Yoga Teachers

Tiffany's yoga journey began in 2009, driven by a workplace wellness challenge. Quickly falling in love with yoga, she now views it as vital to her daily life, crediting it for her physical and emotional growth. After recognizing its benefits, she earned her RYT-200H from Yoga Now Chicago and later, her advanced RYT-500H with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy in Durango, CO. Her teaching, marked by slow flow classes, focuses on therapeutic and inspirational elements, welcoming all skill levels.

Integral to her routine is meditation, where she leads workshops infused with themes and ceremonies, incorporating knowledge from yoga therapy, Ayurveda, and international mindfulness studies. Additionally, as a Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher, Tiffany offers this healing energy to enhance others' health and emotional well-being.

In 2019, she delved into Ayurveda, completing a 2000-hour certification with Ananda Ayurveda Academy. This has profoundly influenced her practice, linking her holistic modalities and guiding her personalized teaching approach in both group and private settings.

Outside her professional life, Tiffany enjoys traveling, cooking, and outdoor activities with loved ones.

Marci took her first yoga class at a sustainable farm in the mountains of Costa Rica in 2010 surrounded by the sounds of nature, and it changed her life. As soon as she returned home, she started taking classes at her local health club and shortly after found Core Power Yoga. She was instantly hooked. After practicing daily for over a year, Marci enrolled in teaching training in October 2011 and completed her training in February 2012. In 2014, Marci participated in additional training with Gopi Om, a disciple of Sri Dharma Mittra, to deepen her knowledge of the traditional 8 limbed path of yoga and all that it has to offer both on and off the mat. She continues to learn and grow as both a teacher and a student of yoga every opportunity she can and hopes to complete her 500 hour certification in the near future. Marci strives to create fun and dynamic, yet traditional classes. You can count on going upside down and being physically challenged in Marci’s class but her ultimate goal is that students feel better when they leave class than they when they walked in the door.

When I graduated with my B.A. in Rhetoric and Communications from Dominican University in 2014, I felt in my heart I wanted something more nourishing. I took the plunge to become a certified yoga instructor and received my 200-hour RYT certification in April 2015 through CorePower Yoga led by Nicole Orr. In January 2017, I took flight and became a certified Aerial Yoga Instructor with Jessi Rae at Danyasa in Dominical, Costa Rica. In June 2017, I completed a Yoga Nidra Training with Indu Arora at Ashevilla Yoga Center. In October 2020, I completed my 300-hour teacher training program led by Rolf Gates at CITYOGA in Indianapolis.

The last six years of teaching have been the most amazing journey, I am forever grateful that I have made a career out of my passion. I have expanded my teachings through in-studio classes, private lessons, workshops, sound healing, reiki attunements, both local & international retreats, and leading teacher training at the 200-hour level along with specialized training such as restorative, yin & aerial yoga.

I am thankful beyond words and feel so blessed that I am able to pay forward the never-ending benefits that yoga has brought to me as an individual.

“Be kind to yourself, be kind to others.”

Cassie has been teaching yoga since 2015 and is a 500 CYT with additional certifications in psychological sensitive yoga and kids yoga. She is am a busy mom of 3 kiddos and 2 fur babies and a recovering type-A personality. She came to yoga seeking physical, emotional and spiritual health after 40.

When not on her mat teaching or practicing yoga, Cassie enjoys playing in the great outdoors (traveling, hiking, biking, paddle board yoga!) and volunteering as a dog walker at a local humane society. She also teaches yoga to the incarcerated at Cook County Jail. Cassie believes that yoga is for everybody and every BODY and would love to practice with you soon! 

Christine Nye has practiced yoga for over 20 years. She was first introduced to Iyengar yoga, loving the therapeutics, strength and alignment of a pose. She then ventured out into the beauty of Anusara yoga, loving the heart opening style and energy. Christine received her 200 hour Hatha Teacher Training from Sarah Starnes in 2010.She combines both styles, teaching others how to heal their body and mind through the asanas.

Christine also is an artist/designer, using her creative talents to beautify and enrich others homes and lives. Previously, she and her husband were in the full-time ministry for 14 years. She loves life and has a passion for sharing her life and teaching others.

David Driscoll’s teaching is a reflection of what he’s learned on the mat under the guidance of his excellent teachers. He studied Ashtanga Yoga in the lineage of Pattahbi Jois for five years, earned his 200-hr teaching certificate at the Hatha Yoga Center in Seattle in 2015, and is currently completing a certification through Tejas Yoga in Chicago. He is also a writer, husband, and father of two girls.

David’s classes present a playful space for students to progress towards mastery of the physical and subtle practices of yoga. Expect a blend of heating movement and restorative pause with an emphasis on steady meditative inquiry into the experience of each asana (posture). Pranayama (breath work), mudras (gestures), bandhas (energy locks), and seated meditation are staples of the class. David has seen firsthand the healing joy and power that radiates from vibrant yoga communities, and hopes you’ll come be a part of one.

In her classes, Jackie focuses on alignment for strength and flexibility. She teaches and enforces the experience of being grounded, stable and balanced, both emotionally and physically. She believes that it encourages a good sense of self.

Along with teaching adult classes, she especially enjoys teaching yoga to teens. She finds it extremely rewarding to help them achieve a sense of inner calm at this tumultuous time in their lives.

Jackie is a certified yoga instructor from the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago and a registered teacher with the Yoga Alliance. She graduated from Level 1 and Level 2 training with 500 hours and has studied with and been influenced by William Hunt, Mary Samano, and many other teachers from the Temple. She began her practice and study of yoga more than five years ago.

Jessica’s classes are about compassionate challenge. She first met yoga many years ago for the physical benefits, but quickly realized the emotional and mental benefits she received from it as well. She realized that she could be both strong and kind, powerful and soft, full of effort and also ease. For Jessica, the true practice has always been taking what is learned on the mat, off the mat, into oneself, and out into the world.

Jessica has taught well over 1000 classes and has practiced a variety of yoga modalities, including Hatha, Vinyasa, Therapeutic, Kundalini, Yin, and Restorative yoga, making her a well-rounded, capable instructor. Her classes are purposeful, uplifting, and educational, with a strong focus on building stability in order to create mobility. She also loves sprinkling in little doses of humor from time to time, just to remind us to find balance in all things.

Outside of yoga, Jessica is a full-time real estate agent, wife, and mother of two fur babies, Baxter and Brin. In her free time she enjoys cycling and weight lifting, cooking, reading, and being outdoors on sunny days. She welcomes you to class.

JoAnn began practicing Yoga in 2004, when she was at a crossroads in her life and wanted to focus more on her self-development, growth and spirituality. It has been an integral part of her life since then, forming the intention of how she lives her life and views the world and she has always found it to be a great support and limitless source of stability, guidance and peace. She has been fortunate enough to have learned from a wonderful variety of gifted teachers over the years, notably James Tennant, Jim Bennitt and Nadine Lollino and has taken master workshops with Seane Corn and Tias Little, among others. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training certification through Gopi Om, disciple of Sri Dharma Mittra, earned RYT-200 credentials from the Yoga Alliance and is a certified Relax and Renew® Restorative Yoga Teacher through Judith Hanson Lasater.

As a teacher, it has been her great joy and honor to share what she knows and to pass what has been taught to her on to others, so that they too may have the opportunity to experience Yoga in a deep and fulfilling way. In her classes, expect a thoughtful, supportive, spiritual practice including meditation, chanting and breathwork, with a dash of playfulness and humor tossed in.

As a dancer and someone who is passionate about movement, Julie was naturally drawn to yoga. She loves the breath-work and the connection of breath with movement. She loves the mental focus and stillness, the physical strength and flexibility, and the balance between effort and ease that each pose, and each class, brings.

Yoga allows for mindfulness in the present moment, something that Julie sets as a priority both in her yoga practice and in daily life. Her intention is to share with her students what has given her great joy in her practice: peaceful stillness, calm, feeling mentally and physically healthy, and feeling grounded, centered, joyful, strong, open-hearted, and fully present.

Kelly received her 200hr Yoga Certification from YogaWorks in Santa Monica, CA, and her 500hr Yoga Certification from Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago, IL. She has been teaching since 2010 and enjoys teaching all styles of yoga including Vinyasa Flow, Hatha, Beginners, Yin, Restorative, and Meditation.

Most recently in the last few years, she enjoyed teaching seniors yoga and meditation at an assisted living facility, and restorative/yin and hatha at the town fitness center where she used to live in California.

Through yoga Kelly discovered her true passion - sharing the joys of yoga with others and creating a conscious, kind yoga community.

Kim Vulinovic is the director and teacher of all the YogaKids classes at Ahimsa Yoga Studio. She has studied a variety of yoga styles for over 20 years. She is a Certified YogaKids Teacher (CYKT) and Hatha Yoga Teacher.

Kim has found that children are very open to the transformative power of yoga. Students learn proven stress relieving techniques as well as gain fitness, fun, and educational benefits. Each YogaKids class is tailored to how children learn and play, integrating traditional yoga techniques with language arts, games, music and storytelling. Since yoga is a non-competitive activity, self-esteem is naturally fostered. This Parents Choice Award winning program employs ecology, anatomy, earth care and life lessons that echo the yogic principles of oneness, interdependence, and fun!

Kim Vulinovic is an ERYT 200 hours with 20 years of yoga teaching experience. She studied extensively with Gabriel Halpern of Chicago’s renowned Yoga Circle as well as many other notable teachers from different schools. As a mature teacher, she is adept at modifying poses for different ages and abilities. Her hatha style of teaching is alignment focused for strength and safety with a bit of gentle flow for extra movement. Balancing activity and ease, her classes develop strong, flexible bodies with calm, centered minds.

Kim Wade has always been a creative individual who enjoys the challenges of living an active lifestyle. She earned a BFA in Theater and has worked professionally as an actor since childhood. She describes herself as a very active person, both physically and spiritually. Her personal philosophy is that joy is an option and happiness is a choice.

Kim believes suffering is a part of life and we all experience it. Whether it is predominately mental, emotional or physical trauma, she believes those experiences (or more accurately, how we perceive those experiences) are where the inner life and our real strength turn on. In other words, it is in our darkness that we find our light. Through childhood abandonment, trauma, scoliosis, adolescent shame and stress, guilt, addictions, failed relationships and a truckload of fear, Kim has found through the practice of yoga and gratitude, the tools she needed to transform her life. Her body began to realign itself, her mind learned to sit still and she discovered that beauty is indeed truth and acceptance of oneself is indeed freedom. With the encouragement from her early clients, Kim created Inner Gaze Yoga to share these tools with others.

She credits her training as an improvisational actor and her life experiences for giving her the ability to tailor a very specific regimen that suits the individual and personal goals of her clients. Kim makes it a priority to understand what each and every person wants to achieve, so each class can be sequenced accordingly. She bases the sessions on the idea that we are all our own teachers and each and every moment is the lesson. Her technique channels client intention, exploring the mind and body through beginning and intermediate asana (poses), playing with life through pranayama (breathing techniques), going with the flow in vinyasa (breathing synchronized with movement), and time to quietly gaze inward (meditation). She enjoys working with clients across the spectrum from beginner to advanced, and with those searching for both physical and emotional realignment. Your body is your vehicle. Do you enjoy the ride?

www.innergazeyoga.com

Kristen Mimlitz, Principal of Breathe To Balance, combines her 30+ year history of teaching elementary school with the practiced skills of a yogi to guide individuals through a creative, peaceful yoga environment. Whether it is guiding a class of experienced yogis or a one-on-one private session with a yoga novice, her innate ability to nurture shines through any lesson. She believes yoga is beneficial for all ages and is experienced in teaching children, adults and families. Kristen holds a M. Ed. from University of Illinois and did her undergraduate work at Elmhurst College in Elementary Education.

In addition, she specializes in providing personalized and vibrant yoga sessions for individuals, schools, and corporations.

Kristen is both a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and a Registered Children's Yoga Teacher (RCYT) with the Yoga Alliance.

She earned her 200 hour certification from Prairie Yoga in Lisle and did her work in Children's Yoga from Global Family Yoga.

You can learn more about Kristen at www.breathetobalance.com

Laura started taking yoga classes at The Yoga Circle over ten years ago at the advice of a coworker, to help manage of working a stressful job in the mental health field. She was immediately drawn to the Iyengar yoga characterisitc attention to detail and precise focus on alignment.

After several years of studying, she began apprenticing with her instructor Patrina Dobish to learn the Iyengar method of teaching yoga and began teaching her first classes at Yoga Circle. She finally underwent the arduous Iyengar certification process and became a certified instructor. She continues to study regularly with senior teachers Laurie Blakeney in Ann Arbor and Lois Steinburg in Urbana, as well as attending further teacher trainings, workshops, and conferences, including the first midwest regional conference in Chicago in 2011.

Laura brings her energy, enthusiasm and love for the subject to her classes. She is experienced in sequencing poses and use of props to so that all students, regardless of their level can enjoy the benefits of the poses.

Lauren found yoga after shattering her ankle in a car accident in 2006. When she was finally back on her feet three months after her accident, her surgeon suggested yoga as a way to restore strength and flexibility to her damaged ankle. Lauren found that not only did yoga help her manage her injuries, but it did a lot to calm her mind around daily stressors and started to change her worldview. She began to see that more than just exercises or stretches, yoga is a way of interacting with the world around us that promotes joy and non-harm. After being a daily practitioner for several years, she was certified to teach in 2012. Lauren is has achieved her 500hr certification with Moksha Yoga. She is additionally certified in Prenatal Yoga, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Restorative Yoga.

Lilamayi started practicing meditation in 1985. Since then she’s been practicing meditation, chanting and seva (selfless service) at meditation centers and ashrams in Japan, India and the United States. Lilamayi came from Japan to Chicago in 1991, and began her hatha yoga practice in 1994.

When Lilamayi met Anusara Yoga® founder, John Friend, in 1997, her body, heart and mind were open and she was interested in his teaching style. Since then, she has been studying with John.

Lilamayi is an Anusara-inspired yoga teacher™ and a prenatal yoga teacher. She teaches Anusara-inspired Yoga in public and private classes in Japanese and in English. She also teaches hatha yoga and meditation at Columbia College in Chicago in the “Spirituality and Empowerment” class with her husband, Bill Hayashi, PhD. She is a Jin Shin Jyutsu® practitioner, and also offers private energy and healing art sessions.

Linda Troutman, BS, 500 E-RYT, C-IAYT has practiced Hatha Yoga for over 30 years, teaching since 2000. She has completed her 1000 hour Yoga Therapy certification with Yoga North and International SomaYoga Institute. In addition she holds a Certificate of Completion from Duke Integrative Medicine for Integrative Yoga for Seniors Professional Training and is a registered teacher of Baxter Bell’s Yoga for Healthy Aging.

Linda believes that yoga meets you where you are and can be adapted for any person. Her teaching style is a therapeutic mix of Somatics, SomaYoga, precision of alignment, and the breath-synchronized practices of Viniyoga and vinyasa. Linda is certified 500 CYT by Prairie Yoga and teaches students of all ages. She is also a Certified YogaKids® teacher.

Linda has been dedicated to mentoring yoga teachers for many years and is a teacher trainer in the 200 & 500 hour Prairie Yoga Teacher Training programs. For more information go to https://www.headtotoeyoga.net/

Mona McDougall - fell in love with yoga over 15 years ago after a physical therapist recommended regular yoga practice to help improve injuries sustained in a car accident. It was then that she discovered yoga's many benefits as both an effective tool for healing and mind, body transformation, and knew that she wanted to help others discover those same benefits. Mona graduated from the SoderWorld Academy of the Healing Arts Yoga Teacher Training program in 2011. She is influenced by Hatha, Anusara, Iyengar, Vinyasa, Restorative and Yin Yoga, and likes to incorporate these styles into her classes. She brings a fun loving, compassionate atmosphere and allows students of all levels of experience to work within their own comfort zone.

Reneé believes that if you are fully present in your life and open to new experiences that profound changes can occur. In 2006, after attending a class with her son, she found herself immediately drawn to the strength, power, and focus of karate. When she discovered yoga, its softness, breath, and balance were a perfect complement. Now a black belt and yoga instructor, she never could have imagined the places her passions would take her. As a person living with Type II diabetes, she is aware of the difficulties in dealing with chronic illness and injuries. Renee encourages you to apply the philosophy of yoga to help you to cope with the pressure of life and to restore health through breath, and the Anusara principles of alignment. Renee enjoys encouraging students to be courageous in transforming their lives through yoga.

Susanne began a regular yoga practice around 1995. Because she had always been physically active, she was initially drawn to the physical aspects of yoga. She soon noticed that bringing other elements of yoga (breath, meditation, presence, self care, etc.) into her physical practice, was the recipe for a balanced life.

Since completing her 250-hour teacher training in 2012, Susanne continues to learn, whether it’s applying ideas from a seasoned yogi such as Darma Mitra, or approaching questions from a new student beginning their path in yoga. She enjoys teaching and practicing various styles, her favorite being vinyasa, because the practice moves like a dance.

Susanne is also a nature lover and has been known to add many bird-inspired poses into her classes. She frequently hikes with her family looking for remote areas where they can be one with nature. She enjoys walking meditation and trying out poses, such as tree on a mountain top or crow on a rock.

Susanne focuses on the idea that yoga is a universal concept and that we are all students. We are allowed the options to practice at our own pace, maybe peacefully by ourselves or sharing energy in a class with a room full of people. Yoga=Harmony

Abby has been practicing yoga for more than 10 years and completed her 200-hr Teacher Training through Yoga Loft in 2014. She holds RYT-200 credentials from Yoga Alliance; and has focused her continuing education on prenatal workshops and training. She teaches strong, powerful vinyasa classes and opportunities to work on new poses. In Abby's class, you can expect to strengthen your practice in a safe space, play a little, laugh at yourself, and above all...BREATHE. Abby lives in Oak Park with her husband and two tiny toddler monsters.

Amy Marie is a passionate 500-hour yoga instructor with over 15 years of experience and over four years of experience designing and leading both private and group classes in Hatha, Vinyasa and Restorative yoga with Sivananda influence. She has an in-depth knowledge concerning the

implementation of Asanas, Pranayama techniques, Meditation with the spiritual elements aligned with yoga, and has a natural ability to lead classes which are both calming and energetic.

Encouraging students’ to stay present and tuned in to the mind-body-breath connection, she is truly dedicated to teaching from the heart.

Through inspiring work, she leads students to experience a joyful connection to themselves and

their essential aliveness. Her leading style is simple, practical, and logical, while integrating Eastern healing techniques.

Sarah Inendino has been teaching yoga since 2014 and practicing since 2009. Sarah feels blessed to have had the opportunity to be inspired by so many brilliant instructors and feels she is able to draw on the teachings of many to guide her own practice and teaching style. She graduated from The Chicago School of Yoga’s 200-hour teacher training in 2014. Sarah teaches classes that incorporate music and fun while focusing on alignment, the breath, mindfulness, and guiding each student to make their own personal growth.

Sarah started her journey through yoga when she was a graduate student studying music education. She found that by devoting time to herself, she was able to focus and enjoy many aspects of her life much more. Sarah chose to become a yoga instructor because she wanted to help guide others on their journeys as well. Sarah’s goal is to create a safe environment where students can explore and take risks while learning from one another.

When Sarah is off the mat, she is a full-time music educator, singer, world traveler, and loves spending time with her husband, Vinnie, and springer spaniel, Callie.

Known for her compassionate heart, generosity and sense of peace, Christine has been teaching yoga since 2003 and practicing yoga and meditation since 1999. Christine uses yoga as a tool for transformation within herself, in her private sessions and in her classes.

Her yoga teacher certification comes from the Swami Vivekananda Ashram in South India with over 500 hours of training in asana, philosophy, pranayama and meditation. As well as studying at the prestigious Krishnamacharaya Yoga Mandariam in Chennai, India where she completed their month-long yoga therapy intensive. Christine's personal meditation practice includes sitting more than eleven, 100-hour, 10 day silent vipassana meditation retreats as taught by SN Goenka. She has also trained with internationally known teachers Tias Little, Aadil Palkhivala and Elesa Commererse. Although her greatest teachers are her students, life and her own personal practice.

In 2013, Christine completed her master's degree in social work from the University of Illinois in Chicago, Jane Addams College of Social Work. She has recently returned from working in the Pacific Northwest with a holistic medical clinic, supporting the detox process for patients with chronic illness. Working through her own health challenges, Christine has experienced firsthand the healing benefits of yoga and meditation. She currently works with private clients, weaving together these eclectic modalities as an embodiment and yoga therapy specialist.

Christine brings to every relationship and interaction, the rich experiences of extended travel in Asia, Europe and the US as well as her clinical training as a massage therapist from the Center of Therapeutic Massage and Wellness. She continues to hold her license in massage as well as using her certification in hypnosis, with guided imagery relaxing techniques making their way into classes and private sessions. Her private clients receive a tailor-made practice, supporting their needs in the moment, which focus on mindfulness and healing. She is guided by intuition and sets a safe, compassionate place for people to unfold, explore and go deep.

Christine's group classes focus on postures that help create strength and flexibility with attention to alignment, linking the body, breath, mind and spirit: slowing down for a meditation in motion. Her therapies are drawn from an eclectic background of studies and travels. It is in these experiences that balance, integration, and healing are invited to happen.

My journey began focusing on weight loss. I was not happy with the way I looked or my lack of energy. On my path I connected with people who taught me that change had to begin on the inside. I lost weight but still felt stuck in where I was in life. It was my thinking that needed to change. Through yoga I learned to connect to my inner self, I learned how to become grounded and present in life. I learned how to change my thinking, to clear out the negative and create positive change. I began to see my struggles as points of growth. I learned how to find my peace in the middle of a storm. I have and still do struggle with anxiety, but now I have the tools to help me breathe through the uncomfortable parts of life. On my journey I learned how to welcome change, love myself, breathe deeper and live a more positive, peaceful and present life. It is my passion to help people realize their full potential, to become unstuck and to welcome positive change in their lives.

Emily is recognized by the Yoga Alliance as a 200hr RYT. She was originally trained in power yoga then found a passion for teaching the many benefits of yoga to our youth. She has completed the Children's Yoga Certification with Grounded Kids Yoga. She has participated in pre/post natal yoga training under internationally recognized teacher and expert Sue Elkind E-RYT-500, RPYT. She is a certified breath coach and targeted mobility/ flexibility coach from Yoga Body International, Trained in Yoga for Athletes, from the Institute of Yoga Sports Science and a 2nd degree Reiki Practitioner

Emily is also a Health Coach who believes in empowering people and promotes all-around wellbeing.

She is a mother to three beautiful children Brady, Madison, and Hudson.

Fran Balster completed her 200h teacher training in the summer of 2021 and has been practicing yoga for 5 years. She believes that yoga is for all people in all types and sizes of bodies, and strives to bring compassion, acceptance, challenge, and joy to her classes. She looks forward to sharing her practice of healing through movement and breath to as many people as she can.

Betsy has been practicing yoga for over twenty years and teaches a mix of her favorite things. Increasingly drawn to the transformative power of Kundalini practices, she has completed Radiant Body’s Meditation, Kriya and Pranayama trainings. She’s heavily influenced by the work of Life Force Yoga, with its ability to greatly balance anxiety and depression. She is also shaped by the deep practices of Forrest Yoga. Graced by gifted teachers, including Kia Miller, Amy Weintraub, Talya Ring, Claire Mark, and Kate Wester. As a Life Force Yoga Practitioner, A Radiant Body Practictioner, an Emotional Freedom Technique Practitioner as well as an Integrative Grief Practitioner, she loves sharing her collection of transformative tools. You can expect a vinyasa flow, sprinkled with breathwork, mindfulness, mantra, and meditation.

Wanda was introduced to yoga while trying to find ways to cope with physical ailments and her desire to live a healthier lifestyle. Having experienced constant back issues due to scoliosis and nerve damage, she set her mind to find different ways to help. What she found in yoga was so much more than physical benefits. Through deepening her yoga practice, she found a connection to self and discovered the healing effects not only for the body but for the mind and spirit. It was then that she realized that yoga is so much more than a physical practice. Her love for the practice led her to a path of self-healing and wanting to deepen her knowledge of yoga.

Wanda earned her 200-hr teaching certificate through Ahimsa and continues to attend classes and workshops to further develop her knowledge. Wanda is also certified in Reiki Level II; a healing method that just like yoga, promotes the balancing of self on all levels (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual), letting the energy flow.

The sacredness of the practice brings her so much patience with herself, joy, courage, and well-being, and her goal is to share her love for yoga and guide students through a mindful and balanced practice.

Lindsay completed her 200 hr training with Moksha Yoga Center, where she was honored to study with Daren Friesen, Aadil Palkhivala, Gary Kraftsow, Gabriel Halpern, and Kim Wilcox. As a lifelong student of philosophy, Lindsay is grateful for the foundational strength the yamas and niyamas give to her life. Through the physical practice of yoga, we can calm our spinning thoughts. By deepening the awareness of our bodies through the intelligence of the breath, we can create synergy between the physical, mental, and energetic bodies.

Lindsay hopes to share the peace and joy yoga has brought to her life with her students through the practice of asana, pranayama, and meditation.

Munira teaches Vinyasa flow yoga that combines yoga philosophy with graceful flow sequences. She is a classically trained Bharatnatyam dancer , Family Physician and has been practicing yoga since 2015 and teaching since 2019. She completed her 200-hour Teacher training at Yoga among Friends and 500 -hour training at Prairie Yoga. Her classes are informed by her knowledge of human anatomy , which she applies to alignment based sequencing. She hopes to inspire you to find your true self through spiritually guided asana practice.

A lifelong mover, Nikki Renfroe started practicing yoga in high school at her local dance studio and continued her yoga journey in college at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. After receiving her BFA in dance and minor in psychology, she came home to Oak Park, where she was recommended by a friend to take yoga at Ahimsa. It was there that Nikki truly fell in love with yoga and hasn’t stopped since.

Nikki completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training at Yoga Six in 2017 and is currently pursuing a 95 hour prenatal/postnatal yoga teacher training with Amala Yoga. She is also a professional dancer with Simantikos Dance Chicago, teaches dance and yoga at Intuit Dance Studio and is the director of the dance program at Trinity High School, choreographing and teaching dance and yoga there.

Annette Peterson fell in love with yoga’s ability to stretch the whole body, release negative emotions and strengthen the center, not just the core. As a child, Annette began yoga with Lilias on PBS in the 1970s. She deepened her yoga and meditation practice while studying religion, psychology and social work in the ‘90s, and went on to receive a Ph.D. in East-West studies in 2005. Annette has taught yoga to children and/or adults since 2013.

She completed her teacher trainings at Karma Kids and Yandara Yoga Institute, and has studied with senior Chicago teachers Gabriel Halpern and Rich Logan.

Annette loves to share yoga’s physical and psychological benefits with her students. She enjoys teaching hatha, vinyasa, yin and restorative yoga classes. Expect a class that stretches and strengthens body, mind and spirit and cultivates equanimity within the present moment.

Paul has been teaching yoga for over twenty years in Los Angeles and Chicago. He infuses the wisdom of yoga, Ayurveda and Thai Medicine into his work, and takes joy in meeting people where they are on the path to improved health and happiness. Paul works with diverse populations including seniors, those with disabilities, and people with Parkinson’s and M.S., and has lead 200-hour yoga teacher trainings. He holds numerous yoga and Thai Massage certifications as well as an M.A. in Psychology from the University Of Santa Monica.Description goes here

Madison’s yoga journey began in Kerala, India studying Classical Yoga in 2016.

Her classes unite mind, body, and spirit as a means to become more aware of how we move through life on and off the mat.

Madison brings focus to the importance of alignment and understanding the mechanics of the body, while weaving in reminders to play and move intuitively.

Madison shares the idea that as individuals come together to practice the art of awareness through meditation and movement, we ignite a collective remembrance of what it means to take good care of ourselves and how important it is to have the support of community in our daily lives.

“Regardless of the style of yoga I am teaching, my intention is to create a safe space for my students to move inward with curiosity, patience, and gratitude for life.”

Kim is a non-profit volunteer, mother, wife, and Yoga Teacher with Continuing Education in Children’s Yoga & Trauma Informed Somatic Wellness. Kim has found a passion for mind-body connection and movement after growing up tap-dancing, performing in ballet, playing soccer, and years of cheerleading.

For over 10 years, Yoga has become a crucial part of Kim’s healing journey as she navigates her own traumas, stressors, and physical ailments. Her passion is helping others on their unique journeys feel present, safe, and strong while connecting with their breath and body.

Kim offers modifications for every body and believes yoga IS for every body. “This practice connects us to ourselves, our communities, and to the Divine with deep embodiment and flowing with Intention. All are welcome to experience movement as medicine, collectively heal, and impact the world.”

While living and traveling in India and Nepal in 1990, Courtney was fascinated to experienc yoga in its birthplace. She has been a lifelong student and teacher of many different styles of yoga since that time.

Courtney has taught students from all walks of life and of all different ages and abilities throughout the years. From preschoolers to teenagers to mid-lifers to ninety-year-old students, Courtney believes that yoga is for everybody and every-type-of-body. It is a functional toolbox of practices that can bring strength, balance, and respite to the mind, body, and spirit.

As a practicing astrologer and educator, Courtney looks to the daily planetary alignments to inspire her classes. As students arrive to class, she checks in with them to see what requests they may have. She then personalizes the class focus to fit both the day’s energy and students’ needs. Asana (Shapes), Pranayama (Breathwork), Mantra (Chants/Focus), Mudra (Hand gestures), and Meditation are all included in Courtney’s classes.

When Courtney is not teaching yoga, she enjoys traveling the world, live music, studying astrology, and spending time with her hubby and 4 (adult) children. Her personal life mission is to “spread love and self-acceptance one person at a time.” (Courtney can be found at chartyourheart.com)

E'a is a new empty nester fervently following her dreams and passions...EVEN MORE, she feels blessed in that the life she leads is one built from her passions, gifts and hobbies.

"Everything I do to enjoy living I do for a living."

E'a recently converted a 31ft school bus into a mobile Cultural Arts & Wellness Center....a space of healing & love for physical, mental & spiritual wellness literally to meet you where you are at.

At 35 and at the height of her professional career, Dena felt like the stressors of professional and personal life had her in a tailspin. She was barely keeping it together. After stumbling into a yoga studio one Saturday afternoon in search of solace, she found a space where her body and mind could slow down and be present. That was her introduction to yoga and the beginning of a life-long journey of self-discovery.

After 15+ years of practicing and studying yoga, Dena is excited to still be learning. Dena received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training from Bloom Yoga Studio. Her life experiences and particularly the experience of a changing body have been her greatest teachers influencing and informing her practice and teaching.

In Dena’s class you can expect a warm, welcoming, and mindful place where every student is empowered to use yoga poses and breath techniques to cultivate self-awareness, practice self- acceptance, and learn self-love.

In 2004, Laurie tried a yoga class at her gym and was hooked. She soon discovered that the stretching and breathing, along with the feeling of community in the class, helped her cope with the high stress of her career as a special education teacher for Chicago Public Schools. Laurie began to incorporate yoga and mindfulness breaks with her students throughout the day and also started an after-school yoga program for children at her school.

After retiring from CPS in 2021, Laurie completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. She also completed her 20-hour Gentle and Restorative Yoga Certification at Bloom in 2022. Laurie’s classes are a combination of a gentle warm up leading to more active poses. She loves the spiritual side of yoga, but blends that with playfulness and humor.

Laurie is a competitive powerlifter holding 2 Illinois State Records. She finds yoga is the perfect complement to powerlifting. It not only helps with physical mobility, but also calms and centers her mind, preparing her for the mental toughness that the sport requires. Laurie is a passionate nature lover and finds that outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and kayaking can be a form of moving meditation.

Kat began practicing yoga while she was in high school to balance the physical demands of rowing and the emotional growing pains of adolescence. While the physical poses of yoga hooked Kat initially, the emotional practices kept her coming back for the past ten years. Kat continued to practice while she was in college and when she graduated from college in 2020, she returned home to Charlottesville. During the pandemic, Kat took her first teacher training at Hot Yoga Charlottesville and is currently working towards her Advanced Teacher Training under the guidance of Jason Crandell. She moved to Evanston in 2022 to work towards a career in Clinical Psychology. Kat loves to teach yoga because it gives people the opportunity to strengthen and stretch their physical bodies, while also empowering their breath, mind, and spirit.

Abigail creates a safe and loving space for her students to discover how yoga works for their individual needs. Her combination of sound meditation with yoga experience creates a unique class and combines playful movement and rejuvenating relaxation.

In 2018 Abigail discovered gong and sound meditation while in Belize. Incorporating sound in her daily yoga practice has been helping her cope with stress. This has been especially helpful during COVID since she has been in the healthcare industry since 2004. Abigail has been practicing yoga since 2010 and continues to be a dedicated student who is always learning. She completed her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training as well as 20hr Gentle and Restorative Yoga Teacher Training with Bloom Yoga Studio in 2022.

Soon after graduation, Abigail Co-Founded North Branch Community Yoga. She and a fellow teacher wanted to create a space for accessible, donation based/optional yoga for the community; feature other local yoga teachers; and give yoga teachers the chance to raise money for a cause of their choice.

When Abigail is not at the hospital or teaching you will find her on the next flight to anywhere! Her thirst for adventure has taken her everywhere from the waters of the Galapagos Islands to the Bhutanese Nunneries. Yoga retreats have been Abigail’s gateway to not only the world but another way to connect with individuals outside of her community as well as dive into different cultures.

Sue came to yoga as a gentle form of staying fit and mindful during pregnancy. In building a practice, she discovered how it calmed her anxious mind and became a ritual of self-healing. She became a yoga teacher to share this gift with others and to create a space where people feel safe and supported to reconnect to their true selves. Sue completed her 200 hour yoga teacher testing with Practice Everywhere in 2018. She is also certified in Yin, Restorative, Kids Yoga, and Prenatal/Postnatal yoga, as well as a NASM certified Personal Trainer.

Since 2010, Diane has embraced yoga as a means to sustain the pleasure of movement her body experienced from three decades of ballet. In 2020, enduring two spinal surgeries and the challenges of Crohn’s Disease, she discovered the profound healing capabilities of her body, magnified by the tranquility found in yoga and meditation. This serenity enabled Diane to tune into her body's innate wisdom, guiding her recovery process.

In the spring of 2022, Diane earned her Hatha 200 HR YTT certification under Judi Harvin at Focus Om Yoga, located in Brookfield, Illinois. Her inquiry into yoga and meditation's role in pain management has led her to participate in workshops focusing on integrative medicine, pain management, and meditation targeted at caregiving professionals. Diane’s teaching methodology emphasizes the synergy of breath and posture to facilitate internal listening. Her Hatha-centered approach aims to soothe the mind, encouraging concentration on bodily intelligence. Through fostering bodily strength, focus, and elegance, Diane endeavors to nurture healing, tranquility, and happiness in her classes.

Beyond the realm of yoga, Diane plays multiple roles as a mother, spouse, daughter, and educator for fourth and fifth graders who are new to the country and learning multiple languages at an elementary school. Traveling motivates her, while engaging with the outdoors, mountain hiking, piano playing, gardening, and spending time with loved ones and friends provide her with stability and joy.