Our Teachers
Bernadette Smith
Bernadette Smith
Bernadette Smith
Bernadette received a BA from LaSalle University and M.Ed from Chestnut Hill College. After teaching for many years, she realized the value of incorporating mindfulness into the classroom and completed trainings and an internship for students K-12, as well as adults, at University of Pennsylvania, West Chester University, Jefferson Univer
Bernadette received a BA from LaSalle University and M.Ed from Chestnut Hill College. After teaching for many years, she realized the value of incorporating mindfulness into the classroom and completed trainings and an internship for students K-12, as well as adults, at University of Pennsylvania, West Chester University, Jefferson University, Mindful Schools and Friends Council on Education.
Service to others has always been a big part of Bernadette’s life whether she's doing cooking classes for homeless individuals or teaching mindfulness to people in recovery.
Bernadette enjoys nature and hiking with her husband, all movies, and staying in touch with her two grown sons, daughter and granddaughter.
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Connie Meizinger
Bernadette Smith
Bernadette Smith
Connie received her MA in Counseling from Arcadia University, a BS in Education from Gwynedd-Mercy University, and is dually certified in Special and Elementary Education. Self-identified as a "seeker" for continued insight and growth, Connie completed the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program offered through the University of
Connie received her MA in Counseling from Arcadia University, a BS in Education from Gwynedd-Mercy University, and is dually certified in Special and Elementary Education. Self-identified as a "seeker" for continued insight and growth, Connie completed the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program offered through the University of Pennsylvania, obtained certifications in PAWS b Mindfulness in Schools Project in London, England, and Applied Positive Psychology via the Flourishing Center.
When not working, Connie is running, at the gym, in nature with her husband Michael, or spending time with daughters, Casey and Courtney and dog Kota in Doylestown, PA.
Rana Walker
Bernadette Smith
Rana Walker
Rana Walker graduated from Howard University with a BS in Psychology and also received a M.Ed from Temple University in Counseling Psychology.
Rana attended the program for Mindfulness at the Myrna Brind Center for Mindfulness as part of The Institute of Integrative Health at Thomas Jefferson University.
She is an Emmy Award-Winning life co
Rana Walker graduated from Howard University with a BS in Psychology and also received a M.Ed from Temple University in Counseling Psychology.
Rana attended the program for Mindfulness at the Myrna Brind Center for Mindfulness as part of The Institute of Integrative Health at Thomas Jefferson University.
She is an Emmy Award-Winning life coach specializing in healthcare, communication, and personal and leadership development. She is President and founder of a holistic wellness company focused on the mind, body, spirit connection.
Rana has dedicated her life work for over 25 years to studying all aspects of wellness, mental health, mindfulness and yoga.
Lisa Laney
Stacy Valenti
Stacy Valenti
Lisa is an experienced, E-RYT 500 yoga teacher and holds a 900 -hour meditation certification with Clearlight Meditation Institute in Wayne Pa. Lisa has been teaching yoga and mindfulness
in the greater Philadelphia area and teaches workshops and retreats locally and internationally. She has been teaching yoga since 2007 and is the founde
Lisa is an experienced, E-RYT 500 yoga teacher and holds a 900 -hour meditation certification with Clearlight Meditation Institute in Wayne Pa. Lisa has been teaching yoga and mindfulness
in the greater Philadelphia area and teaches workshops and retreats locally and internationally. She has been teaching yoga since 2007 and is the founder of Puressence Yoga she created while living in Paris France. On returning to the states in 2014 she continued her training in Yoga and Meditation and is happy to be offering her knowledge and skills with the local community Lisa currently teaches mindfulness to youth and teens and is certified with the Inner Strength Foundation that specializes in teen mindfulness. She also works with the Mindfulness Through Movement Program with elementary kids in Center City.
She works with all ages and levels in meditation and yoga and is happy to be joining Matthews Mindful Moment this fall.
Lisa lives in Wayne and is married with three grown children and she is grateful to offer her practice with the greater Philadelphia area. She is particularly fond of gardening and is said to be a great cook. She has a back ground in theatre, dance and music and loves arts and culture.
Stacy Valenti
Stacy Valenti
Stacy Valenti
Stacy’s path to Yoga began in the year 2000. While seeking alternative paths to health and wellness she discovered yoga and meditation.
After practicing for almost a decade she knew this Life-changing transformation was a gift so she decided she wanted to share this passion with others. Stacy completed her 200 hour teacher training program
Stacy’s path to Yoga began in the year 2000. While seeking alternative paths to health and wellness she discovered yoga and meditation.
After practicing for almost a decade she knew this Life-changing transformation was a gift so she decided she wanted to share this passion with others. Stacy completed her 200 hour teacher training program at Yogasphere in 2011 and is registered with yoga alliance. Stacy has completed several advance trainings which include breath work ,meditation ,and mantra.
Stacy teaches all levels yoga and meditation which include seniors and children as well. She is a true believer that these practices can help heal the body and the mind. Stacy has been a group leader in yoga retreats for five years. She teaches several group classes a week. Stacy also offers private instructions
John Wylie
Stacy Valenti
Kimberly Trefz
Hi my name is John Lajuan Wylie. I am the father of two sons (John and Brent). I was born and raised in Philadelphia where I graduated from Chestnut Hill Academy. I furthered my education at Franklin and Marshall College with a BA degree in Religious Studies, and at the University of Pennsylvania with an MS degree in Dynamics of Organizat
Hi my name is John Lajuan Wylie. I am the father of two sons (John and Brent). I was born and raised in Philadelphia where I graduated from Chestnut Hill Academy. I furthered my education at Franklin and Marshall College with a BA degree in Religious Studies, and at the University of Pennsylvania with an MS degree in Dynamics of Organization. I worked at the Univ. of Penn for 30 years as a police officer rising to the rank of lieutenant.
After college I started martial arts training in karate (Muji Shin-Te) Where I received my black belt. I trained, competed and taught karate for 20 years. At the end of that adventure, I started taking yoga for my flexibility. I loved Yoga so much I got certified to teach yoga and have been doing so since 2007. I currently continue to study and teach various styles of Yoga, Chi Gong, meditation and Pilates to students of all ages full time. I have presented at conferences nationally and internationally on the benefits of yoga for police. I taught Power Yoga and Chair Yoga at the University of Pennsylvania for 8 years before retiring.
I have trained in the 3 Doors of Compassion meditation model along with the MBSR meditation system and various other meditation practices.
Kimberly Trefz
Rachel Odhner-Sagerman
Kimberly Trefz
Hello, my name is Kimberly Trefz. I am a mother of 2 adult children, an Electrical Engineer (BSEE) and have been a System’s Integration Engineer & MES Consultant for a Fortune 500 company for 25+ years. I’ve also attained certifications as a Vinyasa Flow Yoga Instructor (200hr CYT), and through the McLean Meditation Academy® as a Mindfuln
Hello, my name is Kimberly Trefz. I am a mother of 2 adult children, an Electrical Engineer (BSEE) and have been a System’s Integration Engineer & MES Consultant for a Fortune 500 company for 25+ years. I’ve also attained certifications as a Vinyasa Flow Yoga Instructor (200hr CYT), and through the McLean Meditation Academy® as a Mindfulness & Meditation Instructor and an MMI Mindful (bringing Mindfulness to the Workplace) Facilitator.
I became an accidental mediator in 2013 while attending a workshop on the teachings of King Solomon. Since that time, I have meditated daily and have experienced miraculous transformation in not only my life but also in the relationships with those close to me. This gift is simply too good not to share.
I believe that meditation and living mindfully is one key element for optimal mental, emotional and physical health in our fast-paced high-stress world, and that everyone at every age will benefit from learning these skills. I am very passionate about sharing the magic and mystery of our awareness in an easy, accessible and non-intimidating format.
My dream is to present these practices in such a way that those receiving will incorporate them into their daily lives, and share their new practices with confidence to all around them, creating an unstoppable ripple effect of awareness, which will spread across our beautiful Mother Earth.
Rachel Odhner-Sagerman
Rachel Odhner-Sagerman
Rachel Odhner-Sagerman
Rachel is a massage therapist, yoga student/teacher of 20 years, which has lead her to become a Somatic/Tantric Practitioner.
Her passion is to bring the feminine genius, which lives down and below in the body to life. It is here in the dark and sultry river, where Feminine Eros is set shamelessly free. It is here in the innermost chambers
Rachel is a massage therapist, yoga student/teacher of 20 years, which has lead her to become a Somatic/Tantric Practitioner.
Her passion is to bring the feminine genius, which lives down and below in the body to life. It is here in the dark and sultry river, where Feminine Eros is set shamelessly free. It is here in the innermost chambers of our misunderstood Feminine nature that our appetite pulses, relentlessly and ruthlessly, nearly unperceived, in our modern life. She guides to reignite that spark using memories, feelings, archetypes & movement. Practitioners learn to listen and trust the body intuition and wisdom. Her work allows your true essence to flow in, so that it can flow out as medicine to bless everyone in your life.
Rachel teaches live, online programs and classes, as well as in person at her studio YES in Southampton Pennsylvania. She also does one on one coaching sessions and lectures to both men and women to understand the beautiful dance between opposites and how to keep living in love.
rachel@matthewsmindfulmoment.com
Sherri Bausch
Rachel Odhner-Sagerman
Rachel Odhner-Sagerman
A Pennsylvania native, Sherri Bausch lives, teaches and creates in Los Angeles, California, and holds a B.A. in Integrative Arts and an M.Ed in Elementary Education. She taught in early childhood and elementary classrooms for 20 years before coming to the practice and teaching of Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness to all ages. She has taugh
A Pennsylvania native, Sherri Bausch lives, teaches and creates in Los Angeles, California, and holds a B.A. in Integrative Arts and an M.Ed in Elementary Education. She taught in early childhood and elementary classrooms for 20 years before coming to the practice and teaching of Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness to all ages. She has taught as a certified Ashtanga RYT 500 hr. Yoga Teacher and Meditation Teacher since 2014, and as a Reiki Master in clinical, classroom and individual settings. Sherri currently teaches and practices drawing and painting, and educates through her online work and collaborations. Her most recent partnership with author Beth Schulman, was illustrating the children's book The Cardboard Castle, which was released in July and is the story of finding the gifts inside through the support of others.
Her organization, Mindful Creative Life educates others in bringing together the arts, clean food, sustainability and understanding your creative power as a vehicle for self-discovery and joy. She has taught as a certified Ashtanga RYT 500 hr. Yoga Teacher and Meditation Teacher since 2014, and as a Reiki Master in clinical, classroom and individual settings.
Jana Schneider
Jana Schneider
Jana Schneider
Jana began her professional career with a B.A. in Communications and Fine Art from the University of South Florida. She was certified in Feng Shui, which springboarded into interests and certifications in: interior decorating, holistic counseling, theta healing, reiki, yoga and meditation.
She offers a variety of techniques to connect the
Jana began her professional career with a B.A. in Communications and Fine Art from the University of South Florida. She was certified in Feng Shui, which springboarded into interests and certifications in: interior decorating, holistic counseling, theta healing, reiki, yoga and meditation.
She offers a variety of techniques to connect the heart of her clients with the peace they are so often seeking. Most of life’s stresses can be managed with subtle changes in activity and thought. Through the process, negative behaviors, beliefs and challenges are re-invented, and a healthier, happier, more conscious individual emerges. Jana invites you to explore your path. With her guidance, intuition and direct approach you will find life’s stresses decrease, making room for peace and clarity, and for all that you desire to manifest in your life.
jana@matthewsmindfulmoment.com
Kim Baggio
Jana Schneider
Jana Schneider
Kim graduated with her BS as a registered nurse in 2005 and her MS as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist. She attended the College of New Rochelle and obtained credits towards a Post-Masters as Holistic Certified Nurse Specialist. She also holds multiple certifications in different areas of medicine and
Kim graduated with her BS as a registered nurse in 2005 and her MS as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist. She attended the College of New Rochelle and obtained credits towards a Post-Masters as Holistic Certified Nurse Specialist. She also holds multiple certifications in different areas of medicine and alternative modalities. She has worked in the medical field for over 20 years in various roles. Her career started in the pediatric ICU, pediatric orthopaedics and general pediatrics. Later as an NP, she worked for Pediatric Urology Associates and opened CALM Wellness, an integrative pediatric practice focusing on complementary care prior to moving to Pennsylvania. This is Kim's third year at the Montgomery School where she helped to implement a mindfulness program. This year, she has taken on the role of Covid Coordinator in addition to being the school nurse.
Marla Sachs
Jana Schneider
Amanda Sachs
Marla Sacks is a yoga and meditation mentor who guides moms to worry less and feel their best through Energy Awareness Tools (E.A.T). Nourishing you from the inside out.
She’s a meditation specialist who provides programs that support moms to release fears about parenting children who have language or speech delays, learning differences an
Marla Sacks is a yoga and meditation mentor who guides moms to worry less and feel their best through Energy Awareness Tools (E.A.T). Nourishing you from the inside out.
She’s a meditation specialist who provides programs that support moms to release fears about parenting children who have language or speech delays, learning differences and or as they grow and develop phase to phase.
As a mother of 4, she teaches the same holistic health and wellness routines that boosts her immune system with vitality and infuses extra love and compassion into all of her relationships.
She offers yogic lifestyles skills on how to relax muscle tension from everyday life, be it from the current state of news, weather changes, mental health or physical challenges.
Some of her trainings include, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Angel Yoga for Children, Inner Chakra Intuition, 3-Minute Start, Reiki, Sat Nam (in truth) Ancient Arts Healer
Kundalini (KRI) Yoga of awareness practitioner, Authentic Relationships, Conscious Communications, Psych-K Facilitator (override your negative beliefs with balances for new goals), Therapeutic Yoga.
When Marla’s not practicing yoga, reading, writing, creating or smiling, she loves to dance freely, appreciate nature, hike, play backgammon, listen to soulful music, travel, eat healthy, cook for family and friends, and meet new people through personal growth and professional connections.
Amanda Sachs
Amanda Sachs
Amanda Sachs
Amanda is passionate about providing individuals with tools that enable them to activate and maintain self care. Since 2010, as a 500 hour registered yoga teacher, Amanda has dedicated her time to bringing the healing tools of yoga and meditation to populations including children and families, youth who are homeless, teens and adults with
Amanda is passionate about providing individuals with tools that enable them to activate and maintain self care. Since 2010, as a 500 hour registered yoga teacher, Amanda has dedicated her time to bringing the healing tools of yoga and meditation to populations including children and families, youth who are homeless, teens and adults with mental illnesses and adults and children with cancer. In addition, Amanda is a therapist that supports children, teens, families and adults struggling with a variety of challenges including: anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and interpersonal difficulties. She also leads support groups for teens and adults, including Anxiety + Mindfulness and Y-CBT (Yoga-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).