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John Levis

Bass, Djembe, Percussion, Vocals


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.


     
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