Teacher Bios

All Teachers and staff members at the Real Life Yoga Studios are Certified Instructors who believe that integrating yoga, tai-chi, fitness and holistic health practices will enhance and balance your life emotionally, physically and spiritually.

We will always be their for your questions and concerns

Nancy West

Owner of Real Life Yoga in Holbrook
Nancy is a certified 500 hour yoga instructor and the owner of Real Life Yoga Studio in Holbrook. Nancy started her journey into yoga 12 years ago when one of her children was diagnosed with a life threatening illness. Yoga helped Nancy learn to stay in the moment, which in turn gave much peace in a stressful situation. Nancy states "Yoga literally saved my life". Nancy's passion lead her to become a certified yoga instructor so she could share and teach others the gift of peace while riding out the storms life sends us. Since that time yoga has become her lifeline. Nancy has trained at Finding Inner Peace Yoga School, Kripalu, Omega, as well as training from an eclectic group of senior yoga teachers such as Ana Forest, Shiva Rea, Gary Kraftsow, Aadil Pakhilvaia, Desiree Rumbaugh, David Swenson, and many, many more. Nancy has taught yoga to toddler up to seniors. Nancy is  a certified Reiki Master. Nancy is the mother of three daughters and grandmother of two. In May of 2007, Nancy opened Real Life Yoga Studio in Holbrook.

Marybeth Feeney

Marybeth is certified as a yoga instructor from Finding Inner Peace Yoga School. Yoga came into her life at a time when her body and mind needed healing, so she tries to incorporate a gentle healing approach to all her classes. Marybeth also loves to share her passion for all different types of music in her teaching.

Karen Hines

Karen is a 200hr certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher. She has been a member of the Kripalu Teachers Society Since 2004, certified in Balancepoint since 2002 and certified in Fitness for over 20yrs. Being a Yoga teacher is a passion of Karen's and with her extensive background in helping others indeveloping body mind-and spirit awareness in a compassionate, nonjudgmental way, you will leave her feeling uplifted and centered. Karen is also a mom of two children.

Kara Magaldi

Kara's passion for teaching began at a young age. For the past 15 years Kara has been an Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and Kindergarten teacher. Two years ago she discovered yoga and was addicted!  Yoga changed her life. Her love of yoga lead her to become a certified Children’s and Senior Yoga teacher, as well as a reiki master.  Kara attended Dean College where she received her A. A. degree in Dance/theater.

Darnell Nestor

Darnell is a certified and registered Hatha and Kundalini yoga instructor. She was drawn to yoga as a way to find inner peace and stillness through flowing movement and rhythmic breath. As an instructor, Darnell hopes to inspire her students to open their hearts to yoga so they can benefit from the mental focus and physical strength that results from a practice. Darnell is also a pilates instructor. She finds joy in being a massage therapist and energy worker.

Karen Clark

Karen Clark is a certified Yoga Teacher and has been teaching in the Boston and surrounding areas since 2003. Her attention to anatomy and alignment makes her classes accessible to all people including beginners. Karen has studied with Barbara Benagh, Seane Corn, Bo Forbes and Carmela Lacey but feels her most influential teacher is her own daily yoga and meditation practice.

Marcela Heffron

Marcela is originally from the Czech Republic, where she graduated as a physical therapist. She has a B.S. in Occupational Therapy. Since she moved to the USA, Marcela has become certified in pilates and yoga. Her yoga training came from Shambhava School of yoga located in Hawaii. Marcela recognizes the powerful healing effects of yoga on the body and integrates this knowledge in her practice. She uses her physical therapy experiences by modifying postures allowing beginners and advanced students alike reap the full benefits of their practice. Marcela holds a Prenatal Yoga Teacher Certification as well.

Ed Shorter - (T'ai Chi and Chi Kung instructor) 

Ed is a native Bostonian. He has studied martial arts for over 40 years. Ed has won several Massachusetts State Championships and was a bronze medalist at the 1988 National Championships for Tae Kwon Do and competed at the Olympic Team Trials.  He began studying T'ai Chi and chi kung in 1993. He has studied both yang style and Ch’en style, both in the US and China.

Sabrina - Queen Of The South Shore Belly Dancers

Sabrina is a special lady who loves to teach students to have fun and love their bodies no matter what your body type or style. She teaches a very noncompetitive class with veils, cyls and shake and shimmy techniques. Bellydancing is a great workout for toning, hips, thighs and abs.