Staff Biographies

Dana Abraham

Dana Abraham is a teacher of Universal Kabbalah at UFHC. She has completed teacher training programs in Kundalini Yoga, Children’s Yoga, and Naam Yoga. She also practices Harmonyum, a unique transformational healing system. Prior to her affiliation with UFHC, Dana explored numerous courses of spiritual study and healing, including becoming a Reiki Master and a practitioner of Holographic Repatterning.

Throughout her years of study, Dana has searched for the balance between spiritual life and everyday living, applying her passion for learning most recently to the beautiful teachings of Universal Kabbalah as taught by Gurunam. Dana is equally devoted to sharing these teachings, welcoming students with loving kindness as she seeks to help them find inspiration along their paths. She is grateful to God, her spiritual teacher, Gurunam, and her beloved family for the many blessings and opportunities to deepen her compassion and love in service.

Cindy Aikman

Cindy Aikman is a certified Naam Yoga teacher, Kundalini Yoga teacher, and RYT 200 with Yoga Alliance. She teaches Naam Yoga and her Perfect Balance Classes in Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Zealand. She is a Manager and Teacher Coordinator at Universal Force Healing Center. Cindy is a practitioner of Harmonyum (a healing system based on Practical Kabbalah) and Reflexology. She was born and raised in New Zealand and has spent many years in the contemporary dance world there. In 1998 she left to study Klein Technique in New York City and has remained to make it her home.

Gary Barrero

Gary brings his yogic lifestyle to his classes having had a daily practice for over 10 years with a background in meditation for 25 years. He instills devotion to the spiritual teachings, motivating you to push past your limits so that you may connect to the incorruptible principle which is your true essence. He has traveled to Asia for the last three years studying extensively with senior Iyengar teachers Usha Sunder and Swati & Rajiv Chanchani; Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Sharath Rangaswamy & Manju Jois of Astanga Vinyasa Yoga in Mysore, India, various senior teachers at T.K.V. Desikachar’s Krishnamcharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai, India in addition to many other leser known but glorious teachers. He is certified in Naam, Kundalini and Ananda Yoga as well as completing an Astanga Teacher Program with Manju Jois. Some of the many yogis and masters that are dear to Gary include Paramahansa Yogananda, Babaji, Guru Nanak, Baba Siri Chand, Guru Ram Das, Baba Virsa Singh, Jesus and Buddha. A licensed Massage Therapist since 2000, Gary specializes in Thai Massage Yoga Therapy, Amma Therapy (a form of oriental bodywork) and Harmonyum Healing (a system borne out of Universal Kabbalah).  
 
All of this training and life experience – although important – seem almost insignificant compared to the spiritual grace and love that has been exhibited and shared by his spiritual teacher Gurunam. Gurunam, also known as Joseph Michael Levry, has lovingly shown his student the divine fire of purification and how to approach it so that by working on his mastery of self-healing this student may help other genuine truth seekers to find their own harmony. Gary gratefully acknowledges and lovingly appreciates his dearest and beloved Gurunam’s mystical patience and compassion to see to it that my higher destiny is fulfilled. Wahe Guru!               

Deborah Braun

Deborah Braun is a teacher of Universal Kabbalah and Naam Yoga. She is also a practitioner of Harmonyum, a healing system, based on Practical Kabbalah.

Since she began working and studying with Gurunam, her spiritual mentor, his teachings of Universal Kabbalah and Naam Yoga as well as his consistent and warm guidance, have touched her heart, becoming a way of life. Committed to soulful living, she is devoted to serving the infinite creative, force of the Universe. Believing in the unlimited individual and collective capacity for healing and expansion, she is dedicated to offering a sacred space for others to access this innate potential.

Deborah is trained in many different styles of yoga, such as Kundalini yoga, Pattabi Jois’ Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Bikram and other healing modalities, including Shiatsu, Pilates, The Alexander Technique, Release Work.

Born and bred in Switzerland, Deborah teaches at UFHC and in Europe. She is also an actress in theater, film and voice work.

Francesca Caputo

Francesca has been studying yoga for the past 15 years. From her first experiences in Kundalini Yoga and Universal Kabbalah, an instant and profound connection was made. Her life altering experiences has led her to want to share and teach this knowledge. She has received a KRI certification while studying at the home of Yogi Bhajan in India and is proud to be one of the first NAAM Yoga teachers while actively teaching at UFHC, as well as a RYT200 with Yoga Alliance.

Francesca feels immense gratitude for being a part of this ever expanding community of light and especially to her teacher Gurunam for being such an instrumental part of her evolution.

Her strongest desire is to share Divine Spiritual Wisdom and is devoted to being both student and teacher. Her life's purpose is to work with everyone who crosses her path and help them find their own personal creative expression through learning about themselves through the laws of the universe.

Francesca holds a Fine Arts degree and continues to be immersed in the arts while working as a Corporate Interior Designer, while she continuously studies yoga, health and healing.

She lives by her favorite motto- "Be the change you wish to see in the world" M. Ghandi

Janet Dailey

Janet Dailey is a Certified Naam Yoga Teacher, Harmonyum Practitioner and Certified Reflexologist. She has been working as a Reflexologist in New York for the past 6 years and is so excited to be teaching Naam Yoga at Universal Force Healing Center. ‘Naam Yoga has opened my life up in so many beautiful ways allowing me to grow and to find true peace. I am grateful to Gurunam, my spiritual mentor, for showing me the path and inspiring me to stay on it through many personal challenges. Thank you to all of my many angels, teachers, friends and family for your continuous love and support.’

Jennifer Dinoia

Jennifer Dinoia enjoys teaching NAAM yoga and helping others find the joy and light that she has found through this wonderful spiritual divine wisdom. In addition to teaching adults, Jennifer guides children on their exploration of NAAM yoga throughout the city. In 2008, Jennifer will lead workshops on both coasts and in the summer will teach NAAM in Paris in her other native tongue. Jennifer wishes to thank her teachers, family and friends for all of their love and support.

Alyssa Gaustad

Alyssa Gaustad teaches Naam Yoga and is a Harmonyum Practitioner. She also teaches Universal Kabbalah classes and the New and Full Moon Rituals. Alyssa is devoted to the teachings of Universal Kabbalah and Naam Yoga and it is her commitment to spread Light in the purest way possible. She is originally from California and studied dance in Seattle where she graduated cum laude with a BA in Dance from the University of Washington. She has danced professionally as well as studied and taught Gyrotonics, Gyrokinesis, Pilates Mat and Kundalini Yoga. Alyssa is delighted and honored to share the nourishment of the Divine Spiritual Wisdom and to transform through the ecstatic luminous blessing of Naam.

 Kathrin Kana

Kathrin Kana is a certified Naam Yoga teacher and is delighted and grateful to be on staff at UFHC. She is a RYT 200 with Yoga Alliance and a member of the Universal Force International Naam Yoga Association, as well as having studied Harmonyum, working towards her certification. She also serves as a Manager and Store Coordinator at Universal Force Healing Center.  Finding Naam Yoga and Universal Kabbalah has had such a profound and deep impact on her life that she feels blessed being able to share the Divine Spiritual Wisdom in her work. Her path also brought her to the practice of Reiki, and she has been a certified Second Degree Reiki Practitioner since 1994. She is a professional actor and voice-over artist, holds a Degree in Directing and has experience as a producer, continuing her vision of merging art, music and performance with healing. Kathrin was born and raised in Germany and is teaching at UFHC and in Europe. Her deepest and heartfelt gratitude belong to her spiritual teacher Gurunam, whose loving, warm and consistent guidance provides a beacon in her life.

Siri Sat Kaur

Siri Sat Kaur (Nathalie Paoli) is a Kundalini Yoga and a Naam yoga teacher. She is certified and practices several healing modalities including Sat Nam Rasayan®, Reiki and Harmonyum. She studied directly with Yogi Bhajan in New Mexico and with Gurunam in New York City. She has been teaching and practicing Kundalini Yoga in New York for many years. Siri Sat Kaur has taught at Kundalini Yoga east and Kundalini Park Slope and is currently teaching at Universal Force Healing Center and Crunch fitness center. She regularly travels to Europe and India to further her own yoga and meditation practice and takes much joy in healing and serving others and sharing her experiences. Siri Sat Kaur holds a BFA in dance and choreography and has performed her works in the U.S. and abroad.

Maria Litvan

Maria is a yoga teacher and Harmonyum practitioner. In her classes, Maria creates a secure atmosphere which allows the students to access their creative potential.

Chris Merrill

Chris Merrill has been teaching at Universal Force Healing Center for more than 5 years. He is certified in Naam Yoga, in Kundalini Yoga, and has also studied and taught Hatha and Anahata Yoga in many different settings. Chris is an ERYT 200 with Yoga Alliance, and is registered with the Universal Force International Naam Yoga Association. Chris is also a certified practitioner of Harmonyum, and has been teaching Universal Kabbalah since 2002. In 2007 he will be teaching intensive weekends of Universal Kabbalah in Denver, New England, New York City and the surrounding areas. Chris has taken the last five years to test the value and consistency of Universal Kabbalah, Naam Yoga and Harmonyum Healing against many other spiritual systems that are currently available. Chris chooses them because they offer consistent, proven results. Chris is grateful to his teacher, Gurunam, for his unwavering support, love and wisdom.

Courtney Miller

Courtney Miller is an inspired and devoted teacher of both Universal Kabbalah as taught by Joseph Michael Levry, and Naam Yoga and is a staff Harmonyum practitioner. She teaches Anahata yoga, and has taught Kundalini yoga as well. With a teaching practice of more than 15 years, Courtney is recognized by Yoga Alliance as an ERYT-500. A deep motivation to share the wisdom of self-knowledge combined with her love for the Word infuses her classes. To Naam yoga, she brings her lifelong enjoyment of music, as a classical guitarist and professional singer.

Her 2007 teaching schedule includes workshops in her hometown of Austin, Texas and other Kabbalah and Naam yoga workshops throughout the country.

She is thankful for her Teacher Gurunam for the Wisdom and Love that he generously shares with such constancy and for Bekir Algan, her first yoga teacher, for his faith and deep understanding of the body.

Jane Ohmes Mirshak

Universal Force Healing Center Executive Director, Jane Ohmes Mirshak is an ERYT 200 with Yoga Alliance, certified in Naam Yoga and Kundalini Yoga. She is registered with both the Universal Force International Naam Yoga and Harmonyum Associations, is a dedicated teacher of Universal Kabbalah, and is a certified practitioner of Harmonyum. Committed to sharing the Divine Spiritual Wisdom with as many people as possible, her teaching has taken her across the US from Washington DC to California as well as several countries in Europe. In addition, her professional classical singing career has encompassed a variety of opportunities and engagements with opera companies, orchestras, and summer music festivals worldwide. Jane is happily married to Dr. Robert Mirshak who also teaches at UFHC. She is eternally grateful to her teacher, Gurunam for his love, compassion, and Light.

Nadine Nussenbaum teaches with enthusiasm, creativity, and joy. She has a great love of learning, teaching, and of life itself. She is committed to getting people moving and feeling good in their bodies in a warm and intimate space. She guides her students to explore and strengthen their connection with their highest teachers within themselves. A native New Yorker, Nadine serves her Brooklyn community as founder of Cat Cow Yoga in Greenpoint Brooklyn where she gives Harmonyum and teaches both adult and children's classes. She also teaches the children class at Universal Force. She continues to get her biggest inspiration from her smallest students. The children learn mind, body, and spiritual awareness through play and imagination. The children's classes focus on building confidence, strength, flexibility, and teamwork. Nadine is a thirteen year yoga practitioner and teacher for six. She studied and trained in Kundalini yoga with Ravi Singh in NYC and is forever grateful for his inspiration and support. Nadine trained in Naam yoga and Harmonyum healing with Gurunam and continues to study with him and feels eternally grateful and blessed for all of his love and generosity.

Robyn Ross

Priti Robyn Ross (Priti), R.Y.T has been  teaching for over 15 years, with a beloved practice of yoga for 23 years. She holds advanced level teacher certifications in Kripalu Yoga,  Integrative Yoga Therapy and Rasa Yoga. She also has as a certification in Holistic Health Education. Robyn is Co-Director for two certified yoga teacher-training programs; Prana Yoga and Kripalu Yoga. In addition, she has created yoga programs for major NYC hospitals, corporations, and health conferences and has been featured on network television and in major magazines. She is also published in two major medical textbooks on Yoga Therapy. Robyn offers students a safe and nurturing environment to explore their personal journey toward health, vitality and peace of mind. She gives personal and caring attention to each student during the class in order to support them fully in their practice.  All levels are welcome.

Primavera Salvá

Primavera Salvá is a certified yoga instructor with over nine years of experience. She started teaching yoga in her native country, Mexico, where she also had the privilege of studying with a number of ancient masters of the Mayan culture. She currently teaches adults and children classes in New York City, and leads yoga-trips to the mystical beaches of Mexico, combining her passion for yoga and the Mayan culture.

Primavera’s Kundalini Yoga classes to adults offer an intense workout for the body and the mind. Her classes include practical meditations, which allow students to improve their relationship with themselves and those around them.

Her own experience as a yoga-mom inspired her to get trained in kids yoga and develop her own teaching techniques. During her yoga classes, kids explore the wonders of the universe through their imagination. Her teachings allow kids to learn by laughing, dancing, chanting, practicing yoga positions, jumping and having lots of fun. Primavera believes that yoga at an early age creates the bases of a “well-being” discipline for life, encouraging children to foster their self-esteem and self-confidence and learn to trust their intuition.

Primavera has a B. A. in Education with a focus on child development and is a certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor, as taught by Yogi Bhajan.

Sonia Maria Sequeira (Guru Dharshan Kaur)

Renata Spironello

This optimistic and heartfelt native Brazilian is dedicated to assisting others in their healing process. She is passionate in her intention to foster a loving environment that enhances her clients’ inherent creativity, personal growth and joy. Her professional background embraces various modalities, including reflexology, Bach Flower remedies, Zen Shiatsu, and Metamorphosis, considered a transcendental healing system.

Renata believes she has found her spiritual home at Universal Force Healing Center. She has studied with Joseph Michael Levry (Gurunam) and is a devoted student of the teachings of Naam Yoga.  Renata has also completed her Kundalini Yoga teacher training, as well as all three levels of Harmonyum, a spiritually-based energy treatment taught exclusively by Gurunam that raises an individual’s vibratory frequency for healing.

Renata currently teaches Universal Kabbalah at Universal Force Healing Center, as well as workshops in Brazil and Spain. She is grateful for the opportunity to deepen her awareness in the divine spiritual wisdom and humbly offer guidance to all who are open to receive.