“Elissa has been coming to my Life Skills special education classroom for several years to practice yoga with my students. Students that generally are not engaged for more that 15 minutes, stay fully engaged during Elissa’s 60-minute session. This is true evidence that Elissa takes the students on a calming, peaceful journey that helps them feel centered. That energy remains even after Elissa departs, as the students seem more attentive and ready to learn. ”

“Elissa helped me in so many ways. Before yoga, I was in a manic state and was stressed all of the time. But then I found a…well…almost magic place I could go if I was stressed or worried about anything. She gave me probably the best gift in the world…relief. I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you so much. You helped more than you know.”

“Elissa Cirignotta is a fabulously imaginative and inspiring young woman who has created a great and unique idea! My preschool was lucky enough to be awarded the gift of a presentation by her. The children listened to her with great curiosity. They were enraptured by her movements, stories, and sounds that she incorporated into the class, their faces demonstrating their utter delight! My preschool is bilingual and to my pleasure she conducted her class completely in Spanish. I feel language is a vital part of young people’s lives and she beautifully embraced that element in her class. I truly hope that the loving kindness she reigned upon my preschoolers continues to spread far and wide! She is a true gem in this modern day, bringing a bit of magic into children’s lives which they may not have anywhere else. We look forward to her next class. ”

“Elissa has the gift of working with children. She exudes positive energy and creates a fun atmosphere for yoga while patiently maintaining calm and control of the group. Her classes have been such a wonderful experience for my son who has sensory processing disorder. He has learned invaluable life skills including calming his body, breathing techniques, and focusing his mind. In class he practices balance and crossing the midline of the body which engages both sides of his brain. My son is excited about yoga and shows me new poses at home.

When my son first started her classes, he was scared and uncooperative. Elissa has a wonderful way of engaging children and easing their worries. Now my son is confident and excited about moving his body.”

“Elissa is one of those rare life-changing teachers, one that you will remember well into adulthood. My daughter Isabel is fourteen years old and she can read. She can read because Ms. Cirignotta believed in her.

Isabel has a reading impairment that puts her well behind others in her grade level in reading and math. My experience with Ms. Cirignotta started when Isabel was in 2nd grade. Isabel was a frustrated little girl that had no idea why reading was so difficult for her. Her frustrations exhibited themselves in bouts of uncontrollable crying and other forms of testing and reading anxiety. Outside of the reading and testing settings, Isabel was a happy child but a reading test could easily ruin her day. The contradictions were baffling and of great concern to me as a parent. Ms. Cirignotta began working with Isabel mid-way through that 2nd grade year and Isabel’s school world began to shift. With patience, perseverance, enthusiasm, and an enormous smile, Ms. Cirignotta showed Isabel what she was capable of and worked to rebuild her confidence and pride while teaching her reading and math strategies that she will use for the rest of her life.

Children with learning disabilities need advocates. They need teachers that have expertise, strategies, and a true commitment of their work and for their students. Elissa Cirignotta is one of the strongest advocates that I have ever met. She is open, honest, and passionate in her defense of the rights of her students. These qualities combined with her experience, insight, and education, make her my teacher as well. She is a person of quality and integrity for which I can only give the highest of references.”

“Without exception, Elissa Cirignotta is one of the top teachers with whom I have ever worked. She is entirely child focused. Her planning and execution are flawless. She is incredibly organized so that the flow of numerous groups in and out of her class is seamless. Elissa’s energy level is amazing and her ability to multi-task is remarkable. She is a committed teacher to her students and their parents. She is always their advocate first. They love her, rightfully so. Her relationships with peers are outstanding and I’m grateful to have had three years with her. ”

“Elissa has a warm and generous spirit that attracts others to her. People enjoy sharing in her ebullient, positive energy, and they recognize that she enjoys sharing their company as well. She overcomes personal and professional obstacles with optimism, grace, and humor and inspires others to do the same. I have traveled across the country twice and to various corners of the world with Elissa, and there never was dull moment, nor a contentious one. ”