Dawn DeGraw began studying massage after getting relief from chronic pain and headaches naturally. While in massage school she found the practice of yoga kept her balanced while working, studying and living. Wanting to share these two practices with her clients and communtiy, Dawn opened Garden of Life Massage & Yoga Center in November 2003.

People seeking lasting relief from acute and chronic pain and stress find themselves in Dawn's hands. Dawn uses Tuina, an eastern massage technique and part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, blended with the western modalities of Swedish and Deep Tissue. She also performs Hot Stone Massage, Sports Massage, Pre & Postnatal Massage, Baby's First Massage Instruction, Chair Massage, Reflexology, and Geriatric Massage.

Yoga and massage are for every body. Dawn creates a way for each individual, no matter the age in her care to benefit. Yoga instruction can be modified to a chair or the workplace for wellness programs. Classes taught by Dawn inlcude Hatha, Vinyasa, Intro to Yoga, Kid's Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Pilates.

In January 2001, Dawn graduated from the Institute for Therapeutic Massage in Pompton Lakes, with high honors. Her continued zest to learn more brought her to Shanghai, China in the springs of 2006 and 2008 to continue her studies in Tuina.

Marina Smith believes touch is the key to human connection. Marina graduated from the Somerset School of Massage Therapy in 1995 with further certification in Neuromuscular Therapy and Bodywork for the Childbearing Year. Her experience includes working with women and their families teaching childbirth classes and a doula. She also has 27 years experience as a veterinary technician. Marina enjoys working with people of all ages whether it is for pain relief or stress reduction. Presently, Marina is studying Watsu in the Florida Keys, which combines Shiatsu and Massage with the client being floated and held in warm water.

In her free time Marina enjoys travel, painting and hiking. She lives in Warwick, NY with her partner Brian and her beloved cats. Marina has enjoyed being part of the Garden of Life family since 2004.

Danielle Firmenich - Certified Massage Therapist

The motivation for Danielle Firmenich to begin helping others to heal themselves through therapeutic massage started with her own journey towards healing. After receiving her first massage Danielle was convinced that massage has intricate abilities to guide the body into relaxation and the path to health. Danielle has been a vegetarian for many years and practices mindfulness under the teachings of Thich Nhat Hahn (Zen Buddhist Monk, Author of No Death No Fear). She received the five mindfulness (meditation) trainings where she was given the Dharma name, Tranquil Relationship of The Heart. She has also practiced Yoga (Hatha) and Taijiquan for many years.

Danielle graduated as a Natural Therapeutic Specialist from New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics, located in Albuquerque, NM. This 800 hour program specializes in Therapeutic Massage and Polarity Therapy. Developed by Dr. Randolph Stone, Polarity Therapy is a healing art that restores the vital energy to a relaxed and energized balance. A soft, stimulating, or deep touch is used to affect the finer electromagnetic energy currents within the person's body and mind in order to create a state of self-acceptance, balance, and restored health. Danielle also practices reflexology and some Shiatsu. She has basic knowledge of Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine, Hydrotherapy and Flower Remedies.

Angie’s experience with massage therapy began when she saw a Chiropractor and massage therapist for a car-related injury. After a few months of chiropractic and massage treatments, she began to feel whole again and realized the benefits of receiving regular massage treatments. At the same time, Angie began growing in her spirituality and became very close with like-minded people.

The relationship between mind, body, and spirit has opened the space for Angie to walk the path of her final venture – Massage Therapy. She graduated in January, 2007 from the Institute for Therapeutic Massage in Pompton Lakes, NJ. Her love and passion for bodywork has transformed her life and is expressed through her delivery, offering Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Aromatherapy and Chair Massage.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, Eileen attended the National College of Art and Design in Dublin where she studied graphic design and photography.

She has been a freelance photographer and newspaper correspondent for over 15 years enjoying the flexibility it gave her to be home to raise her son Conor.

As her son got older she had less demands on her time and decided to explore an area she has always found extremely interesting, massage.

Eileen attended the Institute of Therapeutic Massage in Pompton Lakes where she studied Swedish and Medical massage.

While Eileen enjoys all massage modalities she is particularly interested in medical massage which she believes if done on a regular basis can effect significant positive change in the body, regardless of age.

Judi is a Certified Registered Yoga Teacher/Therapist who has been teaching  yoga for the past 30 years.  She received her certification from New York’s Integral Yoga Institute and has studied with many Yoga Teacher/Therapists since that time.

Judi developed both a Gentle and Chair Yoga Teacher Training Certification Program and Manual for Integral Yoga and is currently on the Board Of Directors for this program.

She has always been very concerned about making Yoga accessible to everyone; the elderly, the disabled, those with injuries, those with chronic pain as well as the physically fit.

Judi brings compassion, an open heart, a sense of humor and lightness to all of her classes.

Judi is also a Traditional Reiki Master, trained by the Loving Touch Center, International School of Reiki, Inc.  She began to study Reiki in 1994 and continued on to becoming a Reiki Master in 1997.  That same year she was ordained as a Minister of Spiritual Healing and has performed many marriages, blessings and memorial services.

She also became a Master Teacher of Magnified Healing in 1995 and is a graduate of Silva Mind Control.

About 9 years ago, I found yoga or rather yoga found me.  I decided to give a yoga class a try at the local gym that I belonged to and never looked back. 

I realized very quickly the physical benefits of a yoga practice as well as the balance that a regular yoga practice brings to every aspect of my life.  Being a yoga teacher allows me the opportunity to share the essence of yoga with others.  I enjoy teaching a Vinyasa flow style which focuses on mind, body and breath connection and with a strong emphasis on proper alignment.  Through my teaching, it is my desire to share with others the importance of honoring and respecting our physical bodies and also realizing the importance of taking time to care for oneself.

I have had the opportunity to attend various yoga workshops through the years with such yoga masters as Dharma Mittra.

My future goal is to complete my 500 hour Advanced Teacher Training which will allow me to focus more deeply on the therapeutic benefits of yoga.

Dave has been instrumental in raising awareness of Yoga in Northern New Jersey. He developed the Yoga Program at the Sussex County YMCA in 2006 and has taught over 1000 classes there since. He is also the creator and producer  of the Evolve Music and Yoga Festival (evolvefest.com) which was featured in the January 2010 edition of Yoga Journal.

Evolution Flow Yoga is a power vinyasa style series of 70 individual asanas.  All major muscle groups of the body are stetched, strengthened, flexed and toned throughout the Evolution Flow. There is also an emphasis on meditation and connection with your source energy. This class is designed for all experience levels and will help you towards your goals of bodily wellness, beauty of form and peace of mind.  Evolution Flow is a totally new experience designed to promote you to the next level of your unique personal potential!

Dave also composes and performs Kirtan Chant. In addition, Dave is an avid student of Yoga's primary text- The Bhagavad-Gita and will often share it's ancient yet relevant insights throughout his class.