Michelle Cavanagh, Owner / Instructor

Each individual possesses untapped potential beyond their awareness. Your journey towards achieving your goals unfolds through gradual steps, guided safely and healthily every step of the way.

Beginning my yoga practice in 1996 in New York City, I’ve studied with world-renowned yoga teachers on both coasts and worked with private clients on increasing physical awareness, strength, and connecting the body, mind and breath to achieve overall whole wellness. My yoga teaching style, approach (and sense of humor), reflect my diverse professional and personal backgrounds: from Performing Arts (stage/film/TV from early childhood), to Fitness and Martial Arts, to Portrait Photography… I graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Media & Communications and a Minor in Dance Performance in 1994. In 1997, I became an ACE-Certified Personal Fitness Trainer. In Los Angeles in 2001, I achieved my first of two Black Belts (HwaRangDo & Shotokan Karate) and began teaching Children’s Martial Arts in 2002. After a decade in California as a professional actor, martial artist and portraits photographer, I returned to NY to start a family. Seeking a more nurturing direction of teaching from the martial arts world, I turned to my yoga studies. After the birth of my son, I became certified with Yoga Alliance (200-hr) in 2010 and officially opened Here and Now Yoga as a solo business, teaching private clients and hosting wellness retreats. In 2011, while pregnant with my daughter, I began teaching Prenatal Yoga. I completed a Restorative Yoga certification in 2018. Seeking to provide a more inclusive yoga experience for all, in 2019, I began working with Special Needs Young Adults in the local community. To support my clients’ whole wellness needs, I earned my Master of Science in Nutrition with a concentration in Environmental Nutrition from the University of Memphis (online) in May 2023, graduating with a 4.0 GPA.

In addition to teaching yoga, I own and run the boutique portrait photography business: Michelle Ingkavet Photography and still accept the occasional acting job.

In 2023, partnering with my yoga student and fellow dance professional / yoga instructor, Dina Denis-Paolucci, Here and Now Yoga evolved into Here and Now Yoga, Wellness & Arts Collective. Studio grand opening coming soon!

I currently see private yoga clients on a referral basis only for 60-minute sessions:

1) At my home studio / outdoor private deck in New Hyde Park, NY
2) Online using the Zoom interactive videoconferencing platform
3) At clients’ homes (add’l travel fee)

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Dina Denis-Paolucci, Owner / Instructor

Dina Denis-Paolucci is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher from Queens, NY. She holds a BA in Dance from Hofstra University and an MA in Dance Education from New York University. Dina is a K-12 New York State certified dance educator who has taught in public and private schools and colleges, as well as various studio and community settings. She has also created and implemented original dance programs in the form of classes, workshops, performances and film showings live and virtually for members of the Benjamin Rosenthal SelfHelp Senior Center for over 10 years. Currently, Dina is an adjunct professor at Hofstra University in the Dance Education Program; she teaches chair-dance classes at the Benjamin Rosenthal SelfHelp Senior Center. Dina is the founder and artistic director of the modern dance company, Dance Into Light, Inc.(www.dinadenisdance.org). She is also a devoted yoga practitioner and 200-hour teacher certified in yoga and mindfulness.

Dina began to study yoga in 1999. A few yoga and meditation classes and an Upstate New York retreat, coupled with Dina’s lifelong study of dance and somatic practices, confirmed Dina’s path as a lifelong student and teacher of yoga and wellness. She teaches a mindful vinyasa flow class that promotes strength and fluidity while tuning into the body’s natural rhythms of breath, sound, and inner musicality. After many years of continued practice, Dina became a 200-hour certified yoga and mindfulness teacher in the spring of 2020. In 2017, Dina met Michelle Ingkavet Cavanagh who was teaching at a Queens Yoga studio. In addition to her own clients, Dina had the pleasure of substitute teaching some of Michelle’s outdoor and online classes. Dina and Michelle’s relationship grew and continues to grow with the formation of the Here and Now Yoga, Wellness & Arts Collective.

Dina strives to bring meaningful yoga experiences to all students at any stage of their practice in order to develop the physical and inner strength needed to feel great! Dina works with her yoga students to develop confidence, energize the body, foster excellent health and while providing her students with yogic opportunities to be better connected with one’s own mind, body and spirit. Dina uses yoga practices, principles, meditation and mindfulness to help people to uncover and trust for their own inner wisdom, foster equanimity and cultivate one’s unique creative voice in order to live vibrantly with clarity, joy and personal freedom.