Administration
Niisa Morton
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, RPYT, YACEP
Niisa’s path has been intertwined with the Pranakriya (PK) community since its early years. Her journey began at Crofton Yoga in Maryland, where she first shared her passion for movement through Pilates and personal training. As she developed her personal yoga practice under Jacci Gruninger, she felt compelled to enroll in the combined PK/Kripalu 200hr Yoga Teacher Certification with Yoganand Michael Carrol in 2006. After graduating in 2007 with fellow Program Directors Emily Gretz, Shelbi Miles and Kimberly Murphy, she went on to complete her PK 500-hour Professional Level Yoga Teacher Certification (2010) and 300-hour Yoga Therapy Certification (2014). During this time, Niisa’s focus shifted towards prenatal and children’s yoga and fitness. She completed her PK Basic Level Prenatal Teacher Training (2008) with Jacci and started assisting prenatal programs, eventually became an adjunct faculty member at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health for prenatal yoga. When Yoga Alliance increased the required course hours for prenatal teacher training programs in 2013, Niisa was invited by Jacci to co-create the Advanced Level Prenatal Teacher Training along with Abby Bordner. In 2020, Niisa became the Program Director for the Basic Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training and continues to teach both prenatal certification programs. Throughout her 23-year career she has focused on improving the lives of her students through her ongoing training and professional development. She holds several additional certifications in other fitness modalities, women’s health, nutrition, and children’s wellness. This led to her becoming the Program Director for Anatomy for Advanced Practitioners & Yoga Teachers in 2021. She has also completed all required programs for the PK Kids Yoga Teacher Certificate and plans to complete her practicum in the coming year.
Aside from Niisa’s career in the wellness industry, she has over 30 years of experience in Marketing, Advertising, Public Relation and Event Planning. After graduating college with a degree in art, she began working for one of the top global advertising agencies in New York City. This experience led her to run in-house marketing departments at several businesses including a large hospitality corporation in Newport, RI, which owned and operated boat shows, festivals, event centers, concert venues, hotels, and restaurants. When Niisa decided to become a consultant, she diversified her clientele and focused on non-profit organizations and fundraising events. She has worked with historical societies, music and arts organizations, local sports teams, youth and educational organizations on fundraising campaigns in addition to serving as a board member and leadership (President/VP/Program Leader/Committee Chair). In addition to her non-profit work, in 2019, she assumed the role of Mentor Programs Leader for Falmouth Volunteers for Public Schools (VIPS) in Falmouth, Massachusetts. As the Program Leader for this school-based mentoring program she recruits, trains and manages over 100 local volunteers to mentor students in the Falmouth Public Schools in kindergarten through 12th grade.
A message from Niisa : I was raised by my mother and grandmother with the belief of thinking globally and acting locally. I work every day to support the communities that are close to my heart. Whether I am meeting with a yoga client, teaching in a local studio, mentoring students or connecting with my PK community around the world, I bring what I have discovered of myself on the mat into each of those experiences. My PK education and continued practice have helped me stay grounded through life’s challenges and strengthens my connection to Self. I look forward to working with the entire PK community to continue providing access for every person to these educational opportunities for self-discovery, mental clarity and physical health. If we haven’t met yet, I look forward to connecting with you soon. Jai Bhagwan.