About Us

focus teachers vary in yogic style, each bringing a rich mix of training & professional background. We encourage you to try different classes in order to find the teacher whose approach, pacing, & experience fit your needs and interests.

Katherine Conte
focus Director/Instructor
Katherine’s creative teaching style is inspired and informed by over 15 years of practice and study in yoga, the therapeutic arts, martial arts, and religious studies. Her classes are filled with physical challenge, exploration and rich attention to detail while encouraging inner freedom and stillness of mind. Katherine believes the practice should connect the energy of movement to the flow of life and ultimately bring you back to your center. She has trained with some of the most talented teachers worldwide and taught throughout southern California before relocating

to RI.

Katherine’s private practice specializes in working with yoga and the creative arts to find one’s life purpose. She is available for private consultation and workshops.

"Katherine's gifted intuition makes her a very receptive teacher. Her classes are spontaneous and provide a diversity of experience, without sacrificing attention to detail and excellence." P. Ricci

Claire Allen
Claire recently completed her teacher training at Kripalu. She is a Registered Nurse who combines acute awareness of the body and energy systems in her yoga teaching. From the very beginning of her nursing career, empathy and the ability to sooth and calm others have been her trademarks. Claire uses her gifts to teach yoga for personal healing and deep inner peace.

David Beretta
David completed his teacher training in Vinyasa with Tom Gillette at Eyes of the World in Providence, RYT 200 level. David is a super yogi that brings real sincerity to his teaching and his life. Expect a solid class that blends breath work, mindfulness and strong flowing sequences. David expresses his passion for yoga, "I love teaching yoga because I feel that I can truly connect with the aspects of the Divine that people bring with them onto their yoga mat. This also helps me remember the connection we all have with the Divine when I am off my mat."

Gretchen Conn- "Gretchen is a wonderfully thoughtful teacher. Her Iyengar-based training comes through in the clear, precise direction she provides for the beginner student. I feel blessed to have her at focus." Katherine

Deb DeMarino
Deb practices and teaches in various styles. Her training is rooted in Hatha as taught by Frogpond Yoga Center, Princeton, MA. She brings 7 years of experience to her teaching. Deb is especially gifted at communicating the intergrity of body. mind, spirit, in the practice. Her spiritual emphasis is on gratitude and renewal. Her easy-going, cool attitude makes for a fun, relaxed experience.

Amy Hagan
Amy, former director of the Yoga Annex, compled her teacher training at the Yoga Center,Amherst, MA with Patty Townsend. Her classes are classic Hatha yoga with an emphasis on fun and self acceptance. Amy's continuous studies include the Kripalu, Iyengar, and Vinyasa schools of yoga. "Yoga has changed my life. It has made me more calm, accepting of myself and other people, and I feel great" Amy adds. Amy is also the afternoon drive radio personality at B101.

Cheryl Hollingworth

Cheryl has been practicing yoga for nearly 20 years and recently completed her training through Spirit Tree Yoga at All That Matters in Wakefield, RI. She is certified at the 200 hour level, RYT. Cheryl describes herself as a "tree hugger" and brings her earthy and light hearted approach to her teaching. Cheryl holds a master's degree in Education and works as a guidance counselor with Deaf children. Teaching yoga to the students at her school and others has allowed her to see how visual communication can complement her teaching and help all students bring their understanding of yoga to a new level - finding the connections within and to the earth.

Martha D. Langer

Martha brings a cool mix of art, running and 10+ years of yoga practice to her teaching. She is certified in childrens yoga and lends an athletic and creative influence to her teaching. She is deeply committed to helping others find what for her is the heart of yoga. She adds, " Yoga helps bring a meditative quality that influences all aspects of my life. Yoga allows me to see what I am capable of achieving."

Victoria Lockard

Victoria’s teaching offers challenging physical exercise yet never looses sight of the joy, awareness and confidence that come through practice. Certified through YogaFit, Victoria continually expands her training through intensives with teachers such as Baron Baptiste. She is currently apprenticing with focus director, Katherine Conte. Victoria’s warmth and natural creativity imprint her teaching style.

Wendy Wahl is a visual artist, educator and Kripalu certified Children’s Yoga and Movement Instructor. She has practiced modern and world dance, hatha and vinyasa styles of yoga for over 25 years.  She shares her joy for movement through her teaching to empower children. She has Masters in Art Education from the Rhode Island School of Design and is certified in Pilates by the Physical Mind Institute.