Nancy Ashcroft
I am a certified Prana Yoga teacher with a strong background in anatomy and physiology.  I am an avid athlete, personal trainer, fitness instructor and proud mother of four.  I am passionate about sharing the benefits of yoga with others.

Celeste Bellinghieri
Celeste Bellinghieri has been teaching and belly dancing for over seven years.  Her goal is to bring this ancient dance to all women.  Her message: “It’s not about size, it’s not about weight, it’s not about age.  It’s about the woman; it’s about the dance.”

Kim Bensen
Seven years ago, Kim Bensen had outgrown plus size clothing stores.  She couldn’t tie her own shoes, buckle up in a car or sit at a restaurant booth.  Walking was difficult.  Exercise impossible.  She was eating herself to death.  Today, 212 pounds lighter, Kim – a petite size 6 – is a model, author, columnist, TV personality and entrepreneur.  Through healthy eating and exercise, her life has completely changed and her passion is for helping others to do the same.

Lynn Boggs
Lynn Boggs is the permanent makeup clinician at Rituals, as well as a medspa aesthetic consultant. She has worked for many years directly with plastic surgeons, and is very familiar with surgical and non-surgical procedures for enhancement. Lynn is a member in good standing with the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals and The Academy of Micro Pigmentation. Her dedication to excellence and desire to remain on the cutting edge of technology keeps her involved on all levels of continued education in Para-Medical Intra-Dermal Pigmentation and Permanent Make-up application.  Lynn provides a full detailed skin analysis at Rituals for all clients before undergoing
any medspa procedures.

Jennifer Brett, ND, LAc
Dr. Jennifer Brett is the Director of the Acupuncture Institute at the University of Bridgeport.  She received her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) from NCNM in 1987 and her Diploma in Acupuncture from the Tri-State Institute of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (now Tri-State College) in 1988.  Along with her duties as Director, Dr. Brett supervises patient treatments in UB teaching clinic and is an adjunct professor of oriental medicine and botanical medicine.  Media interviews include appearing on ABC’s Good Morning America, discussing “Herbal Medicine”, with Dr. Nancy Snyderman (Jan. ‘95) and WABC-NY TV (Ch. 7) News discussing Natural Approaches to Treating Children with the Flu” (Jan. ‘03).

Nichole Brown
Currently the lead esthetician for Rituals Spa, Nicole has 10yrs of experience in the Esthetics Industry.  Throughout her career she has taught 600 hours of esthetic courses and has also managed two reputable spas.   She has completed post graduate training at the Dermal Institute on European facials and advanced analysis skills, and has attended advanced make-up training for bridal, editorial and airbrush techniques at the Powder Group in NYC.  Nichole remains committed to staying current on new and innovative services and products in the skin care industry.

Chef Claire Criscuolo
Claire Criscuolo is a registered nurse, a chef, a cookbook author and a food columnist for the New Haven Register.  She and her husband Frank founded Claire’s Corner Copia in 1975 and Basta Trattoria in 2004, restaurants both dedicated to supporting organic farmers and educating palates about fresh local foods.  The passion continues and Claire is working with two New Haven schools to teach children to grow their own food in conjunction with the UN’s The Growing Connection.

Joanne DeVito
Joanne DeVito has been a certified Kripalu yoga instructor for twelve years and has been organizing and leading yoga related trips here and abroad.  Joanne is an athlete in spirit and attributes yoga to keeping her agile and balanced.  She holds yoga dear and loves sharing this vast knowledge of positive change with her students.

C. Neill Epperson, MD
Neill Epperson is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and the Director of the Yale Program for Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health.  Dr. Epperson’s research focusing on the impact of hormones on brain function and behavior in women has been funded by the National Institute for Mental Health, the National Institute of Drug Addiction, the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, the Dana Foundation and The Ethel F. Donoghue Foundation.  Dr. Epperson and her clinical team are also available for clinical consultations regarding reproductive issues as they relate to mental health and well-being.

Lisa Freed, MD, FACC
Dr. Lisa Freed received her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and completed her residency training at Cornell Medical Center. She completed cardiology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Currently, Dr. Freed is a partner at Cardiology Associates of New Haven with offices in New Haven, Orange, Hamden, and Guilford. She is also co-director of the Women's Heart Advantage Program at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Her research interests include mitral valve prolapse and Women and Heart Disease. Dr. Freed is also an Assistant Professor at Yale University School of Medicine.

Suzanne Hanley
Suzanne Hanley has been a player of Tai Chi since 1994 and a teacher since 1996.  She is a grandmother, watercolor artist and gardener.  Her focus is in helping others to learn Tai Chi as a means towards health and well being.  She gives wellness programs for corporations, the Women & Family Life Center, the Mercy Center as well as retirement communities.

Debra Hastings, HHC
Debra Hastings is the founder and owner of Points of Light Resources located in Guilford, CT.  For the past 21 years she has been assisting people in getting from where they currently are in their lives to where they want to be.  Her practice focuses on intuition, colour therapy, and FIT (Food Intelligence Training), which is a unique perspective on teaching others how to deconstruct cravings and apply whole food nutrition in a simple, fun and informative way.

Kari Henley
Kari Henley has experience as a corporate facilitator and has worked with companies such as Fed Ex, Hartford Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, Coopers & Lybrand, Yale University, and many not-for-profits. She worked in the spa industry, and has designed and led women's groups, workshops and conferences for over 15 years. Kari combines her understanding of depth psychology, mythology, and women's studies with her practical knowledge of life as a mother of four, wife, and active community member. Kari is currently completing two books entitled, "Why Women Gather," as well as "The Seven Pathways of Single Motherhood."

Jean Henry, MD
Jean Henry is a Yale trained Endocrinologist who is board certified in Internal Medicine, as well as Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.  She is in private practice at Beyond Care in Branford, CT.  She practices general endocrinology, and is also involved in the Therapeutic Life Style Change programs at Beyond Care.  Her special interests include Metabolic Syndrome, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Diabetes Mellitus and disorders of the Thyroid and Parathyroid glands.

Nina Horowitz, MD
Dr. Nina Horowitz received her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and did her surgical training at Yale-New Haven Hospital.  She has been practicing general surgery in New Haven for 24 years and has a special interest in breast diseases and breast cancer.  Dr. Horowitz is an assistant clinical professor of surgery at Yale University School of Medicine and she has served as the Breast Cancer Spokesperson and Medical Advisor to the CT Reach to Recovery program for the American Cancer Society.  She is, most importantly, the proud mother of two - Eve (17) and Ari (20).

Imani
Imani is the owner of The Green Vibration Alchemy Cafe, an all organic cafe in Hartford for over five years, and the recently opened Eco-Boutique which features organic mattresses, linens, environmentally friendly household cleaning products, non-toxic body care products and an array of other sustainable items for the home. Imani is passionate about living an all organic sustainable life. She is also the visionary behind "Green Consultations" personalized consults for homeowners and business owners interested in taking steps towards being more "green" starting in January of 2008.

Christina Kelly-Hunter, M.Psy, MFT, CMY, CPT
Christina is the founder and director of the Center for Psychotherapy & Family Education and CenterPeace Wellness Pathway Programs located in Branford, CT.  She is also a Pilates Trainer and Meditation Teacher and a student of Energy Medicine.  Her current interest is Transpersonal psychology.  She has recently undertaken Meditation studies and research in Nepal.

Meir H. Kryger, MD, FRCPC
Meir H. Kryger, MD, FRCPC is the director of Sleep Medicine Research and Education, Gaylord Hospital, Wallingford, Connecticut, and a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Connecticut.  Dr. Kryger's research has spanned the areas of sleep breathing disorders, especially neurological disorders affecting sleep of both adults and children, and sleep problems in women.  He is the chief editor of The Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine, and author of A Woman's Guide to Sleep Disorders.  He has served the sleep medicine community in leadership roles in the Canadian Sleep Society, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, National Sleep Foundation in Washington, DC, and American Board of Sleep Medicine.

Anne Liebling, MD
I am an adult and pediatric rheumatologist.  I attend at the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic at Yale, and am in private practice at New Haven Rheumatology seeing both adults and children with arthritic problems.

Richard A. Marottoli, MD, MPH
Richard A. Marottoli, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine, an attending physician at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, and Medical Director of the Adler Geriatric Assessment Center at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He received his undergraduate, medical, and public health degrees from Yale University, completed his residency training in internal medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, and his geriatrics fellowship at Yale. He is a member of the Medical Scientific Advisory Council of the Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Mary Jane Minkin, MD
Dr. Mary Jane Minkin received her medical degree from Yale University, completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale-New Haven Hospital and has been serving the Greater New Haven community for over 25 years. She is a physician in private practice, holds attending positions at both Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Hospital of St. Raphael, and serves as a clinical professor at Yale University School of Medicine.  Dr. Minkin has published numerous works in her field and serves on the editorial boards of Prevention Magazine and Prime Plus/ Red Hot Mamas as a medical advisor.

Jennifer McManus, RN
Jennifer McManus has developed an approach to health focused on empowering individuals to take an active role in their own well-being. Jennifer feels pilates is one way to reach people with this mind-body exercise modality.  She has worked in the field of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation at St. Francis and Providence Hospitals and was certified in 1995 as an ACSM Exercise Specialist from the Cleveland Heart Clinic and in 2001 certified as a Mat Pilates Instructor. She currently teaches pilates at the Madison Park and Recreation Dept. and is also part of the staff at Beyond Care LLC., a Therapeutic Lifestyle Center in Branford; that specializes in weight loss and stress reduction programs.

Terry O’Hara
Terry O’Hara works as a personal trainer at Stewart’s Personal Training & Nutrition in Guilford, CT. A few years ago, Terry realized that walking and aerobics classes weren’t working any more and she needed to revamp her fitness routine to include resistance training. Her studies led her to become a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). This training combined with a B.S. in Food Science and Nutrition gives her a unique body of knowledge to draw from when working with her clients. Terry and her husband have two children and live in Guilford.

Janet Parkosewich, MSN, RN, CCRN, FAHA
Janet Parkosewich is an author, lecturer, and award winning cardiac clinical nurse specialist at Yale-New Haven Hospital.  Through consultation with colleagues both locally and nationally, she helps to shape hospital systems of care to ensure the delivery of high quality cardiac care.  Janet is the co-director and founding member of the Women's Heart Advantage Program. This program, now integrated into 250 hospitals, increases clinician and consumer awareness of heart disease in women.  Janet is a doctoral student at Yale School of Nursing.  Her research interests focus on women and heart disease.

Deborah Rose, CHHC
Deborah Rose is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor.  She is a graduate of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and is accredited through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.  She offers individuals one on one consultations and group wellness classes on Integrative Nutrition and Holistic Health and she also offers cooking classes, energy balancing sessions, flower essence consultation, and color therapy.  Deborah’s goal as a Health Counselor is to support individuals on their journey to becoming empowered by being a resource for health and wellness and by guiding individuals on the quest to make conscious choices regarding their health and well-being.

Barbara Scala
Barbara Scala, attorney turned Life Transition & Divorce Coach, is also co-author of Sanity Savers: Tips for Women to Live a Balanced Life as seen on the Today Show, editor of Bloom OnLine Magazine at www.bloomonline.com, and speaks to audiences nationwide on attaining and maintaining overall well-being through life’s transitions.  Barbara also hosts Bloom’s online podcast The Dream Team, and is at the pulse of career fulfillment, life-work balance and living a life with passion.  Her motto is “Grow from Life Transitions” as she coaches people to survive and thrive from divorce, career, health and midlife changes.  www.bloomcoach.com

Robert T. Schoen, MD
Dr. Schoen maintains a rheumatology practice, New Haven Rheumatology, in New Haven, Guilford and Milford.  He is Clinical Professor of Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine and a staff physician at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Hospital of Saint Raphael and Milford Hospitals.

Joy Scott
Joy Scott has trained as a dancer at The School of the Harford Ballet where se received a dance teaching degree.  Continued her studies at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York City.  Performed concert, choreography in NY and CT.  Joy has taught dance at Neighborhood Music School and numerous studios in Connecticut.  She has taught and trained in aerobics, is AFFA Certified, pilates certified and continues training with Mary Bowen, pilate elder.  She owns Bodi-n-motion, pilate, dance, fitness studio in Guilford, CT.

Kimberly Smith, MA, PYT
Kimberly has a bachelor’s degree in biomechanics as well as a master’s in physiology.  She is a 1,000 hour professional yoga therapist.  She teaches with compassion, kindness and attention to each individual’s needs.

Callie Spencer Hill
Callie is a Holistic Health Counselor who supports and guides individuals, providing one-on-one coaching toward nutrition and lifestyle goals.  Her clients develop an understanding of their unique body’s needs, a high level of self-care and the ability to transform their lives.  Callie is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition affiliated with Columbia University and is also certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.  She is known locally by her festive and informative monthly organic cooking classes.  Additional services include phone sessions, group sessions, workshops and corporate programs.

Janet Spinner, CNM, MSN
Janet Spinner is a Certified Midwife who has been in active practice since receiving her masters in Nursing from Yale in 1988.  Her scope of practice includes Obstetrics, Gynecology, Contraceptive Management and Well Women’s Health Care.  She has developed particular expertise in guiding women through their middle years with a focus on how society, family and careers impact our lives.  She has developed a proactive approach to health that moves women forward in the process of optimizing their health and sense of wellbeing.  She is an assistant clinical professor at the Yale School of Nursing and frequently lectures in the New Haven community about AIDS, adolescents, teen pregnancy and contraceptive management.

Sarah Suatoni, MA, CHP
Sarah Suatoni has a private therapy practice specializing in the mind-body interface.  She teaches workshops, classes and retreats in mind-body awareness, self-healing, movement and exercise.  Sarah also runs the Tween Sceen llc with Macdara Maccoll providing social and emotional education through the arts to elementary age girls.

Kai H. Yang, MD
Dr. Yang graduated from Smith College in 1984 and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1988. Dr. Yang completed her internship residency fellowship at Yale. She is now in private practice and clinical assistant professor of endocrinology at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Yang's special interests include thyroid and diabetes.

Gisel Zergiebel
Gisel is a mother of three, living in Guilford, with a passion for dancing and loves to share its energy.  She has been a fitness instructor in a variety of gyms and has taught cardio-salsa classes, low-impact aerobics, strength and stretch, and cardio kickboxing.