How did I get started teaching yoga?

I studied Kriya Yoga for several years to learn how to be a Swami downtown Chicago and one of the requirements was to be able to practice Astrology and teach a Hatha Yoga class. In 2000 I started teaching yoga and realized how much fun it was. Every class was different, and even if the same student came, everyday each student would also be different. There is so much growth available teaching and learning about yoga. Our physical wellbeing affects our quality of life and yoga can assist with being able to ensure we are healthy as possible, mentally, physically and emotionally.

After several years of teaching I decided get my 200 and 300 hour training through Universal Spirit Yoga under Poonam Gupta. However, my father was my first yoga teacher and I often wish I paid more attention when he was teaching me as a child. Later on, I also took  several teacher trainings and intensives and really appreciate being able to practice this ancient art in a modern world. Previous training for Zen Shiatsu Massage Therapy, Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch Therapy, Crystal Healing Therapy, Biofeedback, Ryfe Therapy, Sound Healing, Cranial Sacral Therapy and Meridian Therapy have all helped my practice as well as how I teach. Studying with Poonam and learning more about the benefit of Ayurveda and it’s connection to Yoga has helped me to see how the practice can enhance any area of your life. 

What are some of the benefits of practicing yoga?

The benefits to yoga are too many to mention here. Just on a physical level, yoga has helped me with chronic back pain, headaches, and increased my ability to concentrate and focus and sustain energy throughout the day. Life is demanding, especially as we get older the more responsibilities we may take on. The practice of yoga assists with dealing with life stressors, and creating a physical strength to draw from. 

Advice to people who want to get started but don’t know how?

People often say they don’t want to try Yoga but it looks too hard. That is completely understandable, especially if you have only seen the more advanced forms on youtube.  I tell people that modifications are always offered, and personally experiencing injuries really helps to give me a broader perspective of how to share this practice in a way that will benefit the practitioner.

Thank you or reading our blog, which is just one of the ways we try to stay connected with our community. In this blog you will meet Stefanie, one of our Yoga Teachers and Yoga Teacher Training co-leads.

Stefanie began her yoga practice in 1998 to increase her physical health, mental clarity and emotional stability.
She received her 200 hour certification in 2011 through Chicago Yoga Center and is an E-RYT Registered Teacher with Chicago Yoga Alliance.

Stefanie believes that each student has the ability to transform their lives from the inside out.
She teaches a variety of styles including classical Hatha, Vinyasa, Bikram and YIN.

Her Vinyasa class emphasizes a creative flow linking breath and movement with some longer held poses.
The longer holds allow for more alignment cues which gives the body and mind time to open up.

Stefanie is very grateful for the gift of yoga.

Stefanie also owns and operates Ginkgo Ltd., a landscaping company in the suburbs. Please visit www. ginkgoltd.com for more information.