Teachers

AYC Teachers

Marinda Hollar

Marinda Hollar is a student of Dharma Mittra and certified to teach Dharma Mittra classes. Marinda has owned Arlington Yoga Center since 1999. She brings over 25 years of experience in body/mind/soul teachings to the center. Years of studying metaphysics, spiritual writing and psychotherapy, and also meeting several spiritual leaders, have led Marinda to redirect and focus her life on creating a wellness/spiritual community for yoga. Marinda is registered with the Yoga Alliance to teach at the 500 hour level, the highest registry available. Marinda was inspired to open her own yoga center by Dr. Maha Maharashi Paranjothiyar (Guruji), head of the Universal Peace Foundation in India. Guruji returns to the Arlington Yoga Center bi-annually to lead workshops in Kundilini Yoga. Marinda sponsors regular workshops with a variety of seasoned yoga teachers.

Lynn

Lynn has been a part of the Arlington Yoga Center for 12 years,  she started as a student and 8 years later convinced Marinda to go to NYC and meet the  legendary Dharma Mittra. They took this trip together and it changed the course of AYC.  Many of our teachers are certified with Dharma Mittra thanks to Lynn.  We are all very grateful that Lynn helped create the great Dharma community we now have. Lynn’s classes are known for being gentle, relaxing and peaceful.

Cynthia Novak

While an undergraduate prowling the library stacks, I happened upon a book that described what an astrologer actually does. It was a calling; I calculated my first astrology chart using logarithmic tables in 1975. I haven’t stopped since. I have a Master’s Degree in Health Education/Wellness from Texas A&M University. I have worked as an insurance investigator and for the past 20 years as a full-time professional astrologer. For many years I used Western or Tropical astrology. That is what you think of when you hear someone say, “I am an Aries; this is my horoscope.” After a two year intensive program, I was certified by the American Council of Vedic astrologers in 2000. It is the astrology of India. I use both systems. I like to say I use the Western chart as a personality model and the Vedic chart as a life evolution mode. I also use Vedic for cycles and predictions.

I have done talk radio and was featured on both Fox and NBC news in Dallas. NBC actually did an investigative report and found me to be accurate. You will find my articles at HolisticNetworker.com and in their print publication. You will find my daily messages there as well and my Monthly Planner on this site. Most of all, I am interested in working with my clients.

Personal note: On February 28, 2008 my husband suffered a catastrophic stroke. We both knew there was something wrong with him, but tests only revealed that he had high blood pressure and lipid levels. Knowing there was something did not translate into stopping it from happening. Sometimes life happens and we simply need to live with it and grow through it. He has returned to work full-time as a professor. However, for four years I have kept a low profile and learned a great deal about life and love along the way. I have been blessed with the most fascinating clients who would appear at just the perfect time to teach me about patience, strength, endurance…and love from their own stories.

Hugs,
Cynthia Novak

Arlington, Texas

Scott Jessup

A native of Fort Worth, Scott Jessup has been a member of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra viola section for 30 years and is currently Assistant Principal Violist. He has been an avid student of Eastern philosophy, meditation, metaphysics, etc. for many years. He came to yoga approximately 20 years ago seeking help for back pain associated with being a professional musician. Dr. Kari Rollins of the Wellness Center in Fort Worth directed him to yoga, and after marrying his wife Shelley in 1992 they began a home practice that continues to this day. He has been largely self-taught via books, audio recordings, and video tapes and DVDs. His “teachers” include Lilias Folan, Alice Christensen, Rodney Yee, Patricia Walden, Rod Stryker, Suzanne Deason, the Nityananda Institute, various Iyengar teachers, Robbin Hallford of Karmany Yoga Fort Worth, Cyndi Lee of OM Yoga, Swami Vishnu-devananda, Joseph van Arsdale, Anodea Judith, Kim Wilson, Shiva Rea, and others. Most recently he has been mentored by Marinda Hollar.  In June of 2012, Scott traveled to the Dharma Mittra New York Center to receive the 200 hour Teacher Training from Dharma Mittra.  He is currently completing his internship requirements leading to full certification with Yoga Alliance.

David Weiland

I am a relatively new teacher, having completed my 200hr teacher training with Dharma Mittra in June of 2010. I am truly blessed to be able to share this practice, which has improved my life in so many ways. In my classes, I strive to combine a strong physical practice with a calm, focused state of mind, so that students may experience a tranquil and blissful state of being that stays with them long after the class has ended.

Shelley Cook

Shelley Cook has been an active member of the AYC family as student, instructor and social media/marketing coordinator for the past four and a half years. She has trained with many teachers at Arlington Yoga Center and throughout Texas with a primary focus on the classical yoga teachings of Dharma Mittra. She brings the influences of all her teachers as well as her own life and health experiences to all her classes.