Dragonfly’s 20-Year Anniversary Yoga Festival

Rolf Gates, author of Daily Reflections on Addiction, Yoga, and Getting Well—as well as the best-selling Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga and Meditations on Intention and Being: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga, Mindfulness, and Compassion—is a leading voice in contemporary yoga, and his work is used as a resource for yoga students and teachers worldwide. He conducts vinyasa intensives and 200- and 300-hour teacher trainings internationally. A former US Army Ranger and social worker specializing in addiction, Rolf brings his eclectic background to his teaching and life. His work has been featured on television and in print, including Yoga Journal, People magazine, and Travel and Leisure. His first children’s book, Yoga Friend: A Pose by Pose Partner Yoga Adventure, was published in 2018. Rolf is a graduate, lead faculty and Director of the Kripalu School of Yoga.

For over twenty years, J. Brown has developed techniques to help people practice yoga in a deeper, more fulfilling way. A renowned writer and podcaster, his Yoga Talks podcast has become a key resource for yoga teachers and center owners. J. came to yoga after his mother’s death, seeking freedom from grief and disillusionment. Initially drawn to Ashtanga and Iyengar styles, despite achieving proficiency with teachers like Alison West and Richard Freeman, he remained in chronic pain and unhappiness. In India, Swami P. Saraswati taught him that yoga is about self-care, not linear progression, leading J. to a therapeutic orientation influenced by the TKV Desikachar/Krishnamacharya tradition. After founding Abhyasa Yoga Center in Brooklyn in 2007, J. closed it in 2017 to focus on traveling, writing, and reshaping the dialogue around yoga in the West. His new yoga center in Easton, PA opens this year!

Alexis is the founder and owner of Dragonfly Yoga Studio, which she opened in 2005 with the goal of making yoga accessible to everyone no matter what their body type or health condition. From its humble beginnings, Dragonfly has grown into a thriving yoga community, hosting both 200 and 500 HR teacher trainings, nation-wide retreats, and internationally-known yoga teachers. Alexis completed a 350-hour Hatha Yoga certification program at Eight Limbs Yoga in Chicago in 2003, studying under Gabriel Halpern, Per Erez, and Miguel Latronica. Alexis continually looks for inspiration and information to share with her students. She also has studied with Rolf Gates (500-hour Advanced Vinyasa) and Brandt Passalacqua of Breathing Deeply (Yoga Therapy and Peaceful Weight Loss Through Yoga). Alexis has over 1,000 hours combined professional training in yoga and meditation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management from Arizona State University.

Tom Hoopes serves as the head of the Religions department and the head of a boys and all-gender dormitory at George School, a Quaker international boarding school in the Philadelphia area. Tom has taught holistic health, peace studies, theory of knowledge, and “Essentials of an Intercultural Friends Community” at George School for 17 years, along with coaching, advising, mentoring, and supporting student activism. Prior to George School, Tom was the director of education for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (Quakers) for 10 years. In that capacity, he related to the 40 Friends school in the region, and co-authored the first edition of the Governance Handbook for Friends Schools. Tom has consulted with Quaker boards around strategic planning, nurturing spiritual life, and crisis management. He is the parent of two young adult children and the spouse of a visual artist. Tom likes to walk in the woods with his two dogs and toot on his tenor saxophone.

Joe Simek is an Internationally Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT 875-Hours), a 500-Hour Level Yoga Teacher, and co-owner of Dragonfly Yoga. He has been teaching yoga for more than a decade. As a seasoned meditator and long-time practicing Quaker, Joe is well versed in contemplative traditions, which he has used to improve his physical health, find sobriety, and deepen his personal and spiritual evolution. Joe is a lifelong musician and songwriter, fronting musical projects such as Destroy It Up and Away Message. He’s excited to bring his love of music and mantra to the festival!

Vibha was born and raised in London, UK, with Bhakti yoga and mantra chanting as part of her everyday life. Her keen interest in the human body led her to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Brunel University. After moving to Pennsylvania, Vibha secured a position in HR at the County of Bucks, where she was the Wellness Coordinator for all 2,000 employees. She completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in July 2019 under the guidance of Alexis Ridge-Simek and Joe Simek at Dragonfly Yoga Studio. She also completed a course in “Mantra and the Dynamics of Sacred Sound” at the Himalayan Institute. Vibha also completed another 15-month yoga teacher training in July 2024, under the guidance of Neil Patel of Chi Kri Yoga, based in London, UK. Vibha has learned and taken comfort in spiritual and religious teachings from around the world. In her journey through life, she has found that mantra and all aspects of yoga have supported her immensely in aligning with her true path