Alena completed her RYT 500 training in 2017 and is currently enrolled in the 1000 hour teacher training program at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. She sees yoga as a practice with incredible depth and diversity. As a teacher, Alena’s aim is to empower her students with the techniques and practices of yoga that allow them to cultivate their own unique approaches to health and wellness.
Alena comes from a long line of athletes and teachers. Her great-grandmother coached gymnastics at the Olympic level and both her grandmother and father were competitive skiers in Czechoslovakia and Italy, respectively.
In 2013, after nearly 15 years in international education and travel, Alena settled on yoga as her professional path, completing her 200 hour teacher training at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in West Stockbridge. Alena has led public & private classes, workshops and retreats in Jordan, Mexico, Egypt and the United States.
Prior to the pandemic, Alena was a practice teach mentor and regular faculty assistant for 200 hour yoga teacher trainings at Kripalu.
Alena is happy to be back in western Mass, where she was raised, and to offer both public and private yoga instruction to NAC members.
For a full list of Alena’s experience, visit: https://www.
Areas of Expertise
Hatha, Vinyasa, Power, Yin and Restorative Yoga,
Posture Clinics,
Sequencing Postures for Flexibility & Strength
Trauma-informed instruction
Breathwork Clinics & Guided Practice
Meditation Clinics & Guided Practice
Yoga Nidra,
Relaxation Techniques,
Yoga Lifestyle Mentoring
Education/Certifications
Pending, 1000 hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training
300 hour Sacred Activation Yoga Teacher Training
200 hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training
MA, Uppsala University, Sweden
BA, Yale University, CT, USA
For a full list of Alena’s training and education, please visit: https://www.
Testimonials
Thanks Alena for yesterday’s great session! The breathwork was so relaxing, and I felt chilled for the rest of the evening. I’ll definitely use the breathing techniques you taught us. Thanks.
Paul Fean, Workshop Participant, 2018
I was fortunate enough to attend a drop in yoga class with Alena last month … and I won’t forget it. The class was well paced, helped me stretch tight muscles from surfing and work on some different areas of strength too … I left feeling fantastic. I’d go again in a heartbeat.
Luc Bibeau, Yoga Student, 2018
Highly Recommend Yoga with Alena …
Paraiso Yoga classes are the real deal … and {one of] their instructor[s], Alena- is exceptional. My daughter and I took her Vinyasa class and her Yoga Nidra class. We liked her style so much- her soothing voice- her specific instruction- her authentic understanding that each person’s abilities are different and she differentiates her instruction to suit each individual. We enjoyed her style so much we then did several private classes with her … I can still hear her say: Right now- there is nowhere you need to be… I will take that with me into this New Year.
Catherine Head, Yoga Student, 2017
For more testimonials, please visit: https://www.
Other Interests
Alena lives in Northampton with her son, Gabriel.
She enjoys travel, cooking (and eating!), music, dance, anything outdoors and in or on water and fun times with friends and family.
She is a student of womb yoga and kundalini tantra.
Alena is also a shamanic practitioner and has a private practice where she assists clients to dive deep into themselves for answers and change.
Contact Alena:
T: 413-588-4168
IG: alenabartoli
In 1990, while a student at UMass, Andrea began teaching aerobics. Four years later, in 1994, after completing Rosalie Peri’s Fitness Instructor Training program, she became an AFAA certified group fitness instructor and began teaching classes at Northampton Athletic Club.
I’ve been a personal trainer in the Valley for thirteen years. I also worked at Canyon Ranch as a fitness instructor. I presently teach TRX, P90X, and bootcamp classes at the NAC. I also train clients with free weights, body weight training, TRX, boxing, kick boxing, kettlebells, bosu, stability ball, and speed and agility drills. My specialty is boxing as well as weight loss, toning, and helping clients to achieve overall muscularity.
BA Westfield State University
National Academy of Sports Medicine Person Trainer
TRX Group Instructor
P90x Personal Trainer
NAGA New England Grappling Championship 2003 – 2nd
New England Judo Championship 2013 – 1st
Mountain biking, Skim boarding, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Boxing, Kick boxing, MMA, Cross Country Skiing
I have also taught several clients to stand on the stability ball.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 413-320-7354
Beth is a native of Northampton. She graduated from Northampton High school in 1976 and UMASS Amherst in 1981. She works for her family business in Hatfield.
“I have been working at NAC since dinosaurs walked the earth. I have also been employed as a Mom since 2001. I have two daughters who assure me I’m due for a raise soon! I love to walk and hike and mow my lawn, but being a group fitness instructor at NAC is one of the most fun, gratifying jobs I know!”
“Yoga for Your Life means the practice fits you, not the other way around. I’m Anusara trained, having achieved a certificate as an teacher in 2011, and though I am no longer affiliated with the school, I love the method. That training means that my classes will always have a theme, perhaps drawn from my own life, sometimes events around us, seasons, holidays, Indian festivals, ancient texts and stories—infinite possibilities, and always linked to whatever we’re working on in class that day. Classes will also always focus intensively on very particular physical alignment principles as a way to get closer to the soul.
I began practicing yoga in 1976 and have studied with several great teachers, foremost with Lynn Kingston, a brilliant teacher who showed me a path to originality. I taught with her at her studio in Haydenville for two years.
I retired after 24 years as an editor and writer for the Daily Hampshire Gazette. I write a blog, Walking the Beat, for the Gazette website and occasionally tweet @elliecookwalks.
Lately I derive inspiration from many sources, including (besides my husband and family) the wisdom of University of Rochester professor Douglas Brooks and the great texts of the yoga tradition. At the tender age of 68, I feel that I am just scratching the surface.”
Heather is an ACE certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer with over 20 years experience in the exercise industry. She graduated from UMASS Amherst in 1996 with a BFA in Dance, moved to NYC and attended the Alvin Ailey Summer Dance intensive. Heather then became more involved in teaching fitness classes and personal training in order to make a living. After a brief move out to Boston, teaching and training out there, she found her roots back here in the Pioneer Valley. She has been at NAC since 2000.
Heather’s passion is fitness and moving the body. She enjoys working with people, making them feel good about themselves and helping them to realize that exercise can be fun! Her goal for each of her classes is to put a smile on every participants face, and to have them leave wanting more.
Heather enjoys being outside. She loves cycling–especially hills! Highlights from this past year include: the Berkshire/Highlands Pentathalon, the Great Hyannis Half Marathon, and the Mount Washington Auto Road Hillclimb– where she won her age group! Heather believes in setting goals for herself to keep her motivated and to give her something to work toward.
When Heather is not teaching or training, she keeps busy with her 4 children, Luke, Ava, Cody and Joey. She bakes every Sunday night, enjoys her dark chocolate just about every day, and can often be found at the Woodstar or Bueno y Sano.
Jamie began working at NAC in 2006 as part of the childcare staff. In 2015 she became a certified Spin Instructor and enjoys teaching at the Club. Aside from teaching spin Jamie works full-time as a Registered Dental Hygienist.
Jamie received her Bachelors in Biology from University of Massachusetts in Amherst and then went on to receive a degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of New Haven in Connecticut.
While Jamie is not working at NAC, she enjoys living a very active lifestyle including running and biking around the Valley.
B.S. Biology, University of Massachusetts ’12
A.S. Dental Hygiene, University of New Haven ’15
Johnna Paulsen has been a student and lover of dance since she was a child, studying ballet, modern, jazz, tap, African, Latin, and ballroom dancing. She has been dancing for almost 40 years, performed here in the Valley and in New York City with a local company, and choreographed for local theater productions.
She graduated from Smith College with a BA in Dance in 2005 and shortly thereafter, pursued her Personal Trainer Certification from the American College of Sports Medicine. She later became licensed to teach dance fitness through Zumba, and senior fitness through Zumba Gold and Silver Sneakers. As a dance instructor, Johnna taught dance locally in the school and studio settings before devoting her career to fitness in 2009.
Her passion for dance, movement, and fitness brought her to Northampton and Hampshire Athletic Clubs in 2012, offering personal training and teaching dance-inspired group fitness classes. Johnna draws upon her dance background and knowledge of kinesiology to bring a special focus to proper form and a well-rounded strength workout. “I get the joy of passing on my love of movement and the positive benefits of exercise to others. I love my job!”
Johnna currently offers one-on-one personal training, as well as small group personal training for two to four individuals with similar fitness goals. She works with all ages, but one of her special areas of experience is in working with older adults.
Education/Certifications:
Other Interests:
Contact Johnna:
Kiera began dancing in Western Mass over 30 years ago and hasn’t stopped since! She is a licensed Zumba Fitness instructor who is most devoted to our community, where it all began. This passion has allowed her the opportunity to share her love of dance and fitness with a wide range of folks of all levels. She has extensive educational and professional experience in movement instruction and community health education. In rural Guatemala, Kiera served in the U.S. Peace Corps where she created programs and facilitated trainings, while building capacity to improve the quality of life for community members. Kiera is energetic with a talent for motivating participants with enthusiasm and encouragement. Be prepared to have a blast!
Rosalie is an RN, Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor with 20 + years of experience. She is a Registered 200 hour Yoga teacher, Certified in Personal Training by NSCA, Certified in Pilates Matwork, P90X and PiYo. Rosalie has worked at NAC for 22 years and has helped develop our extensive group fitness programming.
Rosalie is also adjunct faculty at Smith College and teaches both credit and non-credit courses for Exercise and Sport Studies and Athletic Departments at Smith College.
Ivy first started her yoga journey in New York in 1993 while at SUNY Geneseo for her BA in theater and English. She discovered it was a great way to reduce anxiety and connect with others in a new way and sought out more classes, teachers, and books on yoga. After receiving her MA in Adolescent Education, she made a move to San Francisco in 2008. There she became certified in Hatha Yoga through Integral Yoga Institute and began teaching classes at the beautiful Victorian mansion in the Mission District. Soon after, she expanded her knowledge by becoming certified in Baron Baptiste’s Power Yoga. In 2013, she spent a year living and working at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health as part of their volunteer program. There she had the opportunity to work with some of the most knowledgeable and influential teachers in the fields of yoga, meditation and self-empowerment. Inspired by their example, she started Write Your Yoga, workshops for writers of all levels that incorporate yoga and meditation to improve creative flow and quiet the inner critic. She led workshops and retreats in the California Bay Area while also teaching regular Vinyasa and Hatha Flow classes at various studios. In 2018, she became certified in Kundalini Yoga as well. Ivy moved to Western Massachusetts in February with her partner and their two cats and teaches high school English and creative writing in Chicopee. She is thrilled to be part of the NAC community and to be able to share her joyful approach to this ancient, powerful practice with others.
