JOSEPH ENCINIA has studied Yoga philosophy for 15 years and taught Hatha and Raja Yoga for 13 years. Joseph found Yoga after experiencing a heart attack, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, tumors, and struggling with weight. The practice of Yoga has been his medicine, directly influencing his teaching approach to Yoga as a healing method. Certified by Yoga College of India Teacher Training in 2007, he’s a 3-time National Champion, 2011 Male International Asana Champion, and served as the Board President of the USA Yoga Federation from 2013 - 2017. He’s also the founder of the Yoga Youth Movement, a 501 C3 Non-profit dedicated to inspiring the youth to be influential future leaders through the practice of Yoga and Meditation. His path had led him to teach in over 20 countries worldwide, offering yoga seminars, master classes, workshops, and retreats.
CAROLINA RIVERA was born in Santiago (Chile). She began her dance training at the School of Ballet of Teatro Municipal de Santiago. She majored in Dance at the University of Chile with High Honors and the Excellence Award. After graduating, she moved to New York as a scholarship recipient at the Martha Graham School, joined Graham II, and currently performing with Alison Cook Beatty Dance. Her experience as a Dance teacher includes Summer Programs for Ballet Clasico School of Santiago Dominican Republic and Joffrey Ballet School (New York); Master Classes for Syracuse University, Milford Art Center (CT), Putney School (VT), Escuela Moderna (Chile) and Espacio Arte Nimiku (Chile); and a teaching residency at GAM (Chile). Carolina is the creator of LOTUS SCULPT, a High Intensity-Low Impact full-body conditioning class and, a Fitness Barre teacher at Pure Yoga NYC (including the specialty classes: Baby Wearing, Pre/Post-Natal, Advanced Fit).
HEATHER MACDONALD has been practicing yoga regularly since 2011. She credits yoga for giving her access
to the best part of her life, the present moment. She completed over 550 hours of yoga teacher
trainings. She is certified in Hatha and Yin with PranaShanti Yoga Centre under the direction of
Devinder Kaur in Ontario. She completed her Original Hot Yoga training led by Joseph Encinia
in California. She trained in Trauma Sensitive Yoga with the Justice Resource Institute in
Massachusetts, and with Parahamansa Yogananda’s Self-Realization Fellowship in California.
She is a student of Eckhart Tolle, Jack Kornfield and Pema Chodron. She is indebted to all the
teachers who appear on her path.
Heather’s yoga teaching experience comes from both private instruction and group classes
with PranaShanti, Rideau Sports Centre, SunLotus, and corporate events. She also has many
years of teaching experience in various disciplines from drama to biology to martial arts. Her
formal education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Francis Xavier Univeristy, and
an acting diploma from ARTTS International in England. She has a third degree black belt in
TaeKwonDo, and a level 2 Reiki Certification. Her service as a first responder gave her many
insights into the complex human condition, and shone a light on people’s incredible resilience.
She is a grateful survivor of PTSD and other health issues which required her to learn a new
way of living. She believes post-traumatic growth is possible for everyone, and that that taking
care of the physical body is required to master our minds and unite with spirit. She believes
that group asana classes are an exceptional tool for transformation.
Heather creates an environment that encourages students to embrace their challenges, and
celebrate their progress. She helps students cultivate enormous strength, extraordinary
flexibility, and transcendent presence that will serve them and the world far beyond the mat.
Outside of yoga, she loves writing, music, and great storytelling. She also enjoys hilarious cat
videos and intelligent comedy. She loves travel, to spend time with loved ones, and delicious
meals she doesn’t have to cook. She adores watching plants or people grow. She resides with
two zen masters, her cats Henry and Bill.
to the best part of her life, the present moment. She completed over 550 hours of yoga teacher
trainings. She is certified in Hatha and Yin with PranaShanti Yoga Centre under the direction of
Devinder Kaur in Ontario. She completed her Original Hot Yoga training led by Joseph Encinia
in California. She trained in Trauma Sensitive Yoga with the Justice Resource Institute in
Massachusetts, and with Parahamansa Yogananda’s Self-Realization Fellowship in California.
She is a student of Eckhart Tolle, Jack Kornfield and Pema Chodron. She is indebted to all the
teachers who appear on her path.
Heather’s yoga teaching experience comes from both private instruction and group classes
with PranaShanti, Rideau Sports Centre, SunLotus, and corporate events. She also has many
years of teaching experience in various disciplines from drama to biology to martial arts. Her
formal education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Francis Xavier Univeristy, and
an acting diploma from ARTTS International in England. She has a third degree black belt in
TaeKwonDo, and a level 2 Reiki Certification. Her service as a first responder gave her many
insights into the complex human condition, and shone a light on people’s incredible resilience.
She is a grateful survivor of PTSD and other health issues which required her to learn a new
way of living. She believes post-traumatic growth is possible for everyone, and that that taking
care of the physical body is required to master our minds and unite with spirit. She believes
that group asana classes are an exceptional tool for transformation.
Heather creates an environment that encourages students to embrace their challenges, and
celebrate their progress. She helps students cultivate enormous strength, extraordinary
flexibility, and transcendent presence that will serve them and the world far beyond the mat.
Outside of yoga, she loves writing, music, and great storytelling. She also enjoys hilarious cat
videos and intelligent comedy. She loves travel, to spend time with loved ones, and delicious
meals she doesn’t have to cook. She adores watching plants or people grow. She resides with
two zen masters, her cats Henry and Bill.
NIKA ANTUANETTE is a Dancer, Yoga & Meditation Instructor, & overall Wellness Enthusiast. She has taught coast-to-coast sharing her methods at fitness conventions, in corporate settings, private events, & pop-up locations. Nika guided Yoga and Somatic Movement classes as part of Wellness Wednesdays series inside the Oculus at World Trade Center, as well as Mindful Movement, a pop-up yoga experience at Grand Central. Additional Sputnik Yoga highlights include teaching Immersive Yoga at the Van Gogh Art Exhibit (NYC), Waterfront Vinyasa Flow classes with Unite By Yoga at Brooklyn Basin (Oakland, CA), & Community Yoga with Project Access, a subsidized housing district in the Bay Area. She teaches on-going BlissIn Out in-person & virtual classes in private & group settings.
ANGELA PHILLIPS is an extraordinarily gifted multi-disciplinary artist, bursting with talent, energy, and creativity. With a wonderfully unique command of her artistry, Angela possesses an unusual freedom of spirit that propels her to excel in a dazzling array of disciplines. Her career began as a spirited dancer and aerialist with credits on Broadway and Off-Broadway. She expanded her offerings and vision as an Associate Aerial Designer for Disney Theatrical Productions for whom she worked nationally and internationally. Angela completed her yoga teacher training and certification in the Fall of 2009. She loves teaching this rigorous discipline of health and well-being. Her upbeat, inspiring, yet challenging classes have created quite a following at various studios throughout New York City and Europe.