Dr. Mei Chou, L.Ac. obtained her masters degree from the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine and holds a Doctorial Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. As a New Jersey licensed acupuncturist, a New York State licensed massage therapist, and a Chinese herbologist, Mei Chou is able to integrate all of these healing methods to help her patients regain their balance and self-sufficiency. She understands that each patient’s health condition is unique; thus, she tailors each treatment to fit an individual’s health issue. Moreover, Mei has had remarkable success in the treatment of repetitive range of motion injuries such as: carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, TMJ, as well as injuries in other joints.  Furthermore, her treatments have enabled her patients to avoid surgery or to recover more quickly from surgical procedures. Mei also specializes in pain management such as: headaches, migraines, back/sciatic pains, and hand/foot pains. Along with continually attending workshops and seminars to keep up with the latest information and research in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mei continues an on-going apprenticeship with her mentor, Dr. Wang.  In addition, she often participates in charities and community service. Mei also offers self-care and partner massage workshops. She believes that patient involvement in the healing process is the key to achieving lasting benefits. 

Alison Bernasco, our yoga instructor, is certified at the 200-hour level, as recognized by the Yoga Alliance, having received her certification through the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Kripalu Yoga, a unique style of Hatha yoga, encourages self-discovery and self-inquiry. Alison strongly advocates the benefits of following the breath, sustaining the postures and surrendering to sensation, as a means of attuning to one’s own body. Though trained in the Kripalu style of Yoga, she incorporates many different elements and styles of yoga into both her instruction and her own personal practice. She regularly attends and teaches classes at studios which cater to Iyengar, Vinyasa and power flow, Anusara, Bikram, and may other prevalent traditions and forms of hatha yoga. Her strong background in meditation, which she has obtained through annual weeklong Vipassana meditation retreats at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, adds an extra element of internalization and an introspective approach to her practice and teaching.

In addition, Alison holds degrees from Ithaca College in both Art History and the Fine Arts, allowing her to bring elements of creativity and room for individual expression to the practice.

Selectively composing her posture sequences to fit the individuals in attendance, she is able to create a form of yoga all her own, one which is accessible to individuals at any level of experience.

Nanci Cruz, a lifetime professional dancer & certified teacher, Nanci was trained in NYC. She has performed at Lincoln Center in NY, The Metropolitan Opera House, The State Theater, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theater. She studied with the American Ballet Theatre School, dancing the ballets of Petrouchka, La Slyphides, and Etudes to name a few. Some of Nanci's teachers were Leon Danieleon, Michael Fokine, Hortense Kooluris, Lynn Simonson, and Denise Jefferson at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Nanci's personal experience with serious injury led her through Dance Therapy and rehabilitation that started a journey of self-improvement, nutrition total body awareness. Wellness and passion for life is what she offers to each and every student & brings to the dance center each day!