Mark Nelson
Mark was first drawn to yoga as a way of bringing balance to a busy career as a creative director. He quickly fell in love with the openness and clarity that come from a regular practice, and he soon discovered that it was transforming his mind as well as his body.
That combination of mindfulness and movement drew Mark deeper into the practice, studying Ashtanga Yoga with David Swenson and Annie Pace; Yin Yoga with Paulie Zink and Sally Miller; and Vinyasa Yoga with Corina Benner and Jill Manning. Mark completed his 200-hr. Teacher Training at Wake Up Yoga and his 500-hr. training through the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA. Today he continues his studies under the guidance of Greg Walsh, Luke Ketterhagen, Leslie Kaminoff and Nikki Robinson.
As a life-long artist, Mark hopes to spark the creative process within his students. His classes unite breath with movement in a dynamic blend of physical challenge, inner focus and real-life philosophy. Mark has directed the Yoga Garden since 2010 and has shared the direction of the studio with Nikki Robinson since 2016. Mark enjoys spending time with his family who continue to be his most inspiring and loving yoga teachers.
Nikki Robinson
Nikki began her love affair with yoga as a respite from a high intensity job on a trading floor in New York City. She was immediately attracted to the combination of restoration that yoga provides the heart and mind and the invigorating and empowering effect on the body the physical practice provides.
Nikki completed her 200-hr. Anusara Teacher Training with Sue Elkind and Naime Jezzeny. She has also completed her Pre- and Post Natal training with Sue Elkind and Levels 1 & 2 Restorative Yoga Teacher Training with Jillian Pransky. She has supplemented her teacher training with extensive philosophy training with Susanna Harwood-Rubin. Nikki is currently pursuing studies in Anatomy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and at Rowan University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine, where she serves as Instructor and Lecturer of Gross Anatomy.
Nikki uses precise alignment in every class she teaches to empower and encourage students of all levels in the most supportive, safe and loving environment. While she seeks to physically challenge her students during class, her classes are designed to be playful, bright and light-hearted so as to foster the very best in each student. Nikki serves as Program Director at the Yoga Garden, and has shared the direction of the studio with Mark Nelson since 2016. Nikki enjoys spending time with her family who continue to be her most inspiring and loving yoga teachers.
