AYC 2009 Organizers
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We all want to take a moment to say thank you to the creators of the previous Atlanta Yoga Conferences. The work they put into AYC 2006 & 2007 was inspiring to us, to say the least! Without them there would be no AYC!
We also want to thank everyone who has helped us put this year's conference together: all the sponsors, volunteers and beautiful yoga teachers who wanted to be part of it; Jim Fox for his design expertise on the AYC brochures and posters; Chuck Hancock for his website expertise; and Urban Body Studios for playing host, and allowing us use of their truly gorgeous space.
Finally, we'd like to say a BIG thanks to all of you! The yoga community here in Atlanta, and throughout the Southeast is continually growing, and it's yogis like you, supporting events like this that make us proud to be a part of it all.
~ Om Shanti!
Nicole Jurovics : mailto:nicole@yogadose.net
Nicole has been practicing yoga regularly since 1999, when she discovered Bikram’s beginning yoga series. With a background in gymnastics, she had natural flexibility but lacked strength and stamina. The heated room, group energy and challenging series quickly brought her an internal awareness of her physical and personal potential.
Over the next five years, she sampled many yoga styles and studios, and found that every class offered her a different opportunity and challenge. The heated yoga practice consistently left her with feelings of strength and energy more pronounced than any other style. She knew she wanted to deepen her understanding of yoga and cement her life long commitment to her practice, so in 2004 she completed the Atlanta Yoga Fellowship Teacher Training Program.
Already a regular student of Decatur Yoga & Pilates, she began teaching there shortly thereafter. Because DYP encourages each teacher to draw upon their personal yoga experience while leading a class, she has found teaching to be a constantly changing and exciting experience, much like her practice. She learns from other teachers and endeavors to stitch her own practical knowledge and personal imagery into each class. She loves leading first time students through class, remembering her own first class and how overwhelmed she felt during, but inspired afterwards.
Nicole also teaches heated Vinyasa Flow at James Yancey’s Studio in Atlanta and completed her YogaKids Foundations Training in February 2009.
Nicole and her best friend and fellow RYT, Lara Falberg, released an instructional yoga DVD, Yoga Dose, in the fall of 2008. Yoga Dose offers two hour-plus Hatha yoga classes with real students and a wonderful soundtrack of local Atlanta artists. www.yogadose.net www.yogadose.net
Nicole and her best friend and fellow RYT, Lara Falberg, released an instructional yoga DVD, Yoga Dose, in the fall of 2008. Yoga Dose offers two hour-plus Hatha yoga classes with real students and a wonderful soundtrack of local Atlanta artists. www.yogadose.net www.yogadose.net
Melissa Katz : info@atlantayogaconference.com
Melissa is excited to be an organizer for the Atlanta Yoga Conference for her third year, having picked up the mantel from Christina Johnson and Susan Voelker after they created it in 2006.
Melissa’s yoga practice has transformed her, incrementally and profoundly, so much so that in 2006, she left the consulting firm where she had worked for ten years to teach yoga full-time. She received her 200-hour basic teacher training at Peachtree Yoga Center and will complete her 500-hour advanced teaching certification at the end of 2009. She teaches and practices multiple styles of yoga, focusing on the experiential, integrative, and healing components of the practice. She teaches at multiple locations throughout metro Atlanta, including: Jai Shanti Yoga, Nirvana Yoga, Dance 411 Studios, Body in Balance, Piedmont Hospital Fitness Center, and Blomeyer Health Fitness Center.
Melissa also teaches workshops regularly with her friend and colleague, Marlysa Sullivan. They have developed several therapeutic workshops, including Yoga for Cyclists, Yoga for Runners, and Yoga for Your Back and also teach a six-week series called Yoga through the Bhagavad Gita.
Off the mat, Melissa works with Bill Hufschmidt to help manage Jai Shanti Yoga, which is one of this year’s conference sponsors. Melissa is grateful to Bill for his support and guidance as she continues to transform her way down this ancient path.
Melissa also teaches workshops regularly with her friend and colleague, Marlysa Sullivan. They have developed several therapeutic workshops, including Yoga for Cyclists, Yoga for Runners, and Yoga for Your Back and also teach a six-week series called Yoga through the Bhagavad Gita.
Off the mat, Melissa works with Bill Hufschmidt to help manage Jai Shanti Yoga, which is one of this year’s conference sponsors. Melissa is grateful to Bill for his support and guidance as she continues to transform her way down this ancient path.
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