BRENDAN GIBBONS, CO-FOUNDER/OWNER
Practicing yoga and meditation for close to 20 years, Brendan’s wellness journey has taken him around the globe, having immersed in study in India, Nepal, and Thailand, before completing his 200-hour RYT certification with YogaWorks, NYC. Continuing his studies, Brendan recently completed a Vipassana Meditation intensive in Indonesia, adding another layer of depth to his variety of offerings as an instructor.
Brendan’s warmth, approachable manner, and attention to detail appeal to seekers of all levels—both knowers and growers. His energetic yoga classes combine intelligent sequencing with an upbeat pace that leaves you feeling calm yet invigorated—and with a better understanding of your body. Meditation classes with Brendan utilize a range of modalities, breathing techniques, and mindfulness practices to further cultivate and maintain mind-body balance and deep inner connection.
Brendan’s passion for and dedication to teaching has not only bridged the Hudson, but has spanned two coasts, guiding adults and kids alike—in classroom and teacher training settings—from Hoboken, surrounding suburbs, and New York City to the gold coast of Los Angeles.
As Co-Founder of Urban Souls, Brendan’s uniquely comprehensive background blends diverse teaching experience with studio ownership, operations, and management. His mission is to help you navigate your urban world with clarity, focus and flow—in an inclusive space you’ll call your own.
KAREN FLANNERY, CO-FOUNDER/OWNER
From the moment Karen stepped onto a yoga mat, she knew it was just the beginning of her wellness journey, personal and otherwise. Ever since, Karen has been joyfully diving in, exploring multiple wellness disciplines, all of which cultivate life-work balance both on and off the mat—for herself and others.
As a Yoga Teacher, Karen completed her 200-hour RYT certification, as well as an additional 200-hour immersion in teacher studies. She is presently working toward certification as a teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), enrolled in Jon Kabat-Zinn’s renowned curriculum, developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. While deepening her studies, Karen works to inspire fellow seekers in the corporate world to practice MBSR techniques, with a compassionate approach and down-to-earth exploration of present moment experience.
As a Life Coach, Karen specializes in helping urban dwellers with a myriad of life transitions, from career development and job change to navigating the challenges of new parenthood or an empty nest. Karen also has an advanced diploma in coaching from NYU and has completed foundational studies in NYU’s Master’s of Nutrition program. As Co-Founder of Urban Souls, Karen is a true visionary who has married her wellness expertise and business savvy with integrity, enthusiasm, and an open heart, to provide a welcoming, supportive space where everyone in our mile-square community can dive in together—experiencing the joy of inner and outer connection.
Allie Vespa
Allie is an E-RHY 700-hour Vinyasa Yoga teacher, and is currently pursuing an 875-hour Yoga Therapy Certification with Breathing Deeply Yoga. Allie is inspired by the transformative power of yoga and its ability to connect us with our authentic Self, as well as our own innate power to heal. She shares the practice in a strong, inviting and spirited manner. Outside the studio, Allie is a Psychotherapist serving NY and NJ, and lives in Hoboken with her partner and mini farm of animals (two dogs and two cats).
LEIGH HIGGINS
A longtime Hoboken resident, is a healer who combines sound and energy modalities, shamanic practice, and coaching strategies to support clients in finding balance and connection on their healing path. As a sound healer, Leigh uses a variety of instruments, including bowls, gongs, drums, rattles, flute, and voice, to clear energetic blockages, imprint and align healthy energies, and help shift clients into a space where they can learn to heal themselves.
Using these practices as tools for personal growth and awareness, participants learn to develop a foundational practice, release outdated narratives, attune themselves to their own growth and authenticity, and connect to themselves, others, and to life in empowering and impactful ways.
DANA H MOSS
Dana was introduced to yoga while studying theatre in Chicago. She has had the pleasure to study with Gina Norman, Cyndi Lee, Max Strom, Rodney Yee, Sarah Finger, Mona Anand, Alan Finger and most recently Jean Koerner. She is a 500 hour registered yoga teacher and has been teaching since 2011. As a freelance photographer, one of Dana’s favorite quotes is, “A photographer gets people to pose for him. A yoga instructor gets people to pose for themselves.” —T. Guillemets
Dana strives to create a playful, energetic yet restorative space for her students to explore their continually blossoming practice! Dana's teacher training certifications include: E-RYT 200 Kaia Yoga, Westport, CT; RYT 300 ISHTA Yoga, New York, NY; Restorative with Jillian Pransky, and more recently Gina Menza and Mona Anand; Yoga Nidra with ISHTA's Mona Anand and Reiki with Frank Coppieters. Stop by www.shugayoga.com and say hello!
RADHA DEVI OM
Radha Devi Om, also known as Rashila, offers students a practice that remains faithful to her own yoga upbringing and background—which is steeped in tradition and authenticity. She has the good fortune and unique qualifications of training with masters, such as Guru Sri Om Swami and Sri Dharma Mittra. In Radha's classes, her aim is to bring you to a place of spiritual awareness, as well as guiding you to cultivate a strong body and mind connection.
Radha's uplifting vibe and teaching style is both inspirational and physically challenging. Her extensive teacher trainings and experience include:
E-RYT Advanced 500hr Dharma Mittra Yoga Centre
200hr RYT Sonic Yoga
200hr RYT Science of Self
100hr Advance Yogic Studies in Yoga Therapy, The Nalanda Institute of Contemplative Psychotherapy
Over 500hrs Meditation & Tantra, per Initiation by her Guru Om Swami
Over 500hrs Tantric Training with Pandit Tigunait, Himalayan Institute
STEPHANIE DEFLORA
Stephanie's yoga philosophy reflects a renewed curiosity of the eight limbs of yoga—especially Ayurveda, the sister science to vinyasa yoga. She is an ISHTA 500-hour certified teacher who incorporates this sensibility into her classes by observing, and helping students to observe, what influences achieving and maintaining balance. Stephanie is also a NBC-HWC and Mayo Clinic Certified Health & Wellness Coach, with a focus on walking alongside individuals as they manage through life’s various transitions.
IDA KENNA
Ida has practiced Yoga for her entire adult life. She says, "Yoga has been my safe space in this beautiful, but tumultuous World." Yoga has been the perfect complement to Ida's work as a Psychotherapist. Ida received her first certification from Yoga In The World. She then became certified in Hot 26 Series Classical Hatha Yoga, Jivamukti Spiritual Warrior, and Yin Yoga. Ida holds a deep appreciation for the Yin Yoga practice. "It is a magical, healing, deep practice."
Ida has studied and holds certification in Mythical Storytelling, as well as Yin Yoga from Kelly Kamm Yoga. In Ida's classes you can expect a deeply felt physical practice accompanied by storytelling, and an eclectic playlist. Ida considers teaching Yoga personal, and art.
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RACHEL CHAN
After years of competitive sports Rachel turned to yoga to find a physical and mental outlet. After years of competitive sports Rachel turned to yoga to find a physical and mental outlet. Rachel loves crafting a blend of strength, flexibility, and breathwork into her own practice and led classes. You can expect dynamic sequencing and alignment based cueing in Rachel's challenging classes. Her goal is to nurture not only the body but the mind through whole body movement based awareness.
In 2016 Rachel completed her 200 RYT with Inbound International School of Yoga in Pucallpa, Peru. Since 2016 Rachel has not only advanced her training in the classroom and on the mat but also taken to meditation and has incorporated a daily practice.
LEAH HEALEY
Leah is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor and long-time Hoboken resident who has been shining her light in the local wellness scene for years. As a meditation teacher, she has spent over a decade practicing and teaching a wide range of meditation techniques, including those studied at the Himalayan Institute and the Open Center in New York City. She is also trained in the T.M. method, or Transcendental Meditation.
Leah was drawn to meditation after studying the significant benefits it provides to the brain as revealed by neuroscience. You will often hear Leah refer to meditation as, “much needed brain rest” as she weaves the science of meditation into each session she leads. Leah teaches guided meditation classes and workshops at a variety of yoga studios and in corporate settings.
SAMANTHA WALKER
Samantha first discovered yoga in 2011 and it has been a guiding light for finding inner peace, embodiment, and meaning ever since. She passionately continues to explore yogic traditions, philosophies, and what it means to find balance—and her goal is to provide students with opportunities for finding the same qualities within themselves.
Samantha completed her 200-hour vinyasa yoga teacher training in September 2020 with Jhon Tamayo at Atmananda Yoga in New York City. From this traditional style and alignment-focused training, Samantha discovered the magic that occurs when one is strictly dedicated to a yogic lifestyle. This includes striving toward the personal and social moral codes of yoga, as well as practicing breath-work, meditation and the physical asanas primarily enjoyed by western “yogis.”
Fascinated by the human body and the body-mind connection, Samantha decided to quit her. job in Public Relations in 2021 to embark on a career journey that would fulfill her passions. She is currently working toward a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Seton Hall University.
JOE DEFLORA
Joe was introduced to yoga by his loving wife and fellow yogi, Stephanie DeFlora. He became intrigued at its depth while participating in a restorative class. The more Joe immersed himself in the study of yoga, the more he learned about himself and the people around him. Joe believes that everyone can benefit from and enjoy yoga. He advocates for an authentic yoga practice that best suits each student’s individual goals, and is known for his down-to-earth approach. Joe completed his 200-hour RYT with ISHTA Yoga in New York City. He’s currently participating in his advanced 300 hour RYT with ISHTA as well.
SARAH BOND
Sarah has been an avid student of health and nutrition most of her adult life, and her formal education includes the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and The Natural Gourmet Cooking School in NYC, Bright Spirit Yoga Teacher Training in Hoboken, Laughing Lotus Teacher Training NYC and a B.A. from Rowan University, Glassboro NJ.
Sarah’s love of travel and wellness, combined with her passion to help others find more balance in their lives, inspired her to become a Co-Founder of One Hundred Skies Yoga Adventures (www.onehundredskies.com) where she enjoys planning, organizing and presenting retreats for teachers and students. After 20 years in a corporate job in NYC, Sarah has been teaching yoga full time since 2008. Sarah is a member of Yoga Alliance, the Slow Food Movement, and the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
KENDRA STOLL
Kendra is a dedicated and caring yoga instructor who teaches yoga as part of a holistic approach to work, life, and play. Her classes are dynamic—fusing vinyasa, energetic, and restorative styles. Her latest studies include certification from the LoveYourBrain YTT to help people who've experienced traumatic brain injury. Kendra is a multi-passionate creative, designer, photographer, writer, and marketer who loves working with mission-focused brands. She is a cat and husky mama and loves adventuring outdoors.
Kendra says, “My intention as a teacher is to elevate awareness, activate healing, share, and connect. I aim to provide tools that help carry your practice off the mat and into your daily life. By honing into the body's energetic centers, moving in an authentic way, and tapping into intuitive wisdom, I hope to guide and support people on a life-long journey of health and wellness.”
