About Us- The Peaceful Presence Team
Note to potential new clients and students:
We are a unique yoga and massage studio serving a unique community so some of our practices are different from what you may be used to. Please have an open mind and don't be put off by the existence of separate classes and holidays of which you may have never heard. Give us a try and you will soon find what others are finding every week. We are inviting, warm, friendly and offer something of high quality. Ultimately, our aim is to grow (to "be fruitful and multiply") to better serve everyone on this earth that we can. Please let us know if there is something we can do better which can help us achieve this goal.
Note to potential new clients and students:
We are a unique yoga and massage studio serving a unique community so some of our practices are different from what you may be used to. Please have an open mind and don't be put off by the existence of separate classes and holidays of which you may have never heard. Give us a try and you will soon find what others are finding every week. We are inviting, warm, friendly and offer something of high quality. Ultimately, our aim is to grow (to "be fruitful and multiply") to better serve everyone on this earth that we can. Please let us know if there is something we can do better which can help us achieve this goal.
Andrew Kahn is certified by the Yoga Alliance as an ERYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) and is an LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist.) He has been practicing yoga since 1981 and teaching since 1986. Mr. Kahn has extensive training in Yoga from the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts, where he studied and taught as a resident for four years. He was the Holistic Health Director of the DeSisto School in Massachusetts and an athletic supervisor at the JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, NJ. Andrew graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ramapo College's Honors Program with a BA in Psychology and studied clinical psychology in Fordham University's PhD program before shifting his attention to yoga and holistic healing.
Andrew is a founding member of the Gainesville Yoga Teachers Association. He has taught Holistic Health Education for the Government and at the University of Florida. As a yoga practitioner and spiritual seeker, Andrew cultivates a peaceful presence. He seeks to increase health, vitality, creativity, and joy within himself and to facilitate the same process in others. Peace of mind is an experience of stillness and connection even within the midst of activity. As more people achieve an inner peace, this radiates outwards into the family, community, and throughout the world.
See testimonials and recommendations
Andrew is a founding member of the Gainesville Yoga Teachers Association. He has taught Holistic Health Education for the Government and at the University of Florida. As a yoga practitioner and spiritual seeker, Andrew cultivates a peaceful presence. He seeks to increase health, vitality, creativity, and joy within himself and to facilitate the same process in others. Peace of mind is an experience of stillness and connection even within the midst of activity. As more people achieve an inner peace, this radiates outwards into the family, community, and throughout the world.
See testimonials and recommendations
Davira has been practicing yoga since 2005 and has become a certified yoga instructor through The Yoga and Polarity Center in Malverne, NY. Years of backaches and body stiffness led Davira on a search to heal her body naturally. After many chiropractic adjustments, massage sessions and an unexpected response from an orthopedic surgeon, “This is normal for your age and in a few years we can discuss surgery”, Davira FINALLY discovered yoga. It not only healed her back and all her other aches and pains, she has become stronger in mind, body and spirit as well. Yoga is a healing art that affects all the systems of the body including the nervous system, the respiratory system, the lymph system, and the circulatory system. The benefits of yoga extend to include building confidence and self esteem, mind and thought control, and an overall sense of well being. The practice of yoga has profoundly changed Davira’s outlook on life and has done wonders for her physical health. 
Lisa Bialostok, a native of Taiwan, has been a big asset to the Peaceful Presence Yoga Studio. Her fitness, grace, and passion for teaching along with her knowledge of many healthy dietary practices are only a part of what attracts large numbers of students to her classes. She has a story of recovery that is inspiring and speaks of uncommon strength (I will let her tell you that story herself). For many years she had a successful wedding gown business in the community which she found extremely stressful. Through both formal and informal training, she cultivated a yoga practice which she loves to share with the community. One example of her dedication to teaching shows in the great strides she has made in her use of the English language to communicate to her students.
Esther was first trained in Uzbekistan and then trained again in New York. While Esther is from a very different culture and speaks English only as a second language, her skills as a deep tissue massage therapist have brought much praise. She is very good at addressing addressing specific issues. Ester has an uncommon understanding of the relationships between the various muscles and bones of the body and how to address physical pain. While she is strong and excels at deep tissue work, Ester is currently becoming more comfortable with Swedish massage so that she can serve clients with varied needs and preferences. More staff pictures and biographical information to be added soon.
"Andrew Kahn was a student of mine in Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training. He was an extraordinarily fine student and a gifted teacher. His classes are taught with skill, confidence, gentleness and spirit."
Deva Parnel, Director of Yoga Education Kripalu Center, 1995
"It feels so good to be in the hands of a 'PRO.' Thanks for the yoga experience."
Harville Hendrix Ph.D., Author of New York Times Bestseller, Getting the Love You Want. 12/2/2001
Teaching yoga to the over-50 population:
Teaching yoga and holistic health to children and young adults: