History and Philosophy

While working as a social worker, I noticed the need to find balance not only in my clients’ lives but mine as well. I first attended a few Yoga classes while in high school but did not start my formal training until years later. I was inspired to create “Workshops for Wellness” while training as a yoga teacher in 2005. It was a natural progression to combine my social work experience as a clinician and workshop presenter with my yoga practice and teaching.

Yoga embodies a search for balance on all levels of the human experience--mind, body, and soul as well as social and spiritual levels.  It provides a guide that can be used by itself and in conjunction with other spiritual and healthful practices.  Workshops for Wellness provides Yoga workshops and short-term series of classes for various wellness organizations including yoga studios, colleges and universities, hospitals and other wellness-oriented businesses.

About Litsa DeJulio, RYT, LCSW
(Chandra Devi)

Litsa’s formal Yoga training began when she met teacher, Amy Pearce-Hayden, Director of the RajaHatha School of Yoga and the Yogascape Studio and Spa. In 2005, she completed a 200-hour RajaHatha Yoga Teacher Training and became a Certified RajaHatha Yoga Teacher in Spring 2006. Litsa is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW of New York State). After receiving her Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University, she has worked as a social service provider in hospitals, mental health and the field of education.

Litsa (Chandra Devi) is a member of the Ananda Ashram of Monroe, NY, founded by Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati.  She is also a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, Green Yoga Association, National Association of Social Workers—New York State Chapter and the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT).

About John M. DeJulio, B.S., M.A.

John became interested in Yoga while his daughter, Litsa, was completing her teacher training in the RajaHatha School of Yoga. During that time, he started to attend classes with Amy Pearce-Hayden, Director of RajaHatha and the Yogascape in Carmel, NY. After retiring from teaching mathematics and computer science at the high school and college levels, John continued to practice with Amy and his Self study led to many new insights. His meditations and journaling on Bramachara (moderation) and Aparigraha (attachments) returned an extra divident to him--a weight loss of nearly 50 pounds. With this loss of weight (no to mention loss of stress), he learned to enjoy his love of dance again (especially Zumba), and he now indulges with joy in various physcial activities that in the past were not feasible. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Elizabeth, his son, Tim, and his daughter, Litsa, as well as his wonderful family and friends.

John has a Bachelor of Science from Manhattan College and a Master of Arts from Colgate University. He is happy to help Litsa with Workshops for Wellness and encouraging others to learn the value of Self study.