Anand Parikshak 

Anand Parikshak is a  meditation teacher, martial artist, and poet. As an Indian-American, Anand was first taught meditation and posture from his father- the son of a yogi and Vedanta educator. During his teens, Anand took a personal interest in meditation inspired by a connection to Nature. Since then, he has trained with many notable meditation instructors including Dr. B. Bayard, Master Junfeng Li, Master Mantak Chia, Dr. B Alan Wallace, Zen Roshi Jan Chozen Bays, and H. H. Satya Sai Maa. Anand takes his greatest inspiration and teaching lineage from his mentor, Dr. B. Bayard, with whom he has trained in Taoist meditation, Chi Kung, and Tai Chi Chu'an intensively since 2007. 

Anand is skilled in the forms of Yang Family Tai Chi Chu’an, Tai Chi Sheng Gong, Tai Chi Chi Gong, Wuji Yuan Gong, Iron Shirt Chi Gong, and Empty Standing Chi Gong. He is approved to teach in the system of his mentor and holds meditation teaching certifications from the Universal Healing Tao (500 hr) and the Cultivating Emotional Balance Project (180 hr).

Ben Shalva

As a writer, rabbi, meditation teacher, and yoga instructor, Benjamin Shalva leads seminars around the world in Spiritual Cross-Training, Kabbalah Yoga, Jewish Meditation, and Mindfulness Meditation. He received his rabbinical ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City and his yoga teacher certification from the Yogic Physical Culture Academy in Los Cabos, Mexico. Shalva serves on the faculty at the Jewish Mindfulness Center of Washington, leads musical prayer services for the 6th & I Historic Synagogue and Bet Mishpachah in Washington, DC, and serves as the camp rabbi for Tamarack Camps in Detroit, Michigan. His writings have been published in numerous publications including the Washington Post, Elephant Journal, and Spirituality & Health magazine. He is the author of two books -- Spiritual Cross-Training: Searching through Silence, Stretch, and Song and Ambition Addiction: How to Go Slow, Give Thanks, and Discover Joy Within. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he lives in Reston, Virginia, with his wife, Sara, and their two children.

Dustin Canter 

Dustin Canter experienced his first organized group meditation class in 2007 and has been hooked ever since.  Dustin is passionate about team sports and finds that mindfulness helps not only on the field, but in the classroom, and at the office.  He teaches to a wide audience ranging from teenagers to senior citizens.  He loves to visionboard in his free time and believes that nothing is impossible.  As Nelson Mandela once said, "It always seems impossible until its done."  In 2007, Dustin attended a charity soccer match for Mandela's 89th birthday in Cape Town.  Being in the same stadium as Mandela inspired Dustin to return home, to think bigger, and continue a life of serving others.

Jen Young

In her meditation classes, Jen Young guides you to unite the wisdom of your body, the compassion of your heart and focus of your mind to bring you into greater wholeness.  From this place of wholeness, you can find clarity and ease.  You can more readily see the path in front of you and trust your inner guidance.

A student of flow states, Jen's work is about personal growth through breath, imagination, creativity, physical movement and connection to the natural world.  She believes that when people have the tools they need to heal and express who they authentically are, the world also heals.

Jen is the founder of Spitfire Arts through which she teaches yoga, healing and expressive movement.  She also offers guidance on Belly Love, a self-Love/self-care practice of sending Love from your heart to your belly.

Jeneen Piccuirro

Jeneen is our Sound Healing guide incorporating crystal bowls, Tibetan bowls, gong drum, or tuning forks, into some of the most popular, relaxing, mind blowing classes we offer. Jeneen's background and teaching experience in yoga and meditation which began at age 18, has spanned decades and flows from a diverse group of renowned teachers from various backgrounds. A short list of some of her instructors include Dharma Mittra, Sri Karunamayi Ma, David & Shannon Life, Swami Bua, Shiva Rea, Andres Mamet, Yogeshwar (Darin Soma) and many more. Jeneen brings an energy and passion to her classes that is second to none. 

Jennifer Parde

Jennifer's root meditative practice is Shambhala Buddhism, and she is an active teacher of Buddhist Studies and Contemplative Arts at the Baltimore Shambhala Meditation Center.  She fervently believes that we all possess intuitive wisdom within us, and we can access our inner presence of calm knowing whenever we need it.  We need only to drop our pre-conceptions, and "tune in", and listen.  She also believes that wisdom resides in the body, and so we must listen to our body, in order to listen to our soul.

Joseph Mauricio

Joseph is a Life Coach, Senior Meditation Instructor and Teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. Joe is the founder of L I F E W O R K  Contemplative Coaching Services offering meditation based life guidance.

Joseph teaches at the Shambhala Center of New York and MNDFL Meditation Studios in Greenwich Village. He is also the leader of Dharmajunkies, a conscious community of non violent activists in the East Village of New York City.

Klia Bassing

Klia studied and perfected her meditation teaching skills under the tutelage of Tara Brach. Beyond her other classes at Take Five, Klia leads our Happy Hour classes. Outside of Take Five Klia works to bring Mindfulness Meditation for stress reduction where it is needed most—the workplace. 

Manisha Tare

Manisha has been exploring, practicing and studying different types of meditation for over 20 years. She spent 8 years studying Buddhist meditation in the Nyingma tradition and continues to connect to the core teachings. As a yoga teacher and bodyworker, she has witnessed how important it is for people to feel more at ease in their bodies in order to allow for a sense of spaciousness in their minds. It’s when we allow for that space, that inspiration, ideas, and messages can come to us. Manisha creates a receptive and safe space for students to explore their practice while offering gentle guidance to stay present during the process. 

Patricia Ullman

Patricia is a senior teacher and meditation instructor in the Tibetan Buddhist and Shambhala traditions, having studied and practiced for over forty years under the guidance of some of the most renown teachers of our day.  She has led workshops and retreats throughout Europe and North America for children, professionals, students and adults, from beginners to advanced practitioners of meditation and mindfulness in everyday life.  Through these simple yet profound practices, people of all ages and backgrounds can gain confidence in their own innate intelligence and worth and lead more full, productive and compassionate lives.

Patricia holds a J.D. degree and has spent her professional life in law, mediation, restorative justice, and non-profit leadership.  She brings mindfulness techniques into these fields as part of the natural process of transforming organizational culture and working with conflict.  She works with private clients and groups who wish to gain tools for improving the quality of their lives, work, and relationships with others.

Rhiannon Landesberg

Rhiannon Landesberg is a child, family and adult yoga and meditation instructor with a deep passion for sharing the benefits of mindfulness practices with people of all ages. Rhiannon has worked as a full-time yoga and mindfulness teacher in public, charter and private schools over the past six years, implementing programs that emphasize well-being, empathy and resilience. She has also partnered with a number of studios and non-profit community organizations in the District. Her vision is a world where children and adults alike have the tools to transcend and reverse the detrimental effects of chronic stress and trauma in our communities.