Bonda Yoga Teacher Alex MarksAlexandra Marks, 500 hr. RYT co-founder of Bonda Yoga: I fell in love with yoga after taking my first class in the late 90’s. Always yearning to learn the philosophy of yoga, I continued to practice in various studios, meeting people interested in alternative thinking and nutrition. It wasn’t enough, something was always missing.

One day an idea came to me. I could open a yoga studio, use my Marketing and Communications background to focus on the business side, I can then deepen my knowledge of this practice from the teachers who come to teach in my studio. I tucked this thought away and continued as usual. Years passed, my thoughts of surrounding myself with yoga and creating this sanctuary for others and myself hadn’t.

About 6 years later, I got the courage to pursue my idea. With the help of a friend on a similar journey, all the pieces fell together as if this was meant to happen. Five months later September 2nd, 2008 we opened Bonda Yoga to the community.

In 2009 Laurie Ahlemann, became my new partner, and Brought Long Island Yoga School with her.

I’ve completed a 200 hr and 300 hr. teacher training with Laurie Ahlemann of Long Island Yoga School and the Yoga Ed Kids certification with Robin Appel. I have taken various workshops with David Swensen, Manorma, Bryan Kest, Seane Corn, Alan Finger and TeriLeigh Schmidt.

I love teaching, especially privately. It brings me great joy when my students, see their bodies get strong and limber as they find proper alignment in poses, while their minds find calm and clarity as a result of the practice of yoga. My classes are an energetic challenging flow, with focus on proper alignment.

Through teaching I share a lot of my energy with students. My yoga journey continues daily, I tend to keep it personal. It is my way of holding space for myself, of keeping something that has been close to my heart sacred.

I thank the community for embracing Bonda Yoga, for giving me the opportunity to immerse myself fully and continue my journey of learning and growing spiritually. Most of all I thank my family for all your support, for putting up with me daily! I wake up every morning grateful for another day, to have another opportunity to teach, share, learn with, learn from and learn alongside all of you!