Spirit of the Heart

		Nancy Rothenberg has been training in the martial arts since 1985 and is the founder, director and head instructor of Spirit of the Heart since 1993. Nancy has taught for the National Women's Martial Arts Federation (NWMAF) and the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists Training (PAWMA) Camps since 1991. In 2006 she was the Co-Chair of the NWMAF Training Camp Planning Committee. Nancy has taught self defense and Indonesian kung-fu at Hampshire College and Holyoke Community College and has been teaching at Smith College since 1995. She teaches children in various after-school programs throughout the Northampton area. Nancy also specializes in teaching self defense to women and girls. She has led many workshops for the Girl Scouts of Western Massachusetts and works with community organizations that bring services to women whose lives have been touched by violence.


		Morgan Kent has been training in Indonesian Kung-Fu since 1999, and was proud to become the first male black belt at Spirit of the Heart in 2006. From a very young age Morgan was fascinated with Martial Arts and wanted to learn more. He had limited training in Karate, Tae Kwan Dao, and Akido but he did not find his match until joining Spirit of the Heart. Upon finding Indonesian Kung-Fu he was captivated by the fast flowing strikes and the dynamic animal movements, and he was able to learn more then he ever thought was possible. "Back when I was little I wanted to learn Martial Arts to become strong like the Red Power Ranger. Now I want to help make other people strong." Morgan teaches both children and adult classes of all levels while juggling schooling at UMASS Amherst. He leads the intermediate level class at Spirit of the Heart and also teaches classes at local elementary schools, and preschools. Currently, Morgan is enjoying working with special needs children at Whole Children.

		Bucky Sparkle - Svaroopa Yoga After working with other styles, Bucky has been practicing Svaroopa® Yoga since 2002. Once he discovered the power and bliss of Svaroopa, he quickly embarked upon the teachers' path by studying under Svaroopa's founder, Rama Berch. He has also qualified as an Embodyment® therapist in the Svaroopa lineage and offers private yoga sessions. Bucky's sessions are calm and mirthful. He has recently become a dad. Bucky is a Certified Svaroopa® Yoga Basics Teacher.
		Felicia Malachite - Shivani Belly Dancing Felicia began performing professionally in 1995 with the Sisters of Salome belly dance troupe, and by 1997 had started teaching. In addition to private lessons, she has taught belly dance as a continuing education program at U Mass Amherst, at the Pagan Community House, and at festivals such as Starwood, Forestdance, and Spiritfire. Felicia has appeared on stage with several live music bands, including Mawwal and Incus, and as a guest of Gene Loves Jezebel. She has toured the US several times, dancing at nightclubs, concert events, festivals, and special events. Additionally Felicia teaches costume design at and is the assistant manager of the U Mass Amherst costume department.

		Drumming - Irene Baird (August Eve) Irene first started playing the D'jembe in 1996 when she lived in Australia. She continued her studies with Mohamed Kalifa Kamara in the Boston area for 5 years. Every year she travels to the villages in Guinea, West Africa to study with Guinean Drum Masters. They have given her their blessings to pass on the lessons she's learned on the D'jembe. August Eve believes that local women must support local women and donates 100% of her earnings from this event to local womens' support groups and shelters. A different organization is picked for each donation. Only groups that are Pioneer Valley based are selected.

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