Maria van der Meij's experience with meditation, yoga, and the arts has
expanded for over 30 years. At the early age of 8, Maria suffered from lower back pain.
She recalls sharp pains and occasional back spasms throughout her childhood.
In 1974, Maria enrolled at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to pursue her
career as an artist. After two years, she decided to take dance at Temple University.
However, her stiffness and lower back pain proved problematic as she danced.
Soon, she discovered her solution — yoga. As Maria practiced yoga, her back
pain alleviated and within a month, she felt no more stiffness in the lower back.
While living in The Netherlands in the 1980's, she became pregnant with her son.
Her experience and regular practice with yoga helped Maria in her pregnancy,
giving birth, as well as restoring her body.
Maria moved back to Pennsylvania in 1989. After becoming interested in shiatsu
massage, she attended The Meridian Shiatsu Institute in Philadelphia for two years
to become a certified practitioner. Then in 1992, Maria began her training as a
certified yoga instructor at The Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA. Shortly
after receiving her certification, she began teaching yoga classes.
In April of 1998, Maria opened the Yoga Path located in historic downtown Lancaster.
She wanted the Yoga Path to be a sacred place, where relaxation and peace of mind took
precedence. The Yoga Path is in its tenth year of business and offers a wide variety
of services including:
- Small intimate yoga classes (Hatha & Ashtanga)
- Personal yoga training
- Teacher training certification
- Shiatsu massage
- Meditation
Her studies continue in advanced yoga and meditation at The Center for
Self-Realization with Peter Pranckun, MD.
Staci Papadoplos has been taking yoga at the Yoga Path since 2002.
She has completed her 200-hour Teacher Training certification at
the Yoga Path and is a Registered Yoga Teacher. An avid animal lover,
Staci also loves being around children. She has
extensive experience teaching yoga to kids, tailoring the classes to their age groups
and attention spans. The exploratory nature of children, along with their ability to
learn new things quickly, is what Staci enjoys the most about teaching kids. When a
session is completed, children attain a sense of accomplishment and possess the tools
to calm themselves.
After receiving her bachelors in biology at Albright College in 2000, Staci held a
chemist position at Lancaster Laboratories analyzing water and soil samples for
harmful substances detrimental to the environment. In 2006, she left Lancaster Labs
to pursue a career in helping children. Her work at Hildebrandt Learning Centers,
Lancaster, PA, includes auditing files for Department of Public Welfare code
compliance and communicating daily with directors, parents, and children. Staci has
also been actively involved in the community since 2005 with her work with United
Against Puppy Mills and mentoring an 11 year old Little Sister in the Big Brothers/Big
Sisters of Lancaster County program.
Her passion for yoga coupled with her desire to make a positive impact on
children's lives, makes Staci the perfect fit to teach Yoga for Kids at the Yoga
Path.
