Meet the Team

Owner/Yoga Instructor

Cheryl Van Sciver

Cheryl Van Sciver co-founded Balanced Planet Yoga with a belief yoga is for everyone and the goal of creating a safe space where people could peel off their labels and conditioning and reconnect with themselves.  She believes passionately in the benefits of yoga from the physical to the metaphysical and knows firsthand this cannot be taught or learned in any book.  Yoga is a direct experience – a process of self-investigation.  While a seemingly solitary endeavor, it is one that leads to the realization we are all so very connected.  To walk into the studio and see her students sharing, laughing, and holding space is a great joy and provides the inspiration to expanding BPY’s offerings.

She has been practicing yoga for decades and in many styles, initially coming to yoga for its physical benefits.  However, after committing to a regular practice, Cheryl began to incorporate yoga philosophy, meditation, ayurveda and other yogic teachings into her daily life and has seen firsthand the benefits this work brings.  Peace of mind, physical healing, and a sense connection have all been part of her journey.

Cheryl is an E-RYT® 200, E-RYT 500®, YACEP®  Yoga Alliance teacher.  She earned her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate from the Bhakti Yoga South Jersey, a Yoga Alliance Certified School. Cheryl has also completed additional training at Budokon University in Miami, Florida with Cameron Shayne, and is certified Budokon Yoga teacher.  Cheryl also has attended Budokon Academy and earned her Budokon Red Belt.  She is further certified to teach Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra by Jennifer Reis and is a certified meditation teacher by Paul Jerard, Jr.  Additionally, Cheryl is Reiki I certified.  A life-long learner, Cheryl believes self-study and continuing education is a mandatory obligation of every yoga teacher.

Cheryl’s formal educational background is in Health Sciences, Business Management, and she also has a Masters in Business Administration. Cheryl is a life-long South Jersey resident and proud mother and grandmother. A strong believer in community service, Cheryl is the recipient of the prestigious NJ Commendation Medal for her volunteer efforts on behalf of military families. South Jersey Magazine also named her a South Jersey Superwoman.

CERTIFICATIONS

• 300 HOUR ELEVATING CONSCIOUSNESS
• 200 HOUR VINYASA YOGA
• 60 HOUR VIPASSANA MEDITATION
• 50 HOUR BUDOKON YOGA
• BUDOKON RED BELT
• 40 HOUR DIVINE SLEEP YOGA NIDRA
• REIKI LEVEL 1 + 2  CERTIFIED

SPECIALTY TRAININGS 

• GONG PRACTITIONER WITH YOGI MEHTAB
• PRIMORDIAL MANTRA MEDITATION
• TRAUMA-INFORMED YOGA

OTHER EDUCATION

• ASSOCIATES IN APPLIED SCIENCE, RADIOLOGIC SCIENCE, 1996
• BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, 2007
• MASTERS OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, 2009

Owner/Yoga Instructor

Jenna Kelly

Jenna’s philosophy about fitness revolves around the singular concept that every person is a unique individual. She has found that there is just no one size, fits all model that is capable of addressing her client’s goals, likes, dislikes, and motivation style. Just as her own personal fitness journey has had successes and failures, Jenna’s clients also come to her with these same stories. Part of Jenna’s ability to form lasting relationships with her clients is her ability to really hear what her clients are saying and craft a fitness plan that puts them on the path to their vision of health and wellness.

Jenna’s training style has developed through a mix of education, former military service, life experience, and focusing on the types of movement she is passionate about. She has found that by combining what she loves about yoga with the functional aspects of strength and conditioning, she has discovered a blend of movements that not only maximizes results, but does it in a way that reduces the risk of injury and enhances everyday life activities. This makes Jenna’s approach accessible to all levels and all ages.

Jenna holds her Personal Training Certificate through the American Counsel on Exercise (ACE) and a Functional Training Certificate from Perform Better.  Jenna is a 200HR E-RYT and will be completing her 500HR RYT in 2024.  She is also a certified YBarre + Mat Pilates instructor.  Jenna also teaches mindfulness to inner city youth as a certified Inner Strength Meditation Teacher.  Jenna is a Lead Trainer for many of BPY’s school offerings.  With these in-depth knowledge of mind + body, she also offers customized private yoga sessions, one-on-one and to groups, offering a unique experience that delivers results..

Yoga Instructor

Cat Cuneo

Cat is a Yoga Alliance E-RYT® 200 HR and RYT® 500 HR yoga teacher.  Her yoga journey began in 2009 by taking classes at an Ashtanga Studio. Shortly after that, she began a consistent Bikram Yoga practice. In 2015, after recovering from elbow surgery, Cat started to practice Vinyasa Yoga at Balanced Planet Yoga and embarked upon a new level of discovery. She knew that her next step was to share her experiences of what yoga offers and completed her 200 Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training at BPY in 2017.

Yoga and Meditation are foundations in Cat’s life, and by interlacing the two, she believes that we can learn to release external distractions, live in the present moment, and lead a balanced and centered life.

In addition to being a student and teacher of Yoga and Meditation, Cat is a Mom and wife and works full time as the Sr. Manager of Mobility for a Law Firm based out of Philadelphia.

Certifications:

• 200-Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training
• 300-Hour Elevate Your Leadership Yoga Teacher Training
• 300-Hour Elevate Consciousness Yoga Teacher Training
• 200-Hour Meditation Teacher Training
• 96-Hour Level 1 Baptiste Teacher Training
• 20-Hour Baptiste Social Impact Training
• 40-Hour Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra
• 30-Hour YBarre Teacher Training
• 50-Hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training
• Reiki Third Degree

Scholar in Residence

Robert Healey

After leaving the world of touring in a punk rock band, Bob turned towards yoga as a tool for personal growth and self transformation. Not long after enrolling in his 200-hour yoga teacher training, which was followed by an advanced 300-hour training training and pilgrimage in India, he became immersed in Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of love and devotion.  Bob credits Bhakti for cracking him open to see that there is so much in our world to be grateful for, but only if we can take ourselves out of the center of everything.

By the mercy of his teachers, the knowledge and benefits of yoga and a yogic lifestyle were gifted to him freely and without reservation.  Bob continues that service by passing this information along to others. To teach them how to engage their body, breath, and mind to overcome the obstacles in their life that hinder them from realizing their soul’s true nature.  To help them shift their focus and awareness to practices that will lead them to a more fulfilled life.

CREDENTIALS

• 200 Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training
• 200 Hour Empower & Evolve Teacher Training
• 300 Hour Supersoul Yoga Advanced Teacher Training & Bhakti Cultural Immersion
• 50 Hour Palo Santo Advanced Teacher Training
• 50 Hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training & Intensive w/ Bernie Clark
• 50 Hour Bhatki Center Pranayama Training w/ Alexandra Moga
• Divine Sleep© Yoga Nidra I & II
• Conscious Kirtan I, II, & III w/ Madhuri Galleli
• Practical Sanskrit for Yoga Teachers w/ Hari Kirtana Das

Yoga Instructor

Jannine Veasy

Jannine Veasy has been a member of the BPY community for many years.  She holds many certifications including  40 Hour Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra, 50 hour Yin Yoga, and a 200 Hour YTT from Balanced Planet Yoga.

Yoga Instructor

Tracy Zuber-Kerr

Yoga is a passion that has changed my view of this life and has helped me to get in touch with the flow of my spirit.  Over the past 20 years, I have practiced Yoga and found profound joy and love for self.  This experience moved me to become a Yoga teacher, so I attended BPY’s 200 hour YTT 2020 and have the honor of leading a healing vinyasa class on Tuesday afternoons. In addition, I am a reiki practitioner, certified teacher of Yin Yoga, Tantric Numerology, and Intuitive Tarot readings.  Yoga philosophy and lifestyle have affected this life with such a powerful force, that I want to share and spread that satisfaction in the evolution of spirit.  Yoga is a place for Any and Every Body, and every soul; the journey is your personal magic to discover.  During the day, I am a Special Education teacher, and love it immensely.  My love of working this body, found me running many miles in both full and half marathons, as well as swimming, hiking and aerobics; (yep, aerobics!).  This community has supported my evolution and growth and I am humbled and thankful for this loving support.

Yoga Instructor

Heather Stapleton

Heather’s yoga journey began at BPY in 2015 when she took her first vinyasa class.  She has been a regular and prolific practitioner at the studio ever since– classes, workshops, retreats, she loves them all!  After years of watching so many of her fellow yogis become teachers, she finally decided it was her turn to give back to the community that has given her so much.  Heather’s certifications include 20 Hour YBarre (BPY, October 2021), 50 Hour Yin Yoga (BPY, July 2021) and a 200 Hour Vinyasa training (June 2022).

Yoga Instructor

Jennifer Nehring

Meet Jenn! A long-time BPY community member who answered the call to become a certified 200-hour Yoga teacher after practicing for many years. She is a 2022 graduate of BPY’s 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program [Yoga Alliance]. Currently, she is attending BPY’s 300-Hour Yoga Alliance registered YTT training and will complete her 500-hour RYT in August 2024. In addition to these trainings, Jenn completed a 40-hour certification in Teaching Yoga and Meditation for Survivors of Sexual Trauma, emphasizing the effects on women of color, from Porchlight Wellness in August 2022. She has also completed Yoga Nidra Training from BPY in July 2023.

Jenn’s teaching style is warm and welcoming, and she always encourages them on their unique journey of self-discovery. As a survivor herself, Jenn’s classes combine slow, intentional movements with a focus on the breath and the movement from the outer world to the inner world. She greatly emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and self-love, which shines through in all her classes. Get ready to be inspired and uplifted by Jenn’s empowering teachings!

Yoga Instructor

Ilana Torres

Ilana’s interest in yoga was piqued as a young child, as she watched her mother do yoga off of VCR tapes. Throughout high school and college she practiced on and off but then dove deep into yoga by attending BPY’s 200 hour YTT. She just graduated in June of 2021, and jumped right into BPY’s 50 hour Yin YTT, graduating in July of 2021. Ilana loves teaching a powerful vinyasa flow combined with juicy stretches. Keep an eye out for themed classes and workshops on topics such as tarot, chakras, and more!

Yoga Instructor

Scott Duszko

     Scott Duszko (ERYT 500) began practicing Qi Gong and Hatha Yoga in his early twenties. He later found Baptiste Power Yoga and Flow Yoga. He began to train extensively with Cara Bradley and Johnny Gillespie during a 200 hour YTT with Verge / Empowered Yoga (Wayne, PA/Wilmington, DE) in 2007. Scott has also trained extensively with master yogis Dharma Mittra, Rolf Gates, John Friend, Kaustubha Desikachar and more. His style is a heart themed practice that creates beautiful flows and balanced sequences, steeped in yogic philosophy. He is certified in Yin with Paulie Zink.

Scott has lead and co taught thousands of hours of teacher training. Scott is the former co owner and creator of Honest Yoga and Sobu Stretch.  Besides enjoying yoga, Scott is a father of two boys. He enjoys team sports and golf in his free time. Scott is also a lover of music and production holding degrees in audio engineering with production and song writing credits.

Yoga Instructor

Jayme Phillips

from a young age jayme knew that her life’s work was to be of service, but never landed on what that meant for her until she found yoga in 2018. she knew from the beginning that there was much more to the practice than just the asana [postures] and became fascinated by the ways yoga was showing up ‘off the mat’ in day to day life. in 2021 she completed BPY’s 200hr YTT and followed that up with a gong practitioner training, crystal singing bowl training + Reiki level one and level two attunement. jayme values being a student; showing up for her self + the community, and continuing her education, joining in on BPYs first 300hr YTT rooted in elevating consciousness. 

jayme’s classes are gentle and focused on letting you explore your own outer and inner worlds. getting to know body + mind and how the two worlds come together on our mats, and how we get to witness the experience of being human. 

Yoga Instructor

Gabriella Vergantino

My yoga journey began in 2018 when I decided it would be fun to test out my dancer flexibility and runner strength in a vinyasa class to get a little workout in. Little did I know that in less than 3 years what started strictly as an asana-based practice would completely transform my physical, emotional, and spiritual being. Yoga quickly integrated into my everyday life. After falling in love with the practice, both on and off the mat, I knew I wanted to share the teachings of yoga with anyone and everyone that I could. I signed up for YTT at BPY, and graduated in October of 2020 from their 200-hour training. I am now excited to continue to teach vinyasa classes to the BPY community, and continue to be a forever student within the practice of yoga.

Yoga Instructor

Zach Brown

       Zach firmly believes the Yogic path is not only accessible for everyone but a path that sits very near to those having  a sincere desire to learn to live more skillfully and at peace with the world around them. Zach’s journey has been a unique one and has strengthened his belief we have much more in common than appears at the surface.  The yogic path encourages each of us to dig deeper to find our common threads, and Zach is passionate about helping his students find their own tools to draw these lines of self-discovery.

         Zach received his 200-Hr Budokon Yoga Certificate in 2015 in Miami and his 200-Hr Hatha Yoga Certificate from Pilgrimage of the Heart in San Diego, California.  He is also a Budokon Red Belt.  His teaching approach is to see each person as a unique being, and through this lens to see each person’s journey as solely that of their own creation.  Yoga fundamentally is not a one size fits all proposition.  While you will certainly learn how to do many of the well-known postures in Zach’s classes, your time on the mat with him is also an open invitation to dive deeper and connect with your  own sensations and thoughts, which can be radically different day-to-day.  As a very recent cancer survivor, Zach credits his illness and recovery with refocusing his efforts on self-realization in this lifetime, and he believes passionately in helping to light this path for others to discover.  Zach continues to answer the call to share his experiences, knowledge, and grateful heart with those around him looking to elevate their human experience and expand their own mindfulness.

            You can expect to be challenged in his classes, as he holds the space for you to explore you own edge in a safe and welcoming environment that accepts humans from all backgrounds. Throw out the rulebook, because you may find yourself leaving the confines of your mat, a physical metaphor Zach uses to encourage a shift in perspective and to nudge you out of your comfort zone. It is Zach’s belief that we should never stop learning and always try to view life from a beginner’s point of view. Zach teaches beginners, all levels, advanced, and meditation classes; be sure to look out for his name on the schedule.

Yoga Instructor

Stacey Cerasi

Stacey has been working as a yoga instructor 2017 to present. She has coach 4 Power Yoga Teacher Trainings and continues to be an enthusiast of both a personal practice as well as aiding others in growing physically and educationally. Stepping into her new role as an instructor at Balanced Planet Yoga her background includes gentle yoga, yin, guided meditation and heated vinyasa class. Stacey enjoys collaborating with other instructors to create blissed out experiences like Handstand Workshops, Arm Balance and other Inversion workshops. She enjoys theming to sequences, as well as, weaving the chakras, and “myths” of the asanas into classes too.

Catch her on her mat, she’s been a yogi practitioner for well over a decade. She loves to practice with her students, but her true passion lies in helping a new student find their edge. “Yoga has offered me the opportunity to knock down doors that I never thought possible! I am the strongest physically, more so than ever before, and the mental clarity that yoga has to offer has lead me to live a life of peace and tranquility. That in turn, I wish to give back to my students.”

Yoga Instructor

Holly Horner

Holly has been practicing yoga since 2011. At first, she found yoga as a way to exercise, but then along her journey she learned that yoga is much, much more than just a way to exercise or being able to touch your toes. Holly earned her Vinyasa Yoga Certification with Balanced Planet Yoga in 2018 as well as her Certification in Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra in 2019 with Jennifer Reis. She also found Thai Massage extremely powerful and got her certification in 2018 with David Roma. She plans on earning her Certification in Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra in 2019. She presently continues her education through workshops and trainings and thinks her next big step will be getting SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) Yoga certified!

Her teaching reflects exactly who she is. She is a warm, down-to-earth, fun-loving and passionate human being. That mirrors her fun, sweaty vigorous vinyasa flows, feeling fully supported by the earth beneath, while listening to her dharma talks that leave you feeling inspired and motivated and valued. Holly says that as long as her students leave the class feeling full, energized and loved, then she’s done her dharma and that makes her feel amazing.

Holly, also a full-time Graphic Designer, believes that anyone can draw inspiration from anything. Looking, listening, feeling, wondering, communicating, etc.; Finding inspiration can even be found within. All you have to do is get quiet, calm the mind and tune into the breath. Being a creative allows her to teach in a way that inspires students to move their minds and bodies in all different ways, and in ways that allow them to be just as creative and passionate. Holly believes that if you’ve found your way onto your mat that it’s for a reason. And it may be a different reason day-to-day, but listen to the reasoning and stay present and be grateful for the time you spend on your mat, as well as off of your mat.

Being a dedicated yoga student herself, Holly finds herself upside down quite a bit since she has a strong love for inversions. You can always find her in the front of the class working on any inversion like Crow, Koundinyasana or Galavasana (and always with a smile). Don’t be afraid to ask her questions about yoga and life. She’ll always be there for you with listening ears and an open heart.

Yoga Instructor

Wendy Berrovoets

Wendy Berrevoets has been practicing yoga since she started massage training in 2002. She has experienced the healing of yoga not only physically but emotionally and spiritually. Wendy received her 200 hour Barkan teacher training in July of 2002 and 200 hour Bhakti teacher training in July of 2014. She also completed her 50 hour Budokon Yoga Teacher Training.  She is a licensed massage therapist and certified massage instructor specializing in anatomy and physiology. Wendy has a true passion for teaching what she loves to do, helping others grow physically and spiritually.  Wendy is the lead instructor for Anatomy for Balanced Planet’s Yoga Teacher Training program.