Melissa D'Errico, Studio Owner/Director, ERYT 500, YACEP, Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master Teacher - Teacher Training Faculty*

Melissa attributes the start of her yogic journey to her lifelong love of movement. She is the Administrative Dance Director at North Broward Prep and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from FSU. She earned her RYT 200 and RYT 500 certifications from the Yoga Center of Deerfield Beach in 2015/2016. She received her Pranakriya Prenatal Certificate from the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health and is certified to teach Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga, and Creative Relaxation for Children with Autism and Special Needs. She is a Reiki Master Teacher and a strong believer in the role of energy work. Her effortless way of sharing ancient teachings in accessible ways is her superpower. As a single mother of two young adults, Melissa’s passion for yoga is evident in her daily practice and continued commitment to growth, as a student and teacher.

Louise Goldberg, MA, ERYT 500, YACEP, C-IAYT, Director of 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training, Educational  Director -Teacher Training Faculty*

Louise is the previous owner/director of the Yoga Center and director of the Children’s Yoga Teacher Training. She earned her yoga teacher certification at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Quebec, Canada, in 1981. She is a certified yoga therapist, holds a Master’s in reading education, and is a licensed massage therapist.

In addition to teaching gentle and Hatha yoga to adults, she teaches yoga to children, including those with exceptional needs. She is the author of Classroom Yoga Breaks: Brief Exercises to Create Calm (2017) and Yoga Therapy for Children with Autism and Special Needs (2013) published by WW Norton. Louise has trained hundreds of educators internationally in Creative Relaxation®, to implement yoga-based interventions into classrooms and therapeutic settings.

Louise sees yoga’s benefits in healing injuries and chronic pain, both physical and emotional. Her love for asana, her fascination with yoga philosophy, her extraordinary faith in people, and her desire to bring peace into the world are the foundations for her teaching.

Christine Apter, PhD, ERYT 500 -Teacher Training Faculty*

Christine holds a Doctorate degree in Natural Health and a Master’s Degree in Microbiology. She is a Registered Yoga instructor and has been studying yoga since 1968.  She offers deep insights into the techniques, philosophy, body mechanics and wisdom of yoga.  As an Adjunct Instructor of Microbiology at Broward College in Coconut Creek, and a staff member of Yoga Teacher Training at the Yoga Center of Deerfield Beach, she is both highly trained and deeply experienced.

She is the author of A Journey in the Heart: Teaching Yoga Deeper an advanced yoga teacher-training manual. Christine empowers the yoga practitioner to become the person they wish to be both on and off of the mat, filled with innate goodness and beauty. Known for her enthusiasm, knowledge, wit and wisdom, Christine’s yoga philosophy is: “Our purpose on this earth is to realize our true nature.”

Audrey Abramson, RYT 200 - Admin. Assistant -Teacher Training Faculty*

Audrey has been exploring yoga for over 20 years, practicing with certified Iyengar instructors as well as instructors from various yoga backgrounds. In 2018, she relocated to South Florida and found a great opportunity to take the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at The Yoga Center of Deerfield Beach. Since graduating from the program in 2019, she has been teaching many styles of yoga, including Hatha, gentle, flow, and chair yoga. Her philosophy is that ALL individuals—regardless of their background, fitness level, or physical limitations—can benefit from the exploration and practice of yoga. She meets her students with kindness and patience, and she loves being a part of their yoga experience. She has a Master’s Degree in Accounting and Finance and spent her professional career working in healthcare financial management. When Audrey is not on the mat, she enjoys spending time with her family and the great outdoors.

Michael "Mickey" Bakum, ERYT 200

Yoga was the doorway for transformation, leading Mickey to create a holistic business. With over 10 years of experience, his classes focus on postural alignment and connection to the breath. Mickey finds that added awareness allows the body to release blocked energy, and he shares many healing tools. Mickey is a Reiki Master and had the opportunity to learn bodywork and other healing modalities while working with chiropractors. He is grateful to share his skills with the Yoga Center.

Evelyn B., RYT 200

Evelyn started her yoga journey in 2016 in Brazil, her home country. After a long career as a TV journalist, she decided to use her two passions, communication and yoga, to share with others the profound impact of the practice on mental and physical well-being. Evelyn completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at the Yoga Center of Deerfield Beach in 2025.

Believing that yoga is about physical flexibility and mental resilience, she blends traditional yoga principles with modern techniques, creating a nurturing, safe, and fun space where students of all levels can feel empowered to grow in their practice and learn new ways to integrate wellness into daily life.

Andrew Bourizk, RYT 200

Andrew has been practicing yoga for the past 10 years. In 2019, he completed his 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at the Yoga Center of Deerfield Beach. Andrew graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education Social Studies at Clarion University and is currently attending Florida International University for his Masters degree. He is a school teacher in Palm Beach County where he also teaches yoga to the students at his school for their wellness courses. He is passionate in teaching all different levels of students with all different styles of yoga. At the Yoga Center, Andrew brings enthusiasm and mindfulness to his classes!

Ken Frankel, Certified Medical Qigong Practioner/Teacher

Ken first began practicing QiGong with Dr. George Love in the early morning on the beach in Boca Raton in 2001 and loved how it engaged the body, mind, and spirit. He received certification to teach from Dr. Love in 2006. He subsequently completed a 200-hour medical qigong practitioner training at the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture in Hallandale, FL; a 200-hour Integral QiGong and Tai Chi teacher training with Dr. Roger Jahnke in Santa Barbara, CA; and a 125-hour QiGong teacher training with Shifu Michael Rinaldini. He completed additional shorter certification trainings with Master Wing Cheung (Shibashi), Michael Winn (Primordial Qigong), Master Ou Wen Wei (Pangu Shengong), Sifu George Picard (24 Posture Therapeutic QiGong) and Chapur Rinpoche (Keksel Tibetan Yoga). He has been meditating since 1996 and is one of the founding members of the Southern Palm Zen Group, and a board member of the Theosophical Society of South Florida.

Manette Freas, RYT 200

Manette earned her yoga teacher certificate from the Yoga Center of Deerfield Beach and has practiced yoga for over 10 years. Before becoming a yoga instructor, she worked as an environmental biologist/chemist. Having received her B.S. in biology, Manette enthusiastically incorporates anatomy and physiology awareness in her classes. She continues to expand her knowledge and encourages her students to explore their own personal yoga journey. Yoga is a lifestyle for Manette, a foundation to move forward in life while living in the present.Linda Gross, ERYT 500

Elizabeth “Liz” Mary Fullam, ERYT 200

Liz was born and raised in Massachusetts where she developed an interest in sports and fitness. While attending Nichols College she was active in many of the sports programs and fulfilling her educational requirements. She graduated from Nichols College with her BSBA degree and moved to Lighthouse Point, Florida where she continues to be a resident of our community. She has been a qualified yoga and fitness instructor for over 20 years. Her many Certifications include the Aerobics Fitness Association of America and Yogafit. She has also trained extensively in Bikram Yoga, Children’s Yoga, and Chair Yoga. Liz is also qualified as a personal trainer, weight trainer, indoor cycling, and water aerobics instructor. She participates in continuing education classes several times yearly to keep up to date on the latest fitness trends and keeps her CPR certification up to date.

In South Florida Liz has taught and/or coordinated classes at Spas, Health Clubs, Private Clubs, and Corporate Facilities. She is also well known among the fitness community as a professional who lives the lifestyle she espouses.

Linda Gross, ERYT 500

Linda earned both her teacher certifications from the SKY Foundation in Philadelphia, and at the Yoga Center of Deerfield Beach. She met Dr. Vijayendra Pratap, Ph.D, DYP, in 1974, and studied the Art and Science of Yoga with him for 30 years. He encouraged and inspired her to begin teaching Hatha Yoga in 1976. Linda also presided as Conference Coordinator at the Yoga Research Society, from 1976 to 2003, where she initiated Medical Yoga Workshops, and a joint partnership between YRS and the Jefferson Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University.

There she curated yearly events with thought leaders such as Swami Rama, Swami Satchidananda, Yogi Bhajan, Patch Adams, MD, Timothy Leary, PhD, and Brian Weiss, MD. Presently, Linda is an instructor in the Yoga Center’s Advanced Teacher Training Program. “As long as I live, so long I learn.” ~ Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Murali - Hernane Alves, RYT 200

Murali has been practicing yoga since 2017, a journey that profoundly transformed his life. In 2018, he immersed himself in the yogic lifestyle by living at Yogaville Ashram in central Virginia, where he engaged deeply with the teachings and daily practice of Sivananda Yoga.

In 2023, Murali completed his 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas. He is passionate about the Sivananda Classical Hatha methodology, which guides students to cultivate presence in both body and mind, fostering a deeper understanding of their behaviors and thought patterns.

In addition to his expertise in Classical Hatha Yoga, Murali is also certified in Chair Yoga, expanding accessibility and opportunities for all individuals to experience the benefits of yoga.

Christina Hessing, ERYT 200

Christina is a lifelong resident of South Florida and discovered yoga by studying breath and relaxation practices. Eventually, she made her way into a yoga studio and was introduced to the wonder of yoga asana by her beloved teachers Joanne Evans and Christine Apter. Though she never imagined it would be so, Christina was coaxed into yoga teacher training in 2014 and has been teaching yoga ever since. Always curious and ever eager to deepen her practice, Christina has studied Hatha yoga, vinyasa flow, yin and restorative yoga, and mindfulness meditation. Christina’s yoga classes offer quiet time and a safe space for students to explore body, breath, and the timeless teachings, but most importantly, simply and sweetly recognize their own yoga. Christina spends her days teaching a glorious group of students at a bustling South Florida high school. Her life is decorated with the love of her three sisters, two magnificent sons, and one extraordinary husband.

Ali Hope, Certified Pilates Instructor, RYT 200

Ali was introduced to Pilates while studying economics and psychology at university, where she incorporated its positive impact on wellness and cognition into her senior dissertation. After completing her full apparatus teacher training, Ali expanded her expertise by studying integrative nutrition and becoming a holistic health coach. Ali combines her love for health and fitness in her Pilates classes, creating a holistic approach to wellness. Also an avid yoga enthusiast, her classes help you feel taller and more connected to your body.

Julia Kornbluh, ERYT 200

Julia brings to her yoga instruction a mindfulness philosophy. Julia's intention, as a guide of the practice, is to create a healing and safe space that allows students to experience the multitude of benefits of the practice of yoga. Meditation, breathwork, and philosophy are important aspects of her teaching. As an ERYT 200 and meditation guide, Julia encourages observation and provides students with the tools to practice safely and passionately. Her classes offer creative sequencing, emphasis on alignment, breathwork, and meditation. Julia's playful and loving spirit will inspire you!

Elizabeth Pankey-Warren, ERYT 500

Elizabeth is a Psychotherapist, an ordained Presbyterian Pastor, Advanced Reiki practitioner, Nutrition Educator and a RYT500 Yoga teacher who loves teaching yoga at the Deerfield Yoga Center.  She is also certified to teach Creative Relaxation Yoga to Children with Special Needs. Elizabeth teaches with clarity and attention to alignment to keep her students safe and to improve their balance, flexibility and strength.  She hopes to heal, inspire and elevate each of us to our deepest, truest self where abundant love, energy, good health, openness, peace and intuition abide.  Elizabeth is also a yoga practitioner, a runner, wife and mother of 3 children.

Ashley Rojas, RYT 200

Krishna Priya Ashley’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Facing numerous challenges, she found solace and strength in yoga, which played a pivotal role in her journey. Her profound transformation through yoga ignited a passion to share this healing practice with others, leading her to become a dedicated yoga instructor.

She specializes in Sivananda Yoga, a traditional form of Hatha Yoga that harmoniously blends pranayama (breath control) and dhyana(meditation) with the practice of asanas (yoga postures). This holistic approach fosters a deep sense of inner peace and physical well-being. Ashley received her RYT 200 International Yoga Teacher Certification from the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas.