Instructors
Abbie Silvers, RYT
Abbie Silvers has been practicing yoga since 1994. With a background in modern dance, body-mind psychology, and physical therapy, she has always appreciated the many healing benefits of yoga. In 2010, Abbie actualized a long time goal of becoming a yoga teacher, completing her Alignment-based yoga teacher training in Seattle, WA with Aadil Palkivala. She has been teaching yoga ever since then. In November 2012, Abbie completed a 100-hour Anusara yoga training, adding to her yoga studies. In her teaching, Abbie emphasizes alignment in the postures and an awareness of the body-mind connection. Abbie’s greatest inspiration for teaching yoga is being able to share with others the ways in which yoga opens us up to our deepest joy and vitality. In addition to public yoga classes, Abbie also offers individual, personalized yoga sessions at NTouch and at her home studio www.thejoyfulbodyyoga.com
Alexander Wolski RYT
Alex has had a relationship with Yoga since a very early age. In his earliest years he was an observer of his mother’s yoga classes. Alex would watch and learn, quietly absorbing all of the information. Once he discovered sports ,mainly tennis, in his early teens, Alex approached a more active lifestyle. Workouts and healthier eating were naturally supplemented with regular yoga classes and eventually yoga studies. Immediately, he could feel the change that yoga was bringing about in his life. When he was eighteen, Alex attained a certification in personal training. Currently, the young 20 year old has 3 years teaching experience. After completing his 200 hour Certification, Alex has decided that yoga would be a wonderful environment to stay in for the rest of his life and hopes to make a career in the fitness industry.
Amy Arreygue, L.Ac., RYT, CMT
My name is Amy Arreygue. I grew up in the central valley and have always found ways to bring fun and excitement into my life. Singing in Modesto Performing Arts Girls’ choir, piano lessons, soft ball, basketball, volley ball, and dance are just some of my many interests that carry on even today. In high school I was in a competitive girls’ choir called “The Knightngales”, I played saxophone in the jazz band, twirled flags and rifles in color guard, and was my school mascot the “Downey Duck”.
Then I graduated and switched gears from performing arts to healing arts. I started my journey in 1992 when I was 19 years old. I attended Body Tune Up School of Massage in Stockton, California. From that moment forward I knew my place in this life was to help people find their way to a happier healthier life. I love learning new techniques and ways to continue to assist my clientele. I also became certified as a personal trainer, aerobics instructor. In 1995, I became an emergency medical technician and worked in Urgent care while doing massage on the side for close family and friends.
In 1999 my whole life changed. I became a wife and a mother, and I realized that massage as a profession could provide me with the flexibility, earnings potential and balance of family and play. After the birth of my second child I became a Registered Yoga Teacher, and learned that yoga was self-massage. I quickly began to incorporate yoga into my body work giving clients stretches and breathing techniques that could help them reach their personal goals to feel better. Since 2007, I have taught a restorative yoga class for survivors through Memorial Medical cancer Survivor Program. We focus on opening up all the joints and keeping the spine flexible by promoting circulation throughout the body, I have witnessed many miracles.
For the musician in me, I still love to sing, dance and perform, and in 2007 I was asked to help sing back-up in a Steely Dan Tribute band. This opportunity really feeds the musical part of my soul. Our 12 person band plays at local events and social gatherings around Stanislaus County.
2007 was also the year I decided to pursue my goal to be a traditional Chinese Medicine doctor. I looked forward to practicing acupuncture and prescribing herbal formulas for my clients. In September 2009, I started studying at the American Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences where I am currently in my final stage of completing my master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I will become a California licensed acupuncturist and primary care provider in August 2013.
Over the years my varied talents have allowed me to incorporate my skills into a profession I absolutely love. My many tools allow me to achieve and maintain my goal of helping communities excel and have healthy pain free lifestyles in simple, effective, holistic ways at home, work and play.
Marie Sardalla-Davis RYT
Healing and creative self-expression through mindful movement have been my passion since 2006. After eight years of teaching ballroom and Latin dance in the Modesto area, I felt the need to grow and go deeper. I took my first yoga class the day after I turned 49, and immediately knew this was the answer. The compassion and self-acceptance that yoga espouses gel so much better with my outlook on life. I completed 200 hours of teacher training at Village Yoga in Modesto in March 2014, and expect to finish their 500-hour program in March 2015. I subbed for Alex Wolski here at NTouch through the summer of 2014, and was thrilled to become a regular instructor in August. It is amazing to receive and savor at the end of each class the sweet tranquility that I intend for each of you.
Much of the last 20 years of my corporate life were devoted to writing—for newspapers, magazines, campus presidents, and marketing departments. This midlife reinvention has enriched my life beyond my imagination. In October 2014 I took out a business license under the name MindersMovers with Marie. My calling at this stage in life is to bring out the joy that comes from realizing our true, higher Self. Yoga, dance, and a fusion of yoga dance are the tools I use for that sacred purpose.
Edie Nehls RYT, White Belt Nia Instructor, Ordained Interfaith Minister
Edie became interested in alternate healing modalities in 1998 after being diagnosed with congenital hip dysplasia at the age of 27. Hip dysplasia causes the joint to deteriorate resulting in pain and limited range of motion. In order to manage the symptoms Edie sought out alternative healing modalities rather than resorting to pain medication. This led her to Pilates, Yoga, physical therapy, and ultimately a change in location which meant moving from New York City, to a gentler life style and climate in San Diego, CA.
In the summer of 2003 she began practicing The Nia Technique. A mind body spirit movement practice that taught Edie how to move fluidly through life, truly focusing on the joy of movement, training her mind and body to move with dynamic ease rather than pain. At the age of 34 she made the decision to have two total hip replacements. Nia helped Edie fully integrate her new hips into her body, teaching herself to move with grace and ease. Nerve damage to her deep peroneal nerve during her first hip replacement gave Edie the time and space to begin to investigate energy healing and opened a new path of discovery about the body’s way. She deepened her investigation of alternate healing modalities by working with a Chinese Herbalist to manage the neuropathy in her leg and began working with Energy Medicine to help to heal the nerve. In December 2007, Edie completed her White Belt Nia Teacher Training program with Debbie and Carlos Rosas at Nia Headquarters in Portland, OR. She has been sharing Nia with students in San Diego, New York, Costa Rica and now Modesto, CA, since her certification.
In 2006 Edie began a two year training program with Kathleen and James Woeber of The Matrix Light Institute in San Diego, CA. The Art of Heartful Living Energy Healing Training program provided an intensive, in-depth exploration of how energy therapy can be harnessed to create profound healing, deep joy, and greater attunement with that which truly serves you and the greater good. She completed the Art of Heartful Living program in 2008 and has been honored to work with clients to bring greater understanding to their own energetic systems, increasing their knowledge of self. In the summer of 2009, to continue to advance her knowledge, she completed Reiki Level I training. Edie has also participated in meditation workshops led by Sherry Hopson and Barbara Pieper, each teacher focusing on working with Divine Energy to bring healing, deeper understanding of All That Is, and how to work with Guides and Angels.
As a youth, Edie often considered being a Minister. Raised in a UCC Congregational Church, Edie deeply believes in God’s love for all beings. Believing in unity and Oneness, Edie decided to attend The New Seminary for Interfaith Studies in New York City. This course of study deepened her understanding of the connection between the world’s religions and spiritual practices. She was Ordained as an Interfaith Minister in June 2010 at the Riverside Cathedral in NYC. Edie has been blessed to Officiate Baby Blessings, Memorial Services, and Weddings for individuals and couples of all religious/spiritual and sexual orientations.
Edie completed these training programs while working full time in the non-profit arts sector. In the summer of 2015, her desire to be a Minister, Yoga and Nia Instructor and Spiritual Counselor full time finally came to fruition. Edie left her long-time career as an arts administrator and in August 2015 completed a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training program at the Divine Wisdom Yoga Teacher Training at The Sanctuary at Two Rivers Costa Rica. This intensive residency included learning over 108 asanas with proper alignment, adjustments & variations, class sequencing incorporating pranayama, mantra & meditation. The teacher training also included studying the Classic Yogic Sciences of Ayurveda (Indian Medicine), Jyotisha (astrology), Vaastu (spatial alignment) & Hasta Samudra (palmistry); all of which greatly assist the expansion of consciousness and provide a new level of spiritual awareness and growth.
Always a seeker, and always of the student mind, Edie continues to study and grow as she practices Nia, Yoga, Energy Medicine and Ministry. She looks forward to sharing these practices with you.
Andy Angel, CYT
Yoga found Andy when she was 18 at a time when she needed to find balance and peace within herself. This helped her let go and not only find peace but to show peace and love to others. She gained confidence and positivity for herself and loves to teach others yoga, showing them how to be healthy and to move through each day with calmness, peacefulness and gentleness. Everything she has gained from yoga she wants to take and give to others every day.
Melissa Dutter, CYT
Melissa took her first yoga class in 2007 and was instantly hooked. Because of an old injury that still plagued her with debilitating pain, and severely limited her mobility, she was excited to find physical activity that she could not only fully participate in, but that actually felt good for her body! Due to the limitations of her old injury, she was immediately drawn to Therapeutic Yoga. By practicing Therapeutic Yoga, she was able to decrease her daily pain to almost nothing, and to increase her mobility, strength and stamina by an unbelievable amount.
When Melissa was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 2010, she quickly discovered that stress severely increased the symptoms of her disease, and again, she turned to Therapeutic Yoga for healing. She found that the required mindfulness and presence in the moment that was needed to truly practice yoga was the perfect prescription to properly manage the stresses of life, and keep her autoimmune disease under control.
It was at this point that Melissa decided she wanted her life’s work to be sharing the restoration of health that can be experienced through practicing yoga. She currently holds a certificate as a RYT 200, and is in the process of gaining her certificate as an ERYT 500 in Therapeutic Yoga. She looks forward to partnering with all who would join her in class, and helping her students to find health, balance and wellness for their body, mind and soul.
Michelle Patino, RYT, A.S. Athletic Training/ Sports Medicine
Michelle first realized her passion for yoga when she began taking classes at a local gym in 2008. She greatly appreciated the strengthening yet calming results of the practice and desired to learn more. She enrolled at Modesto Junior College in 2008 and graduated with honors, earning an Associate of Science Degree in Athletic Training / Sports Medicine. An opportunity arose for her to enroll in a teacher training program at Village Yoga Center in Modesto, CA, in which she gleefully partook.
During her studies, she became particularly interested in restorative-style yoga and has made this her primary focus. Her techniques are highly therapeutic with an emphasis on safety. Clients with previous injuries are in exceptionally good hands when it comes to regaining range of motion and decreasing pain of the affected area. She incorporates several styles and methods of yoga in her teachings as well as mindful breathing and concentration.
In addition to public yoga classes at NTouch and Brenda Athletic Club, Michelle also offers custom-tailored yoga sessions at her home studio, as well as at NTouch