Tana ~ Director

I first came to yoga at the request of my doctor, to help reduce stress. I was skeptical going to “yoga” but went anyway and fell in love. The breathing techniques can be used anywhere and teaches you how to focus on yourself, something that for most mom’s is hard to do.

In January 2008, I took over the yoga studio and brought my knowledge of marketing and business to the studio. My daughter’s nickname is Sunshine, so Sunshine Yoga & Spa was born. Yoga had changed my life and I love this studio, the space is so inviting, that I could not let it go.

The more I was in the Studio, the more I wanted to learn about yoga. I began Moksha Yoga’s training under Daren Friesen last spring and will be finished in April 2010 with a CYT200 certification. My classes focus on centering and reducing stress within and I love teaching Candlelight classes, you leave so relaxed.

When I’m not at yoga, I’m working my other job an Internet marketing company, my latest project is www.yourswguide.com, a website I created for the Southwest suburbs or hanging out with my family and friends. I have 3 beautiful kids that you can see at Sunshine most days.

  Eddie

CYT 200, Eddie discovered yoga by seeing a television program in which individuals from various walks of life gave testimonies to the benefits of yoga practice. Being a high school dean at the time, he had been looking for something to reduce stress and increase energy. After finding a Chicago yoga studio on the internet, Eddie has been a serious practitioner and aspiring yogi ever since. Eddie teaches a wide variety of yoga styles and techniques, including Classical Hatha, Yogic Arts and Vinyasa Flow. Eddie believes that just as it takes fire and water to forge a crude hunk of metal into a sword, so too should one's yoga practice at times be rigorous and intense (Yang), and at other times gentle and restorative (Yin). In class, he strives to create an atmosphere that is energetic and uplifting without being dogmatic or overly serious. Eddie's main spiritual influences are Kabbalah and Kriya Yoga. His world view is that spiritual enlightenment is the birthright of humanity and that none of us are completely enlightened until we all are enlightened. "There is only one 'Self'" and we must support each other along the journey of realization.

 Brenda

CYT 200, Brenda's desire to teach yoga stemmed from the profound impact yoga had on her life: physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. She believes that every class is an opportunity for transformation and/or healing on all levels. Brenda studied yoga at the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago. In her class you will focus on breath awareness, balance, strength and flexibility - freeing your mind to bring yoga into your daily life and into the world. From personal experience, Brenda knows yoga has the power to change lives and is truly excited about sharing yoga's potential with you.

  Janet

CYT 200, Janet has been involved in the wellness industry for over 15 years.  During this time she saw the connection between mind, body and spirit in healing and improving overall quality of life.  Seeking additional ways to improve the quality of her life, she discovered yoga.  Starting with only 1 class a week for 1 year, yoga transformed her life.  Janet began to increase the time she practiced yoga, solidifying her belief that yoga increases the quality of anyone's life.  She believes that yoga elevates the spirit, calms the mind, improves concentration, and creates balance in the body.  Janet has found an additional benefit/improvement in her weight and cardio training.  In this fast-paced world, yoga brings peace to the mind, allowing a connection to the soul.  She has a hunger for continuing education and to deepen her personal practice.  Janet has studied with YogaFit and is currently studying with Master Teacher Daren Friesen from Moksha Yoga Studio.  A few additional teachers include Ana Forest, Gary Kraftscow, Tias Little, Aadil Palkhivala, Rodney Yee and David Swenson. Janet has been teaching for over 4 years with a focus on structural alignment. She creates a safe environment that allows students to increase their awareness of the incredible and infinite possibilities of the human experience. 
www.fenderyoga.com

  Mary D.

Mary began taking yoga classes about six years ago and loved the stress relief that yoga provides so much she became a yoga teacher.  She earned her 200hr teaching certificate in April 2010 from Moksha Yoga Studio.  Mary enjoys teaching level 1-2 students, focusing on proper alignment, breathing and building stability in the pose. She believes that yoga is not only about fitness, it is a healthy lifestyle that has been adopted by many cultures around the world.  At its best, yoga can improve flexibility, strength, balance and overall wellbeing.  It also serves as a great form of stress relief and that is something that virtually everyone can benefit from.  Mary is the mother of four sons and resides in Orland Park.

  Danette

Danette’s interest in yoga began in her early 20’s when a friend took her to an Iyengar class held at Lakeside Yoga in Evanston. She was immediately drawn to the combination of strengthening & balance that the practice provided. Over the next 10 years she’s studied a variety of other traditions including Vinyasa, Kundalini and Anyusara. When deciding what she wanted to do when re-entering the work force after being home raising a family, Danette decided to become a yoga teacher, the perfect blend of service to others and a continuation of a “lifestyle” that brought her so much joy! Having completed a 200 hour teacher training program with Daren Freisen of Moksha Yoga and studying with a variety of master teachers, she is currently studying Tantric yoga with Jim Bennitt.
http://www.madhuriyoga.com

 Jen

Jenny began practicing yoga in high school as a way to clear her mind and balance all of the stress that sports put on her body. For many years, Jenny knew that she wanted to teach yoga, and in 2009, she did a 200 hour teacher training with the lovely Anusara Inspired Sarah Starned and Stephanie Starnes which was a very life changing experience. She felt a deep connection with the beautiful Anusara style of yoga, and is currently working towards receiving her Anusara inspired certification. Jenny has had the great pleasure of working with many wonderful teachers including Desiree Rumbaugh, Noah Maze, Todd Norian, Sarah Starnes, Stephanie Starnes, and Sara Farmer. In addition to yoga, Jenny enjoys triathlon, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family and her puppy.

  Brianne

CYT 200, Brianne has dedicated more than 15 years to fitness and well-being. She has been in the fitness field for 4 years and stumbled into yoga about 4 years ago. A teacher persuaded Brianne to give yoga a try. She wasn't sure that with her Type A personality she would be able to practice. She decided to give the class a try and hasn't stopped since. Yoga has lead to many physical and emotional discoveries for this yogini. Brianne feels that it is her duty to share yoga with as many people as possible. She has been influenced by several different teacher including Natasha Rizopoulos, Tias Little, David Swenson, Seane Corn and Kathleen Wellmen (Brianne's first yoga teacher). Brianne focuses her class on breath, alignment, and challenge. It is important to be mindful, be patient, and allow for discomfort.

After living in Vermont for 4 months, Brianne learned how important the mind body connection really is. She believes the mind governs everything that we are capable of. If we don't believe it, it won't happen. Brianne will continue on her quest to learn more about yoga at the Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica.

  Jennifer M.

RYT, CYKT, Jennifer initially came to yoga through her work as a school social worker, seeking effective ways to teach her students stress management and emotional regulation techniques. The interest that educational staff showed in using the techniques for themselves inspired her to begin teaching adults and fueled her interest in helping people incorporate these strategies into their everyday routine. She completed her 200 hours of study at Chicago Yoga Center and continues her studies with the Temple of Kriya Yoga. She is a certified YogaKids facilitator and trainer. She also holds certifications in group fitness (NETA), personal training (NASM, NETA) and Mat Pilates (Physical Mind Institute).

  Elyssa

Elyssa came to yoga in 1998 when the health club she had been teaching aerobics and strength training at asked if she would take a weekend workshop to learn to teach yoga. From that weekend she learned that first, yoga cannot be learned in a weekend; and second, this was the best thing that had ever happened to her! After that weekend, Elyssa delved into studying yoga by attending other workshops and filling her bookshelf. She has completed her 200 hour certification with Moksha Yoga and continues to further her yoga education attending workshops with master teachers. Elyssa’s early practice was based in restorative poses to help relieve life stresses and then progressed to an athletic Astanga practice. Vinyasa flow blended with hatha naturally evolved out of this practice and became the style she likes best to teach. Expect an invigorating practice that will challenge you to find a new edge without leaving you feeling drain.