Founder: Robert Butera, E-RYT, M.Div., Ph.D., is the founder/director of The YogaLife Institute and publisher of Yoga Living magazine. Bob studied yoga with Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra at The Yoga Institute of Bombay and later obtained his Ph.D. in Yoga Philosophy at The California Institute of Integral Studies and a Masters of Divinity from The Earlham School of Religion. With over 25 years of meditation and yoga experience, he has worked with teachers and students throughout Japan, Taiwan, India and the United States. Bob emphasizes a holistic exploration of Yoga and is known for teaching ancient Classical Yoga principles in a practical and relevant way that connects students with their own divinity.
Click the book cover to purchase the book
Bob's book, The Pure Heart of Yoga, 10 Steps to Personal Transformation will be released to the public in September 2009. In The Pure Heart of Yoga, yoga master and scholar Dr. Robert Butera examines the subtle internal healing processes that are contained in yoga philosophy and experienced through yoga poses. Through clear direction and exercises designed to encourage practitioners toward experiential knowledge, these teachings have tremendous impact on yoga practice.
The Ten Steps include: Personal Intention, Attitude, Archetypal Patterns, Posture, Bio-energetic Awareness, Mental Focus, Energy Centers, Locks and Seals, Psychological Blocks and Emotional Transformation.
Director: Julie Rost, E-RYT 500 is Director of the YogaLife Institute's 200 and 500 hour Classical Yoga Teacher Training Programs and Director of the Blue Moon Yoga Studio. Her training and prior experience were as full-time Classical Yoga Instructor and Coordinator of 200 and 500- hour Yoga teacher training programs at the YogaLife Institute in Pennsylvania, a Yoga studio and teacher training center born of the Yoga Institute of Mumbai, India. Julie also teaches classes, leads workshops and retreats in the Exeter/Portsmouth area. Julie believes the power of Yoga lies in its rich lineage of wisdom, utilizing the ancient texts; connecting to our higher levels of consciousness; utilizing the breath and mind-body awareness in poses, relaxation exercises and meditation; and practicing ethical living in our daily lives.
Senior Instructor: Lisa Rockenmacher, RYT is a graduate of the 500 hour Classical Yoga teacher training program. Her teaching incorporates her experience with various styles of yoga. Lisa has taught English in the public schools and adult education, Reiki workshops, and yoga. In each of these modalities, Lisa’s focus is the same- encouraging students to deepen their understanding of their own inner wisdom.
Senior Instructor: Lily Sibley, owner of Ocean Spirit Yoga, has been teaching yoga in Portsmouth, NH, as well as Kittery, ME, Exeter, Rye and Newburyport, since 2002. Lily has advanced certification as a Classical Yoga teacher, is a certified Reiki Master and a licensed teacher of The Lebed Method, a movement therapy program for breast cancer survivors and chronic illness. Currently, Lily is a senior teacher in the YogaLife Institute of NH yoga teacher training program, a program born of the Yoga Institute of Mumbai, India. Ocean Spirit Yoga offers regular on-going yoga classes, workshops, retreats, meditation classes, classes for rehabilitation and wellness, and private yoga classes.
While introducing her students to the physical and mental benefits of a regular yoga practice, Lily encourages her students to be comfortable with their individual levels of ability. Her students are further encouraged to "take their yoga off the mat" -- to create harmony and a sense of well being in their lives. While building strength and flexibility in their bodies, Lily's students discover the stillness and peace that lies within each of us. Using classical texts, such as the Bhagavagita, the Upanishads, the Yoga Sutras, the Tao Te Ching, as tools for discussion, students learn to live in the ups and downs of a fully integrated life. Visit Ocean Spirits website for more information, click here Ocean Spirit.
Senior Instructor: Stacy Smith, RYT 500, has studied yoga since 1998 and teaches at The Yoga Center in Portland, Maine. She approaches yoga in a holistic manner, blending the insights of Classical and Iyengar yoga with Ayurvedic teachings to nurture physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Stacy was trained as a philosopher of education and formerly taught undergraduates at a liberal arts college. She now enjoys exploring the deep philosophical and spiritual traditions of Eastern wisdom with students of all ages. She is the mother of two young boys and teaches pre-natal yoga as one avenue for sharing the many ways that yoga has supported her mothering and family relationships. Stacy is a graduate of the YogaLife Institute of NH and continues to study and instruct in its teacher training programs. To view Stacy's current yoga classes at the Yoga Center of Portland, Maine, click here.
Senior Instructor: Sally Sugatt, RYT, started practicing postures in 1978, pregnant with her first child, and is grateful to many teachers for their wisdom. In 2006 she was ready to learn more and Julie Rost appeared! Sally finished the Classical Yoga Teacher Training Program with Julie at the 500 hour level in 2009. She began teaching at Blue Moon in 2007. As a child and family therapist, Sally is particularly interested in how the ancient practices of yoga--all eight limbs--inform our relationships: with ourselves and with others. At the Blue Moon Sally has found a committed and supportive yoga community.
Senior Instructor: Beth Tener helps people and organizations align their actions with their values and vision, particularly related to ecological sustainability, creativity, and resilience. She enhances the skills of those working on personal, organizational, and social change through her experience as an organizational change consultant for business, an sustainability trainer, a yoga teacher, a practitioner of meditation, and a personal experience in green living. Beth is a graduate of the YogaLife Institute of NH Teacher Training program 200 hour level and the 500 hour level program.
To view Beth's current yoga classes and workshops, click here.
Teacher Training 
Founder: Robert Butera, E-RYT, M.Div., Ph.D., is the founder/director of The YogaLife Institute and publisher of Yoga Living magazine. Bob studied yoga with Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra at The Yoga Institute of Bombay and later obtained his Ph.D. in Yoga Philosophy at The California Institute of Integral Studies and a Masters of Divinity from The Earlham School of Religion. With over 25 years of meditation and yoga experience, he has worked with teachers and students throughout Japan, Taiwan, India and the United States. Bob emphasizes a holistic exploration of Yoga and is known for teaching ancient Classical Yoga principles in a practical and relevant way that connects students with their own divinity.
Senior Instructor: Lisa Rockenmacher, RYT is a graduate of the 500 hour Classical Yoga teacher training program. Her teaching incorporates her experience with various styles of yoga. Lisa has taught English in the public schools and adult education, Reiki workshops, and yoga. In each of these modalities, Lisa’s focus is the same- encouraging students to deepen their understanding of their own inner wisdom.
Senior Instructor: Stacy Smith, RYT 500, has studied yoga since 1998 and teaches at The Yoga Center in Portland, Maine. She approaches yoga in a holistic manner, blending the insights of Classical and Iyengar yoga with Ayurvedic teachings to nurture physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Stacy was trained as a philosopher of education and formerly taught undergraduates at a liberal arts college. She now enjoys exploring the deep philosophical and spiritual traditions of Eastern wisdom with students of all ages. She is the mother of two young boys and teaches pre-natal yoga as one avenue for sharing the many ways that yoga has supported her mothering and family relationships. Stacy is a graduate of the YogaLife Institute of NH and continues to study and instruct in its teacher training programs. To view Stacy's current yoga classes at the Yoga Center of Portland, Maine, 
Senior Instructor: Beth Tener helps people and organizations align their actions with their values and vision, particularly related to ecological sustainability, creativity, and resilience. She enhances the skills of those working on personal, organizational, and social change through her experience as an organizational change consultant for business, an sustainability trainer, a yoga teacher, a practitioner of meditation, and a personal experience in green living. Beth is a graduate of the YogaLife Institute of NH Teacher Training program 200 hour level and the 500 hour level program.