Teachers

  All of our Yoga Instructors are Certified at a minimum of 200hrs and many have over 5000 hours of teaching experience.
Please enjoy getting to know us through our Bio's below... and join us soon for yoga!

Cassandra Wallick (aka Nischala), E-RYT200, CYTx2
Certified Yoga Teacher and Ordained Healer/Yogacharya
     I began my practice of yoga in California in the Ashtanga tradition in 1998. Through my first experience of yoga, I realized that this was the Path for me. It felt 'right'; I had finally found a practice that fulfilled me...in mind, body, and spirit. As my body became stronger, my mind became more peaceful, and my spirit soared. I was first certified as a yoga instructor in Arizona in the year 2000, and later studied under an Enlightened Master from South India (from 2006-2009) gaining my Ordainment as a Yogacharya and Spiritual Healer in India in 2007. Within these many hours of experiential practice and studies with a Master my practice became deeply spiritual, and meditation led me further inward and ultimately to connect with Divine Self. Throughout the years on this Yoga path, I've enjoyed practicing and studying Sanskrit (the language of yoga), Ashtanga yoga, Anusara yoga, Power yoga, Restorative yoga, Yin yoga, Viniyoga, Nithya Yoga, Hot Yoga, Kids Yoga and more. In my classes I playfully and respectfully share my Truth - we are spritual Beings living a Human Existence, and through Love and Oneness we can enjoy each moment as it arises, opening to Grace, allowing ourselves to Flow with the rhythm of this Dance we call Life.

Ingrid Ortega, RYT
Certified Yoga Teacher
     We are all born with an enlightened heart, with a calm and peaceful mind, breathing.  In our yoga practice we are simply coming back to who we Are...to our Divine Essence. There are many ways to walk our path; the Art and Science of Yoga is a very special and effective one, at least for me. My journey started when I was a child; we were 7 crazy kids (3 girls/4 boys), me in the middle. Yoga for me, at first, was about trying to impress my family with some pretzel-like yoga poses I may have seen in a book at home in Venezuela. Now yoga is a way a life...a method of healing. My childhood freedom was often interrupted by broken bones, a symptom of premature osteoporosis at the age of six. Through my younger years I had two broken vertebra, a broken tailbone, ankles, foot, toes, fingers, etc... not all at once of course! At one point in my late 20's I asked myself, 'Do I want to live this way?' In constant pain, so limited and restricted? Of course not! Two days later I met my first yoga teacher, Nancy. Within a few weeks I began to see the results of a consistent practice of yoga. I started to heal and transform in so many ways. The more I woke up and continue to wake up, the more I see and realize that I know nothing...and that inspires me to move on. After some years, I came to the United States, having faced many challenges but along the way learning that it is our perception that will make a difference...allowing us to remain in Peace, and remembering to continue to Trust. Along my path, I met Cassandra, who encouraged me to get teach yoga. And in 2001 in Sedona, through an amazing 30 days of yoga...of waking up... I became certified to teach and joined her at Gilbert Yoga. My training was based on ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriyas, developed by Yoga Master Swami Satyananda Saraswati, a disciple of Enlightened Master Swami Sivananda. Meanwhile I met my husband, Carlos, who is a constant teacher, Guru, and daily inspiration. In 2002 our son David came into our lives and gave us the honor of being his parents. He is our teacher, our inspiration, our reminder to Just Be...be happy, be joyful, be grateful! So, hear I AM, continually learning, teaching, giving, and receiving the many Blessings and benefits of this science, art, discipline called Yoga. We can call it whatever we like, but it is bringing us together. It welcomes and holds us...as we are, feeding any particular need of our body, mind and spirit, gently guiding us back home to our Divine Essence. I invite you to join me in a practice of All Level or Vinyasa Flow Yoga, so that we may ultimately break free from the illusion of seperateness, boundaries and suffering. I AM YOU, YOU ARE I, and WE ARE ONE....ONE with the Divine.



Lisette Mercado-Pena, RYT
Certified Yoga and Prenatal Yoga Teacher
Licensed Hypno-Birthing Coach, Doula and Mid-Wife
     Many people ask, "How were you drawn to yoga and birth education?" Several life experiences drew me toward the wonders of yoga and the amazing spiritual, emotional and physical aspects yoga offers. For me, yoga emcompassed everything that I needed to keep myself healthy and sane in mind, body and spirit. My greatest joys are my children, husband, family and teaching. Evolving as a woman, wife and mother is what motivated me to become a yoga instructor. I had practiced yoga for many years, but knew that I was missing something - that was sharing my passion with others. I had already brought two amazing little girls into the world, both great birthing experiences, but not in the natural methods that I later realized and felt deep in my heart were best for myself and my baby. While in yoga teacher training, I also became a Hypnotherapist and found HypnoBirthing the Mongan Method. I then became certified as a birth educator before even experiencing a non-medicated birth. Knowing and learning about the history of child birth and how we as women gave and still give all our power away during birth, I began to strongly feel that we need to regain confidence and trust in who we are and in the bodies we were given. My next two children were birthed at home, as water births; a profound experience which words cannot do justice. I have become extremely passionate about yoga and birth education and am overwhelmingly happy to share this with students in my classes. It is so joyful to watch a pregnant woman evolve - sometimes from a place of fear and doubt, into a being full of happiness, love, joy, and excitement around their upcoming birth process. When a woman really wants to, they can trust the process of labor and birth and have the birth experience that they envision! Let me help you to envision YOUR MOST PERFECT BIRTH!

Lisa Hecke, RYT
Certified Yoga Teacher
     This journey called yoga has brought me to a place of healing, love, and an overall connection to Self. My yoga path began in 2006 when I was searching for a sense of self discovery. I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at my first yoga class and found that my spirit had been longing for exactly this. On that day I was able to find a place of Center, a place of Peace within myself that I had not ever experienced before.  As the years went by, my practice began to evolve until one day I found myself awaken to a new chapter that would bring me into a 200 hour teacher training program. I have been blessed to train with Carrie Hensley, in Ashtanga, Vinyasa and the Fundamentals of Yoga.  As a teacher it is my intention to create a space of peace where students can connect to the physical, energetic, and emotional sensations in the postures. Each class will
gently blend steadiness with ease, while focusing on alignment, breath work, and an exploration into self discovery, allowing a safe space for students to look within and honor their Truth...their authentic Self.

Jeanette Runnings, RYT
Certified Kids Yoga Teacher and Pediatric Therapist
     I added yoga to my life in the late 1990's, but with job changes and family moves it was difficult to maintain a dedicated practice. Over the years I tried to keep up with yoga video's and TV yoga, but found it just wasn't the same as going to a yoga class. One day while in a class, a fellow student remarked that she was using yoga with some of her special needs students. As a pediatric Occupational therapist for over 20 years, I had often loaned out family and childrens yoga videos. But at that point I thought "I should be doing more."  Children are different than adults and so I sought out how to make yoga more kid appealing through trainings with Karma Kids Yoga in NYC and the Radiant Child Program. I immersed myself in both kids and adult workshops and began using yoga in my therapy practice and in the community. My classes include imaginative play, stories, laughter, music, toys and other yoga props. Once a child is happy, confident and motivated, they soon become more open to learning not just the movements of yoga but begin to tune into breath and the spirit of yoga. Using my therapist background I am happy to be sharing yoga with both typically developing children and those with special needs. Yoga helps kids find balance in their life, aids their motor skills, as well as improves flexibility of body and mind, improves anger control, and teaches self calming techniques. Just like and adult, the practice is accumulative and does not happen overnight. A consistent yoga practice will help children blossom into confident, balanced, happy individuals.

Diane Pollack, RYT
Certified Yoga Teacher
     I have been an elementary school teacher for many years and am currently a special education teacher working with young children with various disabilities. I came to yoga in my mid-forties, when I was seeking a method for managing the physical effects of arthritis on my body. Beginning with a weekly practice of joint freeing movements and stretching, I noticed myself not only reducing pain and stiffness but building both strength and flexibility, while also relieving stress. Practicing yoga and being part of the yoga community felt right to me. I found myself trying different classes and enjoying the challenge of working on some of the poses I never thought I could do. Regular yoga practice is now a part of my life, and I couldn't see it any other way. In fact, when I travel I now enjoy attending classes at local studios in cities all over the country. I have found that the people I meet at yoga centers are warm and welcoming. I invite you to come and meet the community at Gilbert Yoga and enjoy a class with me. I believe there is a suitable yoga practice for everybody and I encourage all to find it...within themselves.

Heather Janesky, RYT
Certified Yoga Teacher 
     Yoga is my Way...I create yoga (union) with the energy that runs through my body, mind and spirit. I have been practicing since the year 2000 and guiding others in yoga since 2004. I practice all types of yoga, keeping my heart and mind open to all possibilities. In my classes at the studio, I guide the practice of Hatha yoga, allowing the students to tap into their breath, their endurance and their energies. I am the student in my class as well as the guide and Know that moving with the energies from moment to moment opens the whole being to creativity, health, joy, peace and ultimately, unconditional love. 
"Be truly whole, and all things will come to you." Lao-Tzu 

Heather Ricciardi, RYT
Certified Yoga Teacher
    As a student of yoga, first I am delighted to share in the experience of breath, movement and connection with each of my fellow seekers. Yoga entered my life a decade ago while I was in the process of earning a B.S. in Psychology at ASU. After graduation, my pathway and intentions seemed to diverge. I wanted to help people, but I found that traditional counseling methods were flawed and inadequate.
I discovered the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) and enrolled in the yoga teacher training program in 2006. Later that year I began teaching under the mentorship of Mary Bruce, to whom I am forever indebted. Since graduation from SWIHA, I have continued to study under Mary Bruce and Rod Stryker in the Para Yoga tradition of Tantra.
Currently I am teaching Hatha Yoga with a concentratin on Vinyasa flow. I also teach Beginner Yoga, Level 1-2, Kundalini and Yin Yoga to a variety of minds and bodies. My dharma is Yoga Therapy. My intention is that each student learn to exercise the mind as well as the body.
Because it is necessary to BE the change that I would like to see in the world, I am working toward a Master of Liberal Studies degree from ASU. It is my hope that in the near future, yoga and yoga therapies will be accepted by the medical and psychological communities as a form of preventative medicine. With an anticipated graduation in December of 2011, my capstone project will be an attempt to bring greater efficacy to the therapeutic effects of yoga.
 "The future is wide open."  --Tom Petty

Joy Fichiera E-RYT
Certified Yoga Teacher
     I've been studying yoga since my first class in college in 1996. It was then that I first experienced the stillness and clarity within that yoga can bring, and that which I hope to bring to my students' lives. In my classes I blend many styles of yoga into an uplifting and soothing yoga practice appropriate for almost any level student. I graduated with a degree from Brown University in Health and Society and received my yoga training at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in the year 2000. I am currently qualified as an E-RYT (Experienced Yoga Teacher with over 1000 hours of teaching) as recognized by Yoga Alliance and am also a certified Pregnancy Yoga Teacher and a Teacher Trainer for YogaEd. I also currently teach and direct the 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training program at Rising Spirit Yoga in Wells River, VT. I live in Chandler with my husband, Paul, and children Tyler, Lucas and Haley. For more information on myself please visit www.joyfichiera.com . 

Gretchen Bickert
Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher
     Bio coming soon.

Sandi Shivers
Certified Yoga Teacher
     Bio coming soon.

Maricella Cruz
Certified Yoga Teacher
    Bio coming soon. 

Jessica Rendahl
Certified Yoga Teacher
     Bio coming soon.