Teacher Bios

Nicole Chemi, ERYT
Nicole took her first Yoga class at the age of eleven while attending a performing arts camp. After her daughter was born in 1997, she came back to Yoga as a way to center herself and reduce the stress of being a first time mom. Nicole began to deepen her Yoga practice and study Yoga philosophy. In 2001, Nicole studied and was trained as a teacher at Yogalife Institute, an affiliate of The Yoga Institute in Mumbai, India.

	Nicole Chemi and Joe Finnerty

Nicole has taught classes on yoga postures, meditation, and philosophy for adults and children at all levels of practice. As a senior instructor, Nicole taught yoga postures and teaching techniques to aspiring yoga instructors in a teacher training course. She developed and taught a Yoga and Weight Loss program that included a three hour seminar and six private Yoga therapy sessions. In 2005, Nicole was able to pursue her dream of directing her own Yoga center with her best friend and partner, Joe Finnerty. East Eagle Yoga opened January 2005 in Havertown, Pennsylvania where she shares her experience and love for Yoga in a nurturing and warm teaching style.

As a writer, Nicole has been published nationally in Lillipoh Magazine and was a regular columnist in Yoga Living Magazine. She has been featured in Philadelphia Magazine.

In 2003, Nicole choreographed and starred in Missfit Fitness Video for teens. Nicole is a member of The Yoga Alliance and The Himalayan Institute Teacher's Association.

In the February, 2005 issue of Philadelphia magazine Nicole's private yoga practice was featured in "Philly's Top Workouts". Read what they have to say...

Nicole is a graduate of The Institute for integrative Nutrition (IIN) in New York City. IIN is associated with Columbia University and is the largest nutrition school in the world. She is certified as a Holistic Health Counselor and counsels clients interested in discovering what dietary approach works best for them and how they can live a happy and healthy life filled with energy and vitality.

Joe Finnerty, CYT
My yoga journey began in the summer of 1995. I had a burning desire to find out the purpose of my life at this time. Why am I here? What is life about? Is there more to life than collecting a pay check, socializing, etc…? Something felt empty and I knew there had to be something more. 

I had always been intrigued by yoga. Being an athlete, something about the postures seemed interesting. I began to read, and with the help of books and tapes, I began to practice daily and it felt wonderful. The feeling of savasana (pose of relaxation) was indescribable. After 9 months of practicing every day, I finally took my first yoga class and met others who were searching for something deeper than materialistic living. Shortly after, I started substitute teaching and my personal exploration of yoga began to shift to learning about the philosophy. I soon found a teacher well-versed in the philosophy, and I began working at his center, teaching full time after completing teacher training. 

As my dedication progressed I was rewarded with a scholarship to go to India and study at an ashram. In November 2001, I flew to Mumbai, India and entered The Yoga Institute of Santa Cruz, the oldest organized yoga center in the world. Learning from Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and his wife Hansaji was truly life changing. Upon returning home, I met my girlfriend, Nicole. In January 2005, we opened our center in Havertown. I find daily inspiration in life and as a teacher from the Bhagavad Gita. In February 2006, I was certified as a massage therapist from The Pennsylvania School of Muscle Therapy. 

Please accept our invitation to join our spiritual community and begin your journey to happiness and joy. I am ever grateful to all my past teachers and those who help shape my journey and taught me to walk the path of yoga.