Nicole experienced her first taste of Yoga and Meditation through a Stress Management course she took at her college, The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. As an aspiring Artist, she immediately noticed how the practice calmed her despite her heavy work load and helped her to find her creative flow. Yoga, however did not become part of Nicole’s daily routine until after she received her BFA and entered the high-pressured field of Graphic Design. The more demanding the job became, the more Yoga became her solace. In 2008, Nicole’s father died of a heart attack at the young age of 50. Reflecting upon the 25 years of her own life, she asked herself the question, “If I only get to live for another 25 years as my father had, would I feel fulfilled with the path that I am on?” When she realized her answer was “no,” she changed course.
In 2009, Nicole took a 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training at YogaFit and was certified through the National Yoga Alliance. She is now an E-RYT (To be qualified as an “E-RYT,” one must have at least 1,000 hours experience teaching) and has since taught well over 10,000 hours worth of classes. She has continued her education taking courses at Integral Yoga Institute, Jivamukti Yoga, Pure Yoga and Yoga Works in NYC, including several intensive courses under the instruction of world-renowned Yoga teacher, Seane Corn. Nicole has a passion for bringing the Yoga practice to the growing families in Staten Island. She has taken over 120 hours worth of Prenatal Yoga training and is qualified as a RPYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher) as well as being certified through several Children’s Yoga programs. She has also furthered her training by receiving her certification in Thai Yoga Massage through Lotus Palm in Montreal where she can bring Yoga to clients on a much more therapeutic level. She currently is working towards becoming a 500RYT, getting her certification at Laughing Lotus in NYC, taking her studies deeper and learning different styles of practice including Yin and Restorative Yoga.
Nicole founded her own Yoga practice in 2011, renting space from other businesses during their off hours. The business has since established its catchy name “The Yoga Nook” and the community has snowballed into what it is today. Now, The Yoga Nook has its own studio space to call “home” in Great Kills, Staten Island. Nicole makes a living doing what she loves: sharing the joys of Yoga and Art. She splits her time by leading the community at The Yoga Nook and creates her Art by freelancing with her painting, drawing, and graphic design skills. Now when Nicole asks herself the question, “Do I feel fulfilled with the path that I am on?” her answer is, “Absolutely.”
• Favorite Yoga Pose:
Pigeon – Sciatica, lower back pain and numbness down the legs and feet are common ailments Nicole deals with due to a back injury she had as a teenager. Pigeon pose helps to open the hips and pelvis, reducing the tightness and pressure she sometimes feels. This pose is also a great tension releaser, soothing away physical and mental stress to help her stay more relaxed and grounded.
