Our Teachers

Middle River Yoga
2 River Road
Stafford, CT
860-706-3094

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Middle River Yoga Studio

My name is Michele Bigda but friends, family, and students call me Shelly. I have been teaching yoga at many different locations and have decided to create a studio space I know you will love. I am a certified Hatha Yoga instructor, Vinyasa Yoga Instructor, and meditation teacher. My journey has allowed me to work with Rodney Yee, Sean Corn, Todd Norian, Thich Nhat Hanh, John Friend, Beryl Bender Birch,and many fascinating yoga teachers thru local studios. Each teacher offers me a gift in which I will share with each one of you thru my classes.

Our Teachers at Middle River Yoga

Maria Elsden
Some information about Maria

Maria Elsden joined our staff in April, 2011. After being a student of mine for several years, Maria completed her 200-hour yoga teacher certification at Kripalu Yoga Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts in February of 2010. Since then she has taught All-levels Yoga through both the East Windsor Adult Education and Park and Recreation Programs and Yoga Basics through the West Hartford Adult Education Program ("Lifelearn"). Maria is currently teaching the Saturday morning All-levels class at Middle River Yoga. Her favorite asana is cow-face pose or gomukhasana.

Jack Fila, RYT

Jack received his Yoga Teacher Certification from The Kripalu Center for

Yoga and Health in Lenox, MA. He is also a Certified Nordic Walking

Instructor through the American Nordic Walking Association ANWA.

Jack teaches Yoga to Students of all levels ranging from Beginner through

Advanced “Power Yoga” in many different venues. In addition he conducts

Various Seminars, integrating Yoga basics with Golfing, Cycling, Skiing and

Nordic Walking.

Jack takes full advantage of all seasons by participating in Surf Kayaking,

Skiing, Bicycling and Nordic Walking.

Memberships: Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association, Yoga Alliance, National

MS Society, ECA World Fitness Alliance, and ANWA

Jude Kochman

Yoga reminds me, again and again, of who I really am as well as who I want to be. I look to my practice to help me get to the places I want to be.

My mat is the place I go to reconnect with myself and the community around me, to step back from the fast pace and stresses of our 21st century lifestyles, to renew and replenish.

Yoga is a process, and a journey - I like to envision it as the journey of a lifetime, a place of learning and joy.

I received my 200 hour training from Samadhi Yoga in Manchester with Anne and Matt Falkowski. I went on to complete my 500 hour

certification with Yoganand Michael Carroll through Pranakriya Yoga in South Carolina. For the past five years I've taught power, flow, gentle, senior, all levels and beginners at a variety of yoga studios and gyms. And I am delighted to have the opportunity to teach at Middle River where the energy shines so brightly.

I'm the proud mother of a wonderful daughter.

When not on the mat I'm most often found volunteering for my favored causes, hiking local trails and distant mountains,

or cycling about New England.

Please call Shelly Bigda for more information 860-706-3094

Are you a certified Yoga Instructor ? Call for teaching opportunities !