Staten Island

Larissa Schiano-Gonzalez is the owner of Be Yoga & Dance, a premiere Yoga studio in Staten Island, NY.
Larissa is a Tier 3 Certified Yoga Teacher with the Baptiste Institute. Larissa has trained over 35 Yoga
Teachers who are sharing the power of Yoga throughout the Tri-state Area. She is certified Beginner
Simonson Dance Teacher. She is trained in Dance for PD a specialized dance program sponsored by the
American Parkinson Foundation. She teaches classes weekly at the corporate New York office.
Larissa is the creator of “The Moving in Memories” program; a specialized dance program for seniors,
living with Alzheimer’s disease and limited mobility at the Clove Lakes rehabilitation center in Staten
Island, New York. Using the power of music & dance seniors get to exercise and connect with
themselves and fellow partners in a group setting. The Moving Memories program became possible
through a DCA Art Fund Grant, through SI Arts.
Larissa is a recipient of the 2019 Soroptimist Ruby Award by the Soroptimist International of the
Americas for women helping women. She has been leading and facilitating Empowerment, Yoga,
Mindfulness and Dance programs since 2010 and has been leading Yoga and Mindfulness programs in
NYC Public Schools since 2013. Larissa believes in the power of Movement as a way to connect, heal and
bring communities together.

Pam is the Manager of Be Yoga and handles all backend operations and customer service.  Pam has over thirty years of Office Management experience, loves her family, yoga and the outdoors and has a keen eye for beautiful photography.

Lucille has over 30 years of office expereince, is a memberof Living Through Movement dance Company and Treasurer on the Living Through Movement Board. Lucille loves to dance, be with her family and always pleasant and fun to be around

Cassidy is pure love and ease. She is a creative yoga teacher who truly embodies and shares the practice of Ahimsa. She is passionate for Veganism, Animal Rights, Jewelry Making and loves to be of service. Cassidty completed the Be Yoga Teacher Training in 2017 and has been pure service and love to everyone she leads. 

Coryanne is a certified 200 hour yoga teacher. She is trained in vinyasa and has been teaching classes since October 2017. What started as “just another form of exercise and a good way to stretch” has now become so much more. Beyond the physical benefits, yoga has given her mental clarity and the ability to get in touch with her spirituality. It has given her a way to heal from past trauma, working from the inside out. It is her hope to bring the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of a solid yoga practice to others through her own enthusiastic style of teaching. 

A long time educator and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Deborah’s roots are as a textile
designer specializing in rugs and carpets. Although a long time yogi, Deborah found BE
Yoga & Dance and elevated her practice while managing grief in 2016. She then fulfilled
a long time goal and completed the 200 hour RYT training at BE Yoga & Dance, SI NY
in 2017. Along with yoga Deborah is a Star II Maddog certified spin instructor, since
1997. She also serves on the Board of Directors at the Alice Austen House.
Deborah recently started working with Maya Loom, weavers and artisans from
Guatemala. These talented women create exquisite textile products are always offered
fair wage.
Deborah’s classes are inspired by her love of the arts, color, essential oils and all
animals great and small.

Loren is a powerful student and yoga teacher. Loren completed her 200 Hour Teacher Training with Be Yoga in 2018 and completed Restorative Yoga Teacher Training with Cyndi Lee in 2019. She is an incredible hair artist, organizer and lover of creating a healthy lifestyle and travleing. Loren's classes are just like her, fun, invigorating and full of power and love.

Nicolette is an energetic student and teacher. She loves to move, go upside down and take herself and her students to the edge in their practice. Nicolette is a certified 200 Hour Teacher from Be Yoga Teacher Training. She is an avid practitioner of veganism, travel, and creating joy everywhere she goes.