Jamie Surya (she/her) began her journey of Yoga as a teenager looking for a way to ease the pain that inevitably comes with life. Initially drawn to meditation and yogic philosophy, her asana and pranayama practice soon followed. In 2012 at the age of 20 she opened up the Jamie Surya Yoga Studio in Sparkill, NY to share the teachings that had so strongly influenced her.
She soon realized the importance of gentle and adaptive yoga but was surprised how infrequently it was offered and discussed. This led Jamie to further her studies in anatomy, physiology, injuries, and alignment with the support of Andres Alves, PT, DPT, RYT. Jamie and Andres were the first to bring the LoveYourBrain Yoga Program to New York State, where they facilitate group discussions and adapt asana, pranayama, and meditation for individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injuries and their caregivers. In working with licensed mental health counselor Hayley O’Brien, M.A, LPC, RYT, Jamie deepened her studies further and learned how to adapt elements of the practice and studio space to be trauma sensitive and suitable for individuals who are experiencing depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, PTSD, and other sources of trauma.
As a lululemon athletica alumni ambassador, Jamie creates and facilitates community events raising awareness and support for multiple organizations both locally and globally. In 2015, she was nominated and selected from ambassadors around the world to attend the Annual Ambassador Summit in Whistler, BC.
As an animal lover and justice seeker her whole life, human and non-human animal rights are at the forefront of Jamie’s community work. After learning of the animal abuse, environmental damage, and health impacts that result from using animals as food, clothing, and products, she set her lifelong habits and traditions aside and became vegan. Her inner yoga practice bloomed as a result of finally aligning her actions with her values and she continues to use her voice and her heart when advocating for all animals and humans alike.
Jamie co-created the community organization Together Vegan Change, a support system for local vegans and a resource for those interested in veganism. TVC organizes various community events, workshops, and forms of activism in the New York/New Jersey area. A proud supporter of her community’s local non-profits The Rockland County Pride Center and Center for Safety and Change, Jamie believes in the freedom and equality of all races, orientations, genders, and species, and will forever fight for the end of oppression for all.
Jamie is also a New York State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator and rescues, rehabilitates, cares for, and releases hundreds of orphaned and injured wild animals each year. This is 100% volunteered work and she owes her education and gratitude to Animal Nation for inspiring and guiding Jamie into this new life-changing work.
Theresa Talone found yoga unexpectedly at a local gym over 10 years ago. It was the best gift she’s ever received. She knew from very early on that she wanted to teach and give this gift to others. Her love for yoga is practiced on and off the mat. She incorporates a powerful, yet mindful and spiritual class with always keeping the breath as her guide. Theresa truly teaches from her heart and creates from her soul.
“My two daughters are my biggest inspirations for strength and spirituality. They remind me how precious life is through the sound of laughter, giving hearts and uplifting energy.”
Gina Turner is the ultimate multi-hyphenate. Raised in New York, Gina Turner is a yoga teaching, internationally touring, multi-label releasing DJ, producer, radio host, mother and label boss. She is the co-founder of The Divine Movement and helps run The Third Thing Network with her Partner, Tim Rothschild.
After experiencing a traumatic neck injury, in which she used yoga and chair yoga exclusively to rehabilitate it. In 2012 Gina was certified with her 200hr YTT through Yoga Alliance certified Frog Lotus International, in Vinyasa Flow. Gina is also a certified Prenatal Yoga Instructor with a long time passion for Ashtanga and Inyengar Yoga. Gina loves to fuse her passions of spirituality, nonduality, yoga and music to create a one of a kind experience that welcomes all with an open heart.
Most Recently, Gina has developed a deep love with yoga therapy, and how to prevent rehab injuries with this healing practice. She has also started studying with A Society of Souls in Impersonal Movement 1&2 and is currently training with Nondual Shamanic Voyaging.
“I started yoga teacher training at the Jamie Surya Yoga Studio in January 2020 with the intent to integrate yoga with my career as a social worker. My personal practice of yoga and this teacher training have been healing in ways I did not know I needed. Through the nerves came light and with the pain came ease. During this process it became more and more clear that this is my greater purpose. To share this practice with others both on the mat and off, is what I am meant to be doing.
Through COVID and this long year of 2020, I finally arrived to graduation in November. To my own surprise, I also felt called to teach in a studio. I was warmly welcomed to sub classes at Jamie's studio which began my teaching journey.
I have also slowly been introducing and welcoming these practices into my career as a social worker. I am currently employed as a therapist at an outpatient drug and alcohol rehab, and I am humbly guiding meditation in my group facilitation and have begun integrating yoga as well.
It warms my heart to share these practices each day with my clients who struggle with addiction and mental illness. I am so proud and honored to be able to do what I do.” - Lauren Mongiori
Marco Jo has been teaching yoga since 2004, when she trained at her yoga home, The Energy Center, in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. At first, yoga was a balm for a dancer’s overworked body, but then it became a tool for self-understanding, compassion, and purpose.
Her classes focus on cultivating peace and understanding of our true nature through attunement to the body and breath. Her class is eclectic in style. She gives lots of verbal cues to help find grounding and access to the body. She believes that there are many ways to practice yoga, from flowing to stillness, through alignment, breathing, sitting, and philosophy. We are each finding our unique way. She teaches hatha/flow, pre and post-natal, parent and child yoga, restorative, and yoga for grief.
In addition to teaching, Marco Jo’s passion is storytelling. She is a screenwriter and theatre artist and finds these creative endeavors to be another sort of yoga.
Andres Alves has a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and has been working as a Physical Therapist for the last 10 years. His jiu jitsu practice and in-depth work with the body led him to his first yoga class, where he quickly felt the benefits of both body and mind. Always looking to learn more, Andres found the Jamie Surya Yoga Studio and after developing a consistent practice, he decided to take the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training at the Jamie Surya Yoga Studio.
Andres is inspired by the beauty of movement, deep healing, and his understanding of the body on many levels. Each one of his classes include an extensive understanding of anatomy, attention to safe and logical movement, all tied with the freedom to take your body where it wants to go.