Biography
A Certified Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Thai Yoga Bodyworker in New York City, Marisa specializes in developing individualized yoga practices, promoting breath and body awareness with attention to physical, mental and emotional needs. When Marisa took her first yoga classes in 2000 to help relieve mental and emotional stress and improve physical well-being, she was humbled and inspired by the results: noticeable mental clarity, emotional balance and physical ease. Her immediate interest and dedication to her practice evolved into a way of life that has compelled her to share her experience and knowledge with others. Marisa's exceptional observational skills, patience and ability to connect with people emotionally and through articulate instruction all create a safe space for learning and healing.
Marisa is a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, a Registered Yoga Therapist with International Association for Yoga Therapists and a Certified Thai Yoga Bodyworker.
Training
Marisa's extensive training and nurturing presence provide support for students wishing to begin or advance their practice. After earning her first teaching certification in 2004 in Prana Yoga with Dr. Jeff Migdow and Priti Robyn Ross, Marisa developed her ability to identify and meet the needs of her students by evaluating breath and movement qualities and applying yoga postures and breathing and meditation techniques. Marisa began teaching yoga full time in 2005 and became one of the primary assistants for the Prana Yoga Teacher Training. After teaching in yoga studios and privately for two years, she completed her training in Yoga Anatomy and The Application of Breath Centered Yoga with Leslie Kaminoff and Zack Kurland at the Breathing Project in 2006 and has since been applying yoga in a therapeutic way for individuals in their own homes, private physical therapy clinics and Mount Sinai Hospital in Queens. Marisa earned her certification in Thai Yoga Bodywork with Jonas Westring in 2008. Marisa's other certifications include Pre and Post Natal Yoga with Jyothi Larson, Relax and Renew Restorative Yoga with Judith Hanson-Lasater, and Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Shiva Rea.
Experience
Marisa has used yoga to promote wellness and facilitate healing one-on-one and with groups with various needs and conditions in clients homes, yoga studio, schools, private physical therapy clinics and Mount Sinai Hospital in Queens. Some of the conditions that Marisa has helped her clients manage include emotional stress, depression, anxiety, chronic back, neck and joint pain, migraines, high blood pressure and cholesterol, sciata, scoliosis, multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Marisa has also helped her clients regain strength and mobility after surgeries, including knee and shoulder surgery, hernia, cesarean and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts. Marisa also enjoys guiding women through their yoga practice during pregnancy and after birth.