She has a second home in Cape Cod.

She has been practicing yoga for 12 years and teaching at South Windsor Yoga for 6 years. She received her 200 hour certification in 2004 from Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA. Laura loves to be near any kind of water, especially the ocean.

“I love the nurturing aspects of yoga – the encouragement to relax and be good to myself.”

In her classes Laura’s intention is to create a space and time where people can be at ease and get in touch with their bodies and spirits.

KATHY MCGOVERN

Kathy lives in Manchester. She has been practicing yoga for over 13 years and teaching at South Windsor Yoga for 5 years. Kathy is retired, but very busy. She loves to read, do Sudoku number puzzles and create home decorations. She also enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her grandchildren and family.

“I started taking yoga when I was working to deal with stress. But now that my life has a minimum of stress, I am grateful for yoga because I am able to move much more freely than many of my friends who are the same age. I am also calmer and more aware of the world around me because of yoga.”

In her classes Kathy intends to create a balance between flexibility, strength building and inner calm. She feels it is important to encourage students to push themselves a little, but to always protect themselves from injury and to accept themselves as they are today.

SUSAN MOTYCKA

Susan lives in Coventry. She has been practicing yoga for 11 years and teaching at South Windsor Yoga for over 3 years. She was certified at Kripalu Center in 2001. Both golf and yoga are a large part of her life. She teaches a Golf and Yoga program.

“I have received many gifts from my practice of yoga. Yoga is in my life’s tool box helping me with the physical as well as emotional aspects of my life. One day after a yoga class I stopped at the market. While I was waiting in line I noticed the clerk was watching me. He eventually spoke to me: ‘you look way too peaceful and calm’ he said.”

In her classes Susan emphasizes alignment and press points to create safety in the body so students can explore the energy of the posture. She encourages students to not let the postures become habit, but rather to let them be new every time they come to the mat.

OUR TEACHERS

Although Sydnie and Paul teach most of the classes, we are fortunate to have the help of a group of well-trained, experienced teachers.

AMY EVANS

Amy has been a practitioner of yoga for 20 years and a student at South Windsor Yoga Studio for over 6 years. She has been teaching at South Windsor Yoga Studio for 2 years. Amy is also a trained musician and music teacher.

“On one level yoga has helped me become more flexible in both body and mind. On another level yoga helps me have a direct experience of a deep, still place inside. Knowing I can reach this place helps me deal with everyday life with a greater sense of peace and focus.”

In her classes Amy hopes to help others experience that deeply peaceful place inside all of us.

KELLY FROEHLICH

Kelly has been a practitioner of yoga and a student at South Windsor Yoga Studio for 4 years. She has been teaching at South Windsor Yoga Studio for 2 years.

“Yoga has given me a sanctuary from stress and a very effective way to relax and rejuvenate. I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to teach and share my deep love and respect for yoga.”

In her classes Kelly would like to teach students to take the breathing and centering practices out into their lives to assist them in living in the present moment.

KATIE HORNAT

Katie has been a practitioner of yoga and a student at South Windsor Yoga Studio for 8 years and has been teaching at South Windsor Yoga Studio for 2 years. Katie resides in South Windsor with her husband Tom and two sons, Alex and Peter and their golden retriever, Buddy. She is a partner in Laurel Lock Property Management, the management company for Laurel Lock Family Campground in Montville, Connecticut. Katie loves the outdoor sports of water, x-country and downhill skiing, hiking, swimming, biking and all types of boating.

“Yoga has definitely changed my life. It has made my core stronger, my muscles more flexible and my body more relaxed - which in turn has helped me enjoy all the sports I love.”

It’s Katie’s hope that her classes will help yoga practitioners feel more present in their bodies – both on and off the mat.

JACK FILA

Jack lives in East Windsor. He has been practicing yoga for many years and teaching at South Windsor Yoga for 6 years. Jack is a Kripalu Certified teacher. Jack also enjoys many outdoor activities like surf kayaking, skiing and cycling. He also participates in many parades representing the Shriners organization.

“Experiencing the unique combination of strength and softness in Yoga has brought significant changes to me. It has increased my ability to focus in addition to having more patience with myself as well as others. Yoga has allowed me to achieve a new level of flexibility both physically and mentally.”

In his classes Jack’s objective is to give very clear details so the students will be safe and comfortable.

MARY ANN NAPOLETANO

Mary Ann is a Kripalu Certified Yoga Teacher. She completed her 200 hour Teacher Certification in November, 2008. She began teaching at South Windsor Yoga Studio in 2010. When not on her yoga mat, Mary Ann enjoys the outdoors, from mountains to ocean beaches. She also enjoys gardening, cooking, knitting and learning new things on just about anything.

“I returned to yoga to reclaim my agility and my waistline. Along the way I discovered a path to a deeper connection with myself. Yoga feeds my body, mind and spirit. I feel physically stronger, my edges softened and my heart more open.”

It is Mary Ann’s goal as a teacher to encourage her students to embrace “radical self-acceptance” of their bodies and themselves and be open to the many gifts of yoga.