About Yoga Now | What People Say About Yoga Now | Teacher Bios

About Yoga Now

"Whether young, old or very old, sick or debilitated, one who is vigilant, attains success in all the yogas by means of practice."

   — Hatha Yoga Pradipika i : 64

Yoga Now was founded with the belief that all people of all ages can experience the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga. Yoga Now classes are designed to introduce students to various yoga forms and to encourage and advance their regular, daily yoga practice.

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What People Say About Yoga Now

Every week we receive emails, cards and in-person words of appreciation from our students. Below is a sample of their unsolicited feedback.

"Cynthia could probably teach anything and be wonderful!"

   —Carol, R.N.

"Your presence - and the space you create - is profound - unique and intimate. You've made a safe place to come to know myself better -in my time, at my pace - that challenges me to grow. I am stronger, calmer, and getting a sense of humour! You're being here has been life-changing for me, and I am so glad you are here."

   — Juliann, artist, mother, body worker

"Right now your Yoga Now is like my sacred place and I am so grateful that I am able to come there and feel the way I do before, during, and when I leave. This yoga-life experience has been a blessing. Thank you for always saying peace, love, practice because it is good. See you soon, "

   —Suzanne, 20-something student/teacher

"I want to let you know how much I enjoy these classes. When I leave you, my body, heart and soul feel uplifted. Thank you "

   —Terri, Mother and mother-to-be

"I just wanted to let you know how much I love your classes. I have a very stressful job and coming to your studio has made all the difference..."

   —Liz, first-time mother to be

"I have now been going to your studio for one year and I've been meaning to write you a note for that anniversary. At about this time last year I went out with a friend after going to Yoga-Now a couple of times. Only half-joking, I said to him: 'Yoga is going to change my life.' He said, 'Yeah, right.' Recently I spoke to him about it again and he reminded me that I had said this. We were both surprised to realize that it was one of those life predictions that actually come true.

Just last week I wrote the following to a friend: If someone said to me: That's it, you have to either quit yoga or quit your job, I would have a very difficult decision on my hands. (And I love my job.)

So now you know what a convert I really am. And it's not just the physical component, although that's certainly what got me there in the first place. I feel as if the time in your studio has very slowly, gradually, given me a much healthier attitude about my body, my strength, and the challenges that come up in my life. That sounds corny, but it's true.

So I wanted to write you this note of thank you. You clearly set the tone at your studio and I love how your warmth and humor and focus anchors the place. It's always a calming, spare, down-to-earth place to be. And don't we all need that in our lives?"

   —Mary, Educator

"Charles is awesome. "

   —Sara, R.N. and counselor

"You are all so incredibly talented. I am yours forever. "

   —Glynne

"We wanted to give you a little thank you for a wonderful year! We're so glad we came to Yoga Now. I'ts been fabulous for us physically and spiritually. We love you and thank you!"

   —Kathleen, Physician's Assistant, and daughter

" Just wanted to thank you again for a couple of great classes. It was so wonderful to share you with my friends. They have not stopped talking about you and want to schedule quarterly retreats! "

   —Jeri, student from Maine

"...the yoga party was great. Everyone had a terrific time. Many thanks. "

   —Gray, student, and mother of Yoga Kids after a Yoga Kids birthday party

" Thank YOU so much for creating such a wonderfully nurturing and empowering place that people are drawn to be there! "

   —Cynthia, Yoga Teacher and Yoga Now student

" I loved being there - it was like coming home!!! Thank you for letting me teach! "

   —Jennilee, Yoga Now substitute teacher

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About Nancy Wilson, Owner/Director/Instructor

Nancy Wilson is a part-time business consultant and former Boston-area high-tech executive who has been practicing yoga and meditation in various traditions for over 20 years and teaching since 1998. In 1997 she completed a 200-hour Hatha yoga training through Naturally Fit, a small Boston-area school with a Kripalu tradition. She completed Level 1 Teacher Training with Baron Baptiste in 2002. She has studied mysore-style Astanga, and refreshes her practice by regularly participating in led classes, retreats, and workshops. She has studied with Baron Baptiste, Rolf Gates, Ana Forrest, Tias Little, John Friend, Brian Kest, and Shiva Rea. She bows to the yogic traditions of the East and to her first Boston-area teacher, Jan Trapp-Marble, and the many wonderful yogis and yoginis who succeeded her. She bows to the West, to the inspiration of all those who authentically lead and contribute to the evolution of the American Yoga experience. She considers her practice and her students to be her greatest teachers. email nancy

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About Charles Faris, Instructor

A practicing yogi since 1998, Charles began teaching in 2003 after training with renowned ashtanga yogi Dave Swenson. He deepened his teaching abilities that same year studying vinyasa flow with old-school Southern California yogis Ganga White and Tracy Rich. Since 2004 he has focused his yoga studies on the Universal Principles of Anusara Yogas as explicated by John Friend.

Charles is also certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, practicing full body massage since 1993 and Thai Yoga Bodywork since 2003, when he studied with Jonas Westring of Thai Yoga Healing Arts. His goal as a teacher is to help his students learn to practice safely and confidently as they learn to live the life of their dreams.
email charles

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About Lauren Durso, Yoga Kids Instructor

In 2000, Lauren found yoga to be a new passion and a natural transition from her 25 years of dance experience. Lauren's passion for movement shines through in her style of teaching as she shares the experience of what yoga can offer to youth, teens and adults. Lauren has been teaching yoga to students ranging in ages from kindergartners to adults since 2003. She completed the following teacher trainings: Beth Shaw's Yoga Fit Levels 1 and 2; Empowered Kids Yoga Program taught by Mariam Gates; Radiant Child Yoga Program (RCYP) Levels 1 and 2 taught by Shakta Kaur Khalsa; and YogaKids workshop taught by Anne Kay. She has trained in and continues to develop and strengthen her personal yoga practice by taking classes and intensive workshops in the following styles: Forrest, Iyengar, Kripalu, Power and Vinyasa.

About Tal Banayan, Instructor

After his first yoga experiences in 1996 while traveling in Central America, Tal resolved to incorporate yoga into his life. In 1998 he was led to a Bikram class and found the hot series particularly well-suited to remediating the physical stiffness he experienced at the time. Tal became a certified Bikram Yoga teacher and has been teaching Bikram style since 2002. After completing a Power Vinyasa Yoga teacher training with Baron Baptiste in 2004, his classes have become more Vinyasa-based, incorporating sensitivities from his Bikram background, as well as elements of his Anusara practice. Over time, Tal’s personal practice has expanded beyond the physical, to embrace more conscious living, happiness, and inner peace. Along with his wife, Cynthia Gramer, a yoga teacher, he draws guidance from the ancient wisdom of yoga as well as that of contemporary spiritual teachers.

About Cynthia Gramer, Instructor

Cynthia began practicing Bikram yoga in 2000, completed Bikram training in 2002, and has been joyfully teaching yoga full time ever since. In 2005, she completed an in-house teacher training with Baron Baptiste and in 2006 trained in Ashtanga yoga with Michael Hamilton. Cynthia's practice includes Anusara, Vinyasa, Forrest, Ashtanga and Yin yoga. Cynthia is also a certified Reiki Master and an avid student of the human condition, with a special interest in the human energy system and its impact on health and healing. She is deeply involved in the works of Caroline Myss, Ekhart Tolle, Byron Katie, Pema Chodron and others, as well as the classic yoga texts. Cynthia considers it a privilege to teach and strives to create a space where students feel both free to be where they are and inspired to reach their highest and best.

About Cindy Wong, Instructor

Cindy Wong is a certified yoga teacher, with 200-hour teacher training from the Kripalu Center and additional teacher training in vinyasa yoga. Cindy took her first yoga class some years back, but in recent years has developed a regular practice of yoga and meditation. She seeks to bring to her class the strength, joy and compassion that she's received from this practice. She enjoys teaching from a heart-centered approach that reflects the diversity in body and spirit that exists from moment to moment, and from person to person. Cindy is grateful to her teachers and those before them for passing along the wonderful gift of yoga. She also gives thanks to the happenings of daily life that are her everyday teachers.

About Denise Devaney, Instructor

Denise Devaney is a certified Astanga teacher. She has been practicing Hatha yoga for over seven years and has been teaching Astanga for two years. Denise continues her studies in Astanga, Kripalu and Forrest Yoga.

About Randi Laufman, Instructor

Randi began practicing Hatha yoga in 1996 and enjoys the many benefits of yoga for body, mind, and spirit. She devotes her time to caring for her new son, Rowan, and thoroughly enjoys the magical moments of parenthood. Her playful spirit is evident when experiencing her class, and she exudes a sense of wonder and appreciation in her yoga practice and in her daily life. In Spring 2007, she attended a prenatal yoga teacher training led by Dyan Murphy from the Fitness Resources Association. Randi is excited to share her knowledge and spiritual approach that combines yoga practice with the sacred time in a woman's journey to motherhood.