Tom Rosenthal began studying yoga in 2001 in Great Barrington, MA at the age of 52. By 2003, thanks to a captivating demonstration of the power and grace of Ashtanga yoga by David Swenson, he settled on Ashtanga as his daily practice. He began a journey of discovery that led to many of the world’s great teachers, including workshops with Nancy Gilgoff, David Swenson, David Garrigues, Richard Freeman, Eddie Stern, Petri Raisanen, John Campbell, Mark Robberds, and Tim Miller, and eventually leading to Guy Donahaye in New York City, who was to become his mentor.

Tom made his first trip to Mysore in 2004 to study with the Jois Family, Sri K.Pattabhi Jois, R.Saraswati, and R. Sharath. During that trip, Tom began to teach digital photography to his yoga teacher Sharathji, and to chronicle the family. Tom made six trips to India, spending over a year and a half there with his teachers. He was invited by Guruji to join an illustrious group of students to study pranayama. That experience made a deep impression on Tom and opened the door to the spiritual realm of yoga. In 2009, Tom was asked by R. Sharath to take authorization, and to teach yoga. Upon returning to the Berkshires, Amy Webb, founder of Sruti Yoga Center, invited Tom to teach the Mysore program, which he did for nine years, until the pandemic closed the studio.

“My partner Nina and I were blessed to have a profound reunion with Sharathji in Miami, several weeks before his passing. His indelible teaching, unparalleled warmth and generosity, wisdom, devotion to his students, and his love and respect for nature and its wildlife, inform my life in a deep-rooted way.”

Kathy Reisfeld began practicing yoga in 2001 as a compliment to running while working as a financial advisor in NYC. Initially somewhat resistant to the idea of yoga, Kathy’s interest was sparked by Beryl Bender Birch’s work through the New York Road Runners Club. After a lifetime of struggling with anxiety, Kathy found this form of yoga, which truly felt like a moving meditation, to be transformative.

She discovered its true depths in 2003 when she traveled to Vermont to practice with Nancy Gilgoff and Christine Hoar. Nancy, the first western woman to travel to Mysore and learn Ashtanga, shared vivid stories of practicing in India with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in the early 70s. Hearing how Ashtanga changed Nancy’s life for the better—inspiring strength and healing in what Nancy described as a very frail and ailing body—motivated Kathy to explore her own practice more deeply. Nancy’s authentic connection to the lineage and the wisdom she shared made the tradition feel alive and accessible, guiding Kathy towards a more meaningful and holistic experience of yoga.

Upon returning to NYC, Kathy began practicing daily with Eddie Stern. Eddie’s deep love for yoga philosophy and the Indian culture it came from was palpable—walking into his practice room felt like entering a temple in India. It was there that Kathy truly began to experience the freedom in surrender and devotion, allowing her physical practice to evolve into a spiritual practice. She is grateful to Eddie for hosting Pattabhi Jois; his daughter, Saraswati Jois; and his grandson, Sharath Jois in NYC many times over the years. Kathy traveled to Mysore in 2005 to practice with Sharath and immerse herself in the rich culture and traditions that brought the Ashtanga practice to life. She also continued to make regular trips to study with Nancy and Christine.

In 2010, Kathy moved to Woodstock, NY, where she and her husband, Scott, welcomed their daughter, Ruthie, in 2011. Balancing a daily yoga practice with motherhood and a full-time career as a financial advisor was often challenging. Fourteen years later, Kathy is still learning how to balance her physical and spiritual practices with her roles as a mother and professional. She has learned that sometimes balance isn’t possible—and that’s okay, because the yoga will always be there, even if on some days it’s only through a deep breath while washing the dishes.

In 2024, Kathy and Scott began renovating the barn on their property to create a dedicated space for Ashtanga Yoga in Great Barrington. With the passing of both Nancy and Sharath in 2024, it feels more important than ever to continue spreading the Ashtanga Yoga practice. Pattabhi Jois once told Nancy, when asked what he thought of the way that yoga was being taught in the West, that even to hear the word yoga in this lifetime is a boon.

Kathy continues to study with Christine every chance she gets. Christine is an amazing teacher with a healing touch who brings a sense of levity to the practice and deep knowledge of Ayurveda.

Kathy and Scott hope to create a welcoming space where practitioners can experience the boon of Ashtanga Yoga and find strength, healing, and community.