DR. KAREN BINDER-BRYNES, Licensed Psychologist
 
Dr. Karen Binder-Brynes is a licensed psychologist with a Private Practice in New York City for the past 22 years. Her specialty in the field of Psychology is in Trauma and Stress Related Conditions.  She has appeared on national television, published papers and has been a speaker and writer about the short and long term reactions to Stress and Trauma.  She is on the Military Advisory Board of Phoenix House and is still very involved counseling members of the NYPD and FDNY survivors of 9/11.  Dr. Binder-Brynes is currently focusing on the mind/body manifestations of stress. .

ELENA BROWER,  Founder of Virayoga, Author Art of Attention
 
Mama, founder and co-owner of VIRAYOGA, and co-author of Art of Attention, Elena has taught yoga for 16+ years. After graduating from Cornell University in 1992 with a design degree, she worked as a textile and apparel designer for 6 years, and has studied with master yoga teachers for over 10 years.
Through her teaching, influenced by several traditions including alignment-based Hatha and Kundalini yoga, Elena offers yoga as a way to approach our world with realistic reverence and gratitude. Her classes are a masterful, candid blend of artful alignment and attention cues for your body, mind and heart.
 
From the Museum of Modern Art to the Great Lawn at Central Park, from the playa at Burning Man to the Eiffel Tower, Elena is honoured to offer larger-scale experiences of yoga, but her true service is in shifting awareness within the smallest interactions; one family, one household at a time. As a coach with the Handel Group, she coaches individuals and teaches courses, and she’s been featured in the New York Times, Yoga Journal, Element Yoga for Beginners DVDs, ABC News and NBC News. Dozens of yoga practices with Elena can be found on Yogaglo.com.
 
As the Executive Producer of On Meditation, she is curating a docuseries of short films about the relevance of meditation and its benefits. Her first book, Art of Attention, co-authored with Erica Jago, was recently released. Along with her own writings, Elena contributes to Yoga Journal, Yoga International, Huffington Post, CrazySexyLife, Positively Positive, The Chalkboard Mag, TheDailyLove, and Elephant Journal, and is an original board member of YogaEarth. Elena’s recently developed an essential oil blend called GIVE that proudly benefits Women For Women International, currently developing another blend to benefit Every Mother Counts. 


PAUL NEUMAN, Panel Moderator
 
Paul Neuman, President of the NY Metro Chapter of ISES, is the Chief Creative Officer of Neuman’s, one of New York’s leading catering companies. Winner of numerous industry awards, Neuman’s is known for innovative menus, dramatic presentations and attractive and attentive staff.
   
SAMANTHA RIGOLI (MPH, RD, EDN, RYT), Nutritionist and Yoga Instructor
 
Samantha a Registered Dietitian, Nutrition Consultant and Yoga Instructor with a private practice in New York City. She holds a Master’s in Public Health and is the founder of Healthy to the Core NYC where she provides one-on-one counseling for adults and children, conducts nutrition-focused seminars, wellness talks, cooking demonstrations for privately owned businesses and corporate accounts. She is currently a consulting dietitian and creator of an office yoga program for Con Edison’s Nutrition Education Program in Brooklyn and is developing a wellness initiative for the human services non-profit, Urban Pathways.