John Allen's integrally-informed wellness practice combines treatment protocols from Thai yoga massage, neuromuscular and myofascial therapies, Amazonian herbalism, and ayurveda. He specializes in the shamanic applications of bodywork and manual therapies as tools for the release of trauma, conditioning, and the transformation of emotional and behavioral patterns.

John-Allen grew up in rural Pennsylvania where began his study of yoga and mysticism at the age of 11. He was initially inspired after observing his neighbor and childhood friend’s elderly Indian grandfather practicing hathayoga exercise every morning. The same neighbor introduced him to the rich folklore and mythology of South Asia through illustrated english-language children’s editions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. At age 18 John-Allen moved to Pittsburgh were he began his study of filmmaking, as well as the formal study of Ashtanga yoga. In Pittsburgh he met his first mentor, Ani Drubgyudma, a forest-hermit yogini in the Tibetan tradition, and formed a lifelong bond. Under her tutelage he first engendered an appreciation for a life of contemplation and the value of periods of solitude in the wilderness. Through Ani, he was also introduced to his root teacher Lamchen Gyalpo Rinpoche, who is a renowned Tibetan scholar and yogi in the Drikung Kagyu lineage.

​After pursuing a lively career in the fine arts, John-Allen returned to his primary interests and dedicated himself to teaching yoga, while pursuing his studies under the guidance of his teachers. At this time he became a licensed bodyworker and also began organizing pilgrimages and trekking expeditions to Nepal. Realizing that he had an intellectual grasp of the traditions, but still had little experiential understanding, he sought to deepen his study and practice through encountering new teachers and techniques that could penetrate to the core of spiritual meaning. He is currently an apprentice and assistant to Dionisio Santos and Aubrey Bamdad, the founders of Yacumaman Sanctuary for Integral Shamanism in Tarapoto, Peru. John-Allen believes that yoga is a evolutionary technology for cultivating greater authenticity through a deeper understanding our own humanity. It is his mission to share the practices of yoga, shamanism, and bodywork as an integral path to open our hearts to our highest potential as compassionate wisdom-beings in the world. John Allen has recently returned from a two year shamanic apprenticeship in Tarapoto, Peru and is integrating his studies of yoga and bodywork with the practices and techniques of Integral Shamanism, Amazonian vegetalismo, and Ayurveda under the tutelage of Dionisio Santos and Aubrey Bamdad.

MA#337395

Penny began her journey assisting others to feel good through Fitness and Aquatics over 35 years ago in the Chicago Area. For the last 20 years yoga has become an essential part of her life and she began her regular  yoga practice in 2000, in 2009 completed her 200 E-RYT and in 2011 completed her 500 E-RYT both with St Petersburg Yoga. Through study & practice she began exploring different styles & tools to enhance her meditation practice & shares her personal experience in class. Penny uses the sound of Tibetan bowls & voice during meditation and applies the principles of yoga in every class that she leads.
 
Penny has been blessed to work with several mentors & teachers throughout the years including Swami Karunananda, Swami Vidyananda, and the wonderful Swami’s of Yogaville, my friend yogi Dr. Girish Jagirdar, Bhakti Yogi David Newman(Durga Das), Sound Healer Rosie Warburton, Ayurvedic Practitioner Denise O’Dunn, Chris Acosta, Haris Lender, Cindy Mastry and the incomparable yogi Ruben Vasquez. 

​Penny is also an Ayurvedic Health Counselor continuing her studies to become an Ayurvedic Practitioner at the Florida Academy of Ayurveda, Reiki Healer, Aquatics & Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer & doTerra Wellness Advocate.

Penny teaches Monday Night Meditation every Monday at The Metta Center of St. Petersburg. The class is from 7:15 - 8:15.  
​Suggested donation $10.

​Visit our facebook events page for more information on our classes and workshops.