meet our team
Howard rosenberg
founder
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Howard is the visionary behind Anahata Schoolhouse, a space dedicated to holistic healing, personal transformation, and community connection. With a diverse background spanning engineering, organizational consulting, and wellness, he brings a unique blend of analytical expertise and deep spiritual insight to his work.
A graduate of Stanford University and MIT, Howard spent years working in the energy and aerospace sectors, developing innovative solutions in complex systems. However, his life took a profound turn after facing advanced cardiovascular disease and undergoing open-heart surgery. This pivotal experience ignited a personal journey of healing, leading him to explore yoga, meditation, and the power of mindset in overcoming limitations.
Certified in Kundalini Yoga, Howard combines his scientific background with a deep understanding of human potential, offering life coaching that integrates personal growth with practical, results-driven strategies. His work is rooted in helping individuals break free from limiting beliefs, reconnect with their inner strength, and step into their most authentic, empowered selves.
As the founder of Anahata Schoolhouse, Howard has created a heart-centered space where individuals of all backgrounds can explore yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and other healing modalities. His passion lies in fostering a community that supports self-discovery, resilience, and conscious living, offering guidance to those seeking transformation on physical, mental, and spiritual levels.
Hilary Garivaltis, CAP
Director of ayurvedic education & services
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Hilary Garivaltis is a visionary in the field of Ayurvedic medicine, dedicated to empowering others to live with harmony, health, and purpose. With over two decades of experience, she has touched countless lives through her passionate teaching, leadership, and commitment to the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda.
As the Founder and former Dean of the Kripalu School of Ayurveda, Hilary pioneered programs that have shaped the practice of Ayurveda in the United States. Her leadership extended further as a board member and then as Executive Director of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) from 2006–2023, where she championed the integration of Ayurveda into modern health and wellness practices. She continues to guide the field as a board member of the NAMA Certification Board.
Hilary’s journey began at UMass Amherst, where she graduated in 1982 before immersing herself in the study of Ayurvedic medicine both in the United States and India from 1997–2007. She remains a lifelong student, continually learning from the world’s leading teachers to deepen her knowledge and refine her craft.
With an infectious enthusiasm for helping others, Hilary inspires people to find balance in their lives by embracing the timeless principles of Ayurveda. Her teachings are a beacon for anyone seeking clarity, vitality, and a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them.Inspired by her studies in agronomy, yoga, and Transcendental Meditation, Hilary turned to Ayurveda after facing personal health challenges. She has since trained with world-renowned teachers in India and the U.S., deepening her expertise in holistic healing.
With a passion for education and empowerment, Hilary helps students integrate Ayurvedic wisdom into modern life, cultivating balance, vitality, and self-awareness.
GAIL SOOKEY, RYT-200
restorative yoga & Bodywork
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Gail brings a nurturing and intuitive presence to Restorative Yoga at Anahata Schoolhouse, creating a space where students can deeply relax, release tension, and find balance. She fell in love with yoga in 2009 and quickly experienced its transformative benefits - strength, flexibility, stress relief, and inner harmony.
After completing her 200-hour teacher training with Frog Lotus Yoga in Thailand in 2018, Gail continued to expand her knowledge in holistic healing. She is certified in Yin, Vinyasa, Hatha and Yoga Nidra, a practice that guides students into a deep state of rest and nervous system restoration.
Her training in Level III Thai Yoga Massage from the Triple Gem School of Thai Massage allows her to integrate therapeutic touch and assisted stretching, while her background as a Level II Reiki Practitioner brings an added layer of intuitive energy healing to her classes.
With a soothing approach, mindful breathwork guidance, and deep relaxation techniques, Gail creates an environment where students can fully let go, often drifting into a blissful state of rest. Outside of teaching, she enjoys life in the Berkshires with her husband, three sons, and three grandchildren.
Ellen Dilthey, RYT-200
gentle yoga
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With over a decade of experience, Ellen brings a compassionate and accessible approach to yoga, ensuring students of all ages and abilities can benefit from the practice. She completed her 200-hour teacher training at Kripalu in 2007 and has since specialized in adapting yoga for individuals with physical limitations.
Ellen is also certified to teach Yin Yoga and holds a Level II Thai Yoga Massage Certification from the Triple Gem School of Thai Massage, allowing her to integrate deep relaxation and therapeutic touch into her offerings.
Beyond yoga, Ellen has a rich background in music, holding a master’s degree in Piano Pedagogy and Performance. Her love for rhythm, flow, and mindful movement carries through her teaching.
Off the mat, she enjoys playing piano, cycling, and spending time with her family. A proud mom and grandmother - affectionately called "Momo" - she brings warmth and care to everything she does.
Sara ruby, RYT- 200 ayurvedic Yoga
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Sara has been practicing yoga for over a decade, but her journey deepened profoundly after moving to the Berkshires in January 2024. During a time of transition marked by depression and anxiety, working remotely and not knowing anyone in a new place, she found refuge in yoga. Attending classes daily—often more than once a day—offered a nurturing space to reconnect with her body and be present with all she was feeling. Gradually, the practice became a path of healing and transformation, illuminating her perspective and restoring a sense of peace and purpose.
Recognizing the profound physical, emotional, and spiritual impact of yoga, Sara felt called to share it with others. She completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training locally at Kripalu, where she cultivated a holistic, inclusive, and meditative approach to teaching. In addition to teaching yoga, Sara is a certified Women’s Holistic Hormonal Health Practitioner and trained in the Ayurvedic art of Marma Facial Massage. She has also completed the 75 hour module of Uniting Yoga & Ayurveda at Kripalu.
Outside the studio, you’ll find her wandering woodland trails in every season, swimming in rivers and waterfalls during the warmer months, singing, and gathering with friends for moon rituals. Originally from Northern California, Sara deeply appreciates the vibrancy of the Berkshire community and the beauty each season brings. She looks forward to welcoming you on the mat.
Jala mohnkern, RYT-200
All Levels yoga &
qigong flow & yoga
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Jala brings a joyful, grounded, and heart-centered presence to her yoga and qigong classes. A Pittsfield native, she recently returned to the Berkshires after thirty years in Pittsburgh, where she worked as a pharmacist. She first explored yoga in 2004 during her pregnancy to ease physical discomfort. The practice not only relieved the discomfort, it transformed her life and her perspective on health and healing.
Inspired to share these benefits with others, Jala completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2015 through the Himalayan Institute. Her journey expanded further when she discovered qigong in 2021 and recognized how powerfully it complements yoga to support energy flow, emotional balance, and whole-being wellness. She earned her YoQi® Qigong 200-hour certification in 2025.
Drawing from both Eastern movement traditions and her background in Western medicine, Jala is passionate about empowering others to experience the body’s innate ability to self-heal through mindful movement, breath, and aligned lifestyle practices. Her teaching is accessible to all levels and rooted in the belief that true wellness begins within.
When not teaching, Jala spends time immersed in nature, from gardening to paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, or biking, all now available right in her backyard in the Berkshires.
Tiffany poplaski, RYT-200
Power flow
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After practicing yoga for more than 15 years, Tiffany is excited to share the transformative power of the practice with others. She completed her RYT-200 certification through Radiance Yoga and brings a grounded, accessible, and heartfelt approach to her teaching. Tiffany offers both power flow and restorative yoga, creating classes that support students in finding clarity, balance, and peace amid the pace of daily life.
With her background as a nurse practitioner, Tiffany has a deep understanding of the physical and mental health benefits of yoga. She thoughtfully integrates strength, mobility, and mindful awareness into each class, emphasizing the importance of the mind–body connection and sustainable movement.
Tiffany hopes students leave her classes feeling centered, refreshed, and empowered to meet the demands of everyday life with greater ease and resilience.
Liz Porio, RN, BSN, CPT
Rise & Restore | Reiki I & II
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Liz creates classes that help you feel grounded, stronger, and more connected to your body no matter your starting point. With nationally accredited certifications in Group Fitness Instruction and Personal Training through NASM, and over a decade of experience as an RN, Liz brings a balanced blend of knowledge, compassion, and empowering movement into every session.
Her classes are designed to meet you exactly where you are. Whether you’re a beginner, returning to movement, or looking to reconnect with yourself, Liz offers clear guidance and supportive options so you can move confidently at your own pace.
Expect classes that are uplifting yet grounding—where functional movement, gentle somatic awareness, and spiritual connection come together to support your whole self. As a Reiki practitioner, Liz creates an environment that feels calming, intentional, and energetically supportive, allowing students to move, release, and realign.
In addition to her movement classes, Liz also offers one-on-one Reiki sessions through our Healing Arts offerings. Students can book a session with her to experience deeper energetic support, relaxation, and alignment.
If you're looking for classes that feel inclusive, intentional, and rooted in whole-person wellness and subtle energetic care, Liz brings the perfect blend of strength, presence, and heart to help you thrive.
Kelly Miller, RYT-200
all levels yoga
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Kelly embarked on her yoga journey in 2011, driven by health challenges that prompted a quest for healing. Her transformative experience began at Frog Lotus, where daily practice opened up a new world of physical and mental healing. Over time, she noticed profound changes: enhanced flexibility, improved balance, increased strength, and a significant reduction in anxiety. Inspired by her own transformation, Kelly was determined to share the joy and benefits of yoga with others. She completed her 200-hour teacher training at Radiance Yoga in Pittsfield, MA, and furthered her expertise by becoming certified in Yin Yoga. A lifelong learner, Kelly constantly seeks to deepen her understanding of yoga and holistic practices. She avidly reads yoga-inspired literature and explores various wellness modalities, all with the goal of enriching her classes. In her sessions, Kelly aims for students to leave feeling grounded, energized, and at peace. Beyond the mat, she embraces her creativity through crochet and sewing, and enjoys staying active through skiing, hiking, kayaking, rollerblading, and camping. Join Kelly on the mat and discover the profound impact that traditional yoga can have on your well-being!
Nancy quevillon, dc ryt-200
kundalini yoga
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Dr. Nancy is a chiropractic doctor and dedicated Kundalini Yoga teacher passionate about guiding students toward self-connection, inner peace, and heart-centered living.
First introduced to Kundalini Yoga in 2015, she experienced an immediate heart-opening transformation that inspired her to become a teacher. Through yoga postures, meditation, and chanting, she helps students tap into their true essence and embrace a more expansive way of being.
In addition to her expertise in Kundalini Yoga, Dr. Nancy is a Level II Reiki practitioner and holds a sound healing certification, allowing her to incorporate vibrational healing into her sessions for a deeply restorative experience.
When she’s not on the mat, Dr. Nancy can be found exploring the outdoors - she has hiked all 48 peaks above 4,000 feet in New Hampshire’s White Mountains with her adventure pup, Bruno!
Jill rand, MBSR
meditation
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Jill Rand brings over four decades of experience in meditation, healing arts, and human development. She began her spiritual practice in 1984 under her root teacher, Ron Mangravite, and has been part of his ongoing contemplative community for nearly forty years. A long-time Buddhist practitioner, Jill has completed teacher training and attended annual thirty-day silent retreats for fifteen years.
She is trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli at the University of Massachusetts, and has taught MBSR and other mindfulness programs integrating psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative insight. Jill is also a Reiki Master, former massage therapist, and registered nurse with experience in pediatric intensive care.
In addition to her background in psychology and computer science, Jill founded The Briar Rose Center for Self-Inquiry, Healing & Growth in St. Augustine, Florida, offering meditation, yoga, and transformational programs fostering personal and collective evolution. She has taught meditation in Vipassana and nondual traditions, as well as courses on communication, shadow work, and the neuroscience of meditation.
Jill is also an Evolutionary Astrologer, having studied with Steven Forrest since 1985, and weaves together the symbolic and the somatic to support self-awareness and conscious growth. Her approach is integral, inclusive, and deeply grounded in lived practice—helping people awaken to presence, compassion, and wholeness.
laura thompson, breathing space
kundalini yoga
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Laura Thompson, EdD, is a leader in the arts with over 30 years of experience in museums and arts education. She is the executive director of Berkshire Art Center in Stockbridge, MA and the founder of Breathing Space | Dr. Laura Thompson, LLC, a consultancy integrating mindfulness into art-making, curation, and education. From 2002-23, she served as MASS MoCA’s founding director of education and Kidspace curator, where she curated 30 exhibitions with renowned artists and developed community programs focused on social justice and emotional learning. A dedicated educator, Thompson has taught at UMASS Dartmouth, Williams College, and MCLA, and has presented nationally and internationally on creativity, care, and social justice in art education. She holds a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University Teachers College and certifications in meditation and Kundalini yoga. She is on the faculty of Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA, where she leads “Mindful Creativity” workshops and retreats. She has a studio in Pittsfield for her personal practice as an abstract expressionist oil painter.
Tricia Ladeinde, Balanced body pilates instructor
Mat pilates
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Tricia believes movement is a powerful way to reconnect with our bodies. Her training blends Joseph Pilates’ original method with contemporary movement science, emphasizing anatomy, biomechanics, and intelligent, purposeful movement. Her classes are welcoming to all levels and rooted in the Pilates principles of breath, concentration, centering, control, precision, and flow. Outside of Pilates, Tricia enjoys hiking, nature, time with her family, and her spiritual practice. As an intuitive guide and energy practitioner, she sees Pilates as a bridge between the mind, body, and soul—a way to step out of constant thinking and reconnect with the wisdom of the body.
Rose Hedreen, LICSW SEPc energizing flow
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Rose is passionate about connecting to the body and using movement to support healing and finding greater aliveness in one’s life. Rose offers energizing and nourishing vinyasa yoga flows, with the intention to gain strength and confidence, grow body and breath awareness, and regulate the nervous system. Rose is a licensed independent clinical social worker and Somatic Experiencing practitioner, who specializes in nervous system work and values creating safe and supportive containers for self exploration. Rose engages yoga as a space for self exploration and nervous system healing as a RYT200 Trauma-Informed yoga teacher. Yoga has been a significant part of Rose’s own healing journey and Rose values yoga as a practice in which one safely grows in connection to the body and inner self, reintegrates and reunites with forgotten parts of the self, and recognizes one’s intrinsic wholeness. When Rose isn't grooving on the mat, you'll find exploring in nature, writing her novel, or in deep conversation with friends and family.