About Us

Sharing our knowledge of yoga and promoting peace and well-being in the communities in which we live are the founding principles of Humble Monkey Wellness.® We strive to provide a well-rounded yoga experience that includes meditation, both Yin and Yang physical movement, and restorative options in class and workshop formats, all at affordable prices. Our classes are available to all levels and we know that starting yoga from scratch can be intimidating so we encourage you to come in for a few private sessions to learn what YOUR yoga practice is. We also have a vision to provide healthy and green foods to our community and are working on making that a reality. 

Humble Monkey Wellness® is a "not for profit" cooperative for yoga teachers; students pay into the general fund and teachers get paid $5/head. Any yoga teacher that wants to teach a class under our umbrella does so while sharing part of the monthly MindBody costs and any rent incursions for their space. We will advertise your class here, on our printed class card, and on social media. We presently run classes at Lee Memorial, UMC, congregation Brothers of Joseph, and Foundry 66, all in Norwich, CT.  

We hope that you drop in and increase the serenity in your life. Namaste!

Who We Are

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John Benbow, Ph D, E-500 RYT, C-IAYT, ACSM-CPT Managing Member of Humble Monkey Wellness® and BGB, LLC (Balance, Growth, Being). I have been practicing yoga since 2001 and have experienced the myriad benefits that a steady yoga practice can provide. One of the tenets of being a yogi is to share our knowledge and to promote peace and well-being in the communities in which we live and that spurred me to begin Humble Monkey Wellness®.
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  Dawn Chabot, AS, 200-RYT. After years of yoga classes and workshops, I noticed that shifts  
  were occurring in my thoughts and my body felt lighter. That profound gift drove me to pursue
  a 200-hour yoga certification with Yogafit. Humble Monkey Wellness® has inspired me to
  stretch my life in new directions by teaching, and I am honored to share my love of yoga with
​  one and all.
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Heather Barber, 500-RYT. I have been practicing yoga since 2014 and recently completed my
300 hour yoga teacher training at Blissworks with Tricia Reyburn and Karen Clark. I believe that yoga is more than a physical practice and that we live yoga both on an off the mat. I am
grateful to share my love of yoga as we explore the connection between breath, body and
​mindfulness to create a whole body experience. 
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Joleen King, Reiki Master Teacher. An Energy Healer with Take Time to Heal, Joleen is also an affiliate with the New England Meditation Group, whose mission is to encourage meditation practice in the eastern CT area. She is inspired to share her healing journey and gifts with the purpose of helping others, and part of her dharma is leading guided meditation classes. 
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Kay Bee Kanarka, 200- RYT. Kay is a graduate of the Yogaworks program and teaches yoga locally. She enjoys the practice of yoga an is interested in bringing yoga to more people through her basic vinyasa classes. She is currently exploring the practice of Yin yoga.

Our History
Humble Monkey Wellness® was an idea of Ernie Green and mine that started around the concept of retiring to our own yoga retreat center that offered vegan baked goods, green and clean foods, and fair-trade vegan products. We had seen several similar businesses on our travels that had components of this vision and decided to let this concept ferment. Hatched in December 2015 with our first classes launching in September 2016 at Lee Memorial, United Methodist Church in Norwich, we have been offering affordable, safe, and accessible yoga to the Greater Norwich community. Our vision has grown and expanded to also offer classes at the Brothers of Joseph synagogue and in the wellness space at F66, both in Norwich. We offer community yoga to help local causes, are a yoga partner with Norwich Parks and Recreation department, and bring yoga into a local business establishments.
About John
Humble Monkey Wellness® was an idea of Ernie Green and mine that started around the concept of retiring to our own yoga retreat center that offered vegan baked goods, green and clean foods, and fair-trade vegan products. We had seen several similar businesses on our travels that had components of this vision and decided to let this concept ferment. Hatched in December 2015 with our first classes launching in September 2016 at Lee Memorial, United Methodist Church in Norwich, we have been offering affordable, safe, and accessible yoga to the Greater Norwich community. Our classes also can be found at Brothers of Joseph Synagogue and the studio space upstairs at Foundry 66 (F66). We are committed to supporting the Greater Norwich community by offering community yoga on First Friday evenings to benefit local causes, bringing yoga into a local business establishments, and participating in the Greater Norwich Community Meal program.


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