Westfield Yoga Center Southwick

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The Westfield Yoga Center is owned and directed by two individuals who share a vision of maximizing individual health and community well being through the medium of yoga. Tom Swochak and Sally Barber had been married for 15 years in 1993 when they enrolled in Westfield Yoga Center's inaugural class. Their intention to do yoga together was more than fulfilled: four years later they assumed ownership of the center! Their passion for yoga and commitment to bringing it to as many people as possible caused a part-time endeavor to become a full time venture for both of them. Tom's business background in management/accounting and Sally's experience in clinical rehabilitation and supervision create an ideal combination for managing a yoga center. Tom enjoys combining student and teacher support with the myriad business tasks essential for maintaining a viable enterprise. Sally loves teaching yoga to everybody, but balances classes with a variety of administrative and environmental tasks. Both are involved in program development and community outreach. Without its complement of caring and committed teachers, the Westfield Yoga Center would not touch the lives of so many in the greater Westfield area. As managers, Tom and Sally feel responsible for fostering the very best in their instructors. The teachers radiate so much love and support that it is a blessing to be associated with them. Blessings abound in the yoga business! It's a blessing to ease peoples' pain. It's a blessing to make the world a more peaceful place. It is a privilege and a joy to serve in the capacity of directors of the Westfield Yoga Center. Tom does a lot of work behind the scenes. He is available by phone, email and in person to assist students with class selections, questions, payments and other related business and yoga matters. Sally was initially trained in Kripalu Yoga in 1994. She attended Amrit Yoga Teacher Training in 2001 and completed an advanced Amrit Yoga certification in 2003. Sally is convinced that yoga can benefit everybody: she enjoys sharing yoga with people of all ages and abilities. As an occupational therapist, Sally is skilled in tailoring yoga to each individual's unique situation. She balances providing clear directions for the physical form with guiding students to be focused internally. Her intention is to help people achieve their highest sense of well-being through the practice of yoga as meditation in motion. Amanda, with a BS in Community Health, brings her knowledge and love of yoga to Westfield. With over two years experience as an instructor, Amanda has led a variety of yoga classes from beginner to the more sport related, power yoga. As a Cooper Institute Certified personal trainer and NESTA certified Yoga Instructor, she combines both athleticism and meditation in her classes. Amanda has always participated in high-powered, fast paced athletics, and started practicing yoga to heal and stretch an injury. Now as an instructor, she encourages others to rebuild and promote health from the inside out through respect for their bodies and peaceful movement. John teaches an Amrit form of Kripalu Yoga, which combines a sequence of active postures, consistent breath control, and meditation techniques. While approximately 2/3rds of each class is devoted to easily learned yoga postures, John also consistently incorporates yoga philosophy and guided meditation into each class. He intends his sessions to provide a pleasant, fulfilling experience that improves general physical health while gently relieving stress. Amrit Yoga is all about you: spend an hour in a tranquil environment building a happier, more peaceful lifestyle.