Our Teachers

Healing Arts. Local Craft. Soulful Yoga. Home of Arcana
School of Yoga. Crystals, Botanicals, Magic.

Jennie Joan Ferrare

She/They | Arcana Co-Owner & Director | Arcana School of Yoga Lead Teacher Trainer | E-RYT 500 (Experienced, Registered 500 hr Yoga Instructor) | YACEP | Reiki II | BA Psychology & Holistic Health | Yin Yoga | Yoga Nidra | Y12SR | TSY | Certified Postnatal Yoga Instructor | Certified Barre Instructor| Certified Clinical Herbalist

 Jennie Joan or “JJ” is a Mainer to the core, a feminist, mother, Gemini, former long distance runner, health food junkie, sailor mouth and woman in long term recovery from addiction. She’s got a fierce dedication to the principles and practice of yoga because yoga saved and transformed her life as she knew it. Jennie’s yoga practice began over 20 years ago and today she still utilizes yoga as means to ground in the present, radically love herself and others, and soothe her fiery soul. When she’s not chasing around her two little ones, JJ is studying to become a social worker, and when she gets the chance you can catch her hiking, dancing, cooking, singing, crafting, gardening and working with others in the recovery community. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Southern Maine and a Sea Change Yoga teacher and board member. Throughout their journey, they’ve been especially inspired by the Sivananda and Kripalu yoga lineages. You can find Jennie in group yoga classes sequencing with the seasons and integrating Tantric philosophy and breath work into vibrant flows. She also draws from posture, dance-like movement, pranayama, meditation, rest, nidra, soul-gazing, journaling, good music, humor and raw honesty to create safe space for evolution and REVOLUTION. She aims to empower her students to participate in their own growth process by teaching practical tools and by encouraging others to remember and reclaim their powerful, divine nature.
Jennie teaches yoga classes in our cozy Old Port studio, works in our shop, leads our yoga teacher trainings, workshops and is available for private sessions, herbal consultations and teacher mentorship upon request.

Avril Williams

She/Her | Certified 200 Yoga Instructor | Yin Yoga Certified |  Arcana Co-Owner | Social Justice Educator |  Avril Williams Handmade

Avril has been called a Jill-of-all-trades as she not only teaches yoga, but is also a studio artist, art educator, philanthropist, entrepreneur, designer, and avid international traveler. In fact it was on her first solo, travel journey abroad that she found yoga, completely changing her life path. Divinely ending up on a small island in Thailand, she fell in love with the practice and its spiritual benefits so much so that she immediately flew to Bali, and eventually Costa Rica, to continue its exploration.Avril later graduated with her 200-hour certification from Island Yoga in Aruba under the mentorship of Rachel Brathen and Lara Heimann. She has since started several businesses, one of which uses her passion for education to share the meditative and holistic benefits of combining art-making, community, travel and yoga. She brings a mindful element of creativity that fills her life work to her classes and incorporates it into the sequencing, music and theme.

Avril also holds a B.A. in Art Education and has completed trainings in teaching mindfulness to children and yoga support for addiction recovery. In her spare time she enjoys making pottery, hiking, going on serendipitous adventures with her partner, writing poetry, expanding her businesses and learning new skills.

 


Lucas Suarez

He/They |Certified Yin Yoga Instructor | Certified 200 hr Yoga Instructor

Lu  was always intrigued by his mother’s daily yoga routine at a young age, which began his love for the practice. He has over 13 years of personal yoga practice. Lu completed his 200 hour in 2020, a Yin Yoga course in 2022, and is continuing his learning with a 300 hour training in progress. He’s supplemented his yogic knowledge with classes such as Dismantling Racisim with Michelle Cassandra Johnson and Therapy for the People’s Introduction to Mindfulness with Jacob Kruger. His aim is to make yoga more accessible, focusing on his individual students. Lu strives to create a welcoming environment in which people can open the communication between the mind, body and breath to achieve stillness and personal peace.

 


Kristine Keegan

Arcana Staff

She/Her | Certified 500 hr Yoga Instructor | Yin Yoga & Restorative Yoga Teacher  | Reiki III Practitioner | Arcana Reiki Teacher & Yoga Teacher Trainer | Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner 

Kristine started practicing yoga looking to provide balance to an over active, busy life. Time on the mat allowed her to take her focus inward. Embracing as much of the teachings she could get her hands on, she knew she found her passion ~ a true seeker on a path. Eleven years later, she still is deeply driven by the many aspects of the practice and to embrace the next steps as they come.As a teacher, Kristine loves to share yoga and its teachings to all the other seekers out there. Some of many teachers that influence her are: Jacqui Bonwell, Shiva Rea, Roberto Lim, Heidi MacVane, Danielle Toolan, and Sagel Urlacher.

Kristine is a graduate of the Sacred Seeds Yoga School and is also Yin Yoga and Restorative certified. As a Reiki healer, she offers energy work that can be often found woven into her classes. Kristine’s classes are energetic, fun and informative. All levels are welcomed.

 

 

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Chris Byrne

He/Him | E-RYT 500 Yoga Teacher | Yin Yoga Teacher |

Chris is a certified E-RYT 500 Yoga Teacher; Continuing Education Provider with Yoga Alliance trained in Vinyasa, Restorative and Yin Yoga. He is also an Accessible Yoga® Ambassador, a Balanced Athlete® Coach, and Functional Movement Screen® provider.
A self-described sasquatchian-sized, slow runner and mover, Chris loves hiking around New England,walking, running and biking around Biddeford, and watching the tide roll in and out while walking the beaches at sunrise.Chris was introduced to yoga in 2012 after surgery on both legs that sidelined him from activity for most of a year. Coming out of rehab and physical therapy, his yoga practice helped regain physical health through improved strength, balance, and coordination. At the same time, he developed a deeper connection between the body, mind, heart, and spirit and found that his overall mental and emotional health started to improve.

In addition to teaching around Maine, Chris is honored to be a part of Sea Change Yoga since 2018. He’s
facilitated classes with adults and teenagers who are incarcerated or in treatment for substance use
disorder. He is also an Ambassador for “Still I Run”, an organization that promotes running, walking, and
movement for all bodies, abilities.

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 Shelby Jutras

She/Her | RYT 200 Yoga Teacher | Restorative Yoga Teacher | LCSW|

Shelby has recently returned to Maine after spending the past two years living on Maui supporting youth and teaching yoga. Shelby is a clinical social worker who currently works in Portland through LifeStance Health. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Work. Shelby is also trained in reiki, breath work, plant medicine and somatic experiencing. She completed her 200HR YTT in Portland, ME at The Portland Yoga Project in June of 2020. Shelby enjoys pairing energy healing practices to her restorative yoga classes and has led workshops, circles and women’s groups. Shelby has enjoyed teaching gentle flow vinyasa, restorative and alignment focused classes. She invites students to move intuitively as they know their bodies best. She also runs her own business, Witness Your Warrior, supporting clients with Inner Warrior Empowerment. You can find more info at WitnessYourWarrior.com. In her spare time she enjoys connecting with friends and family, cooking, making plant medicine and traveling.

This is an amazing one-stop metaphysical shop. Pop in for gifts, stones, jewelry, yoga classes and/or a massage. And more! Support local small business and head to this beautiful Old Port shop today.
Kelsey Munksgaard
Kelsey Munksgaard
July 29, 2022.
Awesome people awesome business.
Melissa Wolford
Melissa Wolford
May 16, 2022.
Amazing store for all of your witchy and metaphysical needs. Forging the way for healthy work culture and equality in Portland. Their outreach and dedication to keeping Portland free of bigotry is inspiring. Definitely a go to location whilst in the city.
Luke Zatarra
Luke Zatarra
May 15, 2022.
Excellent place with excellent people <3
Anna Marie LaChance
Anna Marie LaChance
May 15, 2022.
beautiful space, amazing vibes.
Liane Souter
Liane Souter
May 15, 2022.
This place is FANTASTIC! The entire staff is down-to-earth will ALL their customers and their service is the BOMB! I will MOST DEFINITELY be coming back! Thank you again to the entire Staff at Acrana!
Tiffany Kane
Tiffany Kane
May 15, 2022.
Such a welcoming place, wonderful staff.
Nina R
Nina R
May 14, 2022.

Get in Touch

Address
81 Market Street
Portland, Maine

Contact
207.773.7801

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