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Bill Raup, RYT 500 & ERYT 500
Bill Raup is the founder of Power Yoga Works, two affiliate Baptiste
Power Vinyasa Yoga Institute studios, in Philadelphia, PA and Malvern, PA.
Bill‘s sense of humor, inspiration, and fun approach to baptiste power
vinyasa yoga has attracted thousands of students to Power Yoga Works in
Pennsylvania and around the country. Bill’s passion for teaching yoga
has given him the opportunity to share his life experiences with his
students. Bill reflects on the power of yoga. “The discipline
of baptiste power vinyasa yoga gives you the tools to let go of the past, be
present, and be yourself."
Bill has been a teacher and student of Baron Baptiste and the baptiste
style of yoga since 1995. Along with running his studios and teacher
trainings in Pennsylvania, Bill co-teaches with Baron at his teacher training
and all level bootcamps around the country and internationally. He is the only certified Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga Master teacher in Pennsylvania. He
also is certified to teach ashtanga yoga by Beryl Bender Birch, director
of The Hard and The Soft Astanga Yoga Institute In NYC. In addition, he
holds Yoga Alliance’s 500 hour
Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher designation for teaching yoga. Power Yoga Works is the Only Yoga Alliance Registered
Power Vinyasa Yoga Teaching School in Pennsylvania. Bill and his staff leads teacher training two
times a year at the Pennsylvania studios.
When Bill is away from the studios, he spends his time with his wife Dawn, kids, grandkids, two bernese mountain dogs and at our church.
You can contact Bill directly at
bill@poweryogaworks.com. Also for Workshops, Intensives, and Private sessions contact Bill at his email address.
Dawn Raup, RYT 200 & ERYT 200
Dawn discovered Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga the summer of 2000. Signing up for a six week course at a local learning center was just the start. After her second class, Dawn asked the instructor, “Is there anywhere else I can go to do this?” The instructor recommended Power Yoga Works. That week, she attended her first class with Bill Raup, and the true transformation began!
Dawn became a regular at the studio; signed up to work the front desk, and before long, was managing the entire door staff. A year into her practice, she began assisting Bill in classes and attended the first Teacher Training Program at Power Yoga Works to sharpen her assisting skills. Teaching yoga wasn’t part of Dawn’s plan, but when called upon to practice teach, the true magic of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga sparked. Dawn knew that teaching was another way of sharing with others what was given to her through this practice…the power to change, the power to grow.
Dawn began teaching at Power Yoga Works the spring of 2002. She completed Level 1 Teacher Training with Baron Baptiste in August, 2003, Level 2 Teacher Training in May, 2005 and now is working towards the nationally and internationally recognized Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga Certification.
She is a certified Power Yoga Works teacher, and holds the 200 hour nationally recognized Yoga Alliance teacher certification.
“Together, Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga and Power Yoga Works provide the catalyst and environment for profound change. It is an honor to be a part of these communities, and to share this amazing journey with you.”
Jennifer Womer, RYT 200 & ERYT 200
Jennifer has been studying with Bill Raup since 2001 and has completed
Level I teacher training with Baron Baptiste. She is certified by Power
Yoga Works and holds the 200 hour nationally recognized Yoga Alliance
teacher certification. Jennifer’s yoga journey started by doing Baron
Baptiste videos on her living room floor. After several months, Jennifer
finally decided to attend a yoga class at Power Yoga Works. She quickly
became a “regular,” practicing as often as possible, energized by the
intensity of the workout.
Before long, what was intended to be “working out” settled into Jennifer’s
body, mind and soul as a way of life—the spiritual side of the practice
was taking root. She found herself healing, growing, and thinking in
entirely new ways. A new calmness, a new direction seemed to allow Jennifer
to experience new parts of herself and the world around her. This gift of
awareness was something that she wished to share with others through teaching.
Inspired by the PYW teachers, she decided to train to teach the amazing
practice that had such a profound impact on her life.
Regina Longo, RYT 200
Regina has studied and practiced Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga for over
8 years. Although she has welcomed the diversity of her studies to
include kundalini Yoga, bikram yoga and jivamukti, her soul has
transformed through The Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga. Not only has
Power Vinyasa Yoga Changed Regina’s life physically, it has manifested
the balance and serenity within. After eight years into her practice,
Regina’s journey now allows her the opportunity to teach and share this
magical gift with you.
Through Regina’s energy, integrity, compassion
and commitment, it is her heart’s desire to make a genuine and significant
difference in other people’s lives. All that is required is the belief in
the possibility of change. Transforming lives and bodies, this yoga
practice will strengthen, sculpt and tone your physical power and
spirituality. It is a true meditation for truthful living.
She has trained extensively with Bill Raup. She
is certified by Power Yoga Works and has applied for the 200 hour nationally
recognized Yoga Alliance Power Vinyasa Yoga teacher certification.
Mary Ann Blefko, RYT 200 & ERYT 200
Mary Ann has been in the Health and Fitness Industry for over 25 years. Formerly a part owner and manager of a fitness center, and director of an aerobic program for 8 years, Mary Ann began practicing yoga in 1990 as a way of finding more balance and centeredness in her life. Her interest took her on two trips to India, and once back home, to study with several teachers before finding Power Yoga.
Upon finding Power Yoga in the spring of 2005 Mary Ann began practicing and studying with Master teacher, Bill Raup of Power Yoga Works. Feeling like she has found her niche in yoga, she completed the PYW 200 hour teacher training program in November of 2005, which has taken her to the 500 hour level of registration with the Yoga Alliance. In August of 2006, Mary Ann completed the level 1 training, with Baron Baptiste and looks forward to Baron’s level 2 coming up in the Spring of 2008. Most recently, Mary Ann has completed her ERYT registration, which accounts for more than 1000 hours of teaching since her original registration.
“Power Yoga has transformed my life, creating a sense of renewed energy, while also being very cleansing and nourishing. The vigorous nature of Power Yoga shows us how to be present with what ever shows up in our practice and also in our life. In teaching this style of yoga I find a passion and a lightness that carries over into my life! The rewards of helping others to find their own inner strength and centeredness are phenomenal…we are all here in it together having fun and sweating like crazy!"
Kathleen Guidotti, RYT 200
Kathleen supports yoga for its preventative and restorative qualities for the health of the mind, body and spirit. She first became aware of the mind body connection while training for her black belt in Tae Kwon Do with her father. She then began practicing Hatha yoga, instructed by her mother, in 1997. She admits that initially yoga frustrated her but was intrigued by her inability to simply relax and enjoy being with herself. So she pursued studying with her mother and over time something began to resonate.
“I remember the first time my mom brought me to class at Power Yoga Works in 2000. I remember resting in child pose and thinking, ‘I want to do this forever.’ I used to struggle greatly with anxiety and depression but through my yoga practice on and off my matt I found a sense of self and strength I never knew I possessed. Practicing has changed and continues to change my life in formidable ways. Not only has my physical being grown stronger and more agile, my emotional being is developing with a sense of awareness and compassion, and patience as I move forward on my journey. Not a day goes by that I‘m not filled with a sense of gratitude for this practice. I am continually humbled buy the transformation I see in my self and honored to have the opportunity to share this with my students.”
Kathleen in certified by Power Yoga Works and hold the 200 hour nationally recognized Yoga Alliance teacher certification. She completed Teacher Training Boot camp Level I with Baron Baptiste in the summer of 2006. She is also in graduate school for a Masters in Public Health with a Certification in Integrative Health.
Sophie Dornstreich, RYT 200
Sophie grew up with a mother who practiced and taught hatha yoga and although she had fun doing headstands on the living room floor, she generally considered yoga and meditation to be pretty uninteresting! Somehow, in Vermont in 1998, a friend convinced her to attend an ashtanga yoga class. Unexpectedly, the experience resulted in a powerful physical and mental opening, and led soon after to a regular ashtanga practice.
In 2003, she found her way into a class at Power Yoga Works. Although the challenge of the practice was intimidating at first, the unique sequencing of postures, the inspiring PYW instructors and the accessibility of their teachings cultivated within her a new level of body and mind connectedness. Sophie found that Power Yoga provided the space and strength for her to push for deeper self-reflection and growth.
Sophie was certified by Manju Jois to teach ashtanga yoga in 2002, and completed additional teacher training workshops with David Swenson and Beryl Bender Birch. She participated in the PYW teacher training in the Spring of 2006 and has applied for certification with the National Yoga Alliance. The practice of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga continues to challenge her and remind her of how much she has to learn. She finds teaching Power Yoga to be the most rewarding experience of her life and her ultimate goal is to share this compelling opportunity for personal development and human connection with as many people as possible.
Tracy Kane, RYT 200
In 2004, Tracy received her 200 hour teacher Power Vinyasa Yoga certification at Power Yoga Works.
In April 2005, Tracy will attend Level One Teacher Training bootcamp with Baron Baptiste.
She also holds the 200 hour nationally recognized Yoga Alliance teacher certification.
Tracy has been practicing yoga since January of 2002. Her yoga experience began with a weekly class at a local community center. She then began to explore power and ashtanga yoga including workshops with David Swenson, Beryl Bender Birch and Baron Baptiste.
When she came to Power Yoga works in Sept of 2002,
she knew she found her true passion for the practice and teaching of power vinyasa yoga.
Tracy states that she has many personal benefits from her yoga practice:
“Yoga has been such a wonderful blessing in my life. I have changed and grown so much over these past few years.
I have never been stronger mentally and physically. I am happier, healthier and more secure with myself more than I have ever been. Everyday I am so grateful and thankful that I am able to practice and that I am able to share this wonderful, beautiful practice with others.”
Megan McNeal, RYT 200
Though she started practicing yoga in 2001 and teaching in 2003, Megan did not quite comprehend the life-altering power of yoga until she participated in the 40 Days to a Personal Revolution program at Power Yoga Works. Megan always recognized the physical and mental benefits of yoga but as the program encouraged her to use her mat as a mirror; she has turned her attention inward and embarked on her continuous journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.
The lessons she learned during those 40 days were only amplified by the Teacher Training Program which she completed in the winter of 2008. Megan has fully embraced the life-long commitment and challenge of applying the principles of yoga to living well and promoting her best self. She can only hope to convey her experiences and passion with her students and support them through their own personal journeys.
When Megan is not on her mat or teaching yoga, she spends her days teaching middle school students Spanish. She also enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and spending time relaxing at home.
Colleen Devirgiliis, RYT 200 & ERYT 200
Colleen first stepped onto her yoga mat in 2001. After her first class, she knew she had found something incredible. With the guidance and inspiration of dedicated teachers, she continued to explore and deepen her practice. Each time she stepped onto her mat she learned something new about herself and left feeling lighter, stronger and more at peace.
Her thirst for knowledge about this ancient path of yoga led her to many intensives and workshops. Before long, she enrolled in the teacher training program at Power Yoga Works. She is certified by Power Yoga Works and holds the ERYT 200 hour certification recognized by Yoga Alliance. She has studied with yoga masters Beryl Bender Birch, Baron Baptiste and extensively with Bill Raup of Power Yoga Works.
Colleen is an Associate Baptiste Teacher and is currently working towards her certification with Baron Baptiste.
In the summer of 2006, Colleen completed Level 1 Teacher Training with Baron Baptiste. It was a week that transformed her practice, her teaching and her life. With the support of her husband and 3 sons, she completed the Baptiste Level 2 Training in June of 2007. Studying with Baron and other Baptiste teachers in Montana reinforced her belief that this practice has no limitations. “Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga opened my eyes, my mind and heart to the power that we have to be our best selves, on and off the mat. We come to yoga for many reasons, we stay because it not only sculpts our bodies but awakens our spirit. The only requirement is an open mind and a willingness to grow.”
In addition to teaching power vinyasa yoga, Colleen loves to share her passion for yoga with beginners and children. She believes in the healing power and therapeutic benefits of yoga and has witnessed the transformation that a dedicated practice has brought to her life and to the lives of others. Each day she is inspired by her students and is grateful and honored to share this practice with others.
Sara Webster, RYT 200
It was not love at first Savasana for this former pessimist. “I was so preoccupied with the fact that I was inflexible,” says Sara, “I was frustrated to the point of tears-- and when we finally took rest in corpse pose I felt angry that I couldn’t relax.” Sara was going to call it quits, but every time she walked by the studio she felt a nagging voice in her heart. Surrendering to her conscience, she returned to Power Yoga Works, this time with more respect for the practice and fewer expectations for herself. Sara vowed to be more patient and compassionate with her body—and that’s when the love affair began! Sara quickly became a PYW regular, working the front desk and mopping up sweat to support her addiction.
After 2 years of practicing at the studio, it became clear that while her initial attraction to yoga was the physical challenge, her mat had become her spiritual habitat. As the practice took root in her life, Sara became aware of its deeply transforming and healing powers. After receiving so much from her yoga practice, she knew she wanted to share it with others. Sara enrolled in the PYW Teacher Training Program and in Spring 2006 she received her 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Certification. Sara is grateful to teach in such a loving environment and is excited to be embarking on a new chapter of her yogic journey. Sara would like to thank Bill Raup for sharing his wisdom and giving her the opportunity to teach, the PYW teachers for their patience and inspiration, and everyone who comes to the studio for constantly reaffirming her faith in this powerful practice.
Rob Ulrich, RYT 200
Rob has been practicing Power Vinyasa Yoga at Power Yoga Works since the spring of 2005. He received his 200-hour teacher certification the same year at Power Yoga Works with Bill Raup. His original motive for participating in the teacher program was to enhance his own asana practice yet once completing the program Rob found the true way to improve his own practice was to share it with others. What ever he gives to the class he believes he receives ten-fold from them.
Rob has attended retreats and workshops with numerous people including Baron Baptiste, Dharma Mittra, Manju Jois, Bikram Choudhury, and many other influential instructors. Beginning in the winter of 2006 Rob began working on his 500-hour certification with an in-depth study of the eight limbs of yoga and the various scriptures and philosophy. He encourages all fellow practitioners to ask questions and to share their own experiences and knowledge with him before or after class.
David Krensing, RYT 200
David has been affiliated with a range of local not-for-profit arts organizations for the past twenty years and is perhaps known best to the Philadelphia region as a Principal Dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet. His exploration of yoga began toward the end of his dancing career as a way to compliment his rigorous and increasingly demanding ballet training. He retired from professional dancing in 2005. In yoga he found something both ancient and good; a physically challenging, mentally focused discipline that moved beyond a workout toward overall self-examination and reflection. He points to his practice a vital tool in navigating a time of immense change in his life. He says “yoga helped restore my confidence that everything will be okay when it seemed absolutely nothing was. I was able to let go of the past and stop stressing about a future I couldn’t imagine or control. I found myself happily and gainfully living in the present again.”
David enrolled in the Teacher Training program at Power Yoga Works in the fall of 2006 under Bill Raup. He recently completed Level 1 Teacher Training with Baron Baptiste in October of 2007 and he has attended additional workshops with Baron and Beryl Bender Birch. David considers teaching as a chance to give back. “I have a lot of amazing and diverse experiences and consider myself extremely lucky,” he says. He is registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level.
David is also the manager of Power Yoga Works’ Philadelphia studio; he serves as a development and Arts consultant; and he continues to teach independently at several regional ballet schools.
Don Myer, RYT 200
After reading “Journey into Power” by Baron Baptiste, Don found himself at Power Yoga Works for his first yoga class in 2004 seeking a powerful workout. It grew into so much more then that. Taking his practice deeper, Don attended teacher training with Master teacher Bill Raup in the Spring of 2006. Motivated by the experience at teacher training, Don began to assist in the Beginner’s Series to become more united with the community at Power Yoga Works. Inspired by watching new students do yoga for their first time and grow strong and determined practices by the end of each Series, Don attended Level 1 teacher training with Baron Baptiste in August 2007 in the Catskills.
Don claims the experience at Level 1 teacher training with Baron was unforgettable and a true transformation. He said it was a week of grueling practice both on and off the mat. Don said at times it was overwhelming but overall the experience was empowering and transforming. Don learned in the Catskills that yoga is a life style and the REAL practice of being authentic and present in life is not only on the mat - but off the mat as well. Don encourages everyone to step onto their mats with an open mind and open heart which is when the real transformation occurs.
Antonelle Fragment, RYT 200
Antonelle found Baptiste Power Vinaysa yoga 5 years ago, while she was in college at West Chester University. She heard it was a great workout, which was what originally what drew her to the practice. She began taking class two times a week at a place in West Chester. Someone then mentioned to her that “if you really want to sweat, then you should go to Power Yoga Works in Malvern.”
She gave it a try and she was hooked. She began working the front desk and became a regular at the studio. She always thought about taking the teacher training course, but the “I just don’t have the time” bug kept flying around.
Then, in the spring of 2007 she decided that her life will always be busy, and the time was now. She signed up for teacher training and completed her training with Bill in the spring of 2007. “This was one of the best experiences of my life. When I started doing yoga 5 years ago,
it was purely just a physical workout for me. I was practicing two times a week, and when I signed up for training it became 4-6 times a week.
This is when I started to realize what this practice has done for my mind, body, and spirit as a whole. Yoga has changed my view of life and myself. Becoming a teacher is my way of sharing that experience with others.”
Along with completing Bill’s training, she will be attending Baron Baptiste’s Level One Teacher Training in October 2007 to further her knowledge and teaching skills. When Antonelle is not practicing yoga or teaching yoga, she spends her time teaching children with autism and speech and language disorders.
She hopes to incorporate yoga into her classroom to help her students with their anxiety and self-confidence.
Melanie Gazaway, RYT 200
Melanie discovered Yoga and Power Yoga Works for the first time in the Spring of 2000. “I was walking by the studio at 3925 Walnut while competing in the Penn Relays. Injury had got the best of my body and my mind. I saw a book in the window Power Yoga for Runners. It intrigued me and so I went in. I was convinced, it was my last hope to recover and run again. I began attending Bill’s classes where I learned it was OK to fake it until you make it. After I didn’t have to fake it anymore I literally watched my body heal without any struggle. I ran faster and was much stronger (physically and mentally) than I had ever been in my entire Track and Field career”.
In the Fall of 2006 Melanie decided to train to teach Power Vinyasa Yoga with Bill Raup at Power Yoga Works and share the amazing benefits of yoga with other people. “At first it was about me and now it’s not about me anymore it is about helping others. For me it is like a ministry and an opportunity to serve others in need. I am grateful to be able to share my experience with others and thank Bill for his encouragement and support.”
Melanie is an Educator specializing in Early Childhood and Special Education. Melanie has shared yoga with many of her students. In addition, Melanie is a High School Track and Field Coach as well as a Certified Spinning Instructor. Melanie plans to deepen her craft as a yoga instructor by attending Baron Baptiste’s Level 1 Teacher Training in the Spring of 2008. Melanie is married to Tom Gazaway and the mother of Aiden Gazaway (who loves happy baby pose).
Michelle Longo
Michelle began her yoga journey in the summer of 1998 when she was facing a major crossroads in her own life.
In her quest to get closer to her truth she discovered yoga as a means to calming down the chatter of the mind and listening to her inner voice. She began her regular yoga practices with Baron Baptiste as her teacher and mentor. After trying several other forms of yoga including Hatha, Ashtanga, Bikram and Kundalini, she found that Baron’s form of power vinyasa yoga spoke to her spirit.
Michelle finds that her yoga practices and teachings have had a profound affect on how she views herself and others. She has attended Baron’s Bootcamp and Teacher Training Level 1 in Maya Tulum, Mexico. Her yoga journey has been the most rewarding gift she has given herself in life.
Lauri Rudach, RYT 200
Lauri began her Yoga training at PYW in 2004. In addition to her RYT, she is certified as a coach, by the American Kettlebell Club – AKC, National Association of Sports Medicine – NASM,
She is a bodybuilding and figure champion. She is twice over a black belt, first in Shotokan Karate, and second in Japanese Swordsmanship – iaido. She lived and taught fitness in western Japan for thirteen years and she speaks Japanese. She has worked with competitive, professional, Olympic, amateur, and non-athletes of all ages, including the elderly and children.
Lauri is a great believer of total life integration. She uses yoga for rejuvenation, mental revitalization, and tension release relaxation. She believes that yoga is a vital part of bringing all elements of ones' personal humanity together. “It's bringing the body back to its primitive essence and natural state, for the mind, body and spirit coming into unity.” Lauri chose Power Yoga for its simplistic aspects and fitness orientation. "The yoga for the USA". It adds elements of the modern world to its practice. She believes in the wonderful people coming to attend, and in the "state-of-the-art", dynamic teachers. It’s a wonderful place with support and love.
She travels all over the United States participating in and taking part in strength training and flexibility workshops. She meets astounding athletes and teachers. She found Power Yoga Works and saw Bill Raup was one of those people; he strives for excellence in life, a perfect model for her.
Kim Brenneman
You have to try this, it’s heated yoga and you sweat so much! This recommendation from a friend is what first brought Kim to Power Yoga Works four years ago. “Sweating it out” once in a while quickly matured into practicing yoga 3 times a week. The physical challenge opened up something within her: a way to balance and center herself. For Kim, Power Vinyasa Yoga is the perfect discipline because it maintains health in both the mind and body.
Curiosity inspired Kim to sign up for the teacher-training course at PYW in the spring of 2007, a decision that continues to transform and enrich her life. Her commitment to teaching yoga and continuing to learn and grow within her own practice, strengthens and enhances aspects of her life—on the mat and in daily life, as well. She says that the more time she spends studying, practicing and teaching, the more she knows that there is a world of things to discover about helping myself and others to grow in the practice of yoga.
“I am so grateful for yoga and the wonderful community of people at the Power Yoga Works studio that have brought so much richness and growth in my own physical, emotional and spiritual journey.”
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