About Studio 34: Yoga | Healing | Arts in West Philadelphia

Directions

4522 Baltimore Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19143

SEPTA's No. 34 trolley line (route map, schedule) runs in front of our building; just signal the trolley driver to stop. We are located in the West Philadelphia Streetcar Suburb Historic District (map).

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Mission & Vision

Our mission: To foster wellness and community through healing and creative arts.

Our vision: We envision a community that nurtures individuals and families in their pursuit of physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. We will celebrate, connect and create communities through healing and creative arts.

Our focus:

Community: Studio 34 supports new and established communities with a comfortable community space with varied seating areas and free tea.

Our 12-person conference room can be used for small workshops, support groups and community meetings.
The nonlending library offers books on health, wellness, spirituality and philosophy.
To support a diverse community, Studio 34 offers several discounts, including reduced-fee Community Classes.

Family: Studio 34 will offer pregnancy, family, and kids classes. We will also offer concurrent programming for children and adults.

Environment: We believe environmental health is key to personal and community health. Here's what we're doing about it.

We use 100% windmill electricity. It costs a little more, but we feel it's worth it.

We offer biodegradable corn-plastic mugs. We're really excited about these. Corn plastic biodegrades quickly in landfills, contains no petroleum, requires less fossil fuel to create, and comes from a renewable resource. It's not a perfect solution, but it's a great step. Use them (they aren't dishwasher-safe) and when you are done with them, toss them in your compost bin.
We reduce the use of disposable water bottles. Instead of selling disposable, plastic water bottles we provide free, filtered water. Bring your own (reusable) bottle or use one of our biodegradable mugs.
We use recycled paper when possible.
We offer discounts through SEPTA Pass Perks and to members of the local, nonprofit Philly Car Share, our way of supporting greener transportation.

Founders

Three long-time residents of West Philadelphia founded Studio 34: Yoga | Healing | Arts to bring new services to our community.

Stephen Fisher, an instructor in internal Eastern arts since 2003, blends East and West in his teaching, cultivating health in mind, body, and spirit. He has studied internal Eastern arts, including yoga, taijiquan, qi gong, and meditation, since 1995. Stephen has studied with yoga masters Joan White and Ana Forrest, completing the Forrest Foundation Teacher Training. He has studied taijiquan and qi gong with master Steven Bennett, including the martial aspects of tai chi and its application to other arts. He has earned degrees in psychology and biology, and completed his Western training with a PhD in psychology from Yale University.
Angela Norris, a Family Nurse Practitioner educated at the University of Pennsylvania and specializing in the care of adults with HIV/AIDS. She has taught classes on nutrition, diabetes management, and obesity prevention to both adults and adolescents. With more than 13 years of nursing experience, she places her highest priorities on wellness, prevention of illness and elimination of health disparities across communities. She believes education and personal empowerment are key to building a healthy community. Angie has been practicing yoga for four years and has completed Forrest Foundation Teacher Training. She looks forward to incorporating her approach of individual empowerment and personal ownership of one's health into her yoga teaching.
James Peniston, a sculptor with more than a decade's experience in monumental bronze. He has lectured at LaSalle University on the role of public sculpture in community identity. James believes public art can bridge divisions within communities. His nine-foot bust of Benjamin Franklin, commissioned by the City of Philadelphia was installed in October at the corner of 4th and Arch streets. The sculpture incorporates keys donated by the children of schools where James talked about the role of volunteerism in building communities.

Teachers

Emma Aronson has practiced yoga for more than seven years, and has studied Hatha, Ashtunga, Kripalu, and Iyengar yoga, as well as yoga dance. Her teacher training was in Hatha at Yandara Yoga Institute, where she was immersed in a simple ayervedic lifestyle. She has studied with Gay White of the Yoga Room in Berkeley, Craig Perkins of Yandara, Joan White and Ana Forrest. Emma's classes focus on the foundation postures, creating muscle memory of correct alignment, then weaving them into a relaxed vinyasa flow. No yoga knowledge is necessary for Emma's classes; questions are welcome.
Annie Baum-Stein started her yoga journey as a little girl by her mother's side and solidified a love of it at a mother-daughter Sivinanda retreat in high school, 17 years ago. It is now her delight to share yoga with other parents and their children. Annie has a dedicated Vinyasa practice, but has also studied Ashtanga, Hatha, and Jivamukti styles. She has taught various ages in area schools and family classes at Philly's Yoga Child studio, and is delighted to be teaching in her own neighborhood of West Philly.
Jessica Eagan has been studying Vinyasa and Kundalini yoga and meditation for three years. She is ecstatic to be sharing this beautiful science with University City. She completed her first 200-hour teacher training course at Dhyana Yoga in Center City Philadelphia and is grateful to her teachers for guiding her along this journey. Her personal practice includes asana, mantra and meditation directed at a surrender to the divine energy within herself, others, and the world. In her class, you can expect to "tune in" with chanting, then move into a relaxing asana flow to open and relax your body and mind. She will also share and discuss bits of Yogic philosophy.
Julia Horn is not quite sure when it all began. From the time she was just a squirt, she was swinging from the arms of an om'ing mother. Next it was the limbs of the towering oak in the backyard. The rest is history. What ensued was a lifetime of study and exploration of movement, breath and the interior of the self. Her study of dance continued at North Carolina School of the Arts and then on to Tisch School of the Arts in New York City. She's had an eclectic mix of teachers along the way- more than she could name, but to whom she will be ever grateful. Her love of music, dance, literature, sculpture, theater, travel, and nature have all been equal informants to her path of practice. Julia grew up in the hills of Cakilaki (translation: Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina) which she stills considers it to be one of the most magical places on earth. She is currently a member of Tripsichore Yoga Theatre, with whom she trots the globe for performances of yogic dance and workshops.
Liesbet Manders, who has been dancing all of her life, started dance improvisation in college. She immediately took to this creative way to express herself and create dances together with others. Liesbet continued her training in movement and its meaning for individuals and groups with a masters in dance/movement therapy. She works as a dance/movement therapist for autistic children. In teaching movement improvisation, Liesbet is particularly interested in sharing the joy of dance and strengthening communities through moving together.
Julia Naftulin is certified to teach classical Pilates through the Pilates Studio of New York and Bryn Mawr, and has been teaching in the Philadelphia area since 2003. She also practices Thai Yoga Massage and has a master's degree in Dance/Movement Therapy. A dancer since childhood, Julia took up the Pilates method in college to ease chronic back pain. She is certified in the more athletic style of classical Pilates, and has studied Physical Mind Pilates under Michael Miller and others. Julia believes Pilates is a wonderful mind/body work-out for practitioners of any age and fitness level, and emphasizes its rehabilitative potential for those with physical illness or injury.
Alisa Phillips has been practicing yoga for seventeen years and dancing since before she could walk. She graduated in the very first teacher training class at Jivamukti Yoga, New York City in 1997 and is trained in indigenous dance of the Middle East through the Rubin Academy, Jerusalem. She is continually exploring and expanding her repetoire of mind-body practices, which include Kundalini Yoga, Viniyoga, Dahn Yoga, Yin Yoga, Butoh dance, Middle Eastern dance, and Body-Mind Centering. She believes in using the asanas as a tool to calm the nervous system in preparation for meditation and in dance to explore the flower which is the self.
Susan Rosenberg has a BFA in Drawing from Pratt Institute. A well-seasoned graphic designer, she began her study and practice of yoga in 2001 at the YMCA. She enjoyed the sense of physical liberation and the emotional calm she had experienced, yet she wanted something more intense. After researching "Hot" yoga, in 2003 she decided to go directly to the source, the Bikram yoga College of Philadelphia. After her first class she was hooked. The practice challenged her physically, calmed her mind, and gave her a reason to be. From ther, she decided to pursue a career in therapeutic body work. Susan earned her national certification in therapeutic massage and body work in May 2005, specializing in swedish, deep tissue, reflexology, and Thai yoga massage. In early 2008, Susan entered into A Power Vinyassa Teacher Training. She continues her devoted study and practice of Iyengar yoga with Joan White. She plans to continue the use of yoga as therapy to help people with chronic situations, elderly, and all beginners.
Nikki Spigner fell in love with Hatha yoga more than five years ago. She found that yoga was a natural extension of the ongoing meditation practice she'd begun at age 12, while attending a martial arts class in her hometown of Harrisburg, Penn. She believes that yoga should be accessible to everyone, and has been teaching in West Philadelphia for more than two years. Nikki received her teacher's training at Yoga On Main in Manayunk in 2004 and a 100-hour certification in Ayurveda from Ed Zadlo in 2005. She is currently studying Classical Yoga asana, pranayama and philosophy with Dr. Vijayendra Pratap. She is a member of the Yoga Research Society and is registered with the Yoga Alliance.
Amina Uqdah grew up in Philadelphia and has been dancing since the age of three. She self studied from local TV shows and dance movies from the eighties. At the time she was not able to afford classes. In Central High School she was involved in the Pep Squad and Gymnastics. These activities required sharp and energetic movements, influencing her dance styles. In college, she traveled with the "African Kumba Dancers" of West Chester and took African classes at the American dance Conference in West Virginia. Because of her modern styled movement heavily influenced by her African teachings, the West Chester University dance department requested that she teach African movement for the minor department of dance. This allowed her to further develop her style. She continues her study of modern movement and other dance forms at Koresh Dance studio. She Graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor in Liberal arts and minors in Dance and Business Geography. Amina Uqdah is grateful to God for the life experiences He has guided her through and she is ready to make her Father proud.
Christy Wilkinson discovered her love for yoga in 2000 and has explored many styles. Yoga has helped her work through and overcome issues with self-esteem, weight, depression, and stress. A lifelong athlete, Christy has found Forrest Yoga to be a vigorous strength-building workout for both body and mind. In 2006, she lived and worked at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, continuing her studies in the healing arts. In 2007, she became a certified yoga teacher with Ana Forrest. Christy, who attended Rhode Island School of Design, finds that yoga clears and quiets the mind and body for art. It is also a metaphor for everyday life: each pose is another step, another obstacle to overcome in a struggle-free, engaged way.
Jillian Wintersteen began her pursuit of yoga as a teenager, to relieve pain from a neck injury. After completing a Master's of Science in Psychology she began vigorously studying Vinyasa yoga. Jillian always took home what she learned in class, using her daily practice to help her through difficult times, such as quitting smoking. She currently practices Vinyasa, Kundalini and Forrest Yoga. Jillian fell in love with Forrest Yoga after taking a workshop with Ana Forrest. Jillian completed a 200hr Vinyasa teacher training certification at Dhyana Yoga in Philadelphia in 2007 and children's yoga training in 2008 at Yoga Child. Next Jillian plans to complete the Forrest Fundamentals training this fall.

Press

Coverage

"Staff Q&A: Stephen Fisher & Angela Norris," Penn Current, 24 April 2008.
Style in Philly: Health & Beauty: "Wallet-Friendly Workout," Philadelphia Style, 16 April 2008.
"Agenda Picks: Just Opened: Studio 34," Philadelphia City Paper, 9 April 2008.
"Studio 34: good for the body, soul and earth," The Temple News, 31 March 2008.
"Attention, Fellow Yogis!", Phillyist, 27 March 2008.
"Studio 34 Grand Opening Week," Metroblogging Philadelphia, 24 March 2008.
"Studio 34: Free Yoga & Grand Opening," uwishunu, 21 March 2008.
"Studio 34: Yoga, healing arts, & more!", University City Review, 18 March 2008.
"Soon-to-open yoga/healing/art center hosts Fun-A-Day show, offers preview of West Philadelphia venue," University City Review, 21 February 2008.
"Sometimes We Miss The Good Stuff," Phillyist, 19 February 2008.

Releases

"Studio 34: Yoga | Healing | Arts Center Begins Regular Schedule Of Activities; Announces Saturday, April 5 Wellness Fair,", 31 March 2008.
"Studio 34: Yoga | Healing | Arts Center Announces Event Schedule For March 28-29 Grand Opening Weekend", 8 March 2008.
"Studio 34 Hosts Fun-A-Day 4", 18 February 2008.

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