JAMIE SWIRTZ
Founder – Yoga Instructor
JAMIE SWIRTZ
- Yoga found me in 2015 when I walked into a class looking to exercise. After a few months of becoming more comfortable with the practice, I wanted more. Started practicing 1-2 times daily and trying to handstand on my lunch breaks. From daily practice, I found a love for health & wellness and spirituality. I was awakened to a healthy and positive lifestyle which really lit my fire. My continued studies of yoga became my passion.
- My favorite practice is Ashtanga. Ashtanga was the foundation of my practice. My practice started in Vinyasa class, moved to Ashtanga then back to Vinyasa which is now my practice at YogaOnyx. The Ashtanga system is so structured which allows for a ton of physical advancement and technical learning. Vinyasa allows for more creativity and less demanding on your body but still very challenging and fun. Obviously, my favorite pose is handstand. There are so many aspects to a handstand and always room to improve. Kinda like playing golf… when you hit that one perfect shot it always makes you come back for more. In handstand, maybe your line gets a little more straight or held for a second longer which makes me want more every time 😊
- Opening YogaOnyx has been by far one of the most enjoyable times of my life and I hope it continues forever!
ZACH SILVERNAIL
Yoga Instructor
ZACH SILVERNAIL
- I went to my first yoga class as a last resort in an attempt to heal an old sports injury. I had no idea what I was in for, but it completely kicked my ass physical, mentally and emotionally. After that first class, I was hooked. About two years later, I went through my first teacher training simply to learn more about all aspects of yoga, with no intention to teach. About a year and a half later, I took a second teacher training as the urge to teach and share what I’d learned had become much stronger.
- My favorite style of yoga to practice is Ashtanga. I love the emphasis on and commitment to the breath. The discipline and balance between challenging and growing your practice and accepting/respecting your practice where it is. And the continuing opportunity to always work towards something new as you advance through the series. Hard to pick one, but one of my favorite poses is kurmasana. Although very difficult for me to get into, it’s a great stretch and release in three areas I need the most – hamstrings, shoulders, and low back.
- Yoga has changed my life in so many ways other than just my physical capabilities. I’ve spent my whole life terrified of public speaking. Through yoga, I am now able to speak in front of large groups of people, as well as express my own creativity while doing so. I’ve also spent much of my life very uncomfortable in my own shoes. Since beginning to practice yoga, I’ve never been more comfortable or happy with who or where I am. I truly believe that the yoga practice can help change and shape the world for the better.
IZZY EHMANN
Yoga Instructor
IZZY EHMANN
- I had a friend in highschol who loved and went to hot yoga everyday. I had to see why she was so obsessed so I started to go with her. After the first three yoga classes, where I thought I was going to die and almost had to leave the room because it was so hot, I started to understand the beauty of yoga. At first it was simply the ability to get out of my head and into my body during the practice. But as my practice advanced it became much much more. It was that feeling of actually wanting to eat and be healthy, of motivation towards anything I want to start doing (including teaching yoga), and of truly wanting to be the best person I can be, that happens when leaving a really good class. After years of practice, I loved it so much that I wanted to show others the beauty of yoga too. I went to a teacher training and became a teacher in hopes of giving others the opportunity to experience what I experience during and after yoga.
- My favorite yoga practice is a hot vinsassa flow class. I love making the transitions from pose to pose as smooth and flowy as possible, kind of like a dance. This class reminds me why I loved dancing as a sport so much when I was younger.
My favorite pose is dancer pose. I love this pose because it takes a lot of focus. My ability to balance in this pose varies from day to day and shows me my ability to clear my mind and fully focus of this pose that day. It shows me where I’m at and what I need to work on.
I also like how you can see with practice your foot go higher and higher over the top of your head throughout the years. You can see the progress of your hardwork and practice. - Probably something most people can relate to, but I love animals! I think there so sweet and cute. One of my favorite things to do is wake up early and open my doors to let all the morning air into my apartment, drink coffee, and do yoga with my two cats, Zara and Kyoko. I am always available to look at cute animal videos with!
ANTON MACKEY
Yoga Instructor
TODD BENDELL
Yoga Instructor
TODD BENDELL
- Since I was young I always had an interest in meditation and the meta physical. I would practice bikram yoga in high school, but my main workouts consisted of lifting weights/Olympic style. In college I hurt my back doing snatches, and decided to switch to strictly yoga to heal my back. I always loved how breath and meditation were a part of yoga and as my practice deepened I began to explore that avenue more. I love how yoga creates long supple mobile muscles, and believe that is the best way to have a long healthy life.
- I enjoy advanced vinyasa with movements that I have never done before. Unique transitions and funky balance poses are my favorite. I enjoy yoga that has a mandala or infinity style flow where you use all corners of the mat.
- I host breathwork, sound meditation, and cacao ceremonies at my house and love when new students come by. Outside of yoga I co-founded a Wealth Management firm Optima Capital Management that specializes in forward thinking investment strategies. I frequently talk to my clients about how mental/physical wellness translates to financial wellness.
EMMA PIGEON
Yoga Instructor
EMMA PIGEON
- I found the practice of yoga (more realistically the practice found me) about 5 years ago and became addicted to hot yoga. Not only did I love the physical aspect of asana, I craved the way my mind would slow down when I stepped on my mat. I slowly found my way into other styles and practices and became a certified teacher in 2018!
- I enjoy practicing vinyasa yoga and getting creative with my transitions/ sequencing. I enjoy Ashtanga yoga as well! My favorite pose is Nataranjasana (dancer) because it requires balance and flexibility!
- Something personal about me is I love love love to travel and my next big bucket list item is to hike Everest Base Camp in Nepal!
PAIGE ARNONE
Yoga Instructor
EMMA PIGEON
- I originally found yoga in 2012 and used it as a tool to manage my anxiety and heal from past traumas. As my love for the practice deepened, I was drawn to share its benefits with others. I received my 200-hour certification in 2018 and my 500-hour certification in 2020.
- I love vinyasa flow classes, but my heart belongs to the Ashtanga practice. It’s the one practice where I can reach a true meditative state, and it’s the one practice that completely breaks me down – mentally, physically, and emotionally. Ashtanga has helped me to embrace every part of myself and grow into a person I’m proud of.
- I have always loved teaching! Before yoga, I was a skydiving instructor for several years as well as a professional aerialist. Through my teaching, I aim to provide a space for student to grow, both individually and as a community. I believe that when there’s authentic, hard work, and a passion for learning, one’s growth potential is infinite.
DANI BUTTERLY
Yoga Instructor
DAMIAN ANTOINE
Yoga Instructor
DAMIAN ANTOINE
- I was introduced to yoga about 3 years ago from a friend and I have loved it ever since. As I continued to go to classes I wanted to learn beyond the poses so I took the ytt 200 training and I continue to learn more everyday. The combination of breathing and moving the body really helps me on the mat but most importantly off the mat helping me remain calm and focus which no other activity could do.
- My favorite Pose is Bakasana (crow pose) because it helps me on my arm balance, my focus, and my concentration.