TEACHERS

All teachers in The elbowroom are fully qualified.

• Lisa Wilkinson teaches Hot Yoga on Tuesdays. She also practices Craniosacral therapy.
  
  Owner, director and teacher at The elbowroom, Lisa has been practicing yoga for over 18 years. Training initially in Sivinanda yoga in 98, and Ashtanga yoga in San Francisco, Lisa has been teaching for over 6 years. She is a fully qualified bodywork therapist, certified in Anatomy& physiology, massage therapy, craniosacral therapy and ancient thai massage.



• Brian Buckley teaches Pilates at The elbowroom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
  
  After completing his studies in Sports Science at UL in 1991, Brian began to work as a personal trainer. Eightteen years later, his career has evolved into him being a freelance trainer and Pilates teacher. Brian discovered Pilates as a youngster when he had a keen interest in gymnastics and dance and certified with the Pilates Institute in London as a matwork teacher eight years ago.  
  
  Since then his studies in Pilates have seen him further certify with Irelands Progressive Pilates School as a matwork teacher and a personal one to one teacher, focusing on the pilates needs for special populations.
  
  Today, Brian teaches classes at the elbowroom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and is available for one-to-one lessons.
  
  Brian has comprehensive pilates training so if you are suffering from back problems or recovering from injury, Brian can develop a personal Pilates plan for you.



• Melissa Curtis teaches Pre-natal Yoga
  
  Melissa was born in Dublin in 1974 and was encouraged to travel from a very early age. The year after leaving school, Melissa embarked on a 10year journey around the world. It was in San Francisco in 1997 that Melissa took her first yoga class at the Sivananda Yoga Center. A few months previous during a trip to India her curiosity grew after seeing men practicing yoga by The Ganges in Varanassi. In 2000 she was introduced to Bikram yoga and after taking classes for 2 years under some of Mr. Bikram Choudrey's most highly regarded teachers, Melissa went on to become a teacher of Bikram Yoga in September 2002 after which she began teaching in San Francisco.

  Melissa is also a trained Pre Natal Yoga Teacher. Taught and certified by Robin Sale in Santa Cruz, California. She has also taken workshops with Colette Johnson, one of West Coast America's most renowned Pre Natal Yoga Teachers. Melissa's Pre Natal Yoga classes combine a mixture of postures, breath work and relaxation in a positive, safe and comfortable environment. The class is also a wonderful opportunity for the Mother-To-Be and Baby within to connect. It also gives the mother time for herself on this very special journey.

  Having just returned to Ireland after 10years with her husband Jim, Melissa is delighted to be able to teach in the Elbowroom and to share her knowledge of yoga with others.

  
  
  
• Helen Byrne teaches Hatha at The elbowroom on Mondays and Wednesdays.
  
  Helen qualified as a teacher of English and History in 1981. She has worked in the area of education in Ireland, England and Australia since then. She was awarded a post-graduate diploma in psychology while living in London in 1993 and qualified as a Family & Systemic Therapist in 1996.
  
  Helen was a latecomer to any form of physical activity bar what was absolutely necessary until stress-related illness forced her hand in 1997. She was living and working in Wexford at the time and found a wonderful Iyengar yoga class. She was delighted to have found some form of physical movement she could actually enjoy. She was even happier to discover the beneficial psychological and emotional effects of developing a consistent Yoga practice.
  
  On her return to Dublin in 2002 Helen joined Susan Church's (of Centre Studios) Hatha Yoga class and, with Susan's support and encouragement, started training with YTTC as a Yoga teacher in October 2003. She graduated in January 2005.



• Linda McConn teaches Ashtanga at The elbowroom on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  
  

  Linda has been practicing yoga since 1999. Having been first drawn to yoga for its stress relieving benefits, her practice moved from Iyengar towards the more dynamic style of Ashtanga yoga. The benefits of regular practice, working with awareness, breath and core strength in each asana, has had a hugely positive effect on her life. Linda’s practice has taken her to India and Thailand where she has studied with respected teachers Emil Wendel, Danny Paradise, Matthew Sweeney, David Swenson, Donna Farhi and Nancy Gilgoff. Linda has recently achieved her PreNatal yoga teacher training certificate having participated in the Trust in Birth Antenatal teacher training course with the Elbowroom and now teaches pre natal pregnancy yoga.

  Linda is also a qualified Pilates Instructor and Massage Therapist and has studied Reiki to master level.

  
  
  
• Tanya Fitzpatrick teaches Hatha Yoga
  
  

  Tanya Fitzpatrick is a yoga teacher who specialise in adapting the practice of yoga to her clients needs. Her focus is leading the client to greater awareness within their body, building strength safely and to increase their range of flexibility. By combing her knowledge of anatomy, physiology, massage  and sports training, Tanya's style of yoga has helped many people to become pain free, strong and healthy. In 2002 Tanya earned her teaching diploma with Yoga Therapy Ireland. Her knowledge of the body and skill in adapting this to many clients made her a sought after teacher. She has her own private practice and taught many public class.

  In 2004 she travelled to Vancouver, Canada where she undertook an advanced teacher training with world renowned yoga teacher Donna Farhi. Tanya has continued to work with Donna, and is now assisting her in worldwide with teacher training and workshops.

  In 2006 , Tanya set up a holistic holiday company in Portugal, specialising in yoga and detox holidays. She worked with many clients from all over Europe and was featured in the Irish and English Times, Irish Independent, Sunday business post, Elle, Image and Prudence magazine.
  In May 2008 Tanya began to train with the school of Body Mind Centering in San Francisco, where she is currently completing an in-depth course in embodied anatomy and yoga. Tanya is also training to become a somatics educator with the International Institute for Somatic Movement Education.

   Tanya Fitzpatrick is a yoga teacher and Somatic movement Educator with over ten years experience in the field of mind-body training. Her focus is leading her clients to move with awareness and to regain enjoyable, natural ease of movement no matter what age or fitness level they may be. Tanya's approach is based on viewing the mind and body as one and working with the principals of developmental movement.  Her knowledge of the body and skill in adapting this to many clients made her a sought after teacher. Tanya leads workshop's nationally and internationally.
  Tanya first earned her teaching diploma with Yoga Therapy Ireland. She then travelled to Vancouver, Canada where she undertook an advanced teacher training with world renowned yoga teacher Donna Farhi. Tanya has continued to work with Donna, and is now assisting her in worldwide with teacher training and workshops. Tanya then qualified as a Somatic movement Educator and is currently training with the school of Body Mind Centering in San Francisco, where she is currently completing an in-depth course in embodied anatomy and yoga.