Instructors
The focus of Karen’s moderate level class is building strength and flexibility with flowing posture sequences. Each class encourages mindfulness through a balanced asana practice including warm-ups, attention to alignment and meditation. As Faculty for the Kripalu School of Yoga, Karen is both teacher and mentor for teachers in training. She brings this same dedication and appreciation of community to teaching BKC Yoga since 2000. She holds multiple certifications: KYT, KYIS and YogaEd. Karen deepens her own practice as an international trip leader and Yoga guide in Rishikesh India, the birthplace of Yoga.
Regina Burgio
Regina is passionate about yoga, healthy living, and enjoying life to the fullest. Her yoga practice and teaching focuses on the therapeutic benefits of yoga (improved posture, a healthy back, stronger bones, better balance, core strength and greater relaxation), to counter the effects of technology and modern living, as well as a way to connect more deeply to oneself. She is a 500-hr Kripalu Yoga Teacher, certified in Yoga for Osteoporosis, and leads a biennial yoga retreat in southern Spain. When not on her mat, she is the principal of RB Design Co., and serves on the boards of Roots Rising and the Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association. Learn more at ReginaBurgio.com
Sherrie Howard
Sherrie’s moderate level class focuses on diving inward with an emphasis on self-love, compassion, and honoring your body. This heartfelt practice will guide you through awareness, breath, stretches, postures, meditation and relaxation to help you connect with your mind, body and spirit. There is an invitation to let go of the stresses of life and be in a place of self-awareness, self-care, and self-love. Sherrie has a classically trained singing voice that she often shares in her classes. She is a 500-hour Kripalu certified instructor and teaches regularly at Kripalu, Cranwell Resort and Spa, and Canyon Ranch.
Bill Koff
- Bill has completed the 200, 300 and 1000 hour Kripalu teacher certifications. He is also a Certified Professional Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT)
- Bill teaches a moderate Kripalu style Vinyasa flow. He also teaches gentle Yoga classes that incorporate Facilitated Stretching which help with safe fluidity and ease of movement
- Past teaching experience includes Kripalu, Vanderbilt YMCA, Rye YMCA, Wainwright House, Scarsdale Yoga Studios and private sessions
- Teaching Assistant for Kripalu and IYT teacher training programs – 200, 300 and 1000hr levels
Hildy Kronen
My classes start slowly and build into various vinyasa flows (offered with modifications and variations), that build strength, increase flexibility and reduce stress. I emphasize deep breathing technique, outer alignment and inner awareness and compassion for one’s own needs allowing the student to physically relax and mentally re-energize.I am a Kripalu certified yoga instructor, certified instructor of yoga for Osteoporosis, a teacher trained in Ashtanga yoga, a certified Positional Therapist, and have trained for many years in Bioenergetics- a deep breathing technique I incorporate into my yoga classes to increase the release of tension and allow for a deeper relaxation.
Ken Nelson
My aim is to help people feel relaxed, light and free by awakening vital energy, “Qi” or “Prana.” Qigong is a holistic exercise that awakens and nourishes your vital energy—body, mind and spirit—using mindful movement, intentional breathing, guided imagery, and attention training. Qigong is easy to learn and for all fitness levels. Just minutes a day helps you feel flexible, stable, strong, and both energized and relaxed at the same time. I am a long-time Kripalu program director and teacher. I specialize in beginner-friendly practices that are accessible, compassionate, and deeply meditative, including yin yoga, restorative yoga, yoga nidra, and gentle Kripalu yoga.
Carole Weinstein
Based on the Buddha’s Seven Factors of Awakening – mindfulness, investigation, persistence, joyful energy, serenity, concentration and equanimity – the morning classes focus on aligning mind, body and breath and on integrating the physical practice and meditation. We begin with warming stretches and postures, build to moderate and moderate/vigorous movement and then flow into gentle postures and relaxation. Each practice is an opportunity to explore, to be creative and to cultivate compassionate awareness and embodiment. A period of both guided and silent meditation follows each class for those who wish to stay. Carole is a 500 Hour Kripalu teacher and a certified Mindfulness Yoga teacher.
Cherilyn Zaretsky
In 1999, while recovering from a dance injury, I took my first yoga class in New York City, at Dharma Yoga, and never looked back. What I once used solely for physical exercise and rehabilitation, has now completely changed my life. After several years of practice, I completed my 200hr certification with Sri Dharma Mittra and continue my studies as often as possible. Be prepared to move a lot and think outside of the edges of your mat in my class. Yoga is so much more than the physical and it is my hope that each of my students will discover something new about themselves each time they step onto their mat.
Jenny Gadbois
For over a decade, I have lived a life committed to wellness and to helping those who seek the same. From the earliest time I can recall, I suffered from a variety of respiratory and intestinal issues, joint pain and inflammation, worry and anxiety. As expected, prescribed medications chased the symptoms these conditions produced. Although I have always enjoyed activity, in ignorance I adopted the damaging “no pain, no gain” approach to fitness. Not until my mid-thirties did I begin to question the long-term implications of my choices. I misunderstood the influence lifestyle and diet had on these seemingly chronic health issues. Unable to find relief through established medical pathways, yet unwilling to concede defeat I decided to look elsewhere. Experience has taught me that change is possible at any age.Pilates Method Alliance Certified Teacher, Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher, Club Pilates Master Teacher Trainer, Tom Meyers Anatomy Trains for Yoga Teachers, Fascia & Tissue Resilience for Manual Therapists, E-Cornell Certified Plant-Based Nutritionist, A.S. of Nutrition & Exercise Physiology
Monica Celli
MA Ed, RYT, Ordained Minister – Monica began her teaching career over 30 years ago as a Public High School Department Head and Art Teacher and has practiced yoga for as long. She is the creator of Anasazi Healing: A comprehensive healing platform utilizing alternative healing modalities to help bring healing to Mind/Body/Spirit. (Yoga/The Equus/Shamanism/Art) Included in this healing platform is Equus Yoga: For the Equestrian Body and Mind. A Yoga and Mindfulness curriculum that meeds the needs of the Equestrian’s body. In addition to Shamanic Healing and Art workshops, Mindfulness, Meditation are all incorporated into each individual modality. The experience of training two previously wild animals, a dog and a mustang, have taught her a great deal about the power of energy and consciousness. Monica’s first hand experience with multiple, severe concussions and subsequent healing from bodily injuries, has brought deep insight to the mind and the brain/body connection and how this translates to the mundane and living consciously. Monica loves to share the opportunity for students to heal with yoga as the catalyst, as the body receives the oxygen with breath, and postures that help open the meridians and energy systems in the body, so that we may be and feel our best. Monica offers, a Breath centered, alignment based, conscious, slow flow, so that you may have the opportunity to listen to the needs of your body. Learn more about Monica offerings, teaching schedule, workshops in the studio or in the barn at www.monicacelli.com.
Evelyn Gonzalez
Evelyn teaches with an emphasis on mindfulness. Mindfulness is practiced through conscious breathing (slower and deeper), proper alignment (engaging the mind in details), and listening within the body for feedback.
Intensity level is moderate with an open invitation to students to either “turn it up or down” depending on current energy levels and injuries.
Evelyn is a 500-hour yoga certified instructor with 25+ years of experience teaching in the Berkshires. She loves to create a safe, loving space for practitioners to both challenge and nurture their bodies during each class.
Kimberly Coleman
is a 500hr Kripalu Yoga Teacher, Master Bodyworker & Reiki Shihan. Her yoga classes are a deep, playful and heartwarming experience. Pranayama, meditation and mudras are essential elements that Kimberly weaves into the asana practice, inviting you to connect with your whole self. Her yoga training began in Boston with a 200-hour Power Vinyasa certification. Next, she interned with yogaHOPE to become a Trauma Informed Yoga Facilitator. This opened the door to sharing the Timbo program with groups of women, including earthquake survivors in Haiti and inmates at MCI Framingham prison. In 2013 Kimberly arrived at Kripalu, where she completed the Kripalu 300-hour Advanced Yoga Training and many more. She holds certifications in Restorative Yoga,Pranayama & Mudras for wellbeing and hands-on assists, among others.
Kimberly holds faculty positions at The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Mass. and The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, N.Y. She also teaches Love Bubble, Journey Dance and Reiki workshops locally and abroad. Tel: 202-746-5039.