Lake

Maine YogaFest, #91

Fitness, like many things in life, is all about balance. Though I prefer running above all else—especially at this time of year, when the sun is rising earlier, the air is finally warmer—I like to balance my running with other activities. I’ve found that the best way to counter-balance the stress of running on the bones and muscles is yoga. It keeps me flexible, and it keeps me calm.

This week on the Dr. Lisa Radio Hour, tune in to hear guests Justine Carlisle, Dana Gunnerson Woodbury, and Regan Johnson, founders of Maine YogaFest, talk about this inspiring physical event. I will also be speaking with Carissa Ciucca, owner of Breathing Room Yoga, and Melanie Burns of Wicked Good Yoga.

Guests

Justine Carlise, Dana Gunnerson Woodbury, and Regan Johnson

Justine Carlise, Dana Gunnerson Woodbury, and Regan Johnson

Justine Carlise, Dana Gunnerson Woodbury, and Regan Johnson are the founders of Maine YogaFest. All three women feel passionately about yoga, particularly the local yoga movement of Portland. Dana was drawn to yoga during a challenging time of her life and was amazed by the many benefits of regular practice. Justine began practicing yoga five years ago to help heal a running injury. As a Registered Yoga Alliance Vinyasa instructor, she hopes through teaching yoga she can help others see the beautiful connection between our physical and mental bodies. Finally, there’s Regan. Regan has been managing high profile events since 2001. Planning a yoga festival is a dream-come-true for her. Combining her love of fitness and events is a perfect match.

Carissa Ciuca

Carissa Ciuca

Carissa Ciuca is the owner and director of Breathing Room Yoga in South Portland. Breathing Room offers vinyasa yoga, restorative, yin and prenatal yoga. In addition, the studio hosts a variety of respected regional and national guest teachers who enhance the vibrant weekly class schedule. At the studio, Carissa leads a comprehensive yoga teacher training program, the day-to-day studio operations, and several group classes each week. Carissa has been practicing yoga for over ten years and was certified to teach at Flow Yoga Center in Washington, DC. Since then, she’s continued her studies with many knowledgable teachers throughout the country. Carissa moved to Maine from DC in 2010 and lives in Portland with her husband and two small children.

Melanie Burns

Melanie Burns

Melanie Burns, along with her husband Paul, owns Snow Squall Bed and Breakfast and Wicked Good Yoga. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist and an E-RYT 200 Hour Baptiste Yoga teacher with a BA in Psychology from Clark University. Through bodywork, yoga, and meditation, she invites you to connect to your breath, your body, to quiet your mind and drop into your source of power, freedom and grace, igniting your deepest healing potential.