About Our Teachers

Carolyn Conner, RYT is an intuitive woman who brings insight, compassion and levity to her yoga classes, bodywork sessions and life. Since 1996, the core of her learning and teaching has evolved through practice, self-study and grace. In 2005 she completed a 300-hour Anusara Yoga Teacher Training with Todd Norian and has stepped wholeheartedly into the practice and study of Anusara Yoga. Carolyn is an Advanced Certified Thai Yoga Bodywork practitioner, she holds certification in Reiki and she is enrolled in the Zero Balancing certification program. She is available for private consultations and specializes in creating programs for those with medical concerns, injury rehabilitation and structural issues. Out of the studio she dances the Tango with her beloved Jared and savors the outdoors whether swimming, hiking or simply strolling with her beagle-shepherd, Phoebe. In 2009 her daughter Genevieve was born, swept her off her feet and incited a passion and vibrancy she had never experienced, which she is now integrating in her practice, classes and bodywork.

Christina Caniyo I started practicing yoga seven years ago after being injured in a small accident. Through my practice, I watched my mind and body transform. I wanted to enrich my knowledge and experience with yoga further by teaching. In November 2007 I completed a 200-hour teacher training at Shoshoni's Shambhava Yoga Center in Kona, Hawaii. Bringing a spiritual and playful element to my practice, I focus on bringing our awareness in and opening the heart with each asana, recognizing the divine self in all of us and surrendering to that divinity. I like to bring love and joy to each class.

Ila Halby, RYT brings enthusiasm, attention and ease into her yoga classes. She believes that yoga is a tool to cultivate our innate sense of joy and balance. Class goals include strengthening the body, calming the mind, and enjoying yourself as you allow your life to unfold, moment by moment. Ila has been practicing and studying yoga since 2000. As her path deepened it led to a Hatha Yoga Teacher Training. She is certified at the 200-hour level in the Kripalu tradition. Ila recently participated in an Anusara Immersion course, and is falling in love with the Anusara philosophy and teaching style. Ila is also a licensed Occupational Therapist, and has a strong background in body mechanics and therapeutic exercise. She teaches yoga at a camp for adults and children with disabilities. In addition to yoga she loves to surf, travel, read, swim in big waves, and explore the beautiful surroundings of her new home in Lincoln, Vermont.

Jane Michaud Yoga has been a part of my life since the fall of 1997. It’s been a transformative time. In 2005 I completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Kripalu in Lenox, Ma. My teaching since that time has embraced people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. I have taught at the Dale Correctional Facility, Converse Retirement Home, Yoga Vermont, Copper Crane Yoga, Shelburne Health and Fitness, Shelburne Athletic Club, and various elementary and high school settings. My love of yoga continues to grow. This past winter I spent 4 months at Kripalu in their Seva Program – selfless service – volunteering and furthering my discovery of the practice of yoga. I traveled to India with a very special teacher, Gurmukh Kaur Kalsa, learning more about the Kundalini tradition. I began a Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training in the fall of 2009 in NYC. My true joy is to share all I have learned with those blessing me with their presence. Come and enjoy the practice of yoga with me at my gentle and beginner yoga classes at Copper Crane. Namaste.

Janet Chill is a 200-hour certified Kripalu Yoga teacher with a deep-rooted passion for all disciplines, especially Anusara. She has a varied background in the fitness industry with 30 years experience and has been practicing yoga for over 15 years. Janet shares all aspects of the yogic lifestyle with her students in Bristol, Middlebury and Vergennes, encouraging individual awareness of movement, alignment and spiritual development. She has lived in Vermont for 26 years and enjoys exploring the woods, cycling all over the world, painting, knitting, gardening and cooking vegetarian meals.

Kate Bloom Whitman enjoys sharing yoga with others in hopes that they too will discover the delight, inspiration and healing that she has found in yoga over the past decade. Her classes cultivate a sense of gratitude, playfulness, affirmation and exploration while offering instruction rooted in the Universal Principles of Alignment interwoven with a heart-centered theme. Kate completed a 200-hour Anusara Yoga Teacher Training with Sara Rose in May 2009 and offers her gratitude to the numerous teachers who have inspired and guided her practice over the years.

Kelly Hickey has been a student of Hatha yoga since 1995. I am inspired by the many styles of yoga and find myself on what I believe to be a life-long path of inquiry and reflection. Since 2004 I have enjoyed teaching both adults and children within Vermont. Most recently I have completed training in Radiant Child Yoga I & II as well as “Om Shree Om” Children’s Yoga Teacher Training with gifted teacher Christine McArdle-Oquendo. Children are natural yogis and the joy they find on their mats transfers to great pleasure and care that reaches far into the world.

Rebeccah Jean Brinton, a student of yoga she brings creativity and joy to her classes at Copper Crane. In her teaching, Rebeccah draws primarily from the Iyengar and Ashtanga traditions, formulating a unique Vinyasa practice that encourages the student to open to the full experience. Each asana is approached as an exploration of body, mind and emotion, with emphasis on proper alignment and the expression of one's individual self. Rebeccah's classes both challenge and inspire the student within a safe and mindful environment. Rebeccah is certified at the 200-hour level and continues her study of yoga, eclectically drawing from many different styles and teachers. In her own practice, both on and off the mat, Rebeccah cultivates a deep sense of gratitude, fully embracing life and the ability to share her joy with others.

Sansea Sparling Sansea’s teaching certification came from Don and Amba Stapleton at Nosara Yoga Institute, after many years of practice with Deborah Felmeth. Sansea also was certified in Pranassage by Don and Amba at Nosara. Using breath awareness and profound respect for the wonders of human anatomy, her classes allow each participant to choose modifications and vary the degree of intensity. In this path of Self-Authenticating yoga, she employs color and nature images, especially as they relate to the Chakras.

Rich Marantz is the director of Green Mountain Tai chi in Manchester, Vermont. He has taken his passion for Taoist philosophy and Chinese internal Martial Arts and created classes, programs and workshops that promote lasting health improvement. His love of sharing the benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong results in a down-to-earth, step-by-step and easy-to understand style of teaching. Rich is certified in the instruction of Tai chi chuan (Taijiquan), Qigong and as an external-Qi healer. He learned and was certified to teach Wadung Qigong directly by Taoist master Yun Xiang Tseng. For more information about Rich Marantz Please look up http://www.Greenmountaintaichi.com

Copper Crane Yoga is a studio in Vermont's oldest city, Vergennes. All of the Copper Crane teachers appreciate the opportunity to bring their passion for Yoga to this community.