From Lead Teacher & Founder,
Gabrielle de Burke

"I believe Yogic, Taoist and Moving Arts should be accessible to all people. I seek to empower people of all ages and backgrounds with my life experiences and work as an instructor. I believe that my teaching is versatile, as I apply my background to this work -not only as an instructor but also as an arts educator and performance artist. My experiences as an instructor have ranged from working in Yoga and Martial Arts Studios, Health and Community Centers, Women’s Shelters, the Philadelphia Schools and Anti-Violence and Empowerment programs for at-risk youth. I have also toured as a performance artist - individually, as well as with troupes.

I work to inspire all my students to honor their limitations, while also challenging them at the appropriate level to be in the present moments of their practice. When appropriate, I apply a hands-on approach, offering soothing adjustments for alignment. While I am teaching, I carry the belief that I will continually be learning from my students, and from life, as it unfolds. I do not believe that because I have teaching certifications or the ability to facilitate teacher training certification programs, that my learning is over; therefore, I continuing training with insightful teachers. I do this so that I may continue to develop the ability to inspire students.

I draw on my training in the Taoist Arts of Qi-gong, T’ai Chi Chuan, Kung-fu, Pa-kua Chang  and Vinyasa Power Yoga - in combination with my studies in theater arts, spoken word, lyrical poetry, and dance - to inform my work as a practitioner and instructor.

I have no desire to be anyone’s 'guru' but rather to act as a guide on the way to the 'guru' that already exists within each and everyone of you.

I feel deeply connected to nature. Part of my personal practice is to protect nature whenever possible, with whatever tools I have. Something that’s important to me within my yoga practice is that I buy and use products that are friendly to the preciousness of the environment (for example: my last three yoga mats have been eco-friendly). In the larger scope of the big business that yoga has become, there are many companies trying to “green wash” and “cash in” on the “yoga” practice; unfortunately, many are not adhering to ethical factory standards or sustainable resources. If asked about the products I use, I try to let my students know (in the least preachy way possible) about the companies I trust, so that, if they choose to, they may make more informed decisions about items they might purchase for use in the practice."