Meet The Nirvana Yoga & Fitness Staff
Elissa Lappostato-CUELLAR
founder, teacher & WEllness CounseloR
Elissa Cuellar began her wellness journey in 2002 after a traumatic accident drastically changed her life. Elissa was a collegiate soccer player and graduated with a BS in Biology & Neuroscience from Rutgers University. She found yoga and nutrition at 18 in order to deal with her crippling anxiety from recurring head trauma and food allergies. She became 200 hour certified in yoga at the age of 20 through Yogafit and started teaching for Rutgers. She was planning on attending medical school but she decided to instead study Ayurveda, Thai bodywork, nutrition, and energy healing. She believes that the best teachers are students, so she is constantly taking classes and trainings. She is not only trained in ayurveda, thai bodywork, and energy healing but she is also certified in yoga for addiction through Y12SR. In 2012 she left her corporate job managing a restaurant and opened Nirvana Wellness Center. She truly believes if one aligns the body and gives it what it needs, it will heal itself. If we train not only our bodies but also our minds, we think clearer and react more mindfully. In 2019, Elissa partnered with two like-minded friends and launched Planted Eats, a sustainable health cafe and wholesale company that produces vegan, grain free, & sustainable products. In 2020 completed a counseling and plant based nutrition program at Cornell University. She offers plant based lifestyle counseling with a focus on Ayurveda through the cafe and Nirvana Wellness Center. Elissa also founded the warrior108 sequence in 2020 to help people strengthen their bodies and minds during the pandemic.
"By training the breath and disciplining the mind, we get stronger, calmer, and can overcome anything." -Elissa
Sheryl Heller
Co-Owner, Teacher
Sheryl, E-RYT 200, has been practicing yoga since 2006. She feels yoga has transformed her life. Previously a gym rat, she feels yoga offers the same benefits of a gym, but also provides the benefits of the yogic breath. Through the breath she has discovered the mind body connection and what that truly means. This has allowed her to take yoga off the mat and into her everyday life. Her dream as a yoga teacher is to help people understand the amazing benefits which yoga provides. “When the mind connects to the breath the body has unlimited capabilities.”
Danielle Spinelli
Teacher
Danielle, E-RYT 200, had heard for many years that “she would really enjoy practicing yoga.” After many empty promises to try it, she finally gave in. With a little push from dear friend (and owner of Nirvana) Elissa had given her a yoga pass for her birthday, the two set off to a local hot yoga studio at 5:45 the next morning. Seventy-five minutes later, dripping with sweat, nearly forgetting to breathe, and face-planting out of bakasana (crow pose), Danielle’s addiction began. Using yoga as her safe haven from school and a stressful career in law enforcement. Danielle has learned to take lessons learned on the mat and live them in every aspect of her life. Her favorite mantra is “Inhale let, exhale go.”
Arnaldo Ortiz
Teacher
Arnaldo, E-RYT 200, is one of Nirvana's very own Yoga Alliance 200 RYT teacher training graduates. Arnaldo began his journey to yoga through a love of physical fitness. He’s spent the last 5 years exploring and developing his practice both on his mat and in his life, and continues to do so in hopes of sharing that practice with others. Arnaldo teaches an open-level, challenging, powerful practice with dynamic vinyasa flows, drawing awareness to the breath and focus to the mind. Arnaldo is certified in Vedic Thai bodywork.
CARRIE KILMER
teacher
Carrie, RYT 200, began her yoga journey in 2009; in 2017 she completed her 200-hour teacher training with Raji Thron at Yoga Synthesis in Ramsey, New Jersey. Carrie, is a mother of 3, and leads a busy life as a full-time corporate executive in Manhattan. She is a dedicated yoga practitioner and personally commits to practicing 6-7 days a week. She continues to attend workshops, and regularly studies with various teachers. Carrie’s dynamic teaching style incorporates different teaching methodologies from various yoga lineages. Her breath–focused, Vinyasa classes are thoughtfully prepared, using intelligent sequencing, and creative transitions. She places a strong emphasis on tuning into the healing and inspiring nature of practicing within a community setting. Carrie brings an authentic and passionate voice to each class as she guides her students through a journey of inward reflection & self-discovery.
Jeanine StacharczyK
teacher
Jeanine, RTY 200, has been practicing yoga for over 15 years. She first tried yoga as a way to get moving, shed some weight, and make her doctor happy. What she found was that it made her happy and that is what she truly needed. Yoga has helped her to be more mindful, grow stronger, more flexible, confident and peaceful. She completed her RYT 200 teacher training at The American Yoga Academy. She continues to pursue education and certifications in yoga, health, wellness and the healing arts. This provides her with fresh knowledge that inspires her teaching. Jeanine is a Ayruveda Specialist and does Vedic Thia Bodywork. She is forever grateful for the wisdom all of her teachers have shared with her. Her love of anatomy and physiology with breathing techniques, alignment, balanced energy and relaxation are what make up her classes. Jeanine wants everyone to know that yoga is for every body.
"I teach because it makes me a better student, I study because it makes me a better teacher. I hope to see you on the mat."
"I teach because it makes me a better student, I study because it makes me a better teacher. I hope to see you on the mat."
Courtney Kruse
teacher
Courtney, E-RYT 200, has always lead a very active lifestyle and is always on the go and being pulled in many directions. After practicing yoga for 5+ years as way to calm her mind and body, she decided to become a yoga instructor herself. Courtney teaches creative, strengthening, yet calming Vinyasa style. When not in the studio, you can find Courtney outside running, biking, swimming, kayaking, anything to enjoy the outdoors. She also participated in her first triathlon last year and will be adding to her list of accomplishments this year with half marathons and more triathlons.
Nicole lupo
teacher
Nicole E-RYT200, is one of Nirvana's very own teacher training graduates from 2015. She studied communication disorders at Stockton University. She teaches a powerful vinyasa flow that focuses on breath and alignment.