About Our Instructors

Neil Meisel began studying yoga in 1976, and teaching in 1981, after six months in teacher training at the Iyengar Institute of San Francisco. He has attended workshops in a variety of yogic traditions, and is certified as an Anusara Yoga teacher. Since 1988, Neil has attended Vipassana Meditation retreats, and studied meditation with Shinzen Young. Neil is also a certified Rolfer, and a co-founder and co-director of the Awareness Center.

More about Rolfing and Meditation with Neil

Michael Fahey, a co-founder/co-director of the Awareness Center, is in his thirtieth year as a Yoga practitioner, and since the mid-1970’s has taught yoga in the Wilmington and Newark areas. In addition to studying with Bob Davis and Kathleen Wright, since 1994, Michael has been in the teacher training program of Joan White, one of only seven senior-level Iyengar instructors in the U.S. Michael's classes emphasize the essentials of Iyengar yoga -- focused attention on breathing and precise postural alignment -- in a supportive and fun atmosphere. As Michael says, "A yoga practice should be joyful!"

More about Iyengar Yoga with Michael Fahey

Mikie Clement began her study of Iyengar Yoga with Michael Fahey in 1997 while attending the U of D.  After graduation, she continued to study Iyengar Yoga, as well as studying  Kripalu Yoga with Therese Brumfield-Yow in Wilmington. In 2002, Mikie completed her teaching training at the Kripalu Center in Lenox, Mass.. A registered teacher with the Yoga Alliance, Mikie's approach to Yoga emphasizes listening to the body, observing without judging, and taking lessons learned on the mat into everyday life.

Bill Shearer has explored the integration of mind, body and soul as a psychology professor and sport psychologist, as a pastor and counselor/therapist, and by studying and teaching yoga. He completed his teacher training in Integrative Yoga Therapy, and is a Yoga Alliance -certified instructor.  He continues his Iyengar studies with Michael Fahey. His classes focus on posture, breath, imagery, meditation, and deep relaxation within a holistic approach to mind-body health and healing, and personal transformation.

Amala Fahey began studying yoga in 1973, with Bob Davis. After moving to California, she studied at the Institute for Yoga Teacher Education (IYTE), and studied Vinyasa with Richard Miller. While in Maui, she studied Vipasana Meditation with Joseph Goldstein, and Ashtanga with David Williams. After her return to Delaware, Amala began teaching Hatha Yoga, and studying with Joan White, one of the country’s senior-level Iyengar instructors. Through her experience with diverse styles of yoga, Amala has developed a deep appreciation of the mind/body connection. In her teaching, she emphasizes the smooth flow from one posture to another.