Our Staff

Alicia McBride, RYT

Alicia has a love and appreciation for Yoga, Art, and Photography. She is the President of Alicia’s Art, LLC, a local Photography business and is a 200 hour Certified Yoga Instructor. She found yoga a few years ago and fell in love immediately. It started with back pain and stress; she first tried yoga through a video game! After doing only a few postures, her back pain started to fade away. She then enrolled in yoga classes where she found relaxation, stress relief, and, simply, another way to live. She continues her yoga education and practice each day, and strives for improvement and discovery.
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Amy Wilson, RYT

Amy first learned how to live in the present moment when she started practicing yoga in 2004. Since that time she was continually drawn back to the mat and the peace of mind that yoga brought to her life. After graduating from Gateway Bodyworks’ 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, she is eager to share the many gifts of yoga with others to unify mind, body and spirit. When not on the mat or analyzing data at her day job, Amy loves taking pictures, spending time in her garden, or looking for any new adventure with her husband. Art fills her soul and yoga gives her bliss in the continual search for balance.
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Beverly Blahut, RYT

Beverly Blahut has been active in various styles of Yoga for 25 years, and is certified to teach Traditional Hatha Yoga. She has compiled well over 500 teaching credits which includes Teacher Certification in Therapeutic Yoga and Ayurveda and is a member of Yoga Alliance. Her passion for yoga is apparent in her teachings! In addition, she is an art teacher and combines visual art with the art of yoga in workshops. In her spare time, Beverly enjoys painting, kirtan, studying Sanskrit and the Himalayan Institute where she is a member of their Yoga Teacher's Association.
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Chas Brynan

Charles has been studying and practicing Tai Chi since 1992. He trained nine years with Grandmaster Ho, Tsong Yuan from the Republic of China, learning the Classical Yang, Tai Chi Long form and Straight Sword. Under Grandmaster Ho's tutelage, Charles has medaled in National and International competitions. In 2000, Grandmaster Ho certified Charles as Senior Instructor in Yang style Tai Chi and deemed him ready for teaching on his own. Charles continues to strengthen his Tai Chi knowledge base by attending yearly workshops at the Zhang San Feng Festival, which brings in the best teachers nationally and internationally. Charles has presented at the Martial Arts and Health Expo at Kutztown University and leads a workshop in Tai Chi and Body Mechanics at the Academy of Massage and Bodyworks in Pottstown, PA. Charles is the author of "Tai Chi With Me", formerly a monthly newspaper article chronicling a personal and introspective journey about Tai Chi. He is also a contributor to Qi Journal of Eastern Health & Fitness magazine. Charles holds a BBA from Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA in Business Administration and has worked 41 years in the civil engineering field as an Operations and Senior Project Manager.

Charles holds a degree in Medical Reflexology and is a graduate from the International Academy of Medical Reflexology, licensed by the Pennsylvania State of Private Licensed Schools and reporting under the Education Classification of Instructional Program 51.9999 – Health Professions and Related Clinical Science, Other.

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Greg Ellis, LMT

Greg believes that massage and bodywork are valuable self-maintenance practices that help build lasting health and happiness. He is a licensed massage therapist who is trained in a variety of modalities and techniques including craniosacral therapy, swedish massage, postural assessment, therapeutic massage (with a variety of neuromuscular and myofascial techniques), deep tissue, sports massage, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (contract-relax and reciprocal inhibition), passive/active assisted/ resisted range of motion techniques, trigger point release, hydrotherapy, and professional draping techniques. Greg is also a certified Reiki practitioner about to get his Master level certification, and he’s beginning his certification study as a Postural Alignment Specialist.
Greg is committed to integrity, professionalism, and to delivering the highest quality, individualized, client-centered care. In massage, he combines the power of therapeutic touch with communicating his knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology to empower each client with the insight to achieve the most profound, longest lasting positive change. He is excited to do his part in making our community a healthier, happier place.
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Gretchen Myhre Hasson, RYT, LMT

Gretchen has been in the service and spa industry since 1991. Graduating from a leading skin care school in 1996, she worked for a husband and wife dermatology team for a year, providing Dr. level peels, microdermabrasion and pre/ post operative care for patients recovering from skin cancer and CO2 laser peels. Discovering yoga in 2001 began a whole new path, looking at the body as a whole working unit. Gretchen began teaching in 2004 and found comfort in assisting her students with her hands. Her passion for the body and how it moves has leaded her to massage as therapy and not just for relaxation. Gretchen has worked with pro athletes, runners, and Mom's to assist them in daily activities and sports training. She is dedicated to serving the needs of her clients and students by blending Yoga and Massage into her classes and private work. Sequencing Vinyasa and therapeutic styles of yoga to aid the body in opening with compassion in an organic way. Gretchen is a hospice volunteer in Chester County. Offering massage to patients and their families. The power of touch is amazing. Anatomy and kinesiology is her specialty and passion.
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Holly Brinton, RYT

Suffering from an injury from childbirth, Holly quickly found relief in yoga. Continuing on her path, she decided to not only procure the healing benefits of yoga for herself, but to share with as many people as she could! Holly is certified in 200 hour teacher training and currently pursuing a 500 hour teacher training. She also holds certification in Yin and Restorative Yoga.
She delights in teaching children, holding a 225 hour certification in Children’s Yoga. Holly loves teaching children and looks forward to sharing her knowledge of Yoga with future generations!
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Holly Hopkins, LMT

Holly became a massage therapist after her mom fell ill from cancer and during her final stages she would massage her mom to relieve her pain. She truly credits her mom for the guidance into this world of massage and bodywork. Holly graduated from massage school in 2010 and has been on a path of healing and helping people through the power of touch ever since. She is great with communication and can tailor a session to whatever the client needs.
She has been trained in swedish massage, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, pregnancy massage, sports massage, cross fiber friction, neuromuscular therapy, hot stone massage and craniosacral therapy. Outside of massage she loves music, live concerts, anything artistic and creative, her pets and her husband. She is nationally certified through the NCBTMB, CPR certified, and insured through the AMTA.
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Jaci Yeager, LMT

Jaci graduated from Cortiva Institute with training in Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, pregnancy massage, sports massage, and neuromuscular therapy.She has continued her education in John F. Barnes myofascial release and Thai yoga bodywork (Thai massage).

Jaci specializes in the relief of neck, back, and shoulder pain through myofascial release and corrective massage. Having been herself diagnosed with fibromyalgia, she understands the debilitating and overwhelming nature of chronic pain and the frustration of seeking diagnoses and treatment. She is fascinated by the human body-mind connection and teaches her clients where pain comes from and how to alleviate it.

Jaci is nationally certified by NCBTMB and Pennsylvania-licensed in massage therapy. She is CPR certified and a member of ABMP.
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Kasey Ruth, RYT

Kasey has been practicing yoga off and on for six years. She recently graduated from Gateway Bodyworks' 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training. Kasey decided to complete her certification to further educate herself on the history, philosophy and anatomy of yoga. One of Kasey's goals is to pass along the knowledge that she received in her training to help others live their lives with unity of the mind, body and soul. Kasey plans on continuing her studies of yoga and all of the benefits that is has to offer those who practice. When she is not practicing yoga, or working at her day job as an Inside Sales Representative, Kasey enjoys vacationing at the beach, hanging out around a bonfire with friends and flea market shopping!
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Kate Goodyear, RYT

Ever since her hands first hit the mat, Kate has had a deep and growing passion for her physical yoga practice. Through her practice, this passion has spread into other areas of yoga including, meditation, mantra, and pranayama. Since completing her 200-hour training, Kate has thought it her dharma to share her joy and understanding of yoga with others. Join Kate for a loving, smart, fiery and soulful practice to ignite and unite the mind, body and spirit.
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Kelly G. Boggs, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac, CH

Kelly began studying medicine at Depaul University, Chicago. There she received a BS in Biology and Chemistry. She then earned a degree in Fire Science and Para medicine, continuing on to work as a paramedic with the Chicago Fire Department for eight years. While working as a paramedic she became more and more aware of the negative effects of drugs and medicine on the body.

Searching for alternative therapies, Kelly began studying herbal medicine. Falling in love with Chinese Medicine, Kelly continued her education at the Pacific College of Oriental medicine. She completed her graduate studies and received a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese medicine from the South East Institute of Oriental Medicine. Kelly is board certified by the NCCAOM in Chinese Medicine, both Acupuncture and Herbology.

Kelly is a passionate, caring and gentle practitioner. She firmly believes in the body's ability to heal itself. Her training in acupuncture along with her certification in herbal medicine enables her to treat a wide variety of conditions with amazing results.

When she's not busy with her husband and two beautiful babies, Kelly enjoys swimming, cycling and running.
Kelly is licensed and insured, CPR and First Aid certified.
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Kelly Nastasi, RYT

Kelly has a passion for life, and that passion revolves around the yoga in her life. She has been practicing yoga since 1998, and she has had an RYT200 since 2008. She has been teaching yoga at her school in Phoenixville for 9 years, and she loves teaching both adults and children's yoga. She has a Master's in Education and finds teaching to be her calling in life.
She loves that yoga unites mind, body, and spirit, and she believes that more people need to do yoga to find that balance in life. When she is not teaching yoga or elementary school, she teaches private guitar lessons, performs locally at singer/songwriter events, co-facilitates a "Power of Now" discussion group, is a youth advisor at Church, sings in the choir, or simply spends time with the important people in her life.
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Lisa Firey, LMT, RYT, Founder

Lisa received her degree at the Pennsylvania School of Muscle Therapy. She has continued her education of Myofascial Release and CranioSacral Therapy under John F. Barnes, Dr. Barry Gillespie and Dr. John Upledger. Enhancing her knowledge of the body’s own wisdom to heal, she pursued a degree in Natural Health, where she obtained a B.S.
Lisa has been practicing yoga and studying yogic philosophy for over 20 years. Because of her pursuit of health and healing in the naturopathic and bodywork realm, she realized that yoga is also a healing modality. She believes that Yoga opens the heart, the mind, and the body, allowing for a more centered and forgiving lifestyle in which to live, while promoting a happier sense of self and surroundings! Lisa received her 200 hour yoga teaching certificate to share her love of yoga with as many people as possible. She has continued her training, specializing in prenatal yoga. She now brings, with open heart, her skills as a practitioner and instructor.
Lisa is concerned with general homeostasis, incorporating the body as a whole system and providing treatment plans as such. It is her goal to help and heal one person at a time, as well as to promote a healthy way of life. She is fascinated and endeared with the human spirit, mind, body and the fascia that contains it. Lisa is a member of and insured through the ABMP. Lisa is nationally certified in massage and bodywork through the NCTMB, and licensed through the state of PA, trained in CPR and First Aid, and certified through Yoga Alliance.
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Lisa Urban, RYT

Lisa has been practicing Yoga since 2003. She experienced some difficulties throughout her teenage years but found that reading eastern spiritual and philosophical texts helped to ease her pain and help her make sense of life. While looking for a way to get in shape, she came across Yoga. It is a perfect match since Yoga has the power to incorporate healthy lifestyle with spiritual mindfulness. She was moved by how the Yogic lifestyle enhanced her life so she decided to become a certified teacher in hopes of helping others, on and off the mat. In addition to Yoga, Lisa loves to produce art and hike in the woods with her dog and husband.
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Luna, Hospitality Manager

Luna has been employed with Gateway Bodyworks since puppyhood and quickly rose to, and has maintained, the coveted Employee of the Month status for over two years running. She is highly skilled at greeting customers, maintaining a proper toy and bone inventory, and showing new yoga students impeccable form in the downward facing dog pose.
In her spare time she enjoys swimming, long walks on the beach (or anywhere really), camping, hiking and fetch. Her goals in life are to wake up every day happy, make as many friends as possible, and live a playful healthy life without confrontation.
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Lyse Potter, LMT

Lyse believes in the power of educated touch and healing energy to rejuvenate,refresh and renew the mind and body. She believes life has enough difficult moments and it is important to have a place to go where you can leave your troubles at the door and relax. She aims to ease the physical aches and pains of stress using various massage techniques as well as Reiki. She is trained in Swedish, Therapeutic, Deep Tissue, Sports, Pregnancy, Trigger-point and Mu-Xing massage. Her goal when performing all of her massage styles is to have her clients leave feeling better and more relaxed than when they arrived. Lyse graduated from Cortiva Institute-Pa School of Muscle Therapy and is nationally certified and licensed in Pennsylvania in massage therapy and bodywork. She is also a Reiki II practitioner. She is CPR certified and insured through ABMP.
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Matt Andron, LMT

Matthew Andron has been a massage therapist for five and a half years, specializing in deep-tissue work. Having completed his training at the Rain Star College of Massage in Scottsdale Arizona when he was 24, he spent two years in an upscale resort setting before moving back to his home town in Wayne Pa. His background in Chinese martial arts has given him a particular interest in cultivating a more therapeutic approach to massage. And he continues to develop and cultivate a more integrated understanding of the body and ways of correcting its musculoskeletal issues.
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Mirella Nicholson, RYT

Mirella Nicholson has been a prominent member of yoga in Philadelphia for more than 10 years. Currently a director and teacher in a yoga teacher training program at Gateway Bodyworks, her yoga sojourn began at Yoga On Main, one of the oldest and most-respected studios in the tri-state area. There, she successfully completed both the 200 hour yoga and 500 hour yoga/ayurveda teacher training programs. Currently, she is on track to become a certified Ayurveda Lifestyle counselor through the American Institute of Vedic Studies. While she is committed to enhancing her knowledge of yoga, she believes that her biggest contribution has been as a teacher. Since earning her certification, she has taught classes at studios throughout the Philadelphia area. A blossoming confidence in her knowledge of yoga and her skills as a teacher, compelled her to create and lead many workshops in and around Philadelphia. She also maintains a popular yoga blog. 'My life's work is to share what I have learned about yoga and Ayurveda with others in the hope that they will be inspired to use yoga and Ayurveda in a very practical way to find a state of health and happiness mentally, physically and emotionally.'

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Ron Neidlinger, Center Director

Ron graduated from the National Academy of Massage Therapy & Healing Sciences, where he had exposure to many modalities of massage and energy work. Having experienced the healing power of massage & bodywork personally, his aim is to incorporate the knowledge of these experiences and training in his own practice and help other’s to realize the healing power of the body.
Having spent years in a high stress career, Ron is well aware of the need for relief of stress in people’s lives along with an option for healing the body that is different than the standard options.
It is his goal to provide a caring & gentle environment to help people heal. Ron has been trained in Swedish, Deep Tissue & Sports Massage as well as Trigger Point Therapy & Thai Yoga Bodywork. He is certified in First Aid and CPR and is a member of and insured through the ABMP. Ron is licensed through the state of PA and also certified in massage therapy and bodywork through the NCBTMB.
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Stewart Snyder, RYT

Stu has been studying Yoga ever since leaving his corporate job. He began this path when he completed his 200 Hour Certified Yoga Teacher training at Gateway Bodyworks. He compliments the physical practice with philosophy and wisdom rooted in Eastern culture. A continued study of energy work and healing from Yogic to Shamanic adds a depth and mental connection to the practice he teaches.Stu has dedicated his post-corporate life to helping people achieve more fulfillment in their professional life and emotional well-being, discovering and cultivating the unique character we each have within us. He's found the best vehicle to deliver his message is through the eyes... or the mat... of Yoga.
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Suzie Lee, M.Ac., L.Ac.

A former special education teacher, Suzie has experience working with children of all ages and abilities and their families. She spent most of her life following this calling, until she realized that she really enjoyed the therapeutic aspect of working with her students. This path first lead to physical therapy where she began the DPT program at Massachusetts General Hospital's Institute of Health Professions, but the journey lead her to pursue her studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture instead.

Suzie Lee is a licensed acupuncturist who graduated from The New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) located in Newton, MA with a Masters in Acupuncture. During her extensive education, she received training at Pathways to Wellness, Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, Boston Medical Center and the student clinic at The New England School of Acupuncture. She is Nationally Board Certified through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and is licensed by the Pennsylvania Board of Osteopathic Medicine. Suzie is also CPR and First Aid certified and insured by the American Acupuncture Council.

Suzie practices both Chinese and Japanese style acupuncture. She has studied Shakuju Therapy (non-insertion acupuncture) as well as apprenticed for T.Koei Kuwahara and Kiiko Matsumoto. Suzie seeks to improve the quality of life of the clients at Gateway Bodyworks by focusing on the individual as a whole person including emotional, mental and physical energies, with the final purpose of helping clients heal themselves.
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Gateway Bodyworks & Wellness Center