I’m Pia Oliveri, the founder of Wabi-Sabi Integrated Wellness, where movement, breath, and therapeutic care come together to support the whole person. My teaching lives at the intersection of Classical Pilates, therapeutic yoga, functional movement, and holistic wellness, guided by over a decade of study and a lifelong devotion to helping people feel at home in their bodies.

Before stepping fully into this work, I spent years as a nurse—an experience that continues to deeply shape how I understand the body, healing, and the emotional landscape of recovery. That foundation blends with my training as a 500-hour yoga teacher, Power Pilates Instructor, Barre Above® Barre Instructor, ACE Functional Fitness Specialist, SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Therapist, Ayurvedic Consultant, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, and AFPA Holistic Nutrition Specialist.

My movement journey began long before certifications. I grew up as a hip hop dancer, later became a Zumba instructor, and eventually trained at Branford Hall to become a personal trainer. Movement has always been my language—vibrant, expressive, and evolving.

In everything I teach, my intention is simple:

to create a space where people feel seen, supported, and safe, and where practice becomes a pathway toward strength, clarity, and nervous-system resilience. At Wabi-Sabi, we honor progress over perfection and celebrate the beautifully imperfect process of becoming whole.

Harriet is one of the most unforgettable teachers at Wabi-Sabi Integrated Wellness — a powerhouse instructor with the kind of strength, stamina, and intuition that inspires everyone who takes her classes. She has been with Pia from the very beginning and has helped shape the spirit, discipline, and determination that define our studio.

Her movement journey began more than a decade ago when she discovered yoga and fell in love with the full-body conditioning it offered. Barre soon followed, and she dove in with the same enthusiasm and drive she’s known for today. Harriet completed her Barre trainings through Barre Intensity and Lifer Fitness in West Hartford, and later earned both her 200-hour and 300-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings from The Yoga Shop in West Hartford, CT. She is also certified in Chair Yoga and Restorative Yoga.

Harriet has a reputation:

Her classes are famously tough, unapologetically motivating, and designed to make you stronger than you thought possible.

She teaches with directness, authenticity, and a fierce belief in what her students are capable of. Her humor and sharp intuition make her classes as enjoyable as they are challenging.

What makes Harriet exceptional isn’t just her strength — it’s her ability to bring out yours. Students leave her classes feeling accomplished, energized, and proud of what their bodies can do.

She represents what it means to show up fully, push your edges, and never let age define what’s possible.

Robin Henrie is a certified Tai Chi instructor through the Tai Chi for Health Institute and has been practicing Tai Chi and Qigong since 1993. She received her first instructor certification in 1999 and has continued her studies across several Tai Chi for Health forms, including Sun and Yang styles, as well as Qigong-based practices.

Tai Chi has played a transformative role in Robin’s own life, helping her navigate and manage a variety of health challenges over the years. Because of this lived experience, she teaches with deep compassion and a genuine belief in the healing power of mindful, intentional movement. Her classes are known for their clarity, patience, and grounded presence, making them accessible for students of all backgrounds.

In addition to her Tai Chi and Qigong instruction, Robin is also a Reiki Master, offering private Reiki sessions along with private and semi-private Tai Chi lessons by appointment. She is passionate about helping students build balance, coordination, and inner steadiness through gentle movement and breath-centered practice.

Robin looks forward to sharing the many benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong with the Wabi-Sabi Integrated Wellness community.

Dan Hooker fell in love with yoga in 2013 after attending his first class and immediately noticing profound changes in his body and mind. Increased flexibility, improved range of motion, and a greater sense of ease in his physical experience drew him in — and the mental benefits quickly followed. Yoga helped him cultivate mindfulness and resilience, decreasing his reactivity to everyday stressors and strengthening his overall sense of balance.

Motivated to deepen his practice and better understand the history and philosophy of classical yoga, Dan enrolled in the Dhira Yoga Center Teacher Training Program in 2020. There, he studied the 8 Limbs of Yoga and developed a deeper appreciation for the rich tradition that extends far beyond the physical (asana) practice.

In his classes, Dan’s intention is to help students connect mind and body through intentional breathing, purposeful movement, and thoughtfully crafted sequences. His flows are fun, engaging, and often gently challenging — inviting students to explore strength, presence, and curiosity on the mat.

When he’s not practicing or teaching yoga, Dan is most likely outdoors. He loves hiking, camping, and long-distance backpacking, and he brings that sense of groundedness and connection to nature into his teaching. Dan lives in Barkhamsted with his girlfriend Jessica and works in East Granby as a Supply Chain Manager in the aerospace industry.

Cathryn Kibby began her yoga journey as a teenager, practicing yoga and meditation alongside her mother. Over the years, her practice became a steady anchor — helping her stay grounded through life’s joys, challenges, grief, and transformations. Yoga has always been Cathryn’s way of staying connected to movement, presence, and the preciousness of everyday life.

Her deep appreciation for yoga eventually led her to earn her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification, as well as certification as a Social Emotional Learning Facilitator, blending mindful movement with emotional awareness and resilience practices.

Before becoming a yoga instructor, Cathryn spent 32 years as an elementary school teacher, where she naturally integrated mindfulness and gentle movement into her classroom. Teaching is truly part of who she is. Her ability to guide with clarity, compassion, and intuition shines through in every class she leads — making her a phenomenal and naturally gifted yoga teacher.

Now recently retired, Cathryn finally has the time and space to teach what she has always loved. She currently teaches a donation-based yoga class at her church and brings warmth, gentleness, and heartfelt presence to the Wabi-Sabi Integrated Wellness community.

Julie’s yoga journey began in 2010 when she stepped into her first class seeking relief from scoliosis. At the time, she couldn’t even lay flat on the floor, but something kept calling her back. Yoga not only supported her back — it helped her feel better throughout her entire body. Along the way, she learned to listen deeply, honor her limits, and embrace the guidance of teachers who offered thoughtful modifications and supportive use of props.

By 2014, Julie felt inspired to explore more advanced workshops and trainings. Encouraged by several of her teachers, she decided to take the next step and enroll in a yoga teacher training program. She completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Journey of Yoga in 2015, having received so much healing and inspiration that she knew she wanted to offer the same to others. Her intention has always been clear — to help students find confidence, comfort, and emotional freedom through their practice.

Since then, Julie has expanded her training to include Thai Bodywork (Thai Massage), becoming a certified Thai Bodywork practitioner, as well as a Reiki practitioner. These modalities allow her to support students with a deeply intuitive and nurturing approach.

In her classes, Julie focuses on safe alignment, mindful breathwork, and intelligent use of props. She offers modifications to make poses accessible and variations to help students explore and deepen their practice. On occasion, she also incorporates Thai-inspired stretches to support release, ease, and relaxation.

Julie’s presence is gentle, grounding, and heartfelt. Her goal is to create a welcoming space where students of all levels can explore yoga in a way that meets their bodies, minds, and hearts — always with compassion.

In no particular order on any given day, Sue is a teacher, wife, devoted boxer mom, and lifelong athlete. Movement has been a steady thread throughout her life, beginning with competitive sports and evolving into a deep commitment to wellness, education, and now yoga.

Sue holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology, an M.S. in Health Education, a sixth-year degree, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership. She is certified in both Health Education and Physical Education in the state of Connecticut and currently teaches at Rockville High School. Over the years, she has coached a wide range of high school athletics—girls’ soccer, gymnastics, softball, girls’ volleyball, and boys’ tennis—bringing enthusiasm, discipline, and heart to every team she leads.

Her love of yoga emerged a few years ago during her recovery from major surgery. What began as a healing practice quickly became a passion. She has since completed her RYT 200-hour and 300-hour trainings, earning her RYT 500 designation, and she is also a Certified Personal Trainer through NASM.

Sue has been part of the Wabi-Sabi community as a student for more than seven years, and we are honored to now welcome her as a teacher. She brings warmth, professionalism, and an athlete’s spirit to every class she leads. Sue currently serves as our main substitute instructor for both fitness and yoga and steps in with reliability, grace, and exceptional skill whenever she is needed.

Off the mat, Sue loves cooking, entertaining, tennis, photography, reading, and spending time at the beach—and of course, life with her beloved boxer.

Cheryl has been part of the Wabi-Sabi family since before the studio ever opened its doors, and she continues to hold a truly special place in our hearts and in the life of our community. Her presence, wisdom, and daily dedication help weave together the warm, welcoming environment our members have come to cherish.

Born and raised in Washington, North Carolina, Cheryl attended Catholic schools from K–12 before pursuing a degree in English Education at Marywood College and a master’s in Reading Education from the University of Massachusetts. She later completed her doctorate while working at UMass, where her deep love of learning, language, and scholarship continued to flourish.

Cheryl married her college sweetheart, Tim, and together they raised two daughters, Melanie and Elizabeth. After years in academia, she moved to Windsor to join the University of Hartford faculty, where she served with distinction until her retirement in 2010.

These days, Cheryl spends many mornings—and often returns again in the afternoon—at Wabi-Sabi Integrated Wellness. She is not only a longtime member but an essential part of our growth and community heartbeat. As our Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator, she shares updates, nurtures relationships, and helps ensure that every person who walks through our doors feels connected, supported, and seen.

Outside the studio, Cheryl enjoys literature, music, the arts, and a good word game (especially several of the New York Times favorites). She loves quilting, crocheting, sewing, and even rock painting—small creative practices that mirror the mindfulness and presence she brings to our space.

Cheryl is, in every way, a reflection of the Wabi-Sabi spirit: devoted, compassionate, and deeply committed to honoring progress, community, and the beauty of this shared practice.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Beverly is a proud graduate of the University of Connecticut. Shortly after graduation, she left the state with the intention of avoiding a career in insurance—only to land in New York City and begin a long, successful forty-year career in the insurance industry. (Life has a wonderful sense of humor.) She retired in 2020 after four decades of dedication and leadership.

Beyond her professional work, Beverly has always been deeply involved in community life. She served as a board member for OIC of New Britain and was the longtime chairperson and event planner for the Juneteenth celebration at the New Britain Museum of American Art—an event she helped shape with passion, cultural pride, and remarkable attention to detail.

Beverly is the proud mother of a beautiful daughter and adores her grandson and son-in-law. Family is at the heart of her world.

In retirement, Beverly made a commitment to “find joy every single day.” That journey led her to Wabi-Sabi Integrated Wellness—first through a virtual Chair Yoga series Pia taught for the Bloomfield Public Library, and eventually into our studio in person. Her laughter, warmth, and vibrant sense of humor quickly became part of the heartbeat of our community.

As our Studio Environment & Community Care Coordinator, Beverly brings beauty, care, and creativity to every corner of the space. She tends our beloved Wabi-Sabi garden, helps decorate the studio for special occasions, and is always the first to offer a helping hand. Her presence elevates the entire environment, shaping the comforting, joyful, and welcoming atmosphere our members love.

Most days, you’ll find her here—moving, laughing, practicing, and continuing her personal mission to seek joy. And we are endlessly grateful that Wabi-Sabi is one of the places she chooses to find it.

Sound healing has been woven into Maria del Carmen’s life since childhood. Growing up in Puerto Rico, she spent countless hours at the peak of her family’s sacred mountain—a place alive with the natural rhythms that shaped her earliest understanding of peace, resilience, and belonging. The sounds of wind, water, birdsong, and the breath of the mountain became her companions through moments of joy, fear, and emotional uncertainty.

As an adult, when she was formally introduced to sound healing, something ancient and familiar stirred within her. She immediately recognized the connection between those natural landscapes and the resonance of crystal singing bowls, Tibetan metal bowls, ocean drums, chimes, and other therapeutic instruments. Through her work, she lovingly brings the spirit of her family mountain to the mainland—creating spaces where people can feel held, supported, and restored.

Maria del Carmen Rodríguez is a certified Sound Healer and co-founder of SoulCare Love, LLC. Her commitment to studying and preserving ancient sound healing practices deepened during a profoundly transformative decade of her life. Sound became a sanctuary as she navigated the challenges of mourning an aging parent, healing childhood wounds, transitioning out of a twenty-nine-year marriage, and stepping away from a beloved forty-year career. These lived experiences shape the compassion, authenticity, and sacred presence she brings to every session.

Maria del Carmen has facilitated sound healing across diverse environments and communities—including universities, nonprofit organizations, senior centers, residential care facilities, community centers, gyms, wellness studios, health fairs, and intimate private gatherings. Her sessions are known for their grounding resonance, emotional warmth, and the sense of inner spaciousness they inspire.

A vital part of her mission is to expand access, education, and representation in sound healing for the BIPOC community. She actively offers sessions within Black-owned businesses, art galleries, museums, and sorority organizations, and she is co-curating ongoing sound healing programs designed intentionally for BIPOC wellness and empowerment.

Maria del Carmen’s work is rooted in remembrance—honoring where she comes from, who she is becoming, and the healing traditions that have guided her since childhood. Through sound, she invites others into that same journey home.