Meet the Pink Lotus Yoga Team

Colleen M. Verton, E-RYT
Colleen is the founder and co-owner of Pink Lotus Yoga. She has been studying Yoga for over eight years and teaching since 2008. Colleen received her 200 hours through Marianne Wells Yoga School and is registered with Yoga Alliance. She combines a variety of styles to make each class a unique experience for her clients. Colleen has also worked with Marianne as an assistant at the Marianne Wells Yoga School and has done teaching for The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Colleen has over 1,000 hours of teaching experience. In addition to teaching and practicing Yoga, Colleen enjoys spending time with her family, reading, writing and walking. Colleen will begin a Marianne Wells Yoga School teacher training at the Swedesboro studio in January of 2012.

Lisa Caunitis, RYT, IAYT
Lisa is co-owner of Pink Lotus Yoga. Practicing Yoga in the last 4 years has taught Lisa a great deal about herself. She decided to attend the Marianne Wells Yoga School in April 2010 to deepen her personal understanding of Yoga, never did she imagine herself teaching. The thought of teaching was very frightening to her but by the end of her Yoga teacher training she knew she wanted to teach. Lisa believes that Yoga can teach you so much on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. She is also passionate about Yoga therapy and helping people on an individual level. She is happy to be able to share and help others on their path. Lisa is a 200 hour RYT, registered with Yoga Alliance and registered with IAYT, International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Rebekah Johnson, RYT - Rebekah has been practicing Yoga for ten years and teaching at Pink Lotus since October of 2009. She completed her 200 hours through Marianne Wells Yoga School  and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. For Rebekah, the best thing about being part of team Pink Lotus is getting to be there as clients move along their Yoga journey: witnessing the learning of a new pose, overcoming a mental road block or experiencing Yoga on an emotional level. Her only requirements for class are that you come with an open mind, have fun and always smile. You can find her at both Woodstown and Swedesboro Studios, teaching Vinyasa, Fusion and Hot Yoga.  Rebekah is a member of the Mullica Hill Women's Triathlon Club and enjoys open water swimming, reading and spending time with family and friends. In addition to Yoga, Rebekah sews beautiful, unique Yoga mat bags. They can be purchased at either studio.

Kim Militti, RYT - Kim has been practicing Yoga for the past four years and teaching at Pink Lotus since April of 2010. She received her 200 hour RYT training through Marianne Wells Yoga School and is registered with Yoga Alliance. Kim is passionate about the healing aspects Yoga has to offer and helping as many people as she can through Yoga -physically, mentally and energtically.  Kim can be found in the Woodstown studio teaching Gentle Yoga in the morning, Multi-level Yoga and Hot Yoga. Kim is married and a mother of four boys. When not busy volunteering at her younger sons' school and running them to and from activities, she enjoys cooking, reading and relaxing with her family.

Marilyn Eller, RYT - Marilyn started teaching in the fitness industry in 1998 teaching a variety of fitness classes.  In 2000, Marilyn began studying Yoga at home and eventually began teaching Hatha Yoga.  In 2005, she completed her Yoga teacher training with The Spirit of Yoga Studio in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and is a 200 hour RYT registered with Yoga Alliance.  In 2010, she completed additional training at Empowered Yoga focusing on heated classes, both Vinyasa and Stationery Sequence.  Marilyn has attended workshops with Baron Baptiste and Beryl Bender Birch.  She has also studied and attended workshops with Johnny Gillespie, founder of Empowered Yoga.  Marilyn enjoys time with her family, studying Yoga, going to the gym and jogging.

Christie Birnbrauer - Christie began her journey with Yoga in the summer of 2001.  During her first Yoga class she was instantly captivated by the relationship of physical exercises and spirituality. The core values and physical benefits of Yoga seemed a natural fit with her ever growing interest in health and wellness. Christie closely values the eight limbs of Yoga on and off the mat and hopes to inspire her students to do the same in order to develop a deeper understanding of their own practice.  She completed her 200 hour Vinyasa Training at Yogawood with Beth Filla and Lisa Korchma in May of 2011. Christie enjoys experimenting with new Vegan recipes as well as brewing Kombucha Tea.

Patti Lindstrom (Barre Sculpt/Pilates) - Patti has been a registered dietitian for over 17 years and a certified personal trainer for seven. She has always been passionate about fitness and exercise. She is the owner of Patti Lindstrom, LLC providing personal training and nutrition counseling.  Patti has been running since high school and has completed numerous marathons including a three time finisher of the Boston Marathon.  In addition to running, Patti finds time for her Yoga practice, pilates, strength training and biking. She is excited to bring Barre Sculpt classes to Pink Lotus in Woodstown and Swedesboro.  Patti is also available for nutrition counseling and personal training by appointment.

Emily Turin (Zumba) - Emily was introduced to Zumba through a friend 5 years ago. Curious to see what the excitement was about, she tried it out and instantly became hooked. Warning, it is addictive! After going to three classes a week for a couple of years, she decided to become certified in May, 2009 allowing her to introduce Zumba to others and share the joy that it has brought her. Zumba classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and other international beats. Emily also likes to incorporate some of the latest radio hits and fun dance beats to keep the class energized and fun. She feels that the ability to let loose and feel the music, rather than focusing on the exercise aspect of the moves, is why people really enjoy Zumba. Dancing is a form of release and self expression, being able to incorporate that into an intense cardio workout is the key. It creates continual motivated weight loss, toning and overall body and mind wellness. The body changing benefits are proven. Emily has discovered that, for her, the body awareness and confidence gained from Zumba is the hidden bonus.

Dr. John Castiglioni, Cranial Sacral Therapy and Reiki - Pink Lotus is so excited to introduce Dr. John Castiglioni to our team!!!  Dr. Castiglioni began his medical career over 40 years ago. His specialty was Emergency Medicine, yet he also devoted 6 years to Occupational Medicine with the EI DuPont Company, after which he dedicated 3 years to Family Medicine. He ended his tenure in Emergency Medicine as the director of Emergency Services at the Memorial Hospital of Salem County after 18.5 years.  Additionally he continues to offer his services to the community as the Medical Director of the Salem County EMS. In 2003, Dr Castiglioni became interested in Complementary Medicine, specifically the integration of both the sciences of his background and the methods involved in CranioSacral Therapy. This led him to study with Dr. John Upledger, founder of CST in his West Palm Beach clinic. In 2005, he became a Reiki Master, which he believes further integrates the Energy Therapy of Reiki with the structural realignment of CranioSacral Therapy. He often uses both modalities to synergistically help clients in a more effective manner than either treatment offers alone. 

You do not need to be a client to make an appointment with Dr. John. All are welcome!

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