Open Sky Yoga Center

François Raoult expresses his profound gratitude to Sri B.K.S. Iyengar, Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh, J.C. Garnier, Noelle Perez, Marguerite Duvauchelle, Dr. Robert Svoboda, Thomas Myers and Judith Lasater for their inspiration along the path.

François Raoult M.A., E-RYT500, C-IAYT, is dedicated to teaching yoga with awareness, integrity and compassion. He first felt the call to yoga at age 19, on a pilgrimage to the sacred sites of India.

For a decade, he toured Europe with an avant garde puppet theater and composed music for the plays. The manipulation of string puppets led him to explore yoga and tai chi.

A certified Iyengar teacher until 2010, François began teaching in 1975. A year later, he started extensive training with the great yogi Sri B.K.S. Iyengar.

A graduate of the Ecole Nationale de Yoga in Paris, he has studied meditation with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, Ayurveda with Dr. Robert Svoboda, and anatomy with Thomas Myers. After studying architecture and philosophy, trekking and recording sacred music in the Himalayas, he completed a Masters in ethnomusicology.

In addition to directing Open Sky Yoga Center and its creative Teacher Training program in Rochester, NY, he teaches yoga seminars worldwide and is a CEO of the new Open Sky Yoga Therapy Training. Francois is also certified in Gong Yoga and in “Laughing for no reason”!

Tom Battley, RYT 500

has studied with senior Iyengar teachers. Still in recovery from years of avid cycling, aerobic fitness regimens and weight training, Tom is especially eager to share yoga with other recovering obsessives. Tom's teachings convey Open Sky's love of music and poetry and a sense of community. tbattley@gmail.com

Rick Lynch, RYT 500

is an Open Sky yoga teacher since 1989 and director of the Finger Lakes Yoga center. A Certified mindfulness meditation teacher under David Nichtern, he has been studying, practicing and experiencing yoga and movement for over 35 years. Influencing his teachings are his experiences in wilderness adventures and motorcycling. skyblueyoga@hotmail.com

Michael Amy, MSPT, E-RYT 500, OYI, C-IAYT

is a Registered Yoga Teacher at Open Sky, Certified Yoga Therapist and a licensed Physical Therapist with 27 years of experience. Michael completed Essential Teacher Training with Francois Raoult and Relax and Renew ® certification with Judith Lasater. Michael completed Opening Yoga Instructor/Adapting Yoga for Disability from Matthew Sanford's Mind Body Solutions and teaches a weekly adaptive yoga class for individuals with trauma, loss, and disability. Michael synthesizes his knowledge of anatomy, physiology, neuromuscular function and the core principles of yoga and mindfulness to help yoga students, yoga therapy clients and physical therapy clients discover their inner sense of freedom and a sense of well-being. michaelamyyogapt@gmail.com

Becky Lyons, RYT500

was initially drawn to the physical and athletic aspects of Yoga. Becky completed completed Essential and Advanced teacher trainings with with Francois Raoult as well as Prenatal and Postpartum teacher training with Carla Anselm. She has continued her training and exploration of Yoga, attending many workshops with Judith Hanson Lasater, Richard Rosen, and Martine Le Chenic and international retreats in Crete and India with Francois Raoult. A certified snowboarding instructor for 20 years, Becky brings what she has learned about alignment and movement from snowboarding to her Yoga practice. beckylyonsyoga@gmail.com

Heidi Friederich

completed ETT with Francois Raoult in 2009 and is a registered teacher with the National Yoga Alliance. She turned to yoga in 1980, studying with Lili Wildenhain, an Iyengar-trained teacher, and began classes with Francois in 1997. A graduate of Cornell University, Heidi is teaching senior and Gentle yoga classes. She is also a Docent at the Memorial Art Gallery. heidihihi38@gmail.com

Kinga Kondor-Hine LMHC, NCC, RYT-200

found her passion for yoga some 30 years ago and she completed Essential Teacher Training with Francois Raoult in 2013. She has studied with and is influenced by the work of senior Open Sky Teachers along with the work of: Judith Hanson Lasater—Relax and Renew Level 1, Lizzie Lasater-Deep Rest, Laura Allard-Antelmy—Anatomy, Mary Richards-Anatomy, Amy Weintraub-Life Force Yoga, and Rose Kress-Life Force Yoga. Kinga combines the language of therapy with principals of yoga: breath work, mindfulness, guided meditation, and restorative poses as a means for healing in counseling sessions as well as on the yoga mat. Kinga can be reached at kingakondortherapist.com

Andrea Escos PT, RYT-500

loves to share the practice of yoga and bring subtle awareness to our body and our mind. She is a 2007 graduate of Open Sky Yoga Teacher Training and has been teaching ever since. Andrea specializes in posture and movement with over 30 years of practice as a physical therapist and is grateful for 20+ years of practice with Francois Raoult as well as various Senior Iyengar teachers through Open Sky. She has a special interest in the body-mind relationship, and continues to study with Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and Dr. Svetlana Masgutova. Andrea shares her joy of teaching yoga in a mindful, practical and playful manner, providing fresh insights to students of all levels and abilities. andreaescos@hotmail.com

Jo Amy - B.A. Phil, E-RYT 500, OYI

certified as an Iyengar Yoga teacher in 2008, studying extensively with UK senior teachers as well as Geeta and Abhijata Iyengar. Jo has also trained with adaptive Yoga pioneer, Matthew Sanford since 2010 and studied SATYA (Sensory Awareness Training for Yoga Attunement) with Tias Little. She co-developed an adaptive Yoga teacher training program for the UK and Italy and “Positive Movement” a program for people with mobility impairments. Jo is a passionate teacher weaving the wisdom of the body and the principles of Yoga to create a deeper connection and inhabit life more fully. Jo teaches beginner, general and intermediate level classes as well as private sessions. jo@yogashak.com

Karol Thomas

Coming to yoga for prevention and back care , Karol was introduced to Iyengar Yoga Method after years of heated flow practice. The precision and alignment of this method was a pivotal change for her. She completed Essential and Advanced Teacher Trainings with Francois Raoult and has trained with Judith Hanson Lasater, Elise Miller, and Richard Rosen.