Our Teachers

Renata Maria Cardinal

Most Yoga classes at the Watchung Arts Center are taught by me, Program Director Renata Cardinal. I originally got “hooked” to Yoga about 30 years ago when I found myself starting to heal from a chronic ailment after taking just a few Yoga classes.

Iyengar Yoga Certification Mark

“The Iyengar Certification process is very rigorous assuring you of a teacher well trained in the art of teaching Yoga. After years as a student of Yoga and after significant teaching experience, candidates for assessment apply to take the exam, which is given over the course of a weekend. Candidates must show proficiency in performance of the asanas (postures) at that level and take a written exam on philosophy, anatomy and practical knowledge of teaching. In the third and most important part of the test, the candidate is observed and assessed while teaching a sample class.

“The process is repeated in a year or two with a different set of poses and only then is the full certification granted at the Introductory level with approval to use the official Iyengar Yoga Certification Mark.” (from official Iyengar Yoga National Association brochure)

In the mid-nineties I became serious about my involvement with Yoga. I decided to become a Yoga teacher, abandoning a career in (German) language teaching. After taking 2 years of classes at Studio Yoga of Madison, NJ, I started my training with Certified Iyengar Teacher Theresa Rowland and I became a certified Studio Yoga Teacher in 1998.

While teaching in the Watchung area, I studied for the rigorous Iyengar Yoga assessment and was certified as an Iyengar Yoga Instructor in 2004 (see www.IYNAUS.org). I am also registered at the 500 Level with Yoga Alliance, (see www.yogaalliance.com).

I am continuing my education by taking three weekly classes with Ms Rowland. I also take many workshops and classes with renowned Yoga Teachers such as Joan White, Patricia Walden, Gabriella Giubilaro, Lois Steinberg, Mary Dunn, Roger Cole and others. I have been to conventions with both Mr. Iyengar and his daughter Geeta Iyengar.

I love teaching and I’m deeply committed to Yoga. I strive to share the true Yoga experience with my students.

Susan Ahlstrom

Susan Ahlstrom MA has been teaching yoga since 1996. She is Studio Yoga certified and a Certified Teacher of Embodied Anatomy and Yoga, a NYC program taught by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, the founder of the School of Body-Mind Centering®. Susan is registered with Yoga Alliance.

Ongoing studies include Developmental Patterns & Yoga and Infant Developmental Movement Education. She took also advanced studies in Yoga with BKS and Geeta Iyengar, Rodney Yee, Kofi Busia, Gabriella Giubilaro & Patricia Walden, Lois Steinberg, Mira Mehta, Aadil Palkhivala and other dedicated teachers who have shared their wisdom and loving kindness.