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Dhyana
(Founder, Director of Teacher Trainings, ERYT, IKTY, Chopra Center Certified Meditation Teacher) was born and raised in Philadelphia, moved to Southern California in 1989, and did her formal Yoga training there in the Ashtanga (graduated from teacher trainings with Manju Jois and Tim Miller) and Kundalini (graduated from Yogi Bhajan's teacher training at Yoga West) traditions before returning home int 2002 to open Dhyana Yoga. She has since continued her training and studies in Primordial Sound Meditation and Ayurveda (graduated from these courses at the Chopra Center) and in addition to the practice of Yoga, she practices the harmonium daily as well.

Her Yoga experience was at first just something to do that was relaxing in her busy life, but over time it ended up being the thing that helped her crawl out from under a lifetime struggle with depression and suicidal impulses. The moments of peace and glimpses of freedom experienced in Yoga and Meditation slowly but surely helped her appreciate the gift of being alive, and naturally a desire to share this realization with others arose, which is when she started teaching Yoga. After teaching for many years, Dhyana decided it would be nice to teach in one place, and it was with this simple thought that she opened the first DY location at 1212 Walnut Street in Philadelphia (now located at 1611 Walnut Street) in October of 2002. Over time classes filled, and a second location was opened in Old City Philadelphia to accommodate everyone. During the following years, 3 more studios came into existence (in West Philadelphia, Ardmore, and Haddonfield, NJ) and the community continues to blossom! What started as a passion grew into a passionate endeavor to bring Yoga to the forefront in Philadelphia.

In addition to practicing yoga, Dhyana loves teaching, spending time with her dogs (Bob, Rudra (RIP) & Kali -- all pugs), music, dark chocolate, the smell of amber, SCUBA, finding the perfect gift for someone, travel, reading, Aperol, and puzzles. She is inspired by her Dad, her husband, Yogi Bhajan, Tim Miller, Gandhi, Deepak Chopra, Hari Nam Singh Khalsa, Oprah, and the Dhyana Yoga staff, which she considers the family she always wished for growing up. You can currently join her for classes at the Haddonfield and West Philly studios, and for workshops at all DY locations.

 

Dhyana Vitarelli

john vitarelli

(Co-owner, Co-Director of Teacher Trainings, Lead Senior Dhyana Yoga Teacher) was born and raised in Pennsauken, New Jersey, just over the bridge from Philadelphia, and was involved in sports and physical activity from a young age on various teams throughout the area. John was given a book on Yoga by his sister and spent 2 years practicing in his room with the "Sivananda Companion to Yoga" while studying to be a chef. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Atlantic City in 1996, and around that time turned strongly to Martial Arts to bring some movement and physical discipline back into his life. John continued to study, practice, and teach the Eastern Arts in New Jersey while working at his family's business (Vitarelli Tile) during the days, until a fellow trade worker referred him to Dhyana Yoga in 2006. He did his formal Yoga Teacher Certification Program with DY that year and has been an integral part of the studios ever since. John has also graduated from Tim Miller's Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Program (www.ashtangayogacenter.com) and has completed trainings in Yoga with Duncan Wong and in Thai Massage with visiting teachers. Today John continues his studies in Ashtanga Yoga with Tim Miller and locally with David Garrigues, and attends programs in health and metaphysics at the Chopra Center in Carlsbad, CA. John and Dhyana were married on Guru Purnima in 2010, and live in Westmont, New Jersey with their 4 dogs, and their cat. Besides his deep love for Yoga, he also enjoys making pottery, traveling, learning about wine, politically driven punk rock, hip hop and screamo, gardening, football, hanging with his best friend, Dhyana, hiking with the dogs, and of course, cooking delicious meals for anyone and everyone!

Come Visit or Contact Us!

RITTENHOUSE
1611 Walnut, 4th Floor

The studio is above the American Apparel Store, next to Wok Restaurant, Across from City Sports.
Enter, Elevate, and Be Happy!

Parking
Parking is metered street parking or local garage. There is ample public transportation to this location. Or, take the train to Suburban Station and we a just 3 blocks away, or to the 15th and Locust stop which is only 2 blocks away. Many buses frequent the area as well.

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OLD CITY
68 N. 2nd Street (near Arch)

Look for a bay window with a the big orange DY logo, enter and be happy!
HEATED BAMBOO FLOORS.

Parking
Street Parking & lot parking, or exit the subway at 2nd and Market for easiest access, or take the 17 bus!

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WEST PHILLY
3945 Chestnut St. 2nd Floor (enter on 40th next to Distrito)

The studio is on the second floor of The HUB building, next to Distrito restaurant, on the corner of 40th and Chestnut. Enter through the 2 glass doors on 40th Street, look for our sandwich board next to the doors.

Haddonfield
53 East Kings Highway (near Tanner Street, 2 blocks from the Patco station)

Our newest beautiful studio in New Jersey is open for practice! We are next door to Casa Bella restaurant. There is ample street parking, and the Patco station behind the studio is huge, with free parking after 6pm and on weekends.

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Main line
66 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore PA

Ample neighborhood parking, street parking, and easily accessible by train.

Parking
Quarters are good for 30 minutes in local meters.

Main Line Directors
Justicia & Shawn

Click here to email DYML

Lead Senior Teachers & co-directors of teacher trainings
Dhyana & John Vitarelli and Alexandra Holmes