Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a friendly, safe and inclusive environment to facilitate your growth and evolution. We aim to guide you into the fullest expression of your potential through movement, mindfulness and community – allowing you to invite more peace, love, positivity and joy into your life and radiate that light out into the world around you.
Come see for yourself and join our growing community!
Our Studio
Located in the heart of downtown Pittsfield in the historic Kinnell-Kresge building above the Beacon Cinema, Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness is comfortably heated and air conditioned, with high ceilings, huge windows, hardwood floors, original architectural detail, beautiful decor and plenty of parking – creating the perfect atmosphere for you to relax, unwind, restore and Find Joy Through Movement.
We can’t wait to see you!
Our Story
Hi. I’m Rachael…
Founder and Director of Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness. On May 15th, 2014, I took a leap of faith and signed the lease for our beautiful studio – which has since become a second home and place of transformation and healing for so many of us!
It all began with a vision to create a community-minded space where we could gather for classes – feel good in our bodies, find peace in our minds and joy in our hearts.
But the seeds of BYDF were planted much earlier than that…
Meet Our Team
Our dedicated team of instructors are here to lead you through thoughtfully designed classes that will leave you feeling balanced, empowered, centered and radiant.
Amanda Johnson
Studio Assistant
With an extensive background in fitness and Pilates instruction and a successful track record as a Marketing Director and Social Worker, Amanda brings a unique set of skills to the table.
Driven by a desire to empower small businesses, Amanda embarked on a mission to provide comprehensive marketing services. From crafting impactful websites to managing social media campaigns and beyond, she lends her expertise to help businesses thrive.
When the opportunity arose to collaborate with BYDF, a studio close to her heart, Amanda eagerly embraced it. Combining her marketing experience with her unwavering passion for wellness, she has found the perfect avenue to merge her two worlds.
Angela Rocca
Yoga
Angela is passionate about bringing her love and knowledge of yoga to everyone, at every level of experience. She first began practicing yoga while in high school. She strayed from her practice in her 20’s but came back to it in her 30’s to get some much needed and deserved healing. Yoga provided her tools to help heal past trauma and the clarity to see that what she wanted was to be in a studio, teaching others yoga. Angela is a 200 hour certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher and is also certified in Kripalu Vinyasa. She has learned that there is a yoga practice for every body, and everybody can benefit from a yoga practice. Angela’s classes invite students to focus on their breath while they safely find and explore the edges of their physical practice. She’s continually amazed at what the seemingly simple act of breathing can do for the mind and body. When off the mat, Angela spends time canoeing and wading around rivers and lakes with her significant other while pretending she’s an angler.
Cara Farrell
Zumba
Cara fell in love with Zumba during her first class in 2011. Realizing she couldn’t get enough, Cara took the training and earned her teaching certificate. Building on her knowledge of competitive dance, aerobics, and cheerleading she began teaching her Zumba classes at Syracuse University in 2013. Cara moved to the Berkshires in 2021 to continue her professional career. After taking classes and touring Berkshire Yoga, Dance & Fitness, Cara knew she’d found a special place to teach again. Aside Zumba she likes hiking, strength training, and tennis. When not working or teaching, Cara enjoys spending time with her significant other, friends, and family.
Corinne Vosburg
Yoga
Cori is a certified Kripalu yoga instructor. Her personal practices of yoga and meditation have supported her on her journey and she hopes to use these tools to support you on your Path.
Cori’s intention as a teacher is to guide her students inward, thereby supporting them in attuning to their very own Being, Truth and Love.
She enjoys leading a heart-centered, gentle style practice in which students can feel nourished and held, and leave feeling lighter, more joyful and more at peace within themselves.
Cori is a huge nature lover and loves to hike and swim, and commune with Mother Earth. (Her favorite grounding practices include walking barefoot upon the earth and hugging trees) She also loves to sing, dance, write, and connect with her joyful, inner childlike spirit as frequently as possible!
Julie Pellerin-Herrera, Ed. S.
Strong Nation / Yoga
Julie has been practicing yoga for over 23 years. She is a Kripalu Certified Yoga Teacher (2003), Certified Yoga Ed. Teacher (2007), Radiant Child Yoga Teacher (95 hr) (2017), Nurtured Heart Approach trainer (2019), and Strong Nation Instructor (2020). She is a fitness enthusiast who loves running, dance, and all types of fitness. Julie has been a dedicated educator since 2001, and is currently a HILL for Literacy facilitator and educator coach. She relies on her daily yoga and meditation practice to help her “stay peaceful and present amidst life’s storms”. On a daily basis, yoga and meditation remind her to live breath by breath, moment by moment, and day by day all the while remaining connected to her higher purpose of empowering others to make the world a better place. As a busy mom of two growing boys, Julie knows how challenging it is to juggle all the aspects of our lives. Whether it’s finding your still, quiet center through yoga or lighting your inner fire through fitness, Julie’s here with you through it all. She’s so excited to have you in class!
Justine DeLuca
Yoga
Krystle Blake
Zumba
Krystle has over 16 years of dance training including Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Tap, and Modern. After graduating from Union College with a minor in dance, Krystle moved to the Berkshires and became a licensed Zumba instructor in 2012. Although she works as an engineer at General Dynamics full time, she loves teaching Zumba classes and sharing her passion for dance and movement with others!
Laura Thompson
Meditation
Laura is a longtime meditation and yoga practitioner; she incorporates these skills insupport of her own abstract expressionist painting practice. She is certified as a 200hrKripalu Meditation Teacher, where she also teaches, and is working online towards herKundalini yoga teaching certificate.
Mary Yarmosky
Yoga
Mary raised her quadruplet daughters and was a middle school educator for 14 years while teaching everything in the fitness world, from spinning to step aerobics. She turned to yoga after her full time employment retirement and received her 200 hour yoga teaching certificate from Kripalu. She loves gardening, hiking, music and spending time with her friends and family, including her grand-pets.
Nora Fenner
Yoga
Nora Fenner is a 500hr Kripalu Yoga Teacher, Yoga Health Coach and Integrated Energy Practitioner. She leads dynamic yoga classes and supports a community that studies habits over ten weeks to improve sleep, digestion, and overall better health. She supports habit evolution on and off the yoga mat by leading one-on-one and group sessions with like-minded participants. Her sessions foster an environment where all participants feel supported to meet their body, mind and spirit goals. She brings an authentic, grounded and light cheer to her classes. Nora feels the practice guides her to inner peace and strength, which she shares through yoga and coaching. Visit noraleighyoga.com to learn more.
Olivia Martin
Dance
Rachael Plaine
Founder & Director / Yoga
Rachael has always had a passion for dance and movement which led her to receive a B.A. in Dance from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, where she took her very first yoga class. In 2010 she became a licensed Zumba Instructor, in 2011 she received her Kripalu Yoga Teacher certification and she has been teaching Zumba and Yoga throughout the county ever since! Over the years she has also completed programs in Thai Yoga Massage, Prenatal Yoga and Children’s Yoga. Her love for movement has carried her through the roller coaster of life and continues to help her to grow, learn, love and find peace and gratitude in every moment. When she’s not in the studio, you can find her spending time with her family, her daughter Iyla and their dog Samba – enjoying the beautiful Berkshires. Rachael feels truly blessed to create work that she is passionate about and looks forward to sharing her love for yoga, dance and fitness with you, while “Finding Joy Through Movement” one moment…one breath at a time!
Sara Gosselin
Yoga
Sara found yoga when she was feeling really lost in life. Having played competitive sports her entire life, she craved a movement practice and sense of community that yoga was able to provide. It has fostered physical strength & flexibility, stillness in her overactive mind, & a reconnection with her soul. Over the past 10 years, her practice has helped her heal stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, chronic health issues, & her relationship with her body. Sara grew up in Pittsfield and spent 14 years living in Boston before moving back to the area in 2020. In 2019, she completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training at the Essence of Yoga School in Boston, MA. She is also a pharmacist, Integrative Health Practitioner & Reiki Healer who is passionate about helping others heal on all levels! Her classes offer a warm & welcoming environment & all-levels experience. By sharing this practice, she hopes to inspire others to find their light through the transformative process that is available to us all.
Susan Wrba
Yoga
Susan first came to the Berkshires in 2010 to complete her 200hr yoga teacher training at Kripalu. Upon graduating, she began an 8 month residency at Kripalu, which ultimately led to a full-time position coordinating the 200hr Kripalu Yoga Teacher trainings. Over the next 4 years, Susan was fortunate to study with a myriad of teachers spanning many yoga traditions, and graduate from the Kripalu 500hr Yoga Teacher Training.
Now as a mother of two young children, Susan has found her mat to be a place of refuge, and of returning back to herself. Her classes are grounded in foundational knowledge, and infused with breath, movement, and space for exploration. Susan’s intention with each class is to offer a safe space for students to experience a deeper connection with themselves.
For more information visit www.susanwrba.com
Our Outdoor Locations
Come join us outdoors at some of the most beautiful locations in Berkshires!
Plenty of fresh air, sunshine and gorgeous scenery.
Outdoor classes run June – Labor Day
Balderdash Cellars
81 State Rd. Richmond, MA
Huge open space, gorgeous view of Richmond Pond - and did we mention wine?! This beautiful boutique winery is the perfect spot for a relaxing yoga class and maybe even a glass of wine to follow.
Parking:
As you pull into the winery you’ll see a large parking lot. Park anywhere you’d like! Classes are held on the field behind the building, to the right of the amphitheatre.
* For more information on Balderdash Cellars click here
Burbank Park
Lakeway Dr. Pittsfield, MA
Soak up the sun at this gorgeous spot overlooking Onota Lake and the beautiful Berkshire mountains. Maybe even stay after class to enjoy the beach or take a dip in the lake!
Parking:
Take Valentine Rd. to Lakeway Dr. Bear right and follow signs to the beach and pavilion. Park anywhere in the large lot. You will see us set up straight ahead on the peninsula overlooking the lake.
Lakewood Park
Newell St. Pittsfield, MA
Plenty of space to run, jump, sweat and get an AMAZING workout in! Come join us at this conveniently located Southeast Pittsfield City Park.
Parking:
Located on Newell St. across from Pembroke Ave. south of Belanger Athletic Field. Plenty of street parking available.
Mt. Greylock
North Adams Rd. Adams, MA
Take your practice to the highest mountain in Massachusetts. Enjoy breathtaking mountain views as you surround yourself with nature and become one with the beautiful Berkshires in this outdoor yoga class 3,491 feet in the sky. Stay for Sunset Beverage Hour or Dinner after class!
Parking:
Summit of Mt. Greylock behind Bascom Lodge. Park in the main parking lot when you reach the summit. Walk towards Bascom Lodge and you will see signage for class that will be set up outdoors in a beautiful location behind the lodge.
* For more information on Bascom Lodge click here
Proprietor’s Lodge
22 Waubeek Rd. Pittsfield, MA
Enjoy one of the most beautiful spots in the Berkshires, relaxing on the sunny deck overlooking Pontoosuc Lake and Mt. Greylock. Make a night out of it and stay for dinner or drinks on Friday evening!
Parking:
Take Hancock Rd. to Constitution Rd. Park in the main lot and walk along the outdoor wrap-around porch to the left of the restaurant that leads to the deck, overlooking the lake.
* For more information on Proprietor’s Lodge click here
Springside Park
874 North St. Pittsfield, MA
Relax and recharge at this quiet, private, hidden gem of a park - overlooking the tranquil, lovingly cared for gardens.
Parking:
Enter Springside Park from the upper North St. entrance, bear right and park in the parking lot near the Springside House.Classes will be held near the community gardens.
Winbrooke
8 Webster Rd, Tyringham, MA
Immerse yourself in the serene ambiance of our outdoor yoga classes, held on the picturesque stone patio of Berkshire County’s newest wedding & event venue.
Parking:
When you enter through the stone pillars, stay to the left. There is a small parking lot in the upper lot, feel free to squeeze in there or park on the grass lot by the Winbrooke sign and walk up the hill, along the driveway to the property.
Hillcrest Gazebo
Pittsfield, MA
Elevate your weekday evenings with evening yoga sessions overlooking Onota Lake. Escape the stresses of the workday and find solace in the serene beauty of Hillcrest Gazebo.
Parking:
Park in the main parking lot and enter the lawn to the left of the yellow mansion.
