Instructors

Terry Cockburn -

Owner

Terry CockburnTerry CockburnI have been a sports and fitness enthusiast my entire life, and
when I was introduced to a few Bryan Kest Power Yoga VHS (yes, VHS)
tapes in 1997, I was officially hooked. For the next several years, I
continued to complement my athletic pursuits with yoga videos, and
learned as much as I could through books and magazines.

After my first “real” yoga class in a studio setting
in 2004, I was completely transformed. I subsequently threw myself
into serious practice and did my first vinyasa teacher training in
2006. For years, my personal practice primarily focused on the
active, yang qualities of vigorous movement, sweating and striving to
throw down as many fancy arm balances as possible. After my first yin
yoga teacher training in 2007, a huge shift happened, which changed
my entire perspective not only on my practice, but my teaching as
well.

A true test in the essence of practice came when I tore my ACL during
a tennis match in 2008. Going through the six month rehabilitation
period reminded me that my competitive nature was taking over and I
was not in balance physically or psychologically. The intention I set
for myself was to still be the athlete I was, but to balance my
athletic pursuits with a safe and sustainable yoga practice. I have
been successful in doing so, and have run seven marathons since my
knee surgery; all to the credit of my practice.

The classes I teach vary in style and are always geared toward the
students’ needs. I am inspired by vinyasa, Ashtanga, yin,
restorative, meditation, and yoga philosophy, along with fun arm
balances and inversions. I also have a passion for teaching yoga
specifically to the athletic population and am fortunate to work with
many incredible individual athletes and teams. 


My primary yoga training is with Stephanie Keach of Asheville Yoga
Center, located in Asheville, North Carolina. I've trained
with Josh Summers and Paul Grilley in the discipline of Yin Yoga;
hold a 200hr certification through Well Heart Yoga; and am certified
through ChildLight Yoga. I draw my greatest inspiration from my
mentor, Sage Rountree, of Carborro Yoga Company in Carborro, North
Carolina.



I am also a certified running coach through the Road Runners Club of
America (RRCA), and a certified personal trainer through the National
Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

Emily Smith -

Emily SmithI discovered yoga about eight years ago, when I was suffering
from a minor hip injury. On a whim, I tried a yoga class. At first, I
thought yoga was a temporary fix - a needed distraction while I
healed. I fully expected to walk away from yoga and return to my old
routines. Instead, yoga has become the foundation upon which my other
routines are built. I am endlessly challenged and intrigued by the
concept of finding a proper balance between effort and ease - in yoga
poses, in other physical activities, in any challenges that life
presents. When does it pay to push harder? When is it more effective
to ease off? The answers change constantly, and my classes will often
explore this concept.

I completed my 200 hour teacher training during the summer of 2011
through YogaWorks in Boston, with Natasha Rizopoulos and Jennie
Cohen. I am lucky to have learned yoga from a variety of open,
approachable, knowledgeable teachers over the years, who made me feel
comfortable and successful from the first moment I walked into the
studio. My primary goal is to do the same for my students.

I am also a certified ChildLight Yoga instructor, and enjoy sharing
yoga with children in a fun, playful way through games, music, group
activities and more.

I live in Freeport with my husband and two teenaged sons.

Liz Bicherl -

Liz BicherlYoga is a form of self-expression. You can take these expressions
as deep as you want, or simply enjoy the ride. My own practice and
teaching evolves to reflect my emotions and goals on and off my mat.
I teach classes with uplifting energy and precise explanations of
alignment, to deepen my students understanding of their own practice.
I aim to inspire "Ah HA!" moments throughout class, the way
I have experienced them on my journey of practicing Yoga.

After getting a B.S. in Business Administration, and spending time in the
corporate world, I have been transitioning back to my first love:
health and fitness. I became certified in 2011 through the Namaste
Institute of Holistic Studies in Portland, Maine, and am registered
with the National Yoga Alliance. Additionally, I had the honor of
studying with Tari Prinster in NYC, and obtained a certification in
her Women Cancer Survivors Yoga program. Although I teach a variety
of Vinyasa Flow classes, teaching classes that are tailored to cancer
survivor's needs is my specialty.

Off the mat, I am a beginner runner, and ran in my first 10k this past
summer. My goal is to run in my first half-marathon by the end of
2013. I am dedicated to my husband (and cat Sam), and during time off
we love to hike and travel to new places. Also, I am passionate about
animal rights and nutrition. I believe eating healthy is just as
important as a regular Yoga practice!

Lauren Norster -

Lauren NorsterLauren discovered her love for movement when she slipped on her
first pair of ballet shoes at the age of four and started dancing.
Fourteen years later, Lauren was first introduced to yoga while
taking a modern dance course at Roger Williams University. When she
moved to Portland in 2006, she found an ashtanga-style yoga class and
grew deeper into her practice. Soon, she discovered the powerful
tools of meditation and pranayama and started to develop a personal
daily practice. As a teacher in various non-traditional learning
environments, Lauren found opportunities to share yoga with children
and teens. In 2012, Lauren became certified in Vinyasa Yoga through
the Breathing Room Yoga Studio in South Portland. She has a passion
for teaching to the needs of her students, regardless of their age.
Her vinyasa classes are creative, fun, exploratory, and are
influenced by her studies in ashtanga yoga.

In a typical class, Lauren's students will be encouraged to
see yoga as a moving meditation, following their breath while
building strength, flexibility, and mental clarity.She aspires to
make each pose accessible to students on every level, offering
adjustments, props, and modifications throughout the class. She often
includes meditation, pranayama, and chanting in both her adult and
children's classes to keep the balance of energy flow. In
addition to vinyasa yoga, Lauren also teaches restorative based yoga,
yoga nidra, and meditation. As a Reiki master teacher and
practitioner, Lauren is interested in combining restorative practices
with energy healing. She sees her self as a full-time student of
yoga, and is always eager to develop her knowledge of yoga philosophy
and the eight limbs of yoga. Off the mat, Lauren works with
homeschooled students, writes an ayurvedic cooking blog, and is a
visual artist.

Yoga:
http://bluelotusyogamaine.blogspot.com
http://facebook.com/bluelotusmaine

Teaching:
http://bloommaine.blogspot.com

Art:
http://silentlanguages.etsy.com
http://zhibit.com/maplady

Food:
http://spicedplate.blogspot.com

Moriah Salter -

Moriah SalterI am a naturalist, farmer, musician and yoga teacher with a
strong connection to nature. My husband and I are the co-founders of
ReTreeUS, a non-profit program planting orchards in schools and
creating greater access to good food. Thus, I spend much of my time
striking yoga poses in between rows of kale and passing out pea
sprouts to children as if it were candy.

Growing food sustainably and working closely with the earth has nourished my
body as well as my spirit for as long as I can remember. When I began
practicing yoga in 2003, I realized that the healing effects of this
ancient practice are equally and similarly beneficial for the body,
mind and soul.

Thanks to yoga and the many teachers I have had along the way, I have come
to know and accept myself on a deeper level. I completed Well Heart
Yoga's teacher training program and founded Healing Earth
Yoga in June of 2013 so that I could share these nourishing qualities
of yoga through my creative, meditative, mindful, and physical
classes. I am thankful for the opportunity to teach in this beautiful
space--one of learning, growing, and achieving together.

Shannon Fallon -

Shannon FallonShannon is a licensed massage therapist and nationally certified
yoga teacher in Portland, Maine. She teaches vinyasa &
ashtanga vinyasa yoga with a strong emphasis on postural integration.
Her unique teaching style blends twelve years of yoga practice and
study with her extensive knowledge of the human body.
Shannon's yoga classes are structured to be fun and
informative with a focus on cultivating strength, flexibility, breath
and postural awareness.
To learn more about Shannon visit her website at
www.shannonfallon.com

Joel Patterson -

Joel PattersonJoel Patterson studied and practiced yoga and ayurveda at Sri
Santosh Puri ashram in Haridwar, India. Narmada Devi Puri Ma, Ganga
Puri, Mandakini Puri, Alaknanda Puri and Dhyananda were his primary
teachers at this time. Later he traveled to Thailand, studied
Ashtanga yoga with William Holtby, and feels a powerful inspiration
from Ashtanga. He taught Ashtanga inspired lessons, Hatha yoga
lessons, Sukshma Vyayama pranayama, kriya yoga, mantra, bandha,
mudra, and ayurveda in Italy for one year, where he studied with
Silvana Bugli. Joel currently studies Ashtanga with Jennifer Morrison
in Portland, Maine.

Omkara Kevin Wicks -

Omkara Kevin WicksOmkara Kevin Wicks (Omi) has been interested in mysticism his
entire life, and was introduced to meditation at a young age. He
received the name Omkara from Srinivasan in his mantra initiation
during a three month stay in the Sivananda Yoga and Vedanta Center as
a Karma Yogi. He has also learned and practiced meditation at the
Vipassana Meditation Center of Shelburne, MA. He feels fortunate to
have attended workshops, classes, and trainings with various master
teachers.

Since beginning his practice Omi has learned the importance of
purification of mind, body, and action. People noticing his practice
and it's affects started asking him to teach. Though he
never planned to teach, he is grateful to share the transforming
power of a consistent yoga practice with his students and fellow
teachers. He completed his 200-hour teacher training at the
ShivaShakti School of Yoga and Healing Arts in Rockland, ME in
2011.

At ShivaShakti, he was also certified in the healing art of Nuad
Bo-Rarn (Thai Bodywork). To schedule a session speak with him
directly or e-mail. omkara.email@gmail.com

Mantra and Kirtan (which he learned at ShivaShakti and the Sivananda
Ashram) has become a part of his daily sadhana practice. He leads
Kirtans and teaches mantras for individual practice of Bhakti Yoga.

Alexandra Mack -

Alexandra MackYoga went from a fling to a long-term relationship in my life
when I realized how instrumental it was in keeping my mind, body and
spirit healthy! Yoga classes were my personal
“retreat” to connect back into myself, to
something deeper, inside and outside of me, which I didn’t
even fully understand for the first few years practicing. (Originally
I thought I was just getting a different type of workout, sure fooled
me!) Having both healthy and unhealthy crushes over the years, my
yoga and meditation practice helped to ground me, and it’s
where I’ve found guidance and transformation on my own path
of self-discovery, and for that I will be forever grateful!

I’ve been an athlete my whole life mainly with running and soccer. I went
to college at Sacred Heart University where I played D1 soccer and
began to blossom my passions for healthy living through continuing on
to receive my masters in Psychology, paired with a Holistic Health
Coaching Certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition
based in NYC. I traveled a few months after my educational pursuits
but was quickly drawn back to my home state of Maine. It was then I
decided to enroll in a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at Well Heart
Yoga. I love all types of yoga from Yin to challenging Vinyasa
flows!

I love my day job working at the Integrative Health Center of Maine
where I’m the assistant to owner/practitioner of
Integrative Therapies Maine. In my free time I like to be outside
keeping active, playing in the kitchen making healthy recipes, raw
chocolates, herbal teas and superfood smoothies, or anywhere spending
time with friends and family.

I am fueled by my passions of living a healthy and loving life full of
gratitude, by drawing from my personal practices, my hope is to help
people find their happiest, healthiest and truest
self…both on, and off the mat!

Sara Germann -

Sara GermannI was introduced to yoga as a child, through a record that was
part of my mom’s collection. There was a large break in
exposure to yoga as I focused on running in high school and college
and then I returned to it as a graduate elective in 2002. I then had
a fickle relationship with yoga for several years, returning to it
really when I was injured from running. However, over the past few
years, I have found the practice brought comfort as well as
flexibility and after my teacher training at WellHeart Yoga in Cape
Elizabeth, have worked to incorporate all of the principles into my
life. (It’s a work in progress!).

Yoga is also part of my professional life as I am researching the effects
in individuals with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid
arthritis, Crohn’s disease, lupus and multiple sclerosis.
Helping people who live with these conditions use yoga to manage
troubling symptoms is my goal for my doctoral degree. Restorative
yoga is my focus for the research, but I primarily teach Vinyasa
Flow. I also love working with beginning students and try to make
yoga accessible to new practitioners by making class fun and
interesting! I remember being intimidated by woman on the cover of
that record, and want to help break those barriers!

Jenna Ragonese -

Jenna RagoneseMy life has revolved around the healing arts for the past 5
years. All of it- by chance. After college I decided to leave
everything I knew at home to study Chinese herbalism and nutrition in
San Diego, California. I received my course schedule a few days
before the start of the semester and realized I was enrolled in
multiple massage courses. My first instinct was to immediately call
the school and correct it--- but totally out of character- I went
with it.

Now, I feel, I may be the happiest woman alive. This is my path and I
haven't strayed. Massage taught me about the brilliance of
the body, the body taught me about the intrinsic connection to the
mind, and meditation taught me about the spirit who is witness to it
all. Yoga was a natural evolution of doing massage. Deeply feeling
the body in asana, connecting the breath and being aware of
everything. Feeling, breathing, opening and becoming aware. Yoga is a
transformational practice of the heart. It will let your true nature
blossom and I want to share the beauty of it with all our earthside
friends. I incorporate Buddhism, self deep tissue massage, herbalism,
yin yoga and energy work in my Vinyasa classes. The jewel is in the
lotus. Namaste.

www.zenbodymaine.com

Lisbeth Balligan -

Lisbeth was first touched by yoga during her sophomore semester of college. Her body was worn out from years of cross-country, lacrosse and soccer; plagued by chronic ankle and knee injuries, yoga provided her the first real opportunity to slow down and accept reality by learning to live in the present. After 10 years of being a yoga mutt and building a solid foundation in multiple styles of yoga including: Bikrham, Power, Restorative, Anusara and Hatha, Lisbeth learned that her love of yoga was not only the asana practice, but the personal power it helped to cultivate and the sense of community it fostered.

While attending graduate school in Public Health she practiced regularly with Glen Cunningham of Sadhana Yoga. Glen’s focus on a well-aligned flow, laced with mind-body connection queues and room to play would form much of the foundation for Lisbeth’s teaching style. Lisbeth completed her 200 hour vinyasa yoga teacher training with Jacqui Bonwell, of Sacred Seeds Yoga School in April of 2013. During her training, she offered weekly yoga classes to her colleagues and friends the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Boston. Seeing the profound difference these weekly classes had on her co-workers ability to open their bodies and hearts on and off the mat, further inspired Lisbeth to pursue teaching yoga full time. In September of 2013 Lisbeth resigned from her job in Boston and made the full transition to living in Portland.

Applying her background in sports, exercise and public health, Lisbeth offers classes that are nurturing and spiritual but still grounded in a physical practice that promotes energetic alignment. Her classes have a rhythm to them and modifications are offered to advance your practice or take it down a notch depending on your body in this moment. Special focus is given to aligning breath with movement to create space in the body and cultivate compassion for self.

Lisbeth recently completed her Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Josh Summers and is continually inspired by Terry Cockburn and the other teachers at Freeport Yoga Company. She is so grateful to her friends and family for encouraging her along this path. When not teaching or practicing yoga, Lisbeth enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her fiance and two dogs. She also dabbles as a lifestyle organization consultant.
For more information on Lisbeth and her current offerings, visit her website, www.peacewithyourspace.com

Susy Hawes -

I first started taking yoga classes when I was in high school. I often practiced next to my mom, pushing myself past comfort in order to bend deeper and hold longer, always with the aim of sweating and burning calories. Since then, my experience with yoga has changed, a lot! Today, my yoga, which includes pranayama, asanas and meditation, is my source of grounding. My intention both in practicing and teaching is to create a space for peace, stillness and consciousness in movement, breath and holding. In classes I teach, the breath and inward focus are just as important as the physical poses. I hope to create a space for students to feel both their mind and body centered and calm. I completed my 200 hour teaching training at the Breathing Room in South Portland in May 2012. I continue to study both on and off the mat and have been drawn deeper into the study of yin yoga. I am honored to continue to be both inspired and guided by my teachers.