Meet Our Staff - Wellness Group

Wellness programs enrich the experience at Ann’s Place for cancer patients and helps re-direct towards a healthier lifestyle and lowered stress levels.  Whether you are coming to lighten your load so you can focus better at work or in your family life as you fight cancer, we invite you to take the opportunity to participate in one of these life-affirming services.  There is no charge for these services, but donations are always appreciated to help operating expenses.

Deidre Americo, RYT (Vinyasa Yoga)

Deidre is a registered yoga teacher, having completed her 200 hour teaching training with yogaFit. Believing that yoga can be practiced by everyone, she works with a wide array of students, ranging from athletes to long-term nursing home residents. Her teachings focus on the physical benefits of poses and the healing aspects of breathing techniques and meditation. After personally experiencing positive changes through her own practice, she loves introducing yoga to new students! Deidre leads a yoga class at Ann's Place every Monday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm (effective December 12, 2011). She completed yogaFit training levels 1, 2 & 3 and has been volunteering her time at Ann's Place since January 2011.
Alison DiPinto, MA, LPC
(Healthy Steps Movement & Dance)

A psychotherapist, Alison came to us in 2006 and created new excitement with the simple joy of moving.  Call our office for a current schedule.
Joseph “Joe” Gillotti  (Hatha Yoga) 

Joe joined us in 1998 to create our first yoga experiences and has been a faithful weekly instructor ever since.  He has been active in the field of yoga for more than two decades.

Call our office to inquire about openings in Joe’s sought-after classes.
Ginny Goin  

Virginia Goin (Usui and Karuna Reiki)

Ginny is a certified Usui and Karuna Reiki Master who studied with William Rand, International Center for Reiki Training. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. She was previously a volunteer at Masonicare Home Health & Hospice of Brookfield, CT, where she did Reiki for hospice patients for the past three years. She is available for appointments at Ann's Place on Thursdays.

 

Marc Howard, RYT (Kirpalu Yoga)

Marc began Tuesday daytime classes for us in 2006 and is the owner of There’s No Place Like Om on Padanaram Road in Danbury.
Erik Keller

Erik Keller (Horticulture Therapist)

Erik came to Ann's Place in April 2009 as a volunteer. He earned a Master Gardener's certificate from the University of Connecticut in 2000 and holds a certificate in horticultural therapy from the New York Botanical Gardens. Eric graduated from SUNY at Stony Brook with a bachelor's degree in engineering science and has worked as a journalist, market analyst, director of research, author and a management consultant. As a therapist, Erik has worked with varied populations, from incarcerated teenage girls to at-risk children, to adults living with cancer. In helping to create our special therapeutic landscaping and woodland trails between 2009 and 2011, Erik has supervised teams of corporate volunteers, teens, athletes and community volunteers. Therapy sessions are held on the first and third Tuesday of every month.
Richard Knowles (Usui Reiki)

Rick is a certified Usui Reiki Master Practitioner offering Reiki sessions as a complimentary therapy to wellness or healing programs. He provides Reiki sessions for two hours every Friday at Ann's Place. Reiki is a gentle hands on technique used to balance energy in the body.
terri pawson
Terri Pawson (Usui/Tibetan Reiki)

Terri is a certified Reiki Master in Usui/Tibetan Reiki from the International Reiki Center in Sedona, Arizona. She has practiced Integrative Therapies for over 15 years and has been part of practices in healing and recovery, pre and post operative and relaxation. She has experience from working in Westport, CT/NYC spas and healing centers in Woodstock, NY and Ridgefield, CT. She is a CNA, and Clinical Hypnotherapist specializing in creative visualization and relaxation techniques. Terri is also certified in Reflexology and Shiatsu. Terri provides reiki at Ann's Place on Wednesdays.
Rochelle A. Schwartz (Kirpalu Yoga)

Rochelle is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher volunteering yoga from her studio "Yoga for Health" since 2003. Her gentle style classes encourage each student to work at their own pace in a non-judgemental atmosphere. What she loves most about yoga is that anyone at any age can practice. Yoga is available to all, no matter what the experience and physical ability. Everyone can benefit from the practice of yoga. She enjoys spending time with her family and being outside as much as possible. She is presently studying to become a Reiki Master.

Nancy J. Ryan (Tai Chi)

Tai Chi Chuan is a Chinese movement art that can provide great health benefits to the body, mind and spirit. Nancy Ryan has been practicing Tai Chi Chuan for more than 13 years. She shares her love of Tai Chi and its benefits with the clients of Ann's Place in her weekly class.