OUR TEACHERS
KAREN ASCHER
Karen worked in the human service field for over 30 years helping others focus on their abilities and reach their goals. Karen has been practicing yoga since 2008 on the North and South Forks of Long Island, New York, and feels privileged to have studied under some of the leading practitioners in the country. She obtained her 200 hour RYT certification in 2013 with Hamptons Yoga Healing Arts, to both deepen her practice and to share her love of yoga with others. Karen has a Vinyasa-based practice, with a strong focus on alignment and flow. In 2018, Karen moved to Florida. Since arriving in Florida Karen has been able to focus on sharing her love of yoga by offering her teachings both in studio and virtually. Karen sees herself as a constant student of Yoga continuing her learning through both certification trainings and workshops. Karen’s yoga has evolved into a deliberate flow assessable to all.
Karen found her way back to HYHA when classes became available virtually.
moreABBY VAKAY
Founder/Creative Director, Owner of Hamptons Yoga Healing Arts, Abby has been teaching yoga since 2004, Certified eRYT, 800 HOUR Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher, apprenticed with Lady Ruth Lauer Manenti at Jivamukti Yoga School NYC.Hamptons Yoga Healing Arts is now a Jivamukti Affiliate Yoga School. Abby shares her deep love of the ancient teachings & practices of yoga that have been passed down to her through her teachers Sharon Gannon and David Life, and mentor Lady Ruth Lauer Mannenti, and the whole Jimamukti lineage. In her classes, Abby blends the wisdom teachings with mantras on harmonium, offers poetry and parable, throughout her carefully sequenced classes. As a forever student of yoga, she humbly continues to deepen her understanding of all that comes up through her daily sadhana.
In class, you will be skillfully guided through heat building asanas, accompanied by inspired music and supportive hands on assists, leading to a long expansive shavasana and meditation.
Abby is also Certified Level 4 Thai Yoga Bodyworker through Lotus Palm, Kripalu...
moreSKIP BATCHELLER
Yoga Instructor/Art Directer / Curator
Skip is a Certified Registered Yoga teacher via Yoga Alliance, and Certified Jivamukti Yoga 300 hours, having recently completed the training in Govardan India.
Skip's yoga classes are both thoughtful and thought provoking. He brings to his classes and new ways of seeing into the heart via the practices and music, art, and poetry. Skip, a native of Westhampton is Abby's husband and partner in life and work. He shares with her a strong devotion to the teachings, arts and yoga.
MORE: edwardbatcheller.com
moreALLIE PERAINO
Allie earned her 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification as an apprentice with Abby. She has a deep devotion and love for the 8 Limbs. You will find her teaching various types of classes all summer, and subbing in various classes.
A recent college graduate, she is looking to further her education both in her career and in yoga. She loves being a student, and is happy to share her practice and all the teachings of yoga.
moreSCHUYLER HADAWAY
Schuyler Hadaway, E-RTY 500, has been practicing yoga for over twelve years, and teaching yoga and healthy living for five years. Her teachings come from the foothills of the Himalayas and her teacher, Yogrishi Vishvketu, known throughout India as the laughing yogi. Her lineage comes from the Hatha tradition and incorporates elements of Jnana Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Karma Yoga. Schuyler has taught in the United States, India, Panama, Costa Rica, and Indonesia. In Schuyler’s classes you will experience stimulating yet accessible sequences with an emphasis on breath, meditation, and spirituality.
moreMELISSA BATEMAN
RYT Yoga Alliance
Melissa Bateman is a new yoga instructor, though not new to Yoga. She has been loving yoga for over 15 years and elevated her practice by apprenticing with Abby to complete a 300+ hour teacher training certification. Practicing while raising a family and working in corporate America showed her the gifts of a steady and consistent yoga practice: sense of calm and being centered, clarity of thought and purpose, release of extraneous noise, strong and supple physical form. Eager to introduce others to these gifts and time to dedicate to the more spiritual elements of yoga led her to Abby and other fellow students at Hamptons Yoga Healing Arts. As Covid eases and vaccines allow, she plans to deepen her studies India.
moreOLIVIA RYDER
Olivia began yoga with her mother when she was young - an alternative to her school’s After School Program that she soon came to love. Using the mobility, breathing techniques, and skills she learned in yoga, she branched out into other sports: soccer, tennis, skiing, climbing, and ultimate frisbee. Olivia recommitted to yoga as an apprentice with Abby Vakay to learn more about the philosophical lineage and deeper challenges of a yoga practice. She completed her 200 hour certification with Abby in the fall of 2021. Olivia loves yoga on the beach and learning the Sanskrit used in teaching.
moreJEFF GALLIN
Jeff Gallin, a Professional Level Kripalu Yoga Teacher, completed his 500 hour certification at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. His personal experience with Parkinson's Disease led him to delve deeper and deeper into the many layers and benefits of yoga. Yoga is the best part of his day, every day. He believes each of us can use the healing powers of yoga to improve the quality of his/her life. He teaches in alignment with the idea that the individual does not have to adjust to yoga but that yoga has to adjust to the individual, meaning that each person should practice the postures that bring balance to his/her system. He prefers to teach a class that includes meditation and breath work, all to focus the mind. He has taught various class sizes, prefers small, and therapeutic semi-private yoga, as well as one on one private practices. He recently added "zoom' virtual teaching classes as well. Deep gratitude to Jeff and his generosity.
moreMIA VIDA VILLANUEVA
Mia apprenticed for a year with Abby for 300 hours and certification with Yoga Alliance. She has traveled throughout India and to over 35+ countries across the globe and studied with teachers while there. Mia loves all facets of what yoga offers and has been practicing for over a decade in NYC and in her travels. She is offering a range of classes: Basics, Slow and Steady Yoga, and Steady and Strong Yoga. See schedule for all of Mia's offerings.
moreTHERESA FENNEL
Theresa began practicing 15 years ago while living in California, initially to increase her flexibility for other sports. Her desire to go deeper inspired her to complete formal training when she retired and moved back east. Theresa completed the 200 hour RYT at House of Wellness in Hampton Bays in March, 2019. She continues to study yoga by attending workshops and retreats and will forever be a humble student. Theresa considers herself fortunate to be learning, practicing and a part of the Hamptons Yoga Healing Arts Yoga community.
more