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Lynda spent several years in the corporate world as Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She began her career at Ernst & Young in her hometown, Pittsburgh, PA. Later, Lynda moved to New Jersey for a corporate position at CHANEL headquarters where she was introduced to a world of exquisite tastes and classic beauty. She eventually moved into Sales Operations within the Pharmaceutical industry. In the corporate environment, Lynda was often referred to as a ‘type A’ personality where she performed well, receiving promotions and awards. However, she was always drawn to a profession that might have a more direct impact on people’s lives.

Lynda eventually began practicing yoga to reduce anxiety and found herself more relaxed, productive and drawn to her artistic side that had been neglected for years. The Arts had long been a part of the family and Lynda felt a renewed connection to her creative ancestry through her paintings which were reminiscent of artwork done by her great grandfather over 100 years earlier. Family members were struck by the comparison of their works because Lynda had never seen her Grandfathers’ creations. Click here for an example.

Lynda surprised herself by quitting her job with Schering-Plough pharmaceuticals on August 31, 2001 to pursue yoga and art full time near her home in Livingston, NJ. Any lingering doubts about leaving the familiar corporate environment were erased as she began her first full day of her new life: On 9/11/01, Lynda was on a plane, traveling home alone from a short vacation in Hawaii after her last official day of work. Just before landing in Newark, her plane was diverted to an Air Force base in Ohio where the aircraft parked in a field away from any buildings. “We did not know where we were as men in black suits, armed with machine guns, began to surround the plane. The captain only told us that a catastrophic event had occurred in the NY area. We were also informed that something or someone suspicious was removed from our plane. Hours went by and we all sat trapped in a quiet fear realizing the severity of the dangers. As others were allowed to depart the scene, the FBI continued to detain the passengers from our flight for several more hours. I began to realize the gift I had been given though the teachings of yoga and breathing techniques. By using the meditative skills learned in the practice of yoga I felt a greater sense of calm and inner peace than I would have otherwise.”

Then in June 2004, Lynda again relied on the healing aspects of the practice; she watched as her brand new studio was destroyed by a fire started in the restaurant below. “Immediately I thought of ‘Tapas,’ the yoga principle of burning off what you don’t need...destruction leading to re-creation...and I knew I had to rebuild and even brighter community.” Click here to view photos

Lynda is especially grateful to her first teacher, Ellen Kaplow, for introducing her to the power of yoga. LivYoga (formerly Livingston Yoga) opened on December 11, 2001. Lynda became a certified, registered teacher through the Yoga Alliance and has advanced her studies through Yoga Synthesis with Raji Thron.

She has attended 1000+ hours of seminars and classes taught by the most highly regarded teachers in the world (see sidebar). Additionally Lynda has studied extensively with Caroline Myss and had worked privately with her partner Jim Curtan on the Chakra system. Lynda is certified in Mat Pilates from the Kane School of Core Integration, NYC as well as Yoga Thai Massage from Laura Rupp, CMT. Always looking for the latest education, Lynda also worked privately with New York Times best selling author, Life Coach, and O columnist, Martha Beck in June 2006 in Arizona. She is currently researching the effects of dance & the chakra system and is studying Belly dance and Hip Hop (at Broadway Dance Center). Soon more dance will be a part of the offerings at LivYoga!

Lynda believes in the importance of exploring many types of yoga, body therapies and personal growth techniques in order to offer an array of experiences with her classes and most importantly, help each student find their own way. She does not profess to be an advanced student and you will often find her in class learning her limitations in the practice. “Yoga makes me calmer, toner, and much more creative, because I went in with an open-mind to the possibilities.”

She invites you to explore and study yoga along with her......