Our staff
About Our Founder Nicole Zornitzer
E-RYT 2000 Integrative Yoga Therapist, Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant (C.A.L.C.), Integral Sound Therapy Facilitator, Level 2 Diploma CPYT (Prenatal Yoga), Radiant Child Children’s Yoga Instructor, Certified Aerial Yoga Instructor, Reiki Energy Healer, Advanced Yin Yoga Certified, Mindful Barre Fusion Certification.
Specializing in Therapeutic Yoga, Power Vinyasa, Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga as well as leading Yama Therapeutics Teacher Training Program at Niyama Yoga Studio, which is an International Yoga Alliance Accredited Program.
Nicole Zornitzer founded Niyama Yoga Studio in 2007. Nicole is an Experienced Certified Integrative Yoga Therapist, ERYT 2000 with 30 years of experience. Nicole’s background in modern dance led her on her path to ultimately find yoga. In May 2020, Nicole graduated from The Maryland University of Integrative Health with a graduate certificate in Ayurveda Medicine.
Nicole has certifications in Integrative Yoga Therapy, Integral Sound Therapy, The Barkan Hot Vinyasa Method, Children’s Yoga through the Radiant Child Program, Pre and Post Natal Yoga, Aerial Yoga through Fly and Release Aerial Yoga, Advanced 50 Hour Yin Yoga, Mindful Barre Fusion and Yoga Nidra.
Nicole is also a certified Reiki Level 2 Energy Healer in accordance with the Usui System of Natural Healing, with lineage under Dr. Mikao Usui. She believes that the best teacher is also the student, self study is something Nicole feels very passionate about.
Annually, Nicole takes an annual sabbatical with a variety of world-renowned and respected Yogis through-out the world. A place that Nicole holds dear to her heart is Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, where she visits bi-annually to continue her own spiritual practice and growth.
Since 2008, Nicole has been the appointed yoga instructor for Livingston Public School System, bringing to the children of Livingston, NJ her passion for yoga and meditation. Nicole has specialized much of her career in teaching athletes, including the New York Jets Football League and the Trilogy Lacrosse 2020 Team.
After suffering from her own personal health crisis in 2015; Nicole turned to her background in yoga to save her own life. She will bring her experiences from her journey to wellness to the classroom in the most sincere and loving way.
Niyama owns four yoga shalas. Three are located in New Jersey: Randolph NJ, Sparta NJ and Roseland NJ. She also owns and manages a satellite shala in Delray Beach, Florida.
Stacy Campoli
RYT 500, Yin Yoga Instructor, Restorative Yoga Teacher and Reiki Healer.
With over 12 years of experience in yoga. Stacy trained under the guidance of Niyama Yoga & Wellness Studio and Yama Therapeutics in 2010 receiving her RYT 200. In 2020, Stacy received her Advanced 50 Hour Yin Yoga Training Certification with Niyama Yoga Studio. She graduated from Niyama Yoga's Advanced 300 RYT Teacher Training Program in 2023. Stacy leads a powerful, dynamic vinyasa flow class and was recently awarded National Yoga Performer Artistry title in 2019. In addition to a powerful practice, Stacy works with clients who are under the care of chiropractic care to a state of wellness. Stacy enjoys bringing a sweaty, powerful practice to her students. She lives nearby in Morris Plains with her fiance Gustavo and hopes to be soon joined by a furry German Shepherd to expand the family. In her spare time she enjoys cycle class workouts, weight lifting, outdoor runs and tacos!
Stephanie Forte
Manager, Niyama Yoga Shalas
RYT 500, Yin Yoga Instructor and Guided Meditation Teacher
Stephanie took her very first yoga class at 14 years old. Although her practice was inconsistent at first yoga always seemed to find her, and she was always grateful it did. In 2019 she joined Serenity studio and fell in love with yoga wholeheartedly. In 2020 she earned her 200 Hour Yoga Instructor certification, which made her realize that yoga felt like home to her. Since then, she strives to evolve her practice physically, mentally, and spiritually on and off her mat. She graduated under Niyama Yoga Shala's Yin Yoga Advanced Teacher Training Program in 2022 and from the Niyama Yoga Advanced 300 RYT Teacher Training Program in 2023.
Stephanie's sequences focus on fluid movements as well as finding strength, peace, and happiness both within one’s practice and within oneself. She loves to incorporate nature as a grounding center and meditative aid. Stephanie hopes to help guide students to find what yoga truly means to them.
Mary McCourt
Assistant Manager, Niyama Yoga Shala Roseland
RYT 500, Advanced 50 Hour Yin Yoga Instructor, Prenatal Yoga Instructor and Children's Yoga Instructor. Graduated from the Niyama Yoga Advanced 300 RYT Teacher Training program in 2023.
A lifelong resident of NJ; health and wellness have always been a big part of her life. Fresh air and sunshine, clean foods, exercise, and positivity are her daily mantra.
Mary has always moved her body and worked out, both in classes and her own personal pursuits and practices in order to feel “better”. Mary discovered that Yoga gave her the means to work “in”, when she realized that working “out” was no longer enough.
An Art teacher for over 30 years, Mary now channels that creativity through her jewelry making, painting and gardening, and cooking.
Mary brings experience, knowledge and a genuine passion for life to the mat. Her wit is only surpassed by her amazing spirited personality. Mary's jewelry and artwork adorns all of Niyama Shalas, she is an integral part of the Niyama Tribe and we are blessed to have her.
Sondra Burke
RYT 500, Graduated in 2023 from Niyama Yoga Advanced 300 RYT Teacher Training Program.
Loka samastha sukhino bhavanthu- May all beings be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and freedom for all.
Sondra heard this saying from a yoga instructor when she first started taking yoga classes; it resonated deeply with her. She had finally heard the mantra of her life and would later tattoo it on her arm.
Sondra graduated from Niyama's Yoga Teacher Training Program in 2022 with her RYT 200.
Sandra is a public defender and a professor of communication and law. She has always valued peace above all else. Yoga has been her way of finding that peace. She loved yoga from the minute she stepped on the mat and always said that when her son went away to college, she would do more yoga. Because she took her first class at the studio that is now Niyama, it always felt like home. When she felt it was time to do her RYT 200, Niyama Yoga Shala's Yama Therapeutics Yoga Teacher Training Program was the obvious choice.
Rebecca Cintron Saltzman
RYT 500
In 2005 Rebecca was introduced to yoga by her cousin. Rebecca quickly fell in love with the energy, serenity and peace she felt after each asana practice. Rebecca has continued to practice yoga over the years incorporating asana and meditation into her daily routine. In 2019 she moved to Sparta NJ as an "empty nester" with her husband Jay and their furry babies. Rebecca took a class at the Niyama Yoga Sparta Shala and felt an instant connection to the Niyama Community. In 2021 she enrolled in the RYT 200 at Niyama Yoga to deepen her practice and learn more about the spiritual path of yoga. To her amazement she felt enlightened and honored to hold space for others during her internship and is excited about her new journey as a Therapeutic Yoga teacher. She graduated from the Niyama Yoga Advanced 300 RYT Teacher Training Program in 2023. Rebecca is a sober yogini and is looking forward to incorporating her knowledge of the therapeutic value of yoga in helping others in recovery. Rebecca is an avid snowboarder and hiker and loves to travel. She loves music and you can catch her dancing to anything with a rhythm. She enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
Viky Gerboth
RYT 200
Viky's yogic journey began in 2004. Finding herself at the proverbial "crossroad" in life she knew that she could either continue down the path that was toxic or embark on the path of healing. Picking through the mail of the day she happened to stumble upon a ValPak coupon for a place called "Highland Yoga". Being forever thrifty the new student deal was just too good to pass up. She mustered up the courage to drive over to the studio and register for her first class with all of her preconceived notions tucked into her back pocket. Audrey Brigliadaro was her very first instructor who shattered the walls that were built; "If something is not serving you, you need to let it go." That mantra remains forever in her heart and was the catalyst into self-healing. In 2009 Viky graduated from the YogaWorks 200 hour Teacher Training under the watchful eye of Cleandra Martin-Waldron and set forth on her teaching path.
Viky's teaching style blends clear alignment cues and a solid understanding of biomechanics in a playful environment. Classes are interwoven with yogic philosophies, pranayama, and asana to help bring the students to a place of Santosha. The flow of the class allows students to either remain where they are or continue on if their body is requesting it. Additionally, Viky has extensive experience with developing and leading workshops for beginners as well as linear athletes. Additionally, she has studied under Stuart Corn, Sean Corn, Elena Brower, and Tao Porchon-Lynch over the years.
During her free time you can find her outside hiking, swimming, cycling, or simply playing with her family. Nature is what recharges her to continue being the best version of herself for her family, friends, the yogic community, and the earth as a whole.
Joy Schmitz
RYT 200, Yin Yoga Instructor and Barre Instructor
Joy completed 200 hour teacher training through Yoga Youniverse, Sparta, NJ, in 2018, and has taught at Yoga Youniverse since then. In 2022 she graduated under Niyama Yoga Shala's Yin Yoga Advanced Teacher Training Program. She is also certified to teach Barre and chair yoga, and has continued her personal journey through various online experiences.
The experience and skills Joy has honed, over many years of teaching, are invaluable assets to her resume as a yoga instructor. Her ultimate goal is to bring the joy and benefits of yoga to all, including those who may not “fit” the preconceived profile of the typical yoga student. Joy's prior teaching experience has empowered her with the ability to recognize and address student abilities, strengths and areas of need. She is able to tailor a class structure which is inclusive of all, yet able to challenge each practitioner, meet his or her needs, and bring each student further along in their yoga journey. Through concise instruction, she breaks down the core components of yoga asanas, breathing techniques, and mindset, to give each student clear understanding and confidence in the growth of their practice. Breathing techniques are introduced and practiced in each class.
Students will benefit from her step by step approach to building a rewarding and lifelong yoga practice. A safe, positive class, with much reinforcement and individualization, will help all aspiring yogis grow in their mind/ body/ spirit connection, develop strong bodies, and discover all the beautiful benefits of yoga. Joy's belief that we are all intricately connected, to our earth, to each other and all earthly things, is a connection that has been deeply enhanced through her yoga practice, and she hopes to pass this on through her teaching.
Lea Antolini (Lid)
RYT 500
Graduated in 2023 from Niyama Yoga Advanced 300 RYT Teacher Training Program.
Lea Antolini (Lid) has been experiencing the benefits of Hatha Yoga for over 20 years. After suffering a back injury in 1999, she fell in love with how her body felt after yoga; strong, flexible as well as balanced mentally, physically and spiritually. She has been teaching yoga since 2002 and became a Registered Yoga Teacher with the National Yoga Alliance in 2005. Currently Lea is a professor at Centenary University where she is the associate professor of dance/theater. She believes her knowledge of dance has influenced the way she approaches her yoga classes. Her practice is based on a background in Vinyasa flow, Iyengar, and various movement techniques taught for alignment in dance such as Laban, Bartenieff and Alexander Techniques. Lea primarily teaches traditional Vinyasa (flow) classes, integrating her knowledge of dance and kinesiology into her teaching, creating a flow in which postures are mindfully synchronized to the breath in order to form a continuous and smooth flow. Lea is known for emphasizing proper body alignment when practicing yoga. She believes it is imperative to practice the asanas in yoga with mindful attention to the body’s alignment to avoid the common yoga injuries. Lea has taught yoga in China as well as up and down the east coast, including various studios throughout NJ in Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren Counties.
Laura Ekstrand
RYT 200
Laura has been practicing yoga for over 30 years, beginning with Iyengar and transitioning to Vinyasa in the past 20 years. With a background in both dance and fitness, she completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Ignite Yoga in 2014 with Daniele Jarman.
A Livingston resident, Laura’s full-time job is as the Artistic Director of Vivid Stage in Summit, which she founded in 1994. An actor, director, playwright and acting instructor, Laura’s work has taken her from stage to television to film. Laura is also a private monologue coach and holds a BA from Yale University and an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College.
Laura’s classes focus on bringing your awareness to the present moment, and on having fun while exploring your physical and mental boundaries. She also brings an attention to the specific mechanics of each pose while tuning into your breath. Laura especially enjoys making yoga accessible to yogis of all levels, from the beginner to the advanced practitioner.
Anjanette McGrath
RYT 200, Yin Yoga Instructor, Pre-Natal Yoga Instructor
Anjanette is a photographer by trade as well as an RYT 200 Yoga Instructor. She is a meditation facilitator and uses sound bowls to help enhance her healing sessions. Anjanette has a thirst for knowledge and is intrigued by anatomy, so much so that she received an advanced degree in continuing education in anatomy. Oracle cards have always fascinated her and she uses these in her personal practice as well as when teaching others yoga to assist in creation of intention and purpose in life both on the mat and off of the mat. Yoga has provided Anjanette insight, healing and the ability to love herself. She is excited to help others navigate the yoga journey and share her passion for yoga and meditation.
Noele Pisani
RYT 200
Noele was introduced to yoga in 2004 during a difficult time in her life. She credits yoga for providing her the tools necessary to cope with emotional conflicts and recognize her own power. In 2008 Noele received her RYT 200 formal training and has been sharing the gift of yoga ever since.
Noele provides her students the opportunity to explore the body in a gentle and subtle manner by embracing a slow moving practice that creates stillness of the mind and body. Through these gentle movements, awareness of breathing and a positive attitude Noelle has become an inspiration to others.
Christine Palamara
RYT 200
Christine began her yoga journey in the 1990's after years of professional dancing. In 2007 she decided to pursue this career and completed her RYT 200 Training. Christine offers Ashtanga Inspired Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga Sculpt and Xen Strength Yoga with Weights. Each class that she curates has intention, purpose and strong foundations. When Christine is not practicing yoga, you will find her working as a High School English Teacher and being a fabulous mom to her twin daughters.
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Mimi Daraa
RYT 200
Mimi is the Founder of Maison Palo Santo. She is trained in vinyasa, yin and meditation. She connects people to their innate human potential through the power of these daily rituals and Palo Santo. She is on a mission to spread love, laughter and peace through her offerings and products.
Drew Eitel
RYT 200
Drew began practicing yoga in 2010 at Centenary College in 2010, taught by fellow Niyama Tribe member, Lea Anotlini-Lid and has remained a dedicated yoga practitioner ever since. While his passion is heated vinyasa flow, he enjoys fusing dharma into his offerings and building meaningful connections with his fellow yogis. Drew loves offering balancing postures and hip opening series to his clients.
When Drew is not on the mat you will find him teaching elementary school as a special education learning specialist and a middle school teacher of Social Studies. Drew also referees soccer for our youth population as well as semi-professional levels throughout the country. He enjoys being a mentor to many new soccer referees in New Jersey as well.
Paola Agudelo
RYT 200
Paola graduated from Niyama Yoga Shala's 200 Hour Teacher Training Program in 2023. Paola had a strong desire to pursue yoga as her primary career at a very young age and quickly found her "home" at Niyama. Our Founder, Nicole has taken a keen interested in Paola and has mentored her over the past year, realizing that desire, passion, and motivation create leaders in the industry of yoga. Her classes fuse breath, movement, and attention to proper form and function, coming from a therapeutic yoga background.
Lauren Delvecchio
RYT 200
Lauren became a certified yoga instructor in 2013 after experiencing her own life changing experience through yoga and mindfulness. She often describes her time on the mat as a "yoga oasis". Her style of choice is vinyasa flow, linking breath to movement and cultivating a moving meditation. Lauren will encourage her students to take asana to each individual's fullest expression with alignment and safety as priority. Her classes can best be described as fun flow, uplifting, strength building, and ending with a juicy savasana.
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Robert Von Schalscha
RYT 200
Robert became involved in yoga in 2014 and quickly became aware of the benefits of the physical practice. Shortly thereafter, he went on in his education to become a certified instructor and was drawn to the history and science of Yoga and living by the guiding principles of Yoga. He is a retired police officer and has enjoyed the benefits of the mind / body / spirit connection and his classes reflect such. Robert has found that practicing yoga has helped him work through many of the experiences he had in a 25 year career in law enforcement. He feels that yoga is the perfect evenness of the mind. Robert's teaching style focuses on achieving maximum benefit of breath to movement to create overall health and wellness in the body and mind.
Danina Rinaldi
RYT 500
Danina has been practicing yoga for over 20 years with certifications in Traditional Yoga, Chair Yoga, Meditation, Hot 26, Yin Yoga, Pilates, Yoga Nidra, Children's Yoga, Pre / Post Natal Yoga, Trauma and Addiction. She uses her knowledge and experience to give back to the community and offers a spirited program that is sure to keep you excited and engaged!
Gina Vinick
RYT 200, Yin Yoga Instructor, Stretch and Flow Insructor, Chakra Yin Instructor
Gina began practicing yoga when her older daughter started pre-school in 2004. Although her practice included all types of classes, including power and vinyasa flow, Gina knew her yoga focus was restorative and yin yoga which helped her mind find peace and stillness while raising her two girls. After graduating from RYT-200 in June 2019, Gina was working as a receptionist at a studio when the teacher of the Yin class got stuck in traffic and she quickly had to put her teaching hat on and taught the class. It was then that Gina realized this was the missing piece in her life. Gina's yoga teaching came to a halt when the pandemic hit in March 2020. Along with a foot injury and a her mom battling cancer, it has taken Gina awhile to get back to her mat and begin teaching again. She is now an advocate of the belief that when you push yoga out of your life or think you don't need it...it is then that you need it the most.
Gina has always had a passion for the chakras and has taught several workshops on this subject. She is passionate about helping people understand and reflect on their own chakra system and aims her worksops towards helping her students re-align their chakra system. She hopes that her energy and love for yoga along with fun playlists help those who take a class with her to "forget about life for awhile and focus on themselves and JUST BE on their mat."
Gina is a lifelong resident of West Caldwell where she and her husband Jason have raised their children, Allie and Mimi.
Amy Soroko
Amy received her training from Three Birds Yoga in 2018 where she completed her 200 hour certification. Prior to that, she was a yoga practitioner for 20 years and considers herself a student first and teacher second. Amy found yoga first to slow down from a fast paced life in the city and balance out running 6 days a week. Also, yoga led her through years of fertility struggles and being diagnosed with epilepsy at aged 45.
She has since become certified to teach Adaptive Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Special Needs Yoga. Amy was the yoga instructor for third and fourth graders at the Red Oaks Elementary School prior to the pandemic. She also has taught yoga to young athletes including the Bravo Theater on Ice skating team and the Ultimate Frisbee team at Columbia High School.
Whether she is teaching Intermediate Vinyasa Flow, Gentle Yoga or Adaptive Yoga, her philosophy is that the student comes before the practice. In other words, each student should meet themselves on the mat and begin their practice with their own intention and journey. She emphasizes transitions between poses and offers variations to make the practice inclusive to everyone’s abilities. The most important part of yoga to Amy is the people she has connected with over the years. She feels privileged to share a practice that has changed her life immeasurably. She hopes that her students will share her love of yoga and recognize the impact it can have not only in our life but also in the lives of others around us. Yoga is breath, movement, acceptance, healing and discovery.