Kelly Tahini

Kelly's love affair with yoga began in 2009 when she moved to Thailand with her husband. Despite the language barrier, Kelly was immediately drawn to the sense of community she felt within each yoga class. She learned the yoga postures by strategically positioning herself in front of the mirrors so she could see the reflection of the other students. Within a few weeks of practicing, she was hooked. After experiencing the extraordinary benefits of yoga, Kelly awakened to a deep realization…. "I want to share yoga with everyone!"

Kelly's love of yoga and desire to share the path of profound transformation has led her to teaching. In 2010, Kelly returned to Chicago and received her 200hr yoga teaching certification through Yogaview, under the incredible guidance of Geri Bleier, Claire Mark, Quinn Kearney and Tom Quinn.

Kelly teaches alignment based vinyasa flow. Utilizing breath, music, theme, mindful sequencing, and humor, she brings a challenging, yet playful teaching style to her classes.

Off the mat, Kelly maintains her fun zest for life doing anything outdoors, cooking and entertaining, visiting vineyards, and travelling across the planet with her husband.

Katarina Arneric

Katarina has a love and passion to move. The human body is of great interest to her and shes is always wanting to learn more. Katarina enjoys helping others and sharing her experiences and knowledge in any way she can. She received her teacher training form Breath and Body Yoga, a Baptiste affiliate studio, in Austin, TX. As a dancer, she loves to incorporate music, and mind & body awareness into her yoga classes.
 

Rachel Castellanos

Rachel enjoys creatively and playfully teaching and practicing yoga. She brings an open mind and an open heart with her to each class. Being a professional trombonist, music also plays a huge part in her life, and she enjoys exploring connections between her art and yoga.

Rachel received her 200-hour certificate at the Chicago Yoga Center studying with Suddha Weixler. She has also done teacher training with Richard Freeman. Additionally, Rachel has been to workshops with Paulie Zink, Paul Grilley, and Sarah Powers. She continues to learn and grow under the guidance of her teachers Bruce Symonds and Suddha Weixler.
 

David Duerkop

David was drawn to yoga and meditation studies as an antidote to his hectic days at the Chicago Board of Trade. He found that meditation and yoga calmed his mind and softened his heart. David leads meditation services at the Midwest Buddhist Temple and brings over a decade of meditation practice to his yoga teaching style. He is fascinated by the depth of yoga and humbled by the valuable lessons his practice regularly provides. The power and alignment of the postures have helped him connect with his true self, and challenged him to go deeper. David is a Baptiste Associate Instructor and has also completed a Teacher Training program led by Quinn Kearney and Claire Mark. He feels fortunate to now teach and share the beauty of yoga with others. David lives in Chicago with his longterm partner and favorite yogini Rachel, and their dog Libby.
 

Angela Elder

Angela first discovered yoga in Colorado as an escape from corporate life. She and her roommate attended regularly at the local gym. She returned to it again after moving to Chicago in 2005 and spending her days at very stressful day job. She immediately signed up for Teacher Training in 2009 and her yoga journey has been nonstop & passionate since. She has certification in Power, Yoga Sculpt, Hot Power Fusion & Core Restore. Since becoming certified, Angela has been fortunate enough to study with some of the country's top instructors: Darren Main, Simon Park, Wade Morissette, Ashley Turner, Baron Baptist & John Friend among them. She recently reached a long goal and attended the Yoga Journal Conference in Estes Park. In her teaching Angela is interested in promoting self-acceptance and grounding through an energetic, fun practice with emphasis on alignment & breathing. When not teaching yoga, Angela spends her days at her day-job fantasizing about teaching yoga, and her downtime and her dog-like kitty, Kharma.
 

Nick Florino

At an early age, Nick was introduced to Tantric and Buddhist studies, meditation and breathing exercises by his sister, Deneene. He played sports all of his life but never enjoyed the competition aspect of them. Three years ago he took his first yoga class and has been a devoted student to the practice ever since. After a year of practicing with his first teacher, Patti Lupo, he decided to devote his life to studying the self, the body and mind. Yoga helps him to live his life more fully in the moment and connect to the beautiful power of the divine.

One of Nick's passions is to help people spiritually and physically, and yoga is his vehicle to do so. He completed Yogaview's Teacher Training & Practice Intensive in 2010 with Tom Quinn, Geri Bleier, Quinn Kearney, and Claire Mark. He is full of gratitude for the education he received from his teachers at Yogaview. Nick has been blessed to experience many great teachers including Richard Freeman, Tim Feldmann, Joel Kramer, Shiva Ray, Noah Maze, Stephanie Starnes, Sara Strother, Paul Weitz, and many other local Chicago teachers, and continues to study all types of yoga. He is currently working on becoming an Anusara-Inspired teacher.

Nick teaches Tantric Vinyasa Flow with emphasis on pranayama, meditation, alignment, mantra, mudra, and visualization. His open minded, open hearted spirit brings a calm, peaceful, and playful energy to his yoga classes. He practices living in the moment with gratitude, love, and mindfulness, and without judgment and resistance. He believes this is one of the keys to happiness and health. Nick sees every student as himself and has the patience and positive attitude to teach and really influence people's lives in a positive, loving way.
 

Jeremy Green

I was dragged to my first yoga class wearing a pair of jeans, a bad mood, and very skeptical attitude. I left with something akin to a revelation--I had spent 60 minutes sweating, breathing, moving, and most importantly, feeling that I was doing something purely for myself. I came back again the next day, and the next, and the next. Over the course of the next two years or so, I went from being unable to even straighten my legs while leaning forward, let alone touch my toes, to having an incredibly flexible body and finding pure joy in motion. Now, I decided, I must share this. I must learn to teach this. In addition to this background, there's another story I am a graduate of New York University's Gallatin School with a major in literature and musicoliterary analysis and a minor in music. I've been a bit of a bookworm my whole life, and in yoga I treat this as an asset; I'm constantly reading texts on alignment, history, anatomy and yogic philosophy in order to better teach. In short, ask me questions about your practice, please! I love to answer them.

In my class, be prepared to sweat, be prepared to breath deeply, be prepared to work hard, but most of all, be prepared to leave feeling a profound mixture of tired, satisfied, loose and most importantly, happy.

Cindy Huston

Cindy is an Asian Body Therapist and graduate of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Her modalities include Thai, Shiatsu, Tui Na, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, and Swedish/Circulatory massage. Cindy thrives to creatively continue exploring the body's potential to naturally heal and express infinite possibilities through all traditional and non-traditional forms of movement. She is an instructor of dance and yoga and practices massage and Asian Body Therapy around the Chicago area.

Self Declaration: My purpose in life is to support and educate communities on ways to achieve a healthy and clear lifestyle that serves their life path. By becoming aware of what we surround our bodies and lives with, we can create body awareness of movement and self expression to maintain a clear energy flow.

Rachel Kates

Rachel's yoga practice began in childhood when she and her big sister imitated the pictures in their mom's yoga book, and she still thinks of yoga as time to play and connect.

She began taking Iyengar classes with Gabriel Halpern in the early 1990's, and her curiosity has led her to explore ashtanga, Anusara, hatha, Forrest, vinyasa flow, and yin yoga. She has also studied The Alexander Technique, Thai yoga massage, and The Franklin Method.

Her most influential teachers have been Rusty Wells, Erich Schiffmann, Tim Nowortya, Kim Wilcox, Scott Blossom, and Geri Bleier.

Rachel is certified to teach Bhakti Urban Flow by Rusty Wells and vinyasa flow by the incomparable faculty of yogaview.

She leads loving, balanced classes and doesn't believe in skimping on savasana.
 

Brandy LaChapelle

Brandy is a 236-hour trained and certified Vinyasa and Yoga Sculpt instructor. Growing up a navy-brat, Brandy's father instilled in her a deep reverence for strength of mind, character, and body and as a result Brandy has done her fair share of push-ups. Brandy's Mom is a chiropractor and acupuncturist, dedicated to holistic healing and preventative health. Growing up with these values has shaped Brandy's life and ultimately led her to find a passionate commitment to her yoga practice.

Brandy is also an artist and creative writer with a master's degree specializing in hand papermaking and artist books. Her journey deeper into yoga and teaching began as a spiritual imperative during her challenging and deeply personal thesis work. Though she had always loved yoga and had the sense that she needed more, it was not until she discovered Vinyasa and began a moving meditation, that her spiritual bond with yoga began. On her first Vinyasa class; Brandy says she was hooked, "As we all flowed, breath and movement in harmony, I was astonished at how clearly I could connect with the conviction… that we are all one."

As a teacher Brandy strives to bring her background as an artist to each class, seeking and acknowledging the beauty in all things. Having worked in a healing sanctuary that applies principles of ayurvedic science she continues to further her knowledge of healing practices, energy lines, nutrition and philosophy so that she may share this with her students.
 

Helen Lee

Helen is a Chicago native but flew away to the island of Oahu to study dance and theatre at University of Hawaii. Upon her return to the Windy City, she studied yoga as way to compliment her dance studies only to find herself in more yoga classes than dance classes. After a few years of practicing various styles of yoga, she finally decided to study with Suddha Weixler at Chicago Yoga Center and received her teaching certification.

Helen loves the healing power of yoga and encourages student to apply simple elements of yoga into their daily lives like "opening up the heart", "building a foundation" or "being present". She finds joy in exploring and connecting the possibilities of what yoga and dance movements can bring together. She believes while technique is important, beauty is more than technique. She hopes that students will walk away from the class feeling lighter, more energized and possibly even having learned something new about themselves.

Helen also dances for The Humans and Clinard Dance Theatre and is the Artistic Director of Momentum Sensorium. In her spare time, Helen enjoys drinking a variety of tasty beverages, trying to sing like a bird, and wiggling her toes.
 

Stacy Levy

Stacy Levy has been an avid yoga practitioner for over 10 years, and her approach to yoga is continually evolving through dedicated study and self-reflection. Her passion for teaching yoga is rooted in her strong spiritual foundation, love of movement and holistic lifestyle. Stacy brings her positive energy to her teaching as she nurtures and respects the individuality of each student. Stacy's teaching philosophy embodies a focus on healthy and safe alignment, and balancing strength, endurance and flexibility while using the breath to connect the mind, body and spirit. Stacy's soulful Vinyasa yoga classes blend mindful poses into eclectic sequences that are set to uplifting and contemporary music, ranging from Classic Rock to Regage to Pop and Hip Hop. Music is a strong component of her class experience, as she utilizes the power of sound to motivate students to further deepen into the poses and themselves. Stacy has studied and been influenced by Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, Hatha, Anusara, Iyengar, Hot Yoga, Power Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Yin Yoga, and fuses these styles to create a unique energizing, yet grounding flow. Stacy inspires her students to live consciously and consistently seek to find balance. Supported by her own personal experience, Stacy strongly believes in the therapeutic nature and healing power of yoga, as well as the ability of the practice to awaken and transform. She feels blessed and honored to assist others on their journey to wellness and witness profound transformations each and everyday. Stacy completed her yoga teacher training at Yogaview, and has deep gratitude for her teachers Claire Mark, Geri Bleier, Quinn Kearney, and Tom Quinn. She also offers loving thanks to her family, friends and students for supporting and inspiring her on her own journey. Currently, Stacy teaches group and private classes for people of all ages and provides corporate yoga and wellness education and instruction. She is currently pursuing her certification as a Holistic Health Coach, focusing on integrative nutrition and total mind-body-spirit wellness.

Erica Lupiloff

Erica Lupiloff (RYT Registered Yoga Teacher Alliance) received her BA in Psychology from MSU in 1996. She continued her studies and in 1999 and achieved a MA in Humanistic Clinical Psychology. It was during this time that her relationship w/ yoga began. Her first class taught by Mitchell Bleier, Piqued her interest leading her to further study. Erica discovered a common thread connecting psychology, yoga and meditation. It became clear that each of these vehicles exist for spiritual growth, personal transformation and self awareness. She hopes to facilitate others in igniting these internal fires where all profound transformation begins. In addition to teaching in a studio setting, Erica began teaching private and corporate yoga classes. The benefits were obvious. Yoga and meditation greatly contributed to the work environment by creating greater focus, increased energy, deeper relaxation and an overall sense of community amongst co-workers. Erica teaches Ashtanga and Vinyasa classes. Erica has most recently studied Prana Vinyasa Flow Sequencing with Shiva Rea in Los Angeles. The focus of Erica's classes are infused with core strengthening and an emphasis on creating a seamless flow of movement. Her classes aim to find balance for every student regardless of their level of experience. She extends deep gratitude to all the students/teachers who continue to shape and inspire her life!
 

Katie Rowe Mitchell

Katie was introduced to yoga at a young age along side the eccentric, spandex-clad ladies of her local community center. With a background in gymnastics, she was immediately drawn to the physical challenges and alignment principals that yoga had to offer. Katie quickly realized that yoga served more than just the body. Over time, she discovered a passion for the connection between our bodies and our emotions. It is through yoga that Katie is able to explore, see clearly, and have compassion towards relationships and daily experiences. Yoga unites us with our own truth - it helps us wake up, be aware, and grow. Katie is grateful for her teachers, Geri Bleier, Claire Mark, Tom Quinn, and Quinn Kearney, and for the amazing Teacher Training program at Yogaview in Chicago. She is delighted to share the transformative qualities of yoga with her students.
 

Joie Mucha

Joie has integrated mind, body and spirit through her interest in alternative healthcare. She studied Western and Eastern Herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and nutrition at the Chicago College of Healing Arts, where she received a certificate in Medicinal Herbalism. During that period, she continued to study the body itself, which led her to the Eight Limbs Yoga Center Hatha Yoga teacher training in 2004 and Global Yoga for Prenatal Yoga teacher training in 2006. Since 1998, Joie has studied various styles including Hatha, Anusara, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Burmese Letha, Prenatal, and Yoga for Children. She draws on her knowledge from these traditions to create a serene environment in which to practice yoga as a moving meditation.
 

Robert Pelaski

Robert is a Jivamutki Certified yoga teacher from New York now living in Chicago's Gold Coast. He draws his teachings from the profound wisdom of his teachers David Life and Sharon Gannon. The one month residential training was held at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York where he continues his on going education and spritual practice. The five tenants of Ahimsa,Bhakti,Meditation,Nada Yoga, & Scripture are emphasized in the variety of vinyasa formats he shares with practioners throughout Chicago.

Today he continues to draw inspiration and give much thanks to his first teacher D'ana Baptiste co-creator of Baptiste Power Yoga at Centered City Yoga in Salt Lake City, Utah where he completed his first 500 hour training. D'ana cultivates the creative freedom of expression in her teachings which resonates with Robert in sharing the gift of humor with an open heart.

Robert is also grateful to his Asthanga teacher Ajay Kumar of Sthalam8 Yoga Shala in Mysore, Karnataka South India.Sri BNS Inyegar with whom he completed a one month pranayama ciriculum. Kamal Singh of Tattvaa Yoga Shala in Rishikesh , India. With their shared knowledge he now teaches traditional Asthanga Primary Series.

There he went on to advance his studies in ayurveda, chanting, and scripture. Today with heartfelt thanks, he has completed 1,200 hours of training while traveling 5 continents and over 55 countries. With 20 years of teaching experience (15 in group fitness) he continues his daily practice all the while singing in his heart "Om bolo sad guru Bhagavan ki jai !" -God is the only real teacher ,alleluia!
-shanti
 

Danielle Robinson

Danielle Robinson is a vinyasa yoga, Pilates, and cardio dance teacher who just recently moved to Chicago from Italy. She started practicing yoga while pursuing her degree in Psychology back in 2002. Soon after graduation and her jobs in the real world both in the States and abroad, she felt inspired by fellow yogis and her own quest for physical and mental challenges to pursue teaching as a career. She studied under yogis in Florida, Italy, and New York City and now she hopes to parlay her training and teaching style into a fun and rewarding career teaching in the great city of Chicago. Her love of sports and dance is a big inspiration and contributor to her vinyasa classes. She's excited to be in the city, to meet new people, and to have the opportunity to teach at The Chicago School of Yoga.
 

Veronica Rottman

Veronica encountered yoga as a young toddler whilst trying to imitate her mother as she practiced. She soon became a very somatically-conscious person with a strong passion for dance, movement, and connection to rhythm. She danced for several years all the while dabbling in yoga and its various styles. Veronica has practiced all over the city of Chicago, spending most of her yoga hours learning vinyasa, bikram, hatha, yin, and more. After graduating with a degree in Hispanic Linguistics and French, Veronica soon found herself returning to the mat daily. Her passion for language and movement seemed to converge in yoga as well as her perspective regarding the union in everything. Veronica believes that yoga has the power to both center as well as reveal aspects within a person both physically and mindfully. She hopes to provide a grounding experience for students which also challenges them to explore personal boundaries. She utilizes breathe- infused movement for students and encourages a strong yoga community.
 

Betsy Seligman

Betsy brings her high energy, passion, and creativity to each and every class. Years of professional training and certification with renowned yoga teachers, a Masters degree in Social Work and a strong spiritual foundation anchor the holistic mind/body perspective she embodies. Focused direction, professionally trained observation skills and her innate ability to personally connect to each and every student, ads a true personal touch.

Physical injuries after years of athletic competitiveness is what originally brought Betsy to the practice of yoga. As a result, she is a conscientious observer of form and function, so you can expect precision corrections that challenge your limits, but never sacrifice your safety. Most importantly, her classes are fun, creative and invigorating…they have to be, anyone who knows Betsy, knows she would be bored with anything less.

After years of being asked by her students, "when are you going to make a video we can do at home". Betsy finally decided to create an amazing DVD, which is like none other out there. A true hardcore power vinyasa class. Will be out this spring. Stay tuned.
 

Emma Shansky

Emma Shansky began practicing yoga as a means to cope with the stress of graduate school. She found the physical challenge of Ashtanga yoga to be a welcome distraction from long hours of studying and collecting data in the chemistry lab. Having been a dancer all her life, she realized (or was reminded) that this "distraction" was, in fact, a passion for movement that she had held her entire life. This discovery led her to quit school and chemistry altogether and begin performing and teaching dance again, as well as becoming a certified Pilates instructor and undergoing Yoga teacher training. She now has a new career teaching dance, Pilates, and Yoga and loves to find creative ways to blend these methods. She has not set foot in a laboratory since and has never been happier.
 

Amy Simonson

Amy signed up for her first yoga class in college at Wichita State University while working for her degree in dance. A knee injury caused her to have surgery, and she turned to yoga to get back in shape. Amy instantly found yoga to be so much more than just the stretching she first went to get. She found yoga to give her not only a great workout, but emotional benefits and better mental clarity as well. Always up for a physical challenge and a good sweat, Amy fell in love with the energy and intensity of a fitness/yoga class. Amy joined Yoga Sculpt Teacher Training and now finds excitement everyday in sharing the wonderful challenges and rewards of yoga with her students.

Stephanie Starnes

Stephanie has been teaching yoga since 2004, and is an avid student of Anusara Yoga. Growing up with the weirdest mother in town, Stephanie lived an all natural lifestyle including herbal medicine, organic gardening, energy healing, home schooling, fort building, and native American medicine. She was also exposed to many different spiritual practices and ways of thinking as a child. After rebelling for awhile, she soon came back to her roots and found a home in yoga. A home in yoga really meant a home in her heart. She believes that everyone is a unique, beautiful light that should be honored, shared and loved. We all have our own gifts to reveal and dreams to live. This is why she teaches yoga. It is one of many ways to find joy in who we are, and to really embrace the magic and possibilities that are all around us. Stephanie teaches private and group yoga classes, as well as 200 hr Yoga Teacher Trainings in the city and suburbs of Chicago. She also holds gong/sound healings and kirtans with her lovely sister, Sarah.
 

Aubrey Thye

With a background in dance, the physical movements drew Aubrey to yoga several years ago. Through the practice, she found a sense of center, peace and energy. Eventually yoga became the guiding force to her active lifestyle and spirituality. She followed a 200-hour teacher training program with aspirations in guiding her students through their own personal journeys with yoga. Aubrey is an enthusiast of foreign language, travel, music, and dance. Her classes often reflect her passion for movement and empathy for language. She loves to explore and experiment on and off the mat. The prospect of something new continues to bring her to her mat every day.
 

Sarah Wolfman

As a Wrigleyville resident for over 15 years and an avid Yoga practitioner, the time has come to spread the love.

My first foray into the world of Yoga was a mere three-month stint over 12 years ago. I then became pregnant with my first daughter. Unaware of the benefits of Prenatal Yoga or any exercise during those precious months, I opted for only low-impact forms of movement, ie. sleeping. Turn the calendar to 2008. Personal wager: make it through a 90 minute Bikram Yoga class - rule the World! I 'pushed'. I remained in the 105 degree room for the duration of the class practicing only Savasana a.k.a. Dead Man's Pose. Making good on my wager, I went back the next day... then the next... then... BOOM! I was hooked. After several months of enduring this transformative tradition, I began exploring several others styles of Yoga: Baptiste Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Anusara, Ashtanga, Jnana, Tantra, Karma, Kundahlini, Pre/Post Natal, Forrest...the list goes on. I completed the 200 CYT teacher training program in February 2010. The Vinyasa sequences that we practice are set up for safety and success. We explore the principles of alignment while seamlessly flowing with our breath from one pose to the next. Shh... sweating can be fun... This message delivered from a mama who loved to hibernate. No prior yoga experience required!