Be Yoga & Dance

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.

Alyssa is a mover and a shaker, her love for dance shines through her classes. Founder of Staten Island Dance project, organization that creates space for all to dance and experiment with movement and perform, Professional photographer <wbr />awarded grants from SI Arts for her dance & photography work. Alyssa is also a certified Yoga Teacher. 

Cliff is a 200 hour yoga teacher who did his training at Be Yoga and Dance. He brings an empowering hands on approach to his class. His humor and lightness in his teaching creates a laid back non-judgmental arena for growth for not only the physical but the spiritual as well. He is passionate about building a connection between himself, his students and the community.

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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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.

Jenn is a Yoga Instructor, Art Teacher and Local School Leader, After years of doing yoga with a variety of teachers Jenn stopped in at Be Yogag and Dance and never left. She completed the first Be Yoga and Dance 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training .  Jenn practices and teaches yoga to empower herself and others. A funny fact about Jenn is that she was once picked up by Mr. Rodgers while hitchhiking. Jenn practices to stay grounded.

James handles front desk duties an maintenace of the studio. He is an accomplished writer, husband and father. He is currently studying for his Masters in Writing and is a true lover of music. James enjoys reading, writing, meditating, yoga, time with his family.

Justina is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) with Yoga Alliance. Justina is also a Tier 1: 300HR Certified Baptiste Yoga Leader based in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  In 2014 she took her first Baptiste class, fell in love with the Baptiste Methodology and has never looked back. Currently, Justina teaches Baptiste Power Vinyasa and Yin. In addition to yoga, Justina is a lover of food and a world traveler. When she is not practicing or teaching yoga, Justina spends her time serving on the board of a statewide conservation organization in Idaho and hanging out with her husband and son.   She can be caught planning her next delicious trip at any time!

Kristina is a 200 hr. certified through Be Yoga & Dance. She has been practicing yoga since 2011 and teaching since 2014. She was born and raised in Staten Island but moved to Philadelphia in 2012. There she studied Biology and fell in love with Baptiste Power Vinyasa. She now works as a Cosmetic Chemist in nearby Carteret, NJ. Off her mat, she loves playing outside, eating exotic foods, and upcycle design.

Studying the Biology of Stress during the beginning of her journey gave her insight into just how unstoppable the human body is. The role Pranayama plays in engaging the nervous system to maximize the body’s immunity is extraordinary. She wishes to share these practices with all so that they may bring healing into their lives.

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

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.

What was the experience of your first yoga class?

Nicolette is am energetic student and teacher. She loves to move, go upside down and taking herserlf 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.