For nearly two decades, the Center for Health & Healing has been Ocean County’s trusted yoga center — a welcoming space where movement, mindfulness, and community come together. Our studio is more than just one of the local yoga studios in New Jersey; it is a sanctuary where yoga, massage therapy, and holistic wellness support every body and EVERY BODY.
Our purpose is to share the love of yoga and wellness through professional instruction, heartfelt connection, and inclusive practices. Whether you’re stepping into your very first yoga class, seeking balance in a busy life, or advancing your practice, our center offers space to grow, heal, and thrive.
Dawn founded the Center for Health & Healing nearly 20 years ago with one belief in mind: yoga should be available to all. Since then, our Beachwood studio has grown into a cornerstone for wellness in Ocean County. With students of every age and ability, we are proud to have built a supportive, inclusive community that continues to expand year after year.
We designed our space to be serene and uplifting — a boutique studio where creativity, clarity, and compassion guide everything we do. More than just a place to take classes, our center has become a hub for connection, learning, and inspiration.
When Dawn wanted to retire from the “ownership” piece of the business she put her intention out into the community; it just so happened that Lori had recently found her way back to the mat and felt the draw to continue this wonderful sanctuary so many find comfort with. July 2025 Lori took ownership of the center and while keeping all the core values true is striving to grow and be even more engaged with the community.
Our purpose is to share the love of yoga and wellness through professional instruction, heartfelt connection, and inclusive practices. Whether you’re stepping into your very first yoga class, seeking balance in a busy life, or advancing your practice, our center offers space to grow, heal, and thrive.
Conveniently located in the heart of Beachwood, NJ with free off-street parking, our yoga health center makes it simple to prioritize your well-being.
At the Center for Health & Healing, yoga is more than a physical practice — it’s a path toward balance, self-discovery, and transformation. We see our studio as a living, breathing center for yoga and holistic care, where ancient wisdom meets modern needs.
For some, yoga is a way to build strength and flexibility; for others, it’s a tool for stress relief, mindfulness, or spiritual growth. Whatever your personal journey looks like, we provide the guidance, resources, and community support to help you thrive. Yoga and our center will always meet you where you are in your journey and practice.
Our instructors practice and teach with gratitude, integrity, and professionalism. Each yoga teacher brings unique experience, creativity, and compassion to the mat — guiding students in a supportive environment that is both inspiring and accessible.
Collectively, our team represents decades of experience across multiple yoga traditions and healing arts. From alignment-based flows to energy work and Qi Gong, our teachers ensure that every student can find the right fit for their journey.
Owner
Hello, my name is Lori Dunbar, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new owner of the Center for Health & Healing as of July 1st, 2025, with Dawn continuing to teach classes and focus on keeping everyone well balanced in all the same ways she does today.
My 15-year career as a Senior Operations Executive had me traveling globally quite a bit. When it abruptly ended a little over a year ago, I found my way back to the mat. The Center for Health & Healing has refocused my energy and balance. I feel more grounded and centered than ever before. My goal as owner is to help individuals encompass holistic self-healing and enjoy all the benefits that it brings to our bodies and minds.
My husband and I have been Ocean County residents for over 30 years, living in Toms River. I am an advocate for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation; I root for the underdog and truly believe that teamwork makes the dreamwork. I welcome your input, thoughts and ideas as we continue to grow the Center for Health & Healing
Founder, Lead Yoga Instructor (RN, ERYT-500, YACEP, CMT)
Dawn did not intend to become a yoga teacher; but felt the need to follow the sweet calling of yoga.
Dawn has taught in excess of 30,000 plus yoga classes, as it is her full time commitment. Her practice gave her so much, that she felt the need to share and teach her passion for yoga with others. Yoga inspired her to evolve on and off of her mat; It became integrated into all areas of her life. She feels ~Yoga is a journey; there is no destination, only exploration.
She is a RN, Massage Therapist and a certified Yoga instructor/therapist. She completed her 200 hour certification at The Freehold Yoga Center in 2005, her Prenatal Certification at Yoga Works in 2007, her 500 hour certification at Dharma Mittra Yoga in 2008 and her Yoga Therapists at International Association of Yoga Therapists in 2011. She feels they all share a common thread: healing.
She is a teacher known for her humor, inspiration and compassionate approach to teaching who honors yoga as a practice of transformation and healing. She considers it a great privilege to be able to help guide others on their own paths to healing and self awareness.
Dawn, like all good teachers, is also an avid student, always expanding and evolving her own practice.
Yoga Instructor (200 Hour)
Diane has been a Registered Yoga Teacher 200 hours for 3+ years and has over 600 hours of teaching experience. She is currently working on expanding her knowledge of yoga by going for her 300 hour certification.
Her passion is to share with others the joy, fulfillment, and peace that can be found in yoga. She truly believes everyone can do yoga, and it is her honor and privilege to guide you in your journey.
Yoga Instructor (200 Hour)
Jacki has always been active and enjoys a healthy lifestyle. Her love of yoga began 12 years ago after her first yoga class at the Center. She immediately fell in love with it, the physical practice as well as the spiritual practice. Jacki never intended to become a yoga instructor but she enjoyed it so much and decided that she wanted to be able to share her love of yoga with others.
Jacki obtained her Hatha flow 200 hour RYT certification from The Center for Health and Healing, where she was able to have so many amazing mentors and received an excellent foundation for living yoga on and off the mat. She has her 500 master level yoga teacher training.
Yoga has helped her grow stronger, more flexible, fearless and confident in yoga and in her personal life. She feels it helps her live each moment more mindfully.
Jacki is excited to share her love for yoga in hopes of changing lives in the same positive ways it has changed hers. She designs her classes to accommodate all who come to the studio whether it’s a person’s first time in a yoga class or they are a seasoned yoga student. She likes to encourage her students to find a connection with their breath and body and to have fun with their yoga practice.
When Jacki is not teaching yoga she works at the Lakehurst Naval Base for the Department of Defense as a Logistics Management Specialist. She is a wife and mother and she has 2 adorable Rottweilers. She loves the beach, being outdoors, reading, and spending time with her family, friends, and her pups!
Massage Therapist & Yoga Instructor (200 Hour)
“With each session, we unlock the body’s innate healing potential” Massage Therapy is more than just a luxury; it is an essential part of self-care that helps rejuvenate both the body and mind. If you’re looking to unwind, reduce stress or simply treat yourself, massage offers countless benefits.
Yoga Instructor (200 Hour)
Jody is a Nurse Practitioner and a Yoga Instructor. She found yoga to manage back pain. She became a Yoga Instructor after being inspired by the overall health benefits Yoga provides. Her personal goal was & is to achieve strength & balance in her own Yoga practice.
Jody is a Yoga Alliance 200 hour registered Yoga Teacher, having completed her Hatha Flow Teacher Training at The Center for Health and Healing. As a teacher, Jody is warm and friendly. She grounds students in an ongoing awareness of breath while guiding them through poses with clear directions, modelling, and hands-on adjustments.
Modifications and advanced options are made available for new students and experienced yogis so that all can reach their potential. Gently spiritual in her approach, she provides a physical workout that students of all levels can easily modify.
Yoga Instructor (200 Hour)
Kate found yoga during the chaos of Covid and instantly connected with its grounding magic. As a former dancer, movement has always been her love language—and yoga became the pathway back to self-expression, presence, and peace. She loves to teach dynamic Vinyasa flows that bring the heat, build strength, and reconnect you to your body and breath!
A passionate nature lover, Kate believes that yoga is more than a mat practice—it’s a way to return to ourselves and to the wild, beautiful rhythm of life. Her classes are playful, heartfelt, and rooted in helping others feel more at home in their bodies and in the world.
Yoga Instructor (200 Hour)
Kelly Bourke, a dedicated yoga teacher and lifelong mover, believes that the practice of yoga offers profound benefits for people of all ages. She sees the mat as a place for self-growth and self-love, a sanctuary where you can cultivate a more meaningful relationship with your inner being. She guides her students with a focus on mindful movement and control, encouraging them to find stability and ease in every pose. Kelly completed her 200-hour yoga certification in 2023 at the Center for Health and Healing. As a full-time dance educator she brings a unique blend of grace, discipline, and creativity to her yoga classes, helping students discover their own path to well-being.
Yoga Instructor (200 Hour)
I am a RYT 200. My focus over the last 3+ years of teaching has been Gentle Yoga, Chair as well as Slow Flow. Having students walk away feeling relaxed, calm and stretched is very rewarding. We all lead hectic, busy lives, and knowing that anyone attending one of these classes is looking for a break from the day and a time for themselves. To recover, rejuvenate, and set the tone for the rest of the day with moments of calm and centering, is a task I love guiding. Join me! I’d love to share time with you.
Qi Gong & Reiki Instructor / Yoga Instructor
Michael King began studying Dr. Roger Jahnke’s Integral Energetics with Lou Bergmann, and has later attended classes with Dr. Jahnke. Several years ago, he was introduced to Francesco Garripoli and Zang Fu Gong, or Organ Cleansing Qigong. After several years of study with Francesco, Michael received his instructor certification in the Organ Cleansing form. During the Summer of 2021, he became certified in Wuji Hundun, an 800 year old lineage taught to Francesco by his teacher, Grand Master Duan Zhi Liang.
Michael practices and teaches Organ Cleansing and Wuji Hundun, as well as several Shibashi forms, Ba Duan Jin, Five Elements and several forms from Integral Energetics. Mr. King is also a Reiki Master Teacher, and has over 35 years of training experience in management and leadership, mindfulness, interactive personal styles, and a broad variety of communication topics.
Massage Therapist
Michele is a compassionate and dedicated professional with a multifaceted background in the fields of behavioral health and massage therapy. Her commitment to the well-being of others is evident in her ability to provide effective therapeutic interventions and support. With over a decade of experience as a massage therapist, she offers a unique and holistic approach to her clients, leveraging her understanding of the intricate interplay between mental and physical well-being.
Yoga Instructor (200 Hour)
Pat began her yoga practice many years ago, seeking relief from chronic pain after many years of believing she was “not flexible enough for yoga”. In addition to physical health, she discovered an unexpected peace on the mat that began to follow her into her daily life.
After receiving the gift of yoga from her amazing teachers, Pat surprised herself when she felt compelled to deepen her practice and complete the 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Dawn Keen. She is now honored to share the connection to yoga and is inspired by her students. Pat believes in the transformative and healing power of yoga and that yoga is for every body, every ability. Her goal is for each student to leave class feeling well, strong, and empowered.
Off the mat, Pat is very involved with her grandchildren.
Yoga Instructor (200 Hour)
Shirley Barbosa began her yoga journey in 1995 at Ramapo College of NJ. She immersed herself in the practice and experienced the combination of movement and breath as prayer for her body. She continued her personal practice and both the physical and spiritual aspects intrigued her. This type A personality found great benefits from her time practicing moving meditation, breath work and coming home to body in shavasana.
In 2000, Shirley became a certified personal trainer and yoga teacher. She managed to work full time for many years, sharing her practice and desire to help others along their fitness path and yoga journeys. Shirley was fortunate enough to transition to part time work once she had her children. She taught both in class settings and one on one. Shirley has experience teaching adults, children and seniors. She recently relocated to Toms River and had to leave her Yoga Tribe.
She is currently enrolled in massage therapy school, and is seeking to build her yoga community here.
All of Shirley’s classes begin with pranayama to help each student arrive onto their mat. She tailors the flow of asana to each class, and its students. Shirley’s style of teaching encourages finding balance between effort and ease, patience and persistence, and gratitude for the sacred time we give ourselves on our mats. Final meditation is essential, all her classes include this time at the end to soak in the benefits of the practice. Settling into that union of mind and body, and living in the felt experience is an integral part of our serenity, health and wellbeing. Shirley’s intention is that each class provides each yogi with the strength and flexibility needed both on and off their mats.
Collaborating Yoga Instructor
I fell in love with my type of teaching from experiencing others that taught similar. I found a passion in teaching and helping others after going through a massive weight loss. Going to other places that taught what I do inspired me. I saw how they brought women together and empowerment.
With over 30 weekly yoga classes, teacher training programs, workshops, and retreats, there’s something for every stage of your practice. Whether you’re brand new or experienced, you’ll find classes and experiences that challenge, restore, and inspire.
Our studio goes beyond yoga classes. Massage therapy, Reiki, Qi Gong, and therapeutic bodywork provide additional ways to relax, restore, and bring balance to your body and mind.
Unlike many yoga studios, we are rooted in connection and inclusivity. Every student is welcomed as part of our family, and our studio is a safe, uplifting space where every body belongs.
Morning, evening, and weekend classes make it easy to fit yoga into your lifestyle. Whether you’re starting your day with movement or unwinding after work, our schedule supports your life.
The hardest part of yoga is often just showing up — and we’re here to make that part easy. With compassionate teachers, a wide variety of classes, and a welcoming space, our Center for Yoga in Beachwood, NJ is ready for you. Step into a class, connect with our instructors, and experience the difference of practicing in a community built on compassion, growth, and care.
