MEET THE TEAM |
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Niki Wozniak
Joga is owned and run by Niki Wozniak. A former professional dancer & choreographer, Niki has over 20 years of teaching experience and has taught in numerous locations across Canada, the US, the Caribbean, and at the prestigious Shanghai Dance School in China. After an injury forced her to stop dancing, Niki discovered Pilates. It was the perfect combination of strength and mobility training, injury recovery/prevention, breath and core work that complimented her dance background and encouraged a mind/body connection. She fell in love. Niki completed her teacher training in Toronto, Canada at Body Harmonics (Pilates Method Alliance approved) in 2018. She began practicing yoga 20 years ago, alongside her dance career, and completed her 200 hour teacher training in 2019. Niki's yoga classes are dynamic and flowing, focusing on breath, tuning in to alignment, and being present in the moment. She loves to experiment with music to create an ambience that will inspire and encourage yogis on their journey. Niki began teaching in Sint Maarten as she loved the warm weather and the people of this truly "Friendly Island". She founded Redemption Pilates SXM and took over Joga in August 2020. Niki loves to inspire her clients with fresh and energetic sessions. Come join her for class, where you will be sure to sweat, tone, rejuvenate and have fun! |
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Armelle Trichet
Armelle has integrated Yoga practice & philosophy in her lifestyle for over 30 years. She was a 700-hours certified yoga teacher in Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin yoga, when she found Iyengar yoga. After a 3-year training of 500hrs, she is now a certified Iyengar yoga teacher. Iyengar Yoga is steeped in tradition, anatomy, and physiology. It is designed to adapt to the individual and encourages the use of yoga props to maintain the integrity of the body. It focuses on precision and alignment, making it ideal for all levels, especially beginners, those recovering from an injury, or anyone wishing to refine their practice. Armelle is also a certified Counsellor in Ayurveda & Yoga Wellness; and a certified “food and hygiene” Advisor. Originally from France, she has lived on the island of St. Martin for over 35 years. (She teaches in English and French.) |
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Jody Anne
Jody Anne is a self-proclaimed anatomy nerd and yoga purist who has spent enough time in India to know that "authentic" is a lifestyle, not a marketing buzzword. Having taught across South America, Europe, SE Asia, and North America, she finally settled in St. Maarten. As an E-RYT 500 and Lead Teacher Trainer, Jody doesn’t just teach yoga; she trains the people who teach it. She is knowledgeable in all traditional and most modern styles/lineages of yoga available today and consistently stays up to date with the latest science and philosophies regarding the body and mindful movements. Jody aims to bring a lot of anatomical intelligence to your practice, helping each individual find their own personal mind body connections with the focus being conscious functional movements and balance. Whether leading 200 and 300-hour certifications or offering massage therapy, her focus remains on conscious functional movement. Expect a practice rooted in heavy science, zero fluff, and just enough sarcasm to keep you from taking your hamstrings too seriously. |
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Hélène Kerhervé
Born in France, Hélène discovered the beautiful practice of yoga in 2002 while working as a journalist and photographer in Tokyo. She used yoga to rehabilitate and neutralize her serious back problems. Soon, she began to see its tremendous physical and spiritual benefits. She was initiated into ashtanga yoga in Hong Kong and completed her initial 200-hr teacher training in 2007. After moving to New York in 2009, she turned to a more calm and mindful yoga practice. She completed the “Anatomy Studies for Yoga Teachers” program with Jason Ray Brown and studied anatomy and breath-centered yoga with Leslie Kaminoff. Hélène believes that yoga develops strength, flexibility, and focus, as well as physical and spiritual balance. Her style is inspired by ashtanga, vinyasa, hatha, and restorative yoga, and also by the wonderful teachers she has practiced and studied with. Hélène is certified as an E-RYT 500 by Yoga Alliance and has been teaching yoga for more than 15 years. Her classes are vigorous and challenging. She takes great care to adapt her classes to every student’s physical capabilities, focusing on breath and alignment, and using clear, sensitive guidance. |
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Naima Dessout
Naïma is a proud native of Saint Martin, where she was born and raised and completed her schooling. At 15, she moved to the U.S. to finish her high school education. Sports have always been at the heart of Naïma’s life—she was a competitive swimmer from a young age until 18. After that, she transitioned into the gym, exploring CrossFit and strength training, and now she blends all those experiences into functional movement. She loves creating fun, dynamic classes that keep people engaged, while still focusing on the foundational basics. Her goal is to help her students build strength and move with confidence in everyday life. |
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Marion D.
After years of practicing on her own at home, Marion’s desire to go further became clear — to share her love for yoga. Trained in Montreal, her practice is primarily rooted in Vinyasa. Through her classes, Marion offers a space where you can recenter yourself and reconnect with your body and sensations through the mastery of breath and movement. A moment for yourself to explore and develop strength, stability, mobility, and flexibility. Each session is an invitation to become more aware, to listen to yourself, and to let energy flow freely. A time to settle, breathe, move and shine. Whether you are a beginner or a regular practitioner, come unroll your mat and share this beautiful energy. |
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Annemarie Reininger
Annemarie is a native of Toronto, Ontario in the summer…and a local resident of Sint Maarten in the winter season. A retired elite gymnast, health and wellness has been a part of her DNA her entire life. MOTION IS LOTION is her motto. Annemarie offers a variety of Pilates Mat and Reformer classes incorporating Props such as light toning weights, mini stability ball and resistance loops that makes every class fun and invigorating. Always offering a variety of modifications to accommodate all levels from beginners to advanced students…Annemarie’s classes will leave you feeling sculpted, strengthened and stretched! |
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Jolanda Dejong & Melinda Chiu | Joga Founders
What better inspiration for Joga than a love for yoga and healthy food? Friends since the 1990's, Jolanda and Melinda recognized there was a great need on St. Maarten for a studio dedicated solely to yoga. They saw that there were many devoted and talented yoga teachers on the island but their classes and locations were constantly changing. "We wanted to create a place where teachers on the island could unite and share a beautiful space. A consistent place where those seeking yoga could find it." Joga's mission is to form a community where we can all learn, teach and share the love of yoga and beautiful, healthy food" Jolanda first started practicing hot yoga in 2011 while living in Fort Lauderdale and was instantly hooked. After moving back to St. Maarten in 2014 she quickly recognized that she needed yoga in her life and so Joga was born. Melinda was first introduced to yoga 1999 and it felt as if she had come home. Her love for yoga and yearning to deepen her own practice led her to attend Yogi Amirt Desai's teacher training at the Providence Zen Buddhist Monestery in 2004. Through the years Melinda has attended numerous yoga retreats, conferences and ashrams around the world. |