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Nicole, Marisa, and Stephani (NiMaSte) met while teaching at a local Kensington yoga studio that connected them to a wonderful community of yoga practitioners. When they learned that studio was closing, they met over many late night cups of tea to envision how they could nurture and grow yoga in the Kensington/Wheaton area and Nimaste Yoga was born. After three years working and growing together, Stephani moved to Michigan and the studio is now led by co-owners Nicole and Marisa.
Our classes are taught in a small, intimate studio by local instructors. This is a safe place that embraces non-judgement, and also nurtures the soul and strengthens your mind-body connection. Our vision for Nimaste Yoga is to provide a safe, nurturing space for yoga practitioners of all ages and all experience levels to receive the benefits of regular yoga practice. The style we teach, vinyasa flow, synchronizes movement to the breath, and often feels like a dance or moving meditation, because of the smooth way the poses and breath connect. |
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Owners \ Instructors
Nicole Van Houten, ERYT 500Nicole received her 500 hour certification from Yoga Works, Baltimore, her 200 hour certification from Tranquil Space in Washington, DC, and her Budding Yogis Teaching Yoga to Kids certification from Circle Yoga. She has been trained in Prenatal and Postnatal yoga. She was first drawn to vinyasa yoga in 2000 for its flowing dance-like sequences that can become a moving meditation. Her history as a student of dance also informs her respect for alignment within the flow.
She infuses her classes with energizing and creative sequences that challenge and nurture those in her class to tune into their own bodies, breath and minds for wisdom, strength and wonder. Off the mat, Nicole gets lessons on how to be mindful and present from her two daughters. |
Marisa Martucci, ERYT 500Marisa is an Usui Reiki Master Teacher who holds her 500 hour Yoga Certification from Tranquil Space Yoga, Washington DC. Marisa started her yoga path back in her hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2003. When she came to the States, she expanded her yoga certifications to children and children with special needs.
Marisa enjoys diversity, small steps and the combination of different techniques to approach quality and wellness in life. She believes that everything happens for a reason, and the reason is always found during the journey. Marisa can be described as a joyful, energetic and creative yoga teacher. |
Staff Instructors
Carolien Annink |
Carolien received her 200 hour yoga teacher training certification with the first class of graduates at Nimaste in 2019. Carolien has been immersed in yoga since her teen years, during which she took private classes in the Satyananda Nath Yogi tradition with her swami, a sannyasin nun. She even passed a baccalaureate oral exam by explaining the concept of Ujayi breath in French! In her thirties, doing a headstand in yoga class while very pregnant taught her a lot about yoga anatomy. In her fifties, she discovered NiMaSte, and has been a regular practitioner there ever since, ready to take her practice to the next level when teacher training was offered.
Carolien enjoys teaching gentle vinyasa flow sequences, attending to alignment and breath, focused on being kind to and respectful of our bodies. She especially enjoys sharing the gift of yoga with all, regardless of flexibility, experience, or age. Carolien has three wonderful young-adult sons. When off the mat, Carolien teaches college-teachers how to teach, and enjoys cooking Indonesian meals, Zumba class, jewelry making, knitting, and traveling to her native Netherlands and to her second home on Maui. |
Angie Berrett |
Angie is a Registered Nurse with over 15 years of experience in health care. Throughout her years in nursing, she learned that health and wellness are not the same as being “free” from illness. On her own health journey a regular yoga practice became time for her mind and body to connect and heal. The personal benefits she receives from a regular yoga practice inspired her to become a certified yoga instructor through YogaWorks, and SUP (stand up paddleboard) yoga certified. Her passion is to help others experience and enjoy the many healing and therapeutic benefits of yoga.
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Tiffany Bishop |
Tiffany Bishop is a lifelong dancer who was introduced to the Ashtanga style of yoga by a university dance professor. Decades later, she is still practicing, and a move to London gave her the opportunity to turn her interest into a career. She is certified as a children’s yoga teacher from Karma Kids Yoga in New York and YogaBugs in the UK.
In 2016, she embarked on the life-changing journey of studying with Jamie Clarke, Dulce Aguilar and The Yoga People where she received her 200 hour teacher training certification in Ashtanga Vinyasa and Rocket Yoga. She has since added Mandala Vinyasa and Yin trainings to her repertoire. Tiffany is a Yoga Alliance RYT 200 and certified in adult and pediatric first aid. Her classes are athletic and energetic, embracing the transformative nature of yoga, breathwork and meditation. Off the mat, Tiffany enjoys reading and spending time with her daughter. |
Susie Borchardt |
Susie first felt drawn to her mat ten years ago from a desire to nurture herself during her mom’s battle with Alzheimer's. It felt like everything was constantly changing in her life and her practice provided the consistency and stability she craved. Her dedication grew immensely as she began to notice the positive shifts occurring in her everyday life. Impressed by how deeply she felt inspired, Susie began her teacher training journey in 2011 with Tranquil Space in Washington DC (RYT200) and holds certifications in Yin, Restorative and Postnatal. Teaching yoga is her way of sharing something that she cherishes with others in the hopes that they too may discover more tranquility & bliss both on and off their yoga mats.
Susie’s teaching style emphasizes breath, mindfulness, and full engagement in the experience of movement. Classes are often begun & ended with guided meditation and are accompanied by an eccentric mix of traditional & modern music. She revels in sculpting a creative flow; providing a supportive environment; and interweaving uplifting teachings into each of her classes. When not in the studio, she can be found chasing her young son around, drinking wine, reading, and venturing around the city. |
Amanda Burks |
Amanda specializes in working with individuals interested in exploring novel movement patterns to feel better, both physically and mentally. She received her 200-hour yoga teacher training at NiMaSte and has completed advanced-level training in anatomy, biomechanics, myofascial release, athletic recovery and performance, and injury prevention and management. Amanda is a certified kettlebell conditioning coach and an avid runner. Amanda is also a special needs mom certified to teach yoga to children with high-functioning autism, sensory processing disorder, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and has taught yoga for various schools and non-profit organizations.
At NiMaSte, Amanda teaches vinyasa yoga classes appropriate for all levels of practice that are athletic and energetic, yet inclusive. In Amanda’s classes you can expect a theme complemented by upbeat music and creative sequencing. She also offers a variety of multidisciplinary classes that blend yoga with strength training, rehabilitation practices, and self-massage. Amanda also enjoys working with private clients by creating individualized yoga plans to refine performance, address discomfort, or simply help them feel better in their daily lives. |
Meg Goodwin |
In 2006, Meg Goodwin received her 200 hour certification from The North Carolina School of Yoga with Chandra Om in the Sri Dharma Mittra tradition.
Meg had been teaching fitness classes for almost 20 years when she discovered yoga and became drawn to the traditional study of yoga and the physical discipline as a means to bring peace, well-being, and meaningfulness to daily life. Teaching a powerful, traditional Hatha yoga style, Meg's goal is for students to make a true mind-body connection and achieve balance on and off the mat. |
Marta Montoro |
Marta Montoro took her first yoga class in 2001, as a way to de-stress during graduate school. Her first teacher was a beloved professor who was also a yoga instructor in the Iyengar tradition, and in 2013 Marta completed her 200-hour Teacher Training at Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C.
She has studied with Judith Hanson Lasater, is a certified Relax & Renew Trainer®, and enjoys teaching restorative yoga in addition to more active Vinyasa classes. She has taught restorative yoga at regional non-profit organizations, and truly enjoys sharing the practice with others. Most all of Marta's classes include a lengthy savasana! Off the mat, she works in the environmental field and enjoys outdoor activities, volunteering, travel, the arts, and visiting family in California and Spain. |