Along
with Music, I have an interesting history with:
HOCKEY, WINE, THAI BODYWORK, OUTDOOR ADVENTURE, YOGA &
TEACHING
I grew up in Whippany, NJ playing some various sports, but
focused mainly on ice-hockey, playing the bass, and riding
both bicycles and motorcylces.
I attended West Virginia Universtiy, where I studied a little
bit of everything. It was in college that I really got into
mountain biking and frequently hitting the gym - lifting
weights like a madman. After college I travelled the USA
for a while - spending a few years in Jacksonville Beach,
FL where I continued to work out at the gym. I slowly began
to feel the futility in weight lifting, and I began to look
for something ‘more’. In December of 1999 I took my first
yoga class. I was intrigued, humbled and I was hooked. For
the next year I integrated the practice of yoga with cardio
and weight training. By 2001, I left the gym for good. There
was no need for it. In February of 2002 I moved back to
NJ and began a serious yoga practice. The next year I attended
a 200 hour Anusara Yoga Teacher Training with Todd Norian,
which launched me into teaching full-time. The following
decade would take me to various locations in and out of
the USA to multiple trainings and workshops with John Friend
(the founder of Anusara Yoga), as well as a handful of other
senior yoga teachers. Since that time I have developed my
own method of therapeutic, alignment-based yoga rooted in
a tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness. My study of
yoga (and a passion for the persuit of improved well-being)
has given me the opportunity to explore and work in several
countries - both attending and hosting international health
and wellness retreats.
THAI
YOGA BODYWORK
In 2005 I completed my Thai Yoga Bodywork training with
Jonas Westring in South Burlington, VT. For the next decade
I spent most of my time teaching yoga with the therapeutic
benefit in the forefront, guided by a tantric philosophy
of intrinsic goodness as well as hundreds of hours of doing
bodywork with the same goals in mind --- health, wellness,
and well-being!
REI OUTDOOR SCHOOL
In 2013 I started working for the REI Outdoor School, instructing
yoga for hikers, trail running, mountain biking, stand up
paddle board and essential camping skills.
SOMMELIER
I have a Sommelier Certification from the Sommelier Society
of America as well as a Sommelier Certification with the
prestigious Court of Master Sommeliers (as featured in the
movie "Somm"). I successfully completed the Sommelier Intensive
taught exclusively by Master Sommeliers at The International
Culinary Center in NYC in 2015. I worked as a sommelier
at Ninety Acres in Gladstone-Peapack, NJ and on Park Ave.,
NYC. I held the position of Sommelier and Wine Educator
at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, NJ, home of one of
the largest wine cellars in the world. I am available to
consult for private and commercial wine tastings in NY &
NJ.
Today
I am teaching yoga, doing bodywork, playing music, hiking,
mountain biking, paddling & occasionally pouring wine.
973.216.0844
JOHNRLEVIS@YAHOO.COM
https://www.johnrlevis.com/
Bernie
Stapleton
Bass
Bernie
has had a long and varied career in music. He may be best
known for his many years of his work with "Music at
the Mission" in West Milford, New Jersey - where he
brought many well known performers to an intimate small
town stage. Bernie now manages "Coyote Ridge Music"
- where he produces house concert events - hosting many
local and touring musical acts.