Catherine Galli / Founder
Swedish Institute Alumnus L.M.T.
AA Degree: Liberal Arts AA Degree: Occupational Studies
NY/NJ State Licensed MT
AMTA Professional Member
Yoga Works 200hr TT
Crossfit L1- Trainer
MBSR teacher in training / UMASS/Brown University
Catherine Galli (aka Cat) was first introduced to Meditation and Tai Chi sometime back in 1985 as a Tae Kwon Do student. It wasn't a daily practice but it was enough exposure for her to know she liked it. "Even at a young age I felt the benefits and effects of Meditation. It was not only an outlet from the physical activity I was doing but brought a sense of peace & calming to my life that I wasn't necessarily getting at home. A few years later as a sophomore in high school she took Yoga as what she explains for all the wrong reasons, I didn't really know what yoga was, but heard I could sleep in gym class and get an easy passing grade. But it only took one class to become hooked. The physical practice, and guided meditation was something I not only needed in my life but craved." -Cat
As a college student she took Stress Management as an elective and laughs as she looks back on it now. "I was just under twenty and surrounded by continuing Ed. students in their upper 60 to 80's. But again, not only was stress something I was unfortunately accustomed to but I was also aware it was unhealthy and knew that there were ways to cope and tools to combat the insanity of every day life." -Cat
It wasn't until after collage and after working in the corporate financial world for four years that she decided to make a major career change. "As an active Massage therapist since 2001, I still love what I do. My life path, the journey and interactions with all the good and not so good is what has led me here today. I am beyond excited to be able to bring all the modalities that I so wholeheartedly believe in to every body in stress." -Cat
Fun Facts
- Along my journey I found a way to follow another passion and studied mosaics abroad/Italy. As a mosaic artist I have some public pieces here in Keyport. Check out face book-Mosaics by Cat Galli
- I'm a level 1 Crossfit trainer and I love to sprinkle in the benefits of yoga in my classes for my athletes.
- As a lifter I enjoy training and participating in sanctioned Olympic lift competitions.
Alice
Alice loves teaching yoga to all ages. She began her yoga journey in 2001, and her personal practice led her to earn certification from Ashram Yoga in 2015, as taught by Lili Avery. In her mindful flow of poses, she creates a safe space for students to connect to the stillness within. Alice also teaches children's yoga, and is a Reiki Master Teacher. She believes yoga is the perfect tool to uplift ones spirit, calm the mind, and nurture the body.
Jackie
Jackie's introduction to yoga began in 2009 before her feet even touched a mat when she took an Asian studies class called Zen and Yoga as an elective at Seton Hall University. There she learned yogic philosophy and read Deepak Chopra The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, which changed her life and set her on the path to a physical yoga practice. Jackie received her 200 hour teacher training back in 2014 from Soul Power Yoga in Marlboro and has been teaching in the area ever since. She believes yoga is for everyone & her classes always focus on breath. Jackie lives in Keyport with her fiance Nick and 2 cats, Marv & Arnie.
Nicole
Nicole is a licensed massage therapist and has been practicing since 2018. After completing the Massage Therapy program at Brookdale Community College, she has continued to embrace opportunities for growth and learning in all aspects of wellness. With a strong desire to help others, she always knew she needed to make healing and peace her life's work. She has made it her purpose to welcome all opportunities to connect and grow with those around her. Nicole prides herself with emphasizing the flow of energy and connection in her massage practice. She is humbled by the unique relationship between a practitioner and client. She believes massage therapy enables two people to connect in order to bring healing on all levels. She appreciates the amount of trust needed to ensure a safe and secure environment to relieve stress and bring healing to everyone in the community.
Melissa
Melissa is a mother to four children ages 7-14 and has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. She is honored to share her love of yoga & meditation with babies, kids and adults. Certified through Childlight Yoga, Melissa has taught several yoga series at the local elementary school, in her own home studio and at Bella Buddha in Belmar. She has studied with Jyothi Larson in her Yoga Mama, Buddha Baby course for new moms. Melissa is also a Young Living Independent Distributor and loves to share natures living energy AKA Essential Oils with her yogis and community.
Al
Teaching Specialty:
Tai Chi Chuan, Yang Style and Sun Style.
Al has been practicing and teaching Tai Chi for over twenty years, a longtime Keyport local who graduated Keyport High School June 1957. He's one of the many unique pearls residing in our awesome small town of Keyport! A Past guest speaker at the HCANJ (Health Care Association of New Jersey)58th Annual State Health Care Convention & EXPO in Atlantic City.
80 years wise teaching and practicing Tai Chi, Al is the epitome of Tai Chi embodying many of its benefits, including reduced stress, health, longevity, vitality and stamina. In his spare time Al is often capturing and creating pure beauty as a local photographer many of which can be found on social media.
Becky
Becky has always had a connection to dancing. She grew up classically trained in ballet and contemporary dance. She was practicing yoga before she even knew it, appreciating the stillness in postures to find gratitude.
Becky grew up in New Jersey but found her way to South Florida in 2017, where she discovered her passion for the scared science of yoga. She completed her first 200hr RYT in 2020, simply because she wanted to deepen her own study, but couldn’t resist spreading the impactful messages of yoga and began her teaching journey. She wanted to dive even deeper and completed her second 200hr RYT in 2021, and plans to continue her education in yoga as she believes that we always remain students of the practice.
This past year Becky moved back to New Jersey and had her first baby, where she experienced another way that yoga influenced her life. Her practice guided her throughout her entire pregnancy as well as through labor and childbirth.
Her classes have a strong influence from the Kriya Yoga Lineage as well as the Sutras of Patanjali, which allow us all to find our inner wisdom and self realization. Her goal in her classes is to awaken others to find their own healing abilities through breath and posture and endless potential.
Dina
Dina came to yoga in 2000 with the idea of prep for pregnancy and childbirth. She enjoyed its
challenges and calming effects and has continued the practice ever since.
Years later, after cancer treatment, Dina decided to take the leap into instructor training with Christian Valeriani. A personal goal is to share yoga with other survivors. Her approach is an alignment based, beginner friendly practice. Dina’s mission is to make everybody feel able and included no matter their age, size or physical limitations and leaving more grounded and relaxed at the end of class.
Bruce
Bruce King’s professional life has spanned 43 years in television sports and corporate educational video production. During that same time he has been committed to practicing and learning many forms of Tai Chi.
He began practicing Yang style Tai Chi in 1980 after practicing Shaolin Kung Fu. Bruce has experience in both the short and long Yang Forms and has practiced Sun Short Form for 5 years. His teachers include Master Jou Tsung Hwa, Long Form; Master Laoshi Andy Lee, Pine Tree, Yang Long Form, and Push Hands; Master Herb Cohen, Chi Gung, Push Hands, and Yang Long form; Master Al Churderski, Sun Short Form, Yang Short Form, Chi Gung. Bruce has also intermittently practiced yoga over the past 20 years.
The continued study and teaching of Tai Chi has become a lifetime pursuit for Bruce and inspired him to share the practice with interested students of all ages. He believes that Tai Chi provides the background and foundation for physical activity as it is such a gentle meditative movement you can practice your entire life.
Bruce is an avid reader, caregiver of all plant life, art lover, and an outdoor enthusiast. He and his wife, Eileen, enjoy time with their daughter and son-in-law, and amazing 3-year old granddaughter