About Us...
Debra Hess, E-RYT - OwnerDebbie's therapeutic teaching style and love of music allows her students to open to a deeply emotional and spiritual level, as well as to improve their physical intelligence which results in a deeper awareness and strength.
Debbie enthusiastically shares the knowledge she has gained through her extensive training in Forrest Yoga with Ana Forrest, her on-going training in therapeutics with Doug Keller, and her extensive training in Prana Flow® with Shiva Rea.
In Debbie's yoga classes, you will experience a teacher that guides and encourages you to explore your own limitations and growth potential with ease. For those who come to the practice with more extensive challenges, Debbie will work patiently and therapeutically with you. Her conscientious attitude allows her to work easily with those having special needs and limitations.
Debbie has guided the parent company of Simply Yoga Studios since 2003, building a strong community of students and gifted teachers who embrace similar values of health, wellness, and spiritual development.
In addition to Debbie's on going training and studies with her teachers, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Therapy, and practices seva yoga (the yoga of service) by volunteering in her community.
Deanne Caputo, E-RYT -
Founder, Turks Head Yoga
"I grew up in the breathtaking Finger Lakes region of New York State. Prior to embracing yoga, I had spent nearly two decades working in the exciting and fast-paced television industry. My path collided with yoga after a debilitating back injury, when other forms of rehabilitation and fitness left me damaged and in pain. I immediately began feeling the healing benefits of my practice. As I regained my strength and energy, the deeper benefits began to emerge: a deeper intelligence in the breath, a peaceful heart, a new-found connection to my divine nature."
"Life can be hectic and noisy. Everyone, no matter how young or old, should be able to develop the skills to turn off the “noise” in their head and find their “Happy Place” . My yoga practice helped me get there and I had this great desire to share this skill with others. So in 2005-2006, I received my 200 hour Hatha Yoga certification and have been fortunate enough to continue to study with many of today’s premiere inspirations. In the spring of 2007 I started to work towards my 500 hour certification in Prana Flow® with Shiva Rea, the creator of transformational Prana Flow® Yoga and Yoga Trance Dance™. I continue to study with Shiva and her talented tribe of globe trotters. I have an extensive background as a dancer; both as a student and a teacher, and enjoy movement in all forms. It’s my goal to make my classes a joyful experience for everyone!"
Annawyn LaingAnnawyn stumbled upon yoga at a local gym after graduating from Penn State University, obtaining her BS in Health Policy. This opened her world up to a whole new dimension of peace, acceptance, and gratitude. She wanted to share this with others, so in July 2004, she began her first training program. She obtained her Group Fitness Instructor Certification in September 2006 and obtained her Yoga Fundamentals Specialty Certification in January 2007. She is currently completing her 200 hour Hatha Yoga Certification at the Spirit of Yoga.
Annawyn has worked at ReMed, a brain injury rehabilitation program for the last five years. When she is not working at ReMed or teaching Yoga, she loves to spend time with her family and friends and enjoys reading, hiking, travel, and learning about the different aspects of life, art, philosophy and culture in order to enable her to become a better sister, daughter, fiancé, friend, employee and teacher.
Annawyn has spent the last several years embracing the benefits of yoga and bringing it into lives of others. This experience has been extremely fulfilling for her and she feels grateful to have had this opportunity. Annawyn looks forward to seeing you on the mat!
Dawn MehanDawn started formally studying Yoga at 21 and attended a one year teacher training program at The Yogalife Institute in PA. She had no intention of teaching, but rather to gain a greater understanding of this ancient practice. Within four months, she was asked to co-teach the program. She reluctantly agreed. Within 8 months, an unknown benefactor donated a scholarship for Dawn to study at the first organized school of Yoga in Mumbai, India. She traveled to India and began attending The Yoga Institute of Mumbai. There, she lived with her teacher, Dr Jayadeva Yogendra, from 99 to 2000, learning from ancient writings, The Yoga Sutras and The Bhagavad Gita. While in India, she worked with medical doctors and scientists researching the benefits of Yoga relating to various states of physical and mental disorders and the psychosomatic relationship between the two. She worked with diabetes patients, heart patients, those suffering from orthopedic problems, asthma, depression, anxiety, menopause and women who were pregnant. She lectured at The Women's College of Mumbai and participated in the Caring Heart Program, which set out to 'Bypass the bypass' surgery for Heart Patients. Upon returning to the US, Dawn finished the one year program at Yogalife and began teaching Yoga full time. She continued formal education at the same time and completed another year of Teacher training.
In 2003 she wrote a teacher training program of her own and was the Co-Director of the program that graduated 20 teachers by 2005. From 2005 to 2008, she attended Divine Light Ministry in Downingtown, Pa, studying meditation practices of the Worlds religions and was ordained as an Interfaith Minister. She has continued teaching for what has turned into 11 years.
Asha Sahijwani Asha is passionate about yoga and has been interested in the mind/body connection since high school. In the last several years, yoga and meditation are two components that have helped her experience more joy, peace and happiness in her life - she loves sharing that with her students. Her classes are infused with breath and awareness and are always grounded in her passion for the yogic philosophy. She is presently an advocate for victims of crime. Yoga is a great complement to the work she does as an advocate. Asha is excited to join the growing community of Turks Head Yoga and is honored to have this opportunity. Love and Light to all her teachers and mentors!
T.J. CostaTJ’s connection to the natural world formed his initial introduction to the wonders of a spiritual life. From there, he found yoga and meditation as a path towards cultivating a more meaningful connection to his world. He has studied and practiced Zen Buddhism and yoga for over ten years, has completed teacher trainings in both vinyassa and yin styles of yoga, and is excited to bring these influences to his classes.
As a classroom teacher, an outdoor educator, a craftsman, and now a farmer, he has been continuing to develop ways in which to bring spirituality into the reality of a grounded life. He finds yoga to have real potential for transformation, and encourages his students to find ways for yoga to influence their lives. Please join us for classes infused with silence, music, and words in order to provide space for personal growth and the soothing qualities of Yin Yoga.
Bill CrowellBill started yoga at the suggestion of several health professionals to treat back pain in 2005. After only one class he knew there was something about it that he wanted to explore. As time went on, what started as an intriguing means of treating back pain became a passion in it’s own right. In Feb of 2010 he completed the Teacher Training (TT) at Dhyana Yoga and then began focusing on Anusara yoga. Bill has completed a 50 hour Anusura TT with Justicia DeClue, and a 200 hour Anusara TT at Dig Yoga with Sue Elkind, Naime Jezzeny.
Bill’s “day job” is running Waypoint Consulting, a Business Intelligence Consultancy, which he co-owns. Small businesses can be demanding and as such, he is familiar with the efforts students make just to get to class some nights, and how yoga can balance and improve an full life.
When asked by an incredulous friend why he does yoga, he responded “Yoga’s really only good for my body, my mind, and oh yeah my soul. Other than that, it’s a complete waste of my time.” Bill’s love of yoga, people, and sarcastic humor all come through in his teaching. He has been taught by many teachers over the past 5 years and is grateful to them all, borrowing inspiration and teaching tips from many of them.
Colleen Robinson, R.Y.T.
"I love teaching yoga. It is an amazing art, and every time I think I know what it is, I learn something new that delights and changes me for the better. I love this definition of yoga from a local swami: yoga is that which brings you within so that you can appreciate your beautiful self, your divine self. And when you are in that place, you bask in the love within, bask in the love outside of you and somehow realize that there is no separation between the two. If I can help a student find that place even for a moment, I've earned the name, "teacher." And when I witness students entering this place, I stand in complete awe and wonder basking in their magnificence and grace." I love being at Turks Head because of Deanne, the beautiful space, and amazing teachers to learn from. But more importantly, Turks Head embodies the compassionate philosophy of meeting the student where he or she is, not encouraging them to strive for a place that doesn't serve them."
"I've been involved in fitness and group exercise for 26 years in three states, and have taught everything you can imagine with all the accompanying certifications. But (8) years ago, I found Yoga and Pilates and since, have not wanted to teach anything else. I completed my 200-hour Yoga Training five years ago and consider myself a life-long student of this magnificent art and way of life."
Sarah Rogers, R.Y.T.Sarah first learned about yoga from her mom and began practicing formally in 1999. She received her 200 hour Hatha Yoga Certification from The Spirit of Yoga in January 2007 where she learned about various styles including Forrest, Astanga, Kripalu, Baptiste, Iyengar, Kundalini, and Prenatal yoga. In 2010, Sarah spent four months volunteering at The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health as the Guest Yoga Team volunteer where she coordinated, taught, and assisted classes. Sarah brings a calm, soothing presence to her yoga and meditation classes. She is interested in teaching her students to cultivate not only improved physical health but also an inner stillness and a tranquil spirit through their yoga practice both on and off the mat.
Denice Richardson, R.Y.T.Denice first discovered yoga 10 years ago while recovering from plantar fasciitis in her feet. "It was hard to believe the pain I felt was from inflammation and lack of proper stretching. Going to my first power vinyasa yoga class was a life changing opportunity. I soon discovered running and yoga were now one. I could not do one without the other. Yoga has helped me create the “balance” in so many aspects of my life. I’m passionate about sharing the importance of breath, extension of the body, proper alignment, awareness and how these things truly help the body create a vitality that’s amazing. Yoga is a life long journey that I’m proud to be able to share with people. Let me take you to your Happy Place!"
Isabelle Allgood-Neal, R.Y.T.
Isabelle received 200 hour Hatha Yoga Certification training locally from The Spirit of Yoga. She continues to train in the various yoga traditions and has also received full certification for Pilates Mat Instruction. She enjoys teaching to all generations and loves to help students to create their own mind/body/spirit connection through yoga and meditation.
