Meet the Group

Rita Stirparo, E-RYT 500 and Therapeutic Practitioner.

Rita is a lover of words, poetry, philosophy, and music.   Her path of yoga began while in grad school (a long time ago) when "my roommate at the time, and dear friend, Michelle made me go to yoga because my anxiety was high and I was driving her crazy with my 'need' to get an A in every class.  After my first class, something was subtly different, and I felt and appeared less anxious, so much that Michelle would notice if I skipped a week of yoga lol.   My mind started to calm, and I found it to be a medicine for my stress.  My  desire to learn more about this impactful practice led me to obtain a 200 RYT from the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA back in 2011."  Rita noted she never intended to teach, but her teacher said she was a natural and offered her a class upon completion of her 200 RYT.  Since then, she has continued her study by reading, attending various teacher trainings and workshops.  "I have been honored to train with the HI masters, Susie Hately of Functional Synergy, Dave Pusey of the Movement and Bodywork Therapy of Corina Benner of Wake Up Yoga, and many other incredible teachers.  I will continue to learn more about the biomechanics of the body, the mechanisms of the mind, and the power of Prana.  Rita brings her joyful spirit, yogic wisdom, and playful heart to each class she teaches or lecture she gives. 

Dave Pusey LMT. ERYT-200

Dave is eternally curious about all things! Davis is a corrective Massage therapist and movement therapist for 16 years. He loves helping people understand how the body is built and how to move towards greater function. He’s been teaching yoga teachers for over a decade, and one of his favorite things is seeing Aha! Moments in people’s eyes.

Dave lives in Avondale, Pennsylvania, with his phenomenal wife, four amazing kids, loving Nana, and two bratty dogs.  Dave will be here in Greenville for portions of both the 200-hour and 500-hour teacher training.

Corina Benner is an E-RYT 500 yoga and embodiment educator with more than 25 years of teaching experience. 

Corina is the founder and longtime director of Wake Up Yoga in Philadelphia, has trained hundreds of teachers, and continues to lead classes, workshops, teacher trainings, breathwork experiences, and retreats throughout the United States and internationally. Her work draws from decades of study in yoga, mindfulness, anatomy, contemplative practice, philosophy, and embodied inquiry, with significant influence from teachers including Cyndi Lee, Paul Grilley, and Michael Carroll.  She is known for teaching soulful, poetic, precise, and frequently humorous offerings. Corina combines intelligent, creative sequencing with an invitation to listen closely and trust direct experience. Whether through movement, breath, or stillness, her work is less about perfecting a practice and more about what becomes possible when we inhabit our lives more fully—with greater presence, clarity, vitality, and connection.  

Geetika Kumar (TIka), Ayurvedic practitioner, nutrition coach, herbalist, and wellness professional . 

Tika's background is in science, botanical medicine, and product innovation. Her unique approach to Ayurveda bridges ancient healing wisdom and modern scientific understanding, emphasizing personalized well-being, self-awareness, and practical integration into everyday life.

She believes Ayurveda is more than a system of healing—it is a way of living in harmony with oneself and nature. Her approach focuses on understanding individual constitution, honoring natural rhythms, and nurturing balance through mindful lifestyle choices, nourishing food, herbal practices, and a deeper connection between body, mind, and spirit.

Her passion for holistic healing extends into her travels, where she enjoys exploring different cultures, learning about indigenous and traditional healing practices, and discovering how communities connect with nature through their ancestral wisdom. She also finds joy in gardening and cooking, viewing these everyday practices as opportunities to cultivate mindfulness and live in harmony with nature.

Through her work and teaching, Tika shares Ayurveda as an accessible, holistic philosophy that encourages conscious living, inner harmony, and a deeper connection with oneself and the natural world.

Julia Saavedra, E-RYT 200 

Julia has 11 years of personal practice and 3 years of teaching experience in Raja Yoga, with a passion and speciality in Yin, Restorative, and Vinyasa classes/workshops.  Julia brings a grounded and compassionate approach to her teaching. Her personal connection to grounding practices like Yin and Restorative has shaped her philosophy, emphasizing the power of stillness, self-awareness, and finding peace within discomfort. She believes yoga extends beyond the physical practice, offering opportunities for personal growth, healing, and deeper connection with one’s own spirit. Julia is passionate about sharing these teachings and supporting others as they explore their own unique journeys through yoga.  Julia will be here for both the 200-hour and 500-hour teacher training.

Thomas M Sterner, CEO and Founder of The Practicing Mind Institute, and an international bestselling author, lecturer and mentor/coach. 

With over 50 years of research into Eastern Thought, Neuroscience, and Sports Psychology, he is

considered an expert in present moment function and mindset performance.

Learn to fall in love with the process of becoming more.