Who We Are

 Jackie has been teaching yoga and meditation in Litchfield County for over 20 years and is a 500-hour certified teacher with training in both Kripalu and Kundalini Yoga. One of the original teachers at The Om Center, her love for the practice and the community eventually led her to step into the role of owner. Jackie’s intention is simple: to create a space where everyone feels welcome and supported, whether they are brand new to yoga or returning after time away. In addition to her teaching experience, Jackie holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and brings a thoughtful, encouraging approach to students of all ages. Her background also includes certification as a Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, studies with the Chopra Center, Reiki training, and ongoing work in holistic wellness and Ayurvedic lifestyle practices. Jackie lives in Watertown with her two children and loves time with family, nature walks, reading, and continuing her own study and practice. 

 Mike discovered yoga in 2012 while looking for relief from back pain and a way to calm his busy mind, and what began as a once-a-week class quickly became a daily practice. Originally from Delaware, Michael moved to Connecticut to earn his Master’s in Counseling from Southern Connecticut State University and now works as a middle school counselor in Wolcott. His interest in the connection between psychology, well-being, and yoga led him to complete his 200-hour teacher training at The Om Center, deepening both his personal practice and his desire to share yoga with others. Michael brings a thoughtful, grounded presence to his classes and values the sense of balance yoga can offer in everyday life. Outside the studio, he enjoys reading, hiking, and brewing his own beer.

Becky has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2008 and part of The Om Center community since 2014. Her work blends massage therapy, yoga, and movement, leading her to specialize in Traditional Thai Massage — a modality combining healing touch with assisted stretching and flowing movement. Rebecca completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training through The Om Center and later earned her Kundalini Yoga certification, along with extensive Thai Massage training both in the United States and internationally, including advanced studies in Thailand and Greece. Today, she focuses exclusively on Thai Massage and sharing this work through workshops and educational offerings for both students and practitioners. Rebecca also teaches a Monday morning Gentle Flow class that may incorporate breathwork, meditation, dynamic movement, and occasional Thai Massage elements in savasana. Outside the studio, she loves dancing, hiking with her dog Calypso, and creating mosaics for her VW bus. 

Sarah is a lifelong yoga practitioner whose teaching blends the energy of Vinyasa with the depth of Yin, creating classes that balance movement, stillness, and connection. She is also a certified Sound Healer and Reiki Practitioner and enjoys thoughtfully weaving these practices into her offerings when appropriate. Sarah’s classes are approachable, supportive, and often include moments of lightness and humor alongside opportunities for inward reflection and calm. Off the mat, she teaches Social Studies to sixth graders in Wolcott and brings that same care and encouragement into her yoga teaching. Sarah loves spending time outdoors hiking, visiting the beach, or relaxing by a bonfire with family and friends, and her goal is always to help students feel comfortable, present, and at ease in their practice. 

 Sara (E-RYT 500, C-BDYT, IAYT candidate) is a yoga therapist and experienced teacher dedicated to helping students build sustainable, individualized practices. With more than 15 years of personal practice, over 1,000 hours of training, and thousands of teaching hours, her work focuses on meeting each student where they are and supporting safe, compassionate exploration of movement, breath, and meditation. Sara’s approach is trauma-informed, practical, and non-dogmatic, emphasizing functional movement, body awareness, and present-centered attention as tools for lasting change. Her additional studies include fascia work, chronic pain support, osteoporosis-informed yoga, sacroiliac care, pranayama, meditation, and Ayurveda. She is certified through Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy and co-founded Yoga Therapy Associates to expand access to individualized yoga therapy within healthcare settings. Sara has been connected to The Om Center community since its earliest days and is grateful to continue sharing her work here. 

 Lisa began her yoga teacher training in 2012 at Sanctuary Power Yoga in Torrington, CT, and completed her 200-hour certification with Matt Giordano at Akasa in 2020. A lifelong fitness enthusiast with over 20 years of personal practice, Lisa’s approach blends Vinyasa flow, strength work, and mindful movement, with a focus on breath, alignment, and accessible options for all levels. She is a dedicated student of holistic wellness, holding certifications in Yin Yoga and Reiki, and most recently became certified in both Mat Pilates and Reformer through the Connecticut Institute of Pilates. Pilates has become a strong focus in her current teaching, and she now leads Core & More classes at The Om Center, helping students build strength, stability, and body awareness in a supportive and welcoming environment. 

Jackie returns to The Om Center as a substitute teacher, bringing a lifelong passion for movement, healing, and personal growth. A 200-hour RYT, she has trained in Power Yoga, Kundalini Yoga Levels 1 & 2, Yin Yoga, Reiki, Reflexology, sound healing with gemstone bowls and gong, and Aroma Touch Technique. Jackie’s connection to movement began early through athletics, dance, hiking, and outdoor life, and she later fully embraced yoga as a path to reconnect mind, body, and spirit. Her classes reflect her warm, expressive personality and may include gentle flows, meditation, music, singing bowls, and storytelling, creating a supportive space for exploration and self-discovery. A retired social worker, Jackie shares her wisdom, humor, and heartfelt encouragement with every group she teaches.