Our Teachers

 

Jen Portman (Owner/Founder)

     Always an avid athlete, Jen found yoga twelve years ago when injuries prevented her from running and competing in triathlons.  Yoga soon became a passion because of its ability to heal and strengthen, it’s power to create balance both mentally and physically;  and simply for the way it feels.   Jen has completed the Baptiste Power Yoga Institute levels 1 and 2 teacher trainings and is in ongoing studies with Baron Baptiste.  She has attended numerous Bikram Yoga workshops with Bikram and   Rajashree Choudhury (Bikram’s wife) and Jason Wynne.  She loves being able to offer these two types of hot yoga at Synergy, and is continually seeking knowledge about other styles of yoga through workshops with Shiva Rea, Desiree Rumbaugh, David Swenson, Sri Dharma Mittra and others.  “Yoga has been such a gift to me;  I feel so lucky to be able to help other people find it....And, I can't believe this is my JOB now!"-   Jen lives in Fair Haven with her husband and three teenage children.  Besides yoga, she loves swimming, cycling, cooking, skiing and hiking, and is trying to become a surfer!

Cara Yakey

Cara  began practicing yoga over 15 years ago.  It was her passion for yoga that lead her to do her teacher training in 2001.  She was trained in classic Hatha Yoga, but has practiced ashtanga,jivamukti, and Bikram.  Cara strives to provide her students a safe enviroment in which to practice yoga.  Prior to teaching yoga she worked as a physical therapist specializing in sports related injuries.  She brings an extensive knowledge of anatomy and proper biomechanics to her teachings, always striving to teach her students the proper alignment of a posture.  Besides being a devout yogi, Cara is the proud Mom of eleven-year old  Lucas.  She also enjoys walking the boardwalk in Long Branch and riding her beach cruiser.

 

Daniel Abbott

Daniel is a nationally certified Personal Trainer and a Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Instructor. Currently he is finishing his 500 hour certification with Yoga Alliance. His personal influences, training and practice has culminated into a free-flowing vinyasa style that combines breath, dynamic movement, feeling-sensitivity, visualization, meditation, and heart wisdom---all resulting in strength, flexibility, clarity, radiance, and an increased sense of boundlessness. Daniel is committed to offering not only the traditional elements of yoga, but spontaneity, present day relevance, and obvious variety in his classes. Expect unique vinyasa sequences and challenging strengthening poses combined with pranayama and calming rejuvenation. With vast experience teaching all levels of yoga, from teens to seniors, Daniel is not only dedicated to serving all with Yoga and Physical Fitness, but also to continuing his own education. Daniel offers workshops in couples and partner yoga, as well as in The Work of Byron Katie. Daniel graduated from Rutgers University in 2003 with a Bachelors degree in Organizational Communication, and has returned to Rutgers part time to study High level Mathematics. Find out more about Daniel by visiting www.openasallyoga.com.

Kristin Gould

Kristin Gould (Jyoti), RYT is an inspired and spirited yoga teacher.  Using her life-long experiences and dedication to  ballet, creative dance and yoga, she brings passion, intuition and “grooviness”  to her vinyasa style of yoga teaching.  Kristin has studied many aspects of Ayurveda and Hatha yoga with both American and Indian yogis.  She believes in order to be a responsible teacher, she must continue to be a humble student – always learning, growing and sharing her knowledge of this ancient practice from the countless numbers of teachers who have come before her.  Kristin has a non-profit organization known as CoolKidsyoga,  bringing  yoga classes to children of all ages and abilities in schools and to those unable to pay for classes.  Kristin is married and a mother of three children, who affectionately call her Swami Mommy.  Together with her family, she enjoys cooking, gardening, painting, surfing and boating.  Kristin reminds us that as we practice yoga with skillfulness uniting breath, body and soul, we are ultimately connecting to all things beyond our egos and off our mats.  Through truth, joy, compassion, peace and love – we are all one!

AnnMarie Rung

AnnMarie completed a 12-week Bikram Yoga intensive teacher training in November of 1998. The training consisted of more than 500 hours of study with Bikram and Rajashree Choudhury. For several years she had attended and/or assisted in yearly seminars with Bikram and Rajashree to continue her education in the unique therapeutic method of Hatha Yoga, rooted in the tradition of Bishnu Ghosh and Paramahansa Yogananda.

 In 2007, AnnMarie studied with Swami Shantimurti Saraswati and was certified in Yoga Nidra, Meditation and Pranayama techniques, rooted in the tradition of Paramahansa Satyananda. Through continued study, her teaching style has evolved to integrate yoga with other healing philosophies. She is grateful to her teachers for all she has learned. Her faith in the science of yoga and the desire to help others help themselves are what inspire her to find additional ways to bring this life-changing mind-body connection to others. 

 AnnMarie received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Marist College in 1990. She lives with her husband and two children in Middletown, NJ.

 

Lilly Flanagan

Lilly began practicing yoga over ten years ago while attending Eugene Lang College in New York City.  She soon began practicing daily, experiencing the multi-faceted benefits of yoga, including a stronger body, calmer mind, and happier face.  After finishing college, Lilly tried a Bikram Yoga class in 2004 and decided to train with Bikram at his school, The Yoga College of India in Los Angeles, CA.  Having successfully completed the 9-week, intensive training, she began teaching the Bikram method of yoga in June 2005 at studios in Rumson & Westwood. Lilly is happy to share the gift of yoga with her students, promoting a sense of inter-connectedness and peace.  She lives in Rumson and also sells real estate.

 

Virginia Lennon

Virginia was a scholastic basketball, softball player and runner who has always had a passion for sports.  She has competed in many races, including the Spring Lake 5, The George Sheehan Classic and the Long Branch Half Marathon.  Multiple knee surgeries prohibited her further pursuit of running, but opened up the world of yoga to her six years ago. She quickly became involved in various methods and teaches based on the Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga style. Virginia continues to explore the various styles of yoga, has attended workshops with Bikram and Jimmy Barkan and is thrilled that she can pursue her physical and mental goals without further discomfort and damage to her knee. Virginia lives in Middletown, NJ with her husband of 18 years and their two daughters.

Alice Nelson

Julie Simser

 Tanya Williams

Freida Catton