Our Teachers
KATE REIL‘s yoga journey began as a playful curiosity about 8 years ago and has grown into a life-long exploration. As the School Programs Director of Little Flower, she works to maintain and improve relationships with current schools, as well as developing new community partnerships. She hires and supports our amazing Little Flower teachers, and dreams up ways to create a more vibrant community for the children’s yoga scene, while appreciating all the energy that teachers pour into our classes.
Since completing her 200 hr. teacher training at The Center for Yoga Studies at Sonic Yoga, Kate has also completed over 200 hours of kids yoga training, an advanced training with Off the Mat, Into the World, incorporating purpose, service, yoga, and an advanced Kula Yoga teacher training with Schuyler Grant, studying intelligent vinyasa. In addition to teaching families and kids with Little Flower, she teaches adults at studios around New York. Her teaching journey has also taken her to a variety of settings over the years including many after school programs, an HIV/AIDS community support center and women’s and youth prisons.
She loves working with kids because they inspire her to see the world anew each day and teaches her how to truly act from her heart. As a teacher, Kate strives to increase access to yoga, and use yoga as a tool to empower youth towards realizing their greatest potential. Kate ultimately seeks to create a space in her students to bring their practice off the mat and into the world– living each day surrounded by creativity and a passionate pursuit of silliness!
ARIANA KROPSKY began practicing yoga seven years ago as a way to cultivate peace and balance in her life. As a teacher at a daycare for children up to twelve years of age, Ariana recognized the many benefits that yoga could have for kids at various stages of life. Ariana completed the children’s yoga teacher training with Little Flower Yoga, where she learned how to develop classes that encourage children to open their hearts and expand their minds. Yoga helps her students express themselves as individuals and build friendships based on respect and trust. Ariana has found great joy in combining her interests in working with children and practicing yoga, and brings this enthusiasm into her classes and on the mat.
Born and raised in Italy, DANIELA POE started practicing and studying yoga at the age of 15…and from that point on she never stopped. With a performing and visual art background Daniela started teaching yoga to adults, teenagers, children, moms-to-be and new moms almost naturally, combining yoga with what she learned from her arts and performing arts career path.Beyond the perfect combination of body movement, mindfulness andcreative self-expression, what really moves Daniela to teach yoga, especially to children and under served populations, is the non-competitiveness of yoga and the fact that, no mater what life give us, we can always come back to yoga and reconnect to ourselves. Daniela has a calm, nurturing energy, encouraging children to be curious, creative and most of all themselves! Daniela holds numerous certifications in yoga for children and teens, and has training in working with at-risk and special needs populations.
A native French speaker, FLORENCE CABRE-ANDREWS became a mother 6 years ago, and decided to dedicate herself entirely to the practice and teachings of yoga. Since completing her 200 hr. teacher training at The Center for Yoga Studies at Sonic Yoga, Flo has also completed over 200 hours of kid’s yoga training, an advance mum & baby training with Jyothi Larson and prenatal training with Debra Flashenberg. She teaches children and adults all around NY. A strong believer in the transformative power of yoga, she encourages her students to follow their heart, flow with nature and flow with their grace by embracing their greatest potential on the physical, mental and emotional level. She teaches about the intrinsic goodness of life and how to live with confidence, joy, and a deep connection to our hearts. Each class is a celebration of our potential, diversity, truthfulness and unfathomable creativity. Everyday, she practices to find peace, harmony, and integrity within her body, mind and spirit.
JESSICA BOLEN first began practicing yoga over seven years ago as a way to cross-train for all the long-distance running she was doing. After realizing that the yoga program at her college was in need of an instructor, she stepped up to fill the position and was astounded by how much she continued to learn and deepen her personal practice simply by teaching others. In 2008, Jessica moved to New York City where she taught ESL at an elementary school in East Harlem. During this time, she started an after school yoga program for students and teachers and realized that yoga was her true passion. She received her 200-hour certificate from Sonic Yoga in 2009 and has completed trainings through the Lineage Project, Street Yoga, and Little Flower Yoga. Jessica is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at Hunter College School of Social Work with the hopes that she can combine her enthusiasm for yoga with her desire to work alongside at-risk youth. Jessica brings joy, energy, authenticity, and an open heart to her students and strives to create a compassionate environment where each person can experience a sense of belonging and self-discovery.
JESSIE CONRAD has been practicing yoga for over ten years. She is certified at the 200-hour level in Hatha yoga and she has additional training in Prenatal and Children’s yoga. Jessie is also a birth doula, providing labor support to families throughout the NYC-metro area. A curious soul, living each moment with awe and wonder, Jessie considers all of life to be constant opportunity for growth and exploration. Jessie brings warmth, compassion, enthusiasm, and presence to all experiences in which she is involved.
Upon discovering yoga in 2004, KAREN GILMOUR, RYT-C watched her true self shine through every time she practiced. After experiencing the many benefits of yoga first hand, she knew bringing these benefits to children could help shape their awareness, self-esteem, and confidence now and in their future. The most beautiful thing is watching a child come into a better understanding of self – mind, body, and soul. Karen completed her teacher training with Little Flower Yoga in 2009 and because of that training, accredits Jennifer Cohen Harper and Kate Reil for the life she is living today. Karen currently runs the Alluem Kids program at Alluem Yoga in Cranford, NJ. Not only does her program allow the growing yogi to develop strength and flexibility, but also the spirited class discussions and reflection on age appropriate topics such as compassion, empathy, gratitude, and community are part of what makes her classes so valuable! When Karen is not practicing yoga, she is most likely working on illustrating her next children’s book. She has currently illustrated 4 children self help books focusing on health, emotions, imagination, and self-esteem. Visit her blog to stay up to date on what is going on at Alluem Kids: www.alluemkids.blogspot.com
KAREN WEBER is both a yoga instructor and a pediatric occupational therapist. Her passion to become a yoga instructor began after completing coursework with Sonia Sumar in the Yoga for the Special Child program. Karen found using yoga as a modality in her occupational therapy practice to be extremely beneficial for her students. Yoga helps the children she works with by improving attention, self-esteem, motor planning, strength, alignment, balance, coordination and the ability to relax. After seeing the benefits of yoga within herself and the individual children she worked with, she began bringing yoga to classrooms as well. Karen currently teaches yoga in numerous schools, children’s hospitals and yoga studios as well as through private instruction. Drawing on her background as an occupational therapist, Karen makes yoga accessible and fun for children of all levels Karen received her degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Scranton with a minor in Spanish. She completed a 200 hour-level yoga teacher training at Integral Yoga Institute and children’s yoga teacher training at Little Flower Yoga. Karen is also trained in restorative yoga through the Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training program. When not working as an occupational therapist or yoga instructor, Karen enjoys spending time with her dog Magoo.
LEAH SCHNEIDER is a Registered Yoga Teacher and completed all three levels of Little Flower Yoga’s Teacher Training Program. Originally from Wisconsin, she recently moved to New York City from Nashville, TN, where she completed her first yoga teacher training. As a public school teacher in Phoenix, AZ, Wisconsin and Nashville, Leah couldn’t help but share her passion for yoga with her students. After seeing it’s effectiveness, she knew she wanted to become more involved in teaching children’s yoga classes. “Little Flower Yoga validated and continued to inspire my vision in bringing yoga to children. It is my drive and inspiration to see the light in each child so they might see their own light and choose to live by it. I believe yoga is a beautiful way to make that happen. I am honored and delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of this amazing organization!”
LISA VANDEGRIFT “I believe the children are our future… teach them well and let them lead the way!” As a teacher I aim to create a space where the seeds of yoga can take root at an early age so that children can blossom into emotionally, mentally, and physically healthy and happy adults (world peace anyone?). I wholeheartedly throw myself into this goal and approach each class with enthusiasm, imagination, and love! I am forever in awe of the creative and joyful spirits I encounter in my classes, and find that though I am the one called “teacher” I am more often than not, the one who is taught. I completed my kids teacher training with Little Flower Yoga (levels I-III) and my adult 200 hour training through Sonic Yoga in Manhattan.”
MARY GILLEN spent most of her childhood upside-down, with a passion for gymnastics. As an adult her love for creative movement eventually found a natural home with yoga, which she credits for helping her forge a healthier connection to herself and the world. Mary completed her 200-hour teacher training, prenatal training and restorative training at Om Yoga Center, and she received her kids’ yoga certification from Little Flower Yoga. Mary teaches a creative, flowing, breath-centered yoga with an emphasis on alignment and mindfulness. Whether working with adults or children, her hope is to inspire playfulness, compassion, and self-acceptance in her students. Off the mat, Mary tries to live in harmony with the yogic principle of ahimsa, or non-harming, by embracing a cruelty-free vegan diet and by allowing kindness and open-heartedness to rule. Mary has been practicing yoga since 2001, and teaching yoga since 2006. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to share this liberating gift.
NICOLE MCBRIDE began her yoga practice in college as a way to connect to patience and strength. She has gained much more than those two characteristics through her continual journey. Nicole has learned how to encourage compassion, mindfulness and openness, as well as patience and strength, in herself, so that she can affect others positively and openly. These skills helped her during her time as a Teach for America corps member and New York City public school teacher, where she learned how to use her yoga practice to help her understand her students. After Nicole realized how much of an impact yoga had made on her own mind, she decided she wanted to share what she had learned with everyone – especially students. Nicole went on to obtain her 200-hour yoga certification from Sonic Yoga in Manhattan, and her children’s yoga certification from Little Flower Yoga.
REBECCA CHEEKS SOULE began practicing yoga over ten years ago, while completing her PhD in Biology. After a rewarding career in science and education, she began a new career as a full-time yoga teacher. Rebecca has always enjoyed working with kids because they are innately authentic- and teaching kids is fun, challenging and fulfilling work! As a teacher Rebecca hopes to help all of her students grow to their fullest potential, both physically and mentally. Besides her many years of experience as a science teacher to students of all ages and backgrounds, Rebecca also received her 200-hr teacher training at Sonic Yoga, completed training with The Veterans Yoga Project for Mindful Yoga Therapy for Veterans Coping with Trauma, advanced teacher training with ISHTA Yoga in New York City. For teaching kids yoga, Rebecca trained with and continues to learn from Jennifer and all of the Little Flower Yoga teachers.
REBECCA POSNER has been exploring the world of yoga since it was first introduced to her as a young adolescent in a small summer theater group. As a practicing visual artist, Rebecca sees our minds and bodies as the ultimate medium for creative transformation and is so grateful for the gift of yoga. She believes teaching is an integral part of her own practice and integrates yoga and yogic ideas into her other role as a teaching artist in public schools and community centers around the city. She loves practicing with children (of all ages) for their innate curiosity. She shares their love of play and is always learning from the wisdom she finds in their natural openness to life. After completing her 200-hour vinyasa certification with Sonic Yoga, Rebecca was drawn to Street Yoga, a Portland-based organization that brings yoga to homeless youth and other under-served populations. Street Yoga led her to Little Flower, where she is thrilled to continue her journey with such a vibrant and authentic group of teachers.
SALVADOR MARTINEZ has been practicing Yoga since 1995, where upon his practice evolved into teaching in 2005, receiving certification in Vinyasa Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga, and Children’s Yoga. Salvador has been teaching Children’s Yoga in NYC elementary schools since 2008, and considers his work to be a joy. He could not think of doing anything else. In his classes, he acknowledges the many positive physical benefits of the practice, but he also gently reminds the children that what they are thinking and feeling are a part of their Yoga. His classes are structured, but he also receives the “teachable moments” of the practice that take it in a direction for which one cannot plan, and those moments can be the best moments ever! His classes are a community, where everyone is welcomed, and where compassion for oneself and for others is encouraged and cultivated. His classes are fun! When Salvador sees his students with big smiles and so excited to have practice together, words cannot explain how he feels. What he does feel is gratitude towards Jennifer Cohen Harper and Little Flower Yoga, for teaching him how to teach to the little ones. Salvador hopes to see you soon on the mat in his class!
SARAH HERRINGTON is a kids/teen yoga teacher who’s been teaching yoga full-time in NYC public schools and studios (20-25 classes a week!) for several years. She’s taken trainings and workshops with Little Flower Yoga, MiniYogis, YogaEd and Karma Kids Yoga, and is also a certified adult Vinyasa teacher. Also a writer, Sarah loves writing about kids yoga for MindBodyGreen and YogaCityNYC and is completing a book about children’s yoga. She loves sharing something that has brought her so many lessons and so much joy with young yogis!
SHAWN MCGIBENY chose to pursue a career in education during her year of service with City Year in Boston. She received her undergraduate degree in childhood development from San Francisco State University and deepened her yoga practice during this time. When she moved to New York, her personal yoga practice fused with her work with children through the role of teaching artist with the Arts and Literacy program. She trained with Karma Kids Yoga and completed Little Flower Yoga teacher training. Shawn has experience teaching elementary school students of all ages in various environments. She enjoys creating engaging and developmentally appropriate activities for children that introduce them to the practice of yoga! She feels grateful to share the practice that supports her life with children. Now, she cannot imagine yoga and education as separate. She hopes to bring yoga into traditional classroom activities as an elementary school teacher. She currently teaches classes for Little Flower Yoga while pursuing a graduate degree in General Childhood Education at Bank Street College.
SHELL MERRILL has always enjoyed expressing herself physically; from her career as a modern dancer to her later adventures as a zany Spinning instructor and cycling trainer. While cycling made her feel strong, Shell soon realized that she still had a brain that was moving far too fast inside a body that was quickly getting too stiff and inflexible. A friend offered to take her to yoga class, and Shell has been learning to slow down (in mind and body) ever since. For Shell, yoga is all about the knowledge gained through trying new things, learning to practice rather than trying to be perfect, and most of all being able to laugh through the whole experience. She brings a sense of fun, joy and compassion to all of her classes for both adults and children. Shell is an E-RYT 500 hour teacher certified through Yoga Alliance. She is also a RCYT (children’s teacher) and a RPYT (prenatal teacher). She has studied to teach yoga to kids at Karma Kids Yoga, Little Flower Yoga and Street Yoga which brings the benefits of yoga to homeless and at-risk youth. Shell is also an ISHTA Yoga Senior Teacher trained at Be Yoga and calms her own “bouncing off the walls” energy by continually reminding herself to ‘be happy where you are and breathe.’”
