Bobbie Ellis, director of Soma Center, has over 25 years experience and training in the fields of Bodywork, Yoga, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, Gestalt Psychotherapy, Kripalu DansKinetics, Movement Therapy and Motional Process. Bobbie and the rest of Soma Center’s devoted Healing Service Staff offers the highest quality in holistic health care, bodywork, body/mind education and therapy. Soma Center has had the privilege of serving Highland Park and its surrounding communities for almost 10 years. We are one of the first Centers of this kind in the area.

Darlene Rich began studying yoga as a part of her training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC in 1975. She continued her studies through both of her pregnancies, giving natural home births to two beautifully healthy children, 1982 and 1986.
I n the late 1980's into the 90's she studied with Alan Cohen, both Hatha Yoga and Meditation for Higher Consciousness. In 2003 Darlene discovered the Soma Center and began training with Bobbie.
Yoga offers a new way of life through personal and class practice of asana, pranayama and meditation. Teaching is a way of life for Darlene-a calling she is grateful to have discovered. She teaches High School Theatre and English in Edison. Yoga is taught in all levels of theatre classes and Darlene also teaches in Princeton as well as Edison, NJ.
She is honored to be a new teacher at the Soma Center this Fall.

Tracy Ryan has been working in the field of Health and Wellness throughout New Jersey and New York City since 1997. Tracy is a Graduate of Rutgers University, a Certified Personal Trainer as well as a certified *MELT (Myofascia Energetic Lengthening Technique) Practitioner from The Body Language Institute, NYC. She also is certified through AAAI/International Sports Medicine and shares the love of movement in teaching Pilates, Yoga, and Cycling.
Tracy is the Founder and Owner of The Movement Institute. Her diverse background in Heath and Fitness and especially *MELT Techniques has allowed her to train many types of athletes, who have all had great improvements in their sport. She also trains Senior’s as well as wheelchair bound persons, all realizing great benefits from *MELT Therapy and Tracy’s experience. *MELT therapy rejuvenates your circulation, makes your ‘body move better’, and most importantly you discover joy and fulfillment in moving. By personalizing training programs she sees our ‘body’s inner wisdom’; building stronger, happier, healthier bodies. Whether in a private, semi-private, or group setting all programs and classes are designed to make changes that will be lifelong

Michelle Kencitzski is a Registered Yoga Teacher who received her 200 hour Certification from Bright Spirit Teacher Training. Finding inspiration in the soulful direction of Jillian Pransky, Michelle’s teaching style is both free-spirited and compassionate. She believes the practice is less about achieving the perfect pose and more about each person safely finding what makes sense for his/her body while befriending it. In doing so, she hopes to guide her students to connect and align with their heart and soul to find a sense of strength, peace and grounding on and off the mat in daily life. Michelle is also a Trauma-Sensitive Certified Yoga Teacher through the Trauma Center in Boston, teaching students how to gently and lovingly re-inhabit their bodies after experiencing Trauma so that they may heal.
In addition to her Yoga work, Michelle is a Certified Self-Defense Instructor, working with women and children of all ages. Michelle has taught Yoga and Self-Defense in schools to children ages 8-18.  She has additional training in Neuroscience and Attachment, Reiki and Somatic Movement. Michelle has also worked closely with a handful of Psychologists to create a holistic healing model combining Traditional Psychology with Self-defense and Yoga for Trauma Survivors.
Michelle discovered Soma Center shortly after completing her Yoga Teacher Training and has found comfort and inspiration with their gentle approach and desire to preserve and celebrate the heart of Yoga.  Grateful for all of her generous teachers, she finds wonder and joy in practicing and teaching; both a passion and blessing in her life.

Denise Trimble brings a variety of life xperiences to her teaching. She received her BS in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University in 1995, and after working in a rehab setting for 4 years, she yearned to help people find relief from pain. This led her to become a Certified Massage Therapist through Health Choices Holistic Massage School in 1999. Denise found massage therapy very rewarding, however it was physically strenuous. She began practicing yoga to stretch, strengthen, and relax her body. Through yoga, Denise not only found balance in her body, but also serenity in her mind. In 2001, Denise completed her Yoga Teacher Training at Soma Center in Highland Park, and with excitement and a passion for spreading yoga to as many people as possible, she opened Inner Light Yoga Center in North Brunswick. After 3 years Denise moved forward to her next phase of life, selling the yoga center and entering Motherhood. Now Mommy to a vibrant daughter, she has discovered the true value of the teachings of yoga in helping her through the ups and downs of full time parenting and part time yoga teaching and massage therapy. Denise draws from all of her life experience to enrich her teaching of yoga.