Amanda quit her day job to get her 200-hour vinyasa yoga certification at an intensive retreat in southern Italy. There, she learned the finer points of meditation and asana practice (while eating homemade pasta and drinking Italian wine). Back home in New Orleans, she is excited to share yoga with everyone she meets. Her teaching approach is more motivational than spiritual – her goal is to help people lighten their hearts and create more joy in their lives while strengthening their bodies through yoga.

Amanda credits Ashtanga yoga for helping her to establish a daily asana practice. But after she broke her back a week after her 30th birthday, she had to take a different approach to yoga while she recovered. Nothing like being bedridden to realize how important the body is! After making a full recovery, she currently practices and teaches in the vinyasa flow style, which allows her to incorporate Ashtanga basics of muscular locks and ujjayi breathing into her classes while improvising asana sequences.

She feels very fortunate to be part of the Tapas Yoga family and looks forward to seeing lots of new faces in her classes as the journey continues.

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Aimee received her 200 hour certification through the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts. A former college-level math instructor, Aimee has a passion for teaching that is long-standing and that is now routed toward yoga and other holistic health practices that inspire her deeply. Aimee has been certified in nutrition, herbalism and bodycare through the Australasian College of Health Studies. She is certified as an Angel Therapy Practitioner® by Doreen Virtue, PhD, and in a Spiritual Teacher program. She is also a Reiki Master.

Aimee feels fortunate to share with others her talents to heal. She recently served on a Stress Management Team doing hurricane relief work. As a Resource Facilitator, she helped many responders by using light touch deep relaxation techniques.

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Meghan received her Pilates training from the Physical Mind Institute in Lafayette, LA. She is also certified in group fitness instruction through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Meghan has been teaching mat Pilates classes at Loyola University in New Orleans for the past year and a half and has recently joined the Tapas team. Formerly a student of classical ballet, Meghan begun taking Pilates classes as part of her dance training. She credits Pilates with keeping her injury and stress free despite an active lifestyle.

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Since 2004, IONA has been teaching both cabaret and folkloric styles of Belly Dance, also referred to as Raks Sharki or Danse Orientale. She brings to her classes both a joy of dance and of human beings, with an exuberant teaching style that is both warm and family-oriented. Her name Iona, 'purple jewel', is a tribute to her late grandmother, Iona Meneray, also an Arts enthusiast and New Orleans native.

IONA has been studying and performing belly dance since 2001. With a Master’s in Theatre Arts, Iona credits her early stage movement/dance teachers for inspiring her to explore other genres of dance: Dollie Eaglin and Yvonne Olivier. In the Louisiana area, Iona has trained in belly dance with Betty Karam, Layla Isis, and Shamsi of Bayou Shimmy. Iona has also studied with internationally renowned dance artists including Ansuya, Amaya, Amel Tafsout, Artemis, Eva Cernik, Hadia, Jillina, Morocco, Sahra Saeeda, Sonia, Suhaila Salimpour, and the late Serena Wilson.

As the current director and choreographer of The Beledi Jewels student troupe in New Orleans and of the former Bayou Jawahir student troupe in Baton Rouge, Iona fosters the students’ individual interests in stage presentation and performance. Iona’s performance credits include stage, TV, festival, and restaurant performance as a soloist and troupe member. She is a continuing member of the Middle Eastern Dance Artists of Louisiana and a recurrent Emcee for belly dance events in the community.

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Debbie received her certification from NETA in May of 2006. She greatly enjoys teaching the art of Pilates to reduce the risk of injury, improve posture and body awareness, and encourage relaxation. She is also a massage therapist and income manager at Magnolia Physical Therapy in Harahan.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Southeastern Louisiana University in May 2002. She also attended Blue Cliff College of Therapeutic Massage and became a Louisiana licensed massage therapist in August of 2007. Debbie was awarded the Gerald Mack award for Overall Outstanding Achievement from Blue Cliff College in 2007.

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Jen received her 200 hour certification through American Power Yoga in Dallas, TX. Jen had been practicing for almost five years when she decided she wanted to take her practice, and growing passion for yoga, to a new level. After an intense six-month training session, she began teaching part-time.

When she and her husband Dave decided to move to New Orleans, Jen knew it was time to pursue her passion for teaching as a career. Having received a Master's Degree in Software Engineering from the University of Texas in Arlington, it was a giant step away from her job as a computer geek at a defense contractor! Still, it has been not only rewarding but exciting and fun.

Jen believes that yoga is just practice for the "real world", and that anyone can practice regardless of body shape and size, background, or physical limitation. Jen's focus is on presenting an open-minded, fun and relaxed atmosphere where students take from class what they desire to get - both physically and emotionally. Although her yoga is full of spirit, she strives to keep her classes free from religious or spiritual intonations.

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Courtney McGuiness completed her teacher training at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in her home state of Massachusetts. Embracing the Kripalu philosophy, Courtney leads classes with warmth and authenticity, encouraging a deep connection to self, present-moment awareness, and personal inquiry. She draws on over 10 years of personal yoga practice, 25 years of dance training, and a degree in Complementary Healthcare to create a class experience which is holistic, sacred, creative, and light-hearted. Her intention is to let the "true teacher" teach, allowing each individual to find his or her own connection to self and spirit on the yoga mat and beyond.

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Karen has been studying and practicing hatha yoga since the early 70s. She was instructed by Sterling Hoffman under the tutelage of Swami Vishnu-devanada. She learned Sivananda style hatha yoga, which emphasizes healing asana, pranayama, relaxation and meditation. The three years of study with Sterling inspired a life long practice.

Yoga was simply too wonderful not to share with others so when asked to form a class for the Jefferson Parish Parks Department in 1990 her teaching began. She has also offered classes at Earth Savers, Premier Athletic Club, and the YMCA. Close to her heart are the classes she taught which were offered by businesses for their employees, bringing the peace and harmony of yoga to the work place.

Karen's teachings are informed by her own solo practice and years of studying a variety of styles with yoga teachers throughout the country. Every book, every teacher, and every personal experience on the mat has woven a tapestry of love of yoga which has enriched her life. The possibility of enriching the lives of others through yoga is what prompts Karen to teach and encourage the yogi in everyone to surface. Karen holds her bachelor of fine arts degree in interior design from Louisiana Tech and has recently completed her masters in clinical hypnotherapy.

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Sami is a local dancer & entertainer who has been performing most of her life. She is skilled in countless dance forms from around the world, including fire dance. She attended a performing arts high school where she studied ballet, jazz & hip hop. Currently her main focus is Middle Eastern, Brazilian, & Polynesian, the dances of the hips!

A long time student of American Tribal Style dance under Megha of Devyani Dance Company, she now performs many styles of Belly Dance. On any given night she can be found shimmying at Phoenicia, Byblos, & the Mediterranean Cafe in New Orleans. She has also graced the stages of the House of Blues, One Eyed Jacks, Jazz Fest & French Quarter Fest, as well as video, commercial & big screen appearances.

Sami loves to explore & share her knowledge of dance along with the music & culture from which they evolved. She has taught classes for all ages at studios & schools in the greater New Orleans area in addition to private instruction. She is currently a member of Casa Samba Brasilian Drum & Dance Collective, and Komenka Ethnic Dance Ensemble.

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Elise's detailed bio is currently not available.

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Wendy graduated from Blue Cliff College, and began practicing in early 2001. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Wendy worked in a private facility, then joined the Tapas family when it opened in January 2006.

Wendy offers Swedish, Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular, Healing Touch, Reflexology and Chair Massage. Chair massages can be made available at offices, trade shows, conventions and for private massage parties.

Wendy offers that although massage is initially thought of as a luxury, it soon becomes a vital part of maintaining a healthy body, mind and spirit which allows you to deal with day to day stressors more effectively.

To schedule an appointment, contact Wendy directly via any of the following means:
504-461-0186
504-400-5875
wendyapplewhite@coface-trm.com

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Laurie's detailed bio will be available soon.

However, since joining the Tapas team late last year, Laurie has quickly become a popular favorite. Her caring, compassionate nature and focused attention has lead to a devoted group of regulars.

To schedule an appointment, contact Laurie directly via any of the following means:
504-621-8220
treatyourselfwell@gmail.com

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Ross's detailed bio is currently not available.

To schedule an appointment, contact Ross at 504-455-6227.

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