Bill Raup, RYT 500 & ERYT 500
Bill Raup is the founder of Power Yoga Works established in 1998 with two yoga studios, in Philadelphia, PA and Malvern, PA. Bill has been named one of the “Area’s Best Yoga Instructors” by Philadelphia Magazine in 2010. Bill’s studios also have been awarded “Best of Philly” for yoga by Philadelphia Magazine in 2008. Bill‘s sense of humor, inspiration, and fun approach to power vinyasa yoga has attracted thousands of students to Power Yoga Works. Bill has been a teacher and student of Baron Baptiste since 1995.
Along with running his studios and teacher trainings in Pennsylvania, Bill has assisted Baron at his teacher training around the country. He is a certified senior Baptiste teacher and also is certified to teach ashtanga yoga by Beryl Bender Birch, director of The Hard and The Soft Astanga Yoga Institute In New York. In addition, he holds Yoga Alliance’s 500 hour Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher designation for teaching yoga. Power Yoga Works is a Yoga Alliance Registered Power Vinyasa Yoga Teaching School. Bill and his staff leads teacher certification programs throughout the year at the Pennsylvania studios.
When Bill is away from the studios, he spends his time with his wife Dawn, his children and grandkids, his church and three bernese mountain dogs. You can contact Bill directly by clicking here. Also for Workshops, Intensives, and Private sessions contact Bill via this link.
Dawn Raup, RYT 200 & ERYT 200
Dawn discovered Baptiste power vinyasa Yoga the summer of 2000. Signing up for a six week course at a local learning center was just the start. After her second class, Dawn asked the instructor, “Is there anywhere else I can go to do this?” The instructor recommended Power Yoga Works. That week, she attended her first class with Bill Raup, and the true transformation began! Dawn became a regular at the studio; signed up to work the front desk, and before long, was managing the entire door staff. A year into her practice, she began assisting Bill in classes and attended the first Teacher Training Program at Power Yoga Works to sharpen her assisting skills.
Teaching yoga wasn’t part of Dawn’s plan, but when called upon to practice teach, the true magic of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga sparked. Dawn knew that teaching was another way of sharing with others what was given to her through this practice…the power to change, the power to grow. Dawn began teaching at Power Yoga Works the spring of 2002. She completed Level 1 Teacher Training with Baron Baptiste in August, 2003, Level 2 Teacher Training in May, 2005. She is a certified Power Yoga Works teacher, and holds the 200 hour nationally recognized Yoga Alliance teacher certification. “Power Yoga Works provide the catalyst and environment for profound change. It is an honor to be a part of these communities, and to share this amazing journey with you.”
Don Myer, RYT 200
Don took his first yoga class in 2004 at Power Yoga Works after reading “Journey Into Power” by Baron Baptiste. Seeking a deeper understanding of yoga, he attended Teacher Training with Master Teacher Bill Raup in the spring of 2006 and has been teaching at Power Yoga Works since 2007. Don feels truly honored to be part of the community at Power Yoga Works and continues to study and share his passion of this transformational yoga practice.
Don completed Level 1 Teacher Training in August 2007 and Level 2 Teacher Training in September 2009 with Baron Baptiste and is currently working towards his certification. He claims the experience at Level 1 Teacher Training with Baron was unforgettable and a true transformation. He said it was a week of grueling practice both on and off the mat. Don learned that the REAL practice of being authentic and present in life is not only on the mat – but off the mat as well. Don encourages everyone to step onto their mats with an open mind and open heart welcoming true transformation.
Denise Paniconi, RYT 200
Denise experienced her first class in 1997 as a student of Baron Baptiste. An avid athlete, she almost declined an invitation to attend her first class, thinking it would be of no benefit. How wrong she was. “In my first yoga class, I experienced wall to wall yoga mats and sweaty people and Baron Baptiste walking across our mats, everyone barefoot.” At first I thought this is gross, but by the end of the class I was hooked. Denise had the typical tight muscles of a distance runner/body builder and was very sore the day after every practice for months on end.
But the soreness told her that something wonderful was happening; that a physical transformation was taking place. After a few years of practicing yoga several times per week, Denise broke all her own personal records in every running event she entered. She even qualified for the Boston Marathon in record breaking heat at the Houston Marathon. I just used what I learned in yoga class to stay focused and calm and to bring awareness to my breath and how I was feeling. But she didn’t just get a stronger body. Denise is learning how to incorporate the calmness practiced in yoga class into every day life. Paradoxically, yoga helped me to slow down mentally and feel what was going on emotionally which has led to the development of a deep compassion for others in need. Denise contributes her continued growth physically, mentally and spiritually to a vigorous yoga practice and brings her passion for yoga to Power Yoga Works to share with others.
Kim Brenneman, RYT 200
You have to try this, it’s heated yoga and you sweat so much! This recommendation from a friend is what first brought Kim to Power Yoga Works four years ago. “Sweating it out” once in a while quickly matured into practicing yoga 3 times a week. The physical challenge opened up something within her: a way to balance and center herself. For Kim, Power Vinyasa Yoga is the perfect discipline because it maintains health in both the mind and body.
Curiosity inspired Kim to sign up for the teacher-training course at PYW in the spring of 2007, a decision that continues to transform and enrich her life. Her commitment to teaching yoga and continuing to learn and grow within her own practice, strengthens and enhances aspects of her life—on the mat and in daily life, as well. She says that the more time she spends studying, practicing and teaching, the more she knows that there is a world of things to discover about helping myself and others to grow in the practice of yoga. “I am so grateful for yoga and the wonderful community of people at the Power Yoga Works studio that have brought so much richness and growth in my own physical, emotional and spiritual journey.”
Joe Nowlan, RYT 200 & ERYT 200
Although he wasn’t sure he’d make it through his first down dog, Joe’s first yoga class, a birthday present in 2001, hooked him from the start. “I was shaking and the sweat was pouring off of me,” Joe remembers. He began taking classes once a week and worked up to practicing every other day. In his early twenties Joe was in a car accident which caused serious trauma to his body. As a result, he often wasn’t present in his body during times of stress. Yoga introduced Joe to his breath and its ability to unite the mind, body and spirit. During a challenging asana, Joe stays present by keying in on the teacher’s breathing instruction.
Once, after practice, a teacher suggested the Power Yoga Works (PYW) teacher training to Joe, and a seed was planted. In 2007 he earned his YTT, became a member of the PYW Wednesday beginner’s class team, and volunteered to assist in the Sunday and Monday afternoon all level classes at PYW in Malvern. These experiences enhanced and reinforced his training. Joe completed the Baron Baptiste Level I training in 2008, and continues ongoing education by attending the various workshops provided at PYW. Give it your all to discover more about yourself through your practice is the example Joe sets when he teaches. He hopes that everyone leaves their mat a little lighter, and inspired to live from a deeper place of gratitude.
Marci Soslau, RYT 200
Marcie Soslau has been practicing yoga with Bill Raup for nearly 15 years. Brought to class by a close friend, Marcie found herself doing yoga for the first time and was pleasantly surprised by how good of a work out it was. Baptiste-style yoga gave Marcie the opportunity to exercise strenuously and continually challenge herself without negative side effects. As a resident of University City, Marcie was ecstatic when Bill made the decision to open his second studio in her backyard. As a mother of three, she credits Power Yoga for her physical recovery from pregnancies, increased upper body and core strength, and uses it as the keystone to her overall fitness regiment.
“Being a mom translates to having very little that I truly do for myself. I try to remember when practicing that it is valuable time spent doing something I love while focusing only on myself. It’s restorative, physical, and uses parts of the body, mind, and muscles not cultivated in a normal, modern, daily routine.” Marcie completed the Teacher Training with Bill in the fall of 2009. She has been apprenticing with Bill since that time and is excited to share her love of yoga with her students, family, and friends.
Gina Birch
Gina Birch believes deeply in the transforming and healing power of Baptiste Power Vinyasa. She is 200 hr. certified through Power Yoga Works. She has completed her Level 1, Level 2 teacher training and Assist with Baron Baptiste.
She has completed her Baptiste Certification and plans to continue training with Baron in the future. When Gina is not teaching or on her mat she is a fine artist and a mom. She loves nature and enjoys the company of her husband and many animals at home.
Debi Sherk, RYT 200
Deb was training for Sprint Triathlons so if it did not involve cardio (running, biking or swimming), then it was not on the training program. Nevertheless, she accepted an invitation to a Yoga class at the Aetna Fitness center. It was a nice way to stretch and improve balance, but still not the workout her cardio provided. After a few months, a friend suggested she go to the next level and really do some yoga – hot yoga at Power Yoga Works in Malvern. This was more like it – it was physical, challenging and rejuvenating.
Deb continued going back once a week and enjoyed the experience of practicing yoga as a complement to her other training. It did not take her long to realize the benefits of practice so she decided to get more involved and started working the desk at Power Yoga Works. Now she was doing yoga three times a week and soon yoga became integrated into her life. This journey so far has lead to some amazing changes: a new yoga family, lower back strength and lastly a new career opportunity. Attending the Teacher Training program and becoming an instructor at Power Yoga Works has been the highlight of her yoga experience.
Dana Wormer, RYT 200
Always up for new challenges and experiences, Dana has been active her entire life through team and individual sports. She was first introduced to yoga through continuing education courses in Hatha Yoga at Emory University in Atlanta. While liking it a lot, she continued with her active sports life after the courses were finished.
Several road races, including one marathon (“one marathon was enough for me”), and a few sprint triathlons later, Dana wanted to find a way to add yoga into her life as a regular practice. She believe that it would provide not only new physical challenges but, even more importantly, a way for her to integrate a mindful, spiritual practice with a physical practice — a natural, non-competitive path.After moving to Philadelphia in 2001, she happened to find the Power Yoga Works studio near the University of Pennsylvania,where her husband is a professor. By the end of her first practice, “shaking, soaked and humbled,” she knew she had found something transforming. Since then, Dana’s mantra has been “more yoga is better.”“Yoga helps me stay connected to myself and my potential, and teaches me something new every day. The power to transform oneself on so many levels, for me, is far greater than I’ve experienced in competitive sports. And the community of friends that I have made through yoga is just icing on the cake! I learn so much from them too. As a teacher, I hope to help others find a connection to their true selves, and a way to continuously unlock the potential of their mind, body and spirit.”
Rachel Beal, RYT200Rachel began practicing yoga to alleviate chronic knee and joint pain, finding that a flowing, yet rigorous vinyasa-based practice was effective way to prevent injury, correct muscular imbalances and augment her training as a professional dancer. In 2006, Rachel was introduced to Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga, where she not only discovered the transformational detoxification of practicing in heated studio (wow!), but also a community of enthusiastic and impactful instructors, whose guidance inspired her to become a yoga teacher.
Whether a student seeks physical conditioning, mental clarity or spiritual enrichment, Rachel believes that yoga has something to offer each individual, and strives to meet them where they are. Her classes focus on embodied anatomy and dynamic sequencing, encouraging lightheartedness and a sense of play. Although rooted in the Baptiste style, Rachel’s teaching is also influenced by her experience with Ashtanga, Iyengar and Yin Yoga.
In additional to her training with Bill Raup, Rachel has a certification in Thai Yoga Massage body work through “Mukti” Michael Buck of the Vedic Conservatory, and plans to pursue an advanced 500 hour Yoga Teaching certification. When she is not practicing or teaching yoga, Rachel is the Artistic Director of Penn Dance Company at the University of Pennsylvania as well as Dancefusion’s fusion2, a training ground for young dancers. Rachel is on faculty at The University of the Arts, Koresh School of Dance, the Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center and other studios throughout the Philadelphia area.
Masha Besedin
Masha came to the U.S. from Russia with her parents when she was 7. Physical fitness was always a part of her life, including gymnastics, ballet and cross-country track. While in college at NYU studying Screenwriting and Psychology, she sought out yoga to relieve anxiety and back pain from scoliosis (curvature of the spine). After experimenting with a few different styles of yoga, her mother, a new teacher fresh out of Baron Baptiste’s Level 1 and 2 Teacher Trainings, introduced Masha to Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga in 2008. Masha was hooked after her first class, and fell irrevocably in love with BPVY for its down-to-earth, authentic feel as well as being physically challenging and spiritually stimulating. A few months later, Masha went to Level 1, a life-changing week that had a profound effect on her. After experiencing the mental and physical transformation (it relieved her scoliosis immensely) of the BPVY practice, Masha was eager to share it with others. In 2009, she began teaching at Mystic Yoga Shala in Connecticut while supplementing her training with the studio’s tightly knit group of experienced teachers, who enthusiastically convened to do a casual “magic carpet” of practice teaching and rehearse assists.
After moving to Philadelphia in winter of 2009, Masha began taking yoga classes at Power Yoga Works, which had come highly recommended by several master teachers. She was delighted when she finally began teaching there in May of 2011. Masha continues to grow as a teacher. She is currently pursuing Bill Raup’s 200 hour Teacher Training and regularly takes teacher training tune-up workshops with Coeli Marsh and other teachers. To this day, Masha finds constant inspiration (and fun!) from her yoga practice and teaching that helps her evolve into a happier, more spiritually attuned yogini. One day she hopes to combine the practice of psychology and yoga to help at-risk populations. In her spare time, Masha loves to read, draw and she perseveres with writing.
Usha Lakshmi, RYT 200
Usha is passionate about yoga, full stop. Her yoga journey has all been about breathing, practicing, teaching and simply being. Since childhood she practiced sun salutes every morning come rain or shine. Yoga grounded her and always helped her to live in the now. About ten years ago, Usha learned the nitty-gritty of the Vinyasa flow and has been practicing it on a regular basis since then. She believes she still has much to learn, of course with yoga the journey never ends.
About two years ago she trained with Bill Raup at PYW to teach the Power flow, and is currently an RYT 200. She now teaches locally while continuing her yoga studies to expand her knowledge, personal practice and sharing that with her students. She has learned that by sharing with others, her own personal experience takes her to a whole new level. Don’t they say that when you give, it gets returned back to you threefold? So true as she learns from each one of her students every single day. Thus with teaching and practicing she comes the full circle.
Catherine Vrencur, RYT 200
Catherine is a Certified, Registered Yoga Instructor. She discovered Yoga in 2002 after she learned that her friend’s strategy for remaining calm and unruffled in a stressful work environment was a routine Yoga practice. She trained in Tae kwon Do for years, and wondered if Yoga could provide her with the same intense work-out. Since her perception of Yoga was limited, she decided to experience a class, and loved it! Still does! She walked out of that class sweaty and smiling, uplifted and rejuvenated with a feeling as if these huge weights upon her shoulders were burned away. She felt invincible! A few months later, Catherine decided it was time to develop a consistent work-out, and was tickled to receive a 10-class card as a gift shortly after making that decision. A few years later, she was working the front desk in the Malvern studio. In 2008, she attended the PYW Teacher Trainer program, and revisited often to enhance her teaching skills. “Yoga isn’t about changing what’s undesirable in your life. It’s about acknowledging the good, the bad, and yes even the ugly, accepting what is, remembering who we are amidst the storms, and choosing to rise above the ‘mind-stuff.’ It’s about re-directing our focus on the gifts we each have been given, so we can expand upon them and share them with others.”
Catherine loves to spend time with her husband, children, family and friends, enjoying the outdoors; and, considers it an honor and a privilege to teach and practice Yoga under the direction of Bill Raup, owner/teacher of PYW.
Eric Seibert, RYT 200
In 2001, Eric took his first power yoga class with Bill. After being injured in a rock climbing accident yoga seemed the right course to rehabilitation. As it turns out Power Yoga seemed to that and more. Not only was there balance and range of motion but the unexpected became clear; therewas endurance, strength and dedication that took him to new levels andabilities. Eric had previously taken yoga through college classes but nothinglike this. Since that first class Eric has been a regular student, eventuallyin 2008 he enrolled in the 200-hour training program and has taken several iterations to keep his skills fresh and accurate. He is also a regular participant in the 40 Days to Personal Revolution program in addition to other workshops hosted at power yoga works.Eric started teaching Power Yoga to his fellow soldiers in the National Guard at training and through his deployment in Iraq. After he cameback from Iraq in 2009 he resumed his practice and eventually joined the PYWstaff in October 2010 where he has been a regular teacher in the Philadelphia studio. Eric also is a certified Thai Yoga Massage body worker and through theeducation of Michael Buck. He also has additional experience and exposure inAnusara, Hatha, Acro, and Ayengar Yoga. He introduced his wife Ginger to thepower yoga and they now both practice and work at Power Yoga Works.
Brenda McLaughlin, RYT 200
At the suggestion of a friend, Brenda began practicing yoga in 2000. “I’ll never forget how impressed I was by the simultaneous flexibility and strength that seemed to come so easily to the teacher and the students,” Brenda recalls. “That first class kicked my butt, but it also gave me an incredible energy and sense of peace that carried through the evening and into the next day. It was just what I needed with the stress of graduate school and planning a wedding.”
Many classes and two kids later, Brenda’s practice took a hiatus as she focused on parenting and her career. It wasn’t until her work environment became stressful that she realized how much she missed yoga. In 2010, Brenda got back on her mat, recommitted to her practice and enrolled in the teacher training program at Power Yoga Works. Almost immediately, she felt different about everything going on in her life. “I had more energy, I could cope with trying situations, and most importantly, I regained a sense of peace and self-confidence I didn’t realize I had lost.” Brenda continually marvels at the power of yoga and is so grateful for the opportunity to practice and teach.
