 Sara Haynes What brought you to yoga? I was struggling with my mental and emotional well being for a variety of reasons back in 2013. I was looking in the mirror, struggling to find ways to properly care for myself. A dear friend of mine brought me to her local yoga studio, and the rest is history. I fell in love with the asanas and experienced a practice of self-connection that I hadn’t felt before. What is your approach to teaching? For me less is more. It is not often that we give ourselves the opportunity to sit in stillness and connect, so I hope every person who comes to their mat feels encouraged to do just that. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? 5KY is an environment of warmth and inclusivity, for everyone a part of the community. Their mission to support any and all students regardless of age or ability, deeply aligns with my yoga beliefs as well. What makes your soul sing? Connecting with nature and being around those that I feel fully safe and myself with. Nothing is more nourishing than connection to the ground underneath me and being with the ones I love around me. You can find Sara at 5KY on Thursdays at 7:30 PM.
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 Marjorie Gast
You can find Marjorie at 5KY on Mondays & Tuesdays at 7:30 PM.
 What brought you to yoga? I have a really good friend who told me she thought I would really enjoy yoga. Not just for the physical benefits but for the spiritual and emotional growth you can experience through it. So she brought me to a yoga class and I loved it! That was about twelve years ago and ever since then, I’ve kept coming back. What is your approach to teaching? I think that if you’re going to plan or build a really good, solid class, you have to first know who your students are and what they need. Even if you don’t know them personally, you have to know what they want out of their practice and build from that foundation. My approach is to come into the moment, notice your breath, have a purpose for breathing, bring movement into your breath, and then practice different poses with the breath - always remembering that the most important thing you’re doing is linking your breath to movement. And then, ending a practice with a really nice, long savasana. Also, I try to give the message that you take the practice out with you in the world. It’s easy to come to a class, practice, then walk out the door and forget about breathing or mindfulness but that’s what I ultimately want to teach, is to use the practice throughout the day. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? When I met Erin, I really and truly felt some kind of magical connection to this space. Erin taught exactly the way I wanted to practice and the way I wanted to teach. I was impressed with how much she knew, for example the chanting she does. I felt a connection. I felt this was a place that taught the way I’ve always believed in practicing and how great it would be to be a part of this community as a teacher. There’s such a good feeling here. This studio isn’t just the walls and the colors and the props. It’s the energy and the emotions that permeate the space that matter and makes me feel like I’m at a place that fits. What makes your soul sing? Feeling connected to people and to the wider world. My soul sings when I see that other people feel good and are happy. My soul sings when I know there is love out there in the world to be felt and to be given. When you have an opportunity to share that with people, it’s a beautiful thing. You can find Karen at 5KY on Fridays at 10:15 AM.
 MJ Lounsberry What brought you to yoga? I was first introduced to yoga when I was 4 and watched Inhale with Steve Ross with my dad on the Oxygen channel. I practiced yoga frequently as a kid and then infrequently as I got a bit older and became more dedicated to competitive sports. My time was filled with school and basketball, track, soccer, etc. practices. In 2014 I moved to Chicago for college and that’s where I met my yoga teacher, Suddha Weixler, who has run The Chicago Yoga Center since 1984, he was also teaching yoga for credit at my university, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Suddha has since retired from teaching at the school). After taking Suddha’s yoga course at the school a few times, I decided to become a teacher as well, and embarked on my yoga teacher training course with Suddha at the Chicago Yoga Center. I have been teaching ever since! What is your approach to teaching? Through movement and breathing I am interested in teaching how to deepen the awareness of the mind and the body and discovering the profound peace in silence and stillness, and enter the space beyond your ideas to discover your true authentic happiest self. I’m interested in creating unique and fun Hatha Yoga sequences to create an enjoyable and fun yoga flow. Why do you choose to teach at 5KY? I choose to teach at Five Keys because of the studio's beautiful energy and community. The space is calming and grounding and I love teaching and practicing yoga here. Erin and Rita have cultivated a truly magical yoga studio and I feel so fortunate and humbled to be a part of Five Keys. They care about the little things, like fresh flowers every week, the best kind of people. What makes your soul sing? Besides practicing and teaching yoga, my soul sings when I’m painting, gardening, playing basketball, skiing, surfing (most adventure sports), and cuddling with my sweet cat, Prince.  Molly Black What brought you to yoga? I discovered yoga when I needed a space for movement and healing. I always turned to yoga when I was feeling down and fell in love with it more and more. I’ve now been practicing yoga for 13 years. What is your approach to teaching? My approach to yoga is Mindful movement, I invite my students to set intentions before each class and tune into their breath as well as teach them how to use the practice to anchor them into the present moment. Why do you choose to teach at 5KY? I chose 5KY because I was inspired by the teachers. Their approach to teaching and their kindness was comforting and inspired me in my own teaching and practice. What makes your soul sing? Helping other people grow in their Mindfulness practice.  Sierra Buffum 1) What brought you to yoga? My journey through yoga started from a disordered state - but along the way, I was exposed to the truth of yoga: that yoga is a tool of connection. Once I discovered that yoga isn't about perfection or fitness, my yoga really started. I practice to find peace in my body, and have found profound psychological benefits from yoga. 2) What is your approach to teaching? I teach to honor all beings where they are at right now. My goal with each class is to hold space for folks at all levels by offering accessible + inclusive classes filled with ample modifications and options. I teach trauma-informed, psychologically sensitive yoga and acknowledge that most folks who come into public classes have experienced some trauma, depression, or anxiety, just as I do. By bringing this perspective to the practice, I hope to break the stigma that surrounds mental illness and help others find ease, peace, relief, and maybe even home in their own bodies. 3) Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? 5KY radiates welcoming energy!! I feel at home at 5KY and don't feel like I have to fit into a certain depiction of what a yoga teacher should be. One of the greatest gifts yoga holds is community, and I'm grateful to be a part of the 5KY community. 4) What makes your soul sing? Things that make my soul sing (that aren't yoga or teaching, cuz of course those do too!): dancing like no one's watching even if everyone is, a well-crafted horror movie, baking, supporting my friends, and my morning coffee + reading ritual.  Sierra teaching at Gallagher Way. You can find Sierra at 5KY on Sundays at 1:15 pm.
 Cee Scallen 1) What brought you to yoga?
I came to yoga to follow in the footsteps of my older sisters; youngest sibling behavior at its finest! It took a negative turn as my eating disorder took charge, so I went away from yoga for a few years. I came back about 5 years ago and haven’t looked back! It’s a practice that helps me feel strong and centered, empowered and open—all the both/and energy. 2) What is your approach to teaching? My approach to teaching is trauma-informed, practitioner-centered, and intention-themed. I like to give lots of options and customization and am fiercely committed to hitting home that I’m simply a guide; each person is their own best teacher, and the wisdom of their body is all they need to follow. I also like to make jokes and be fun and silly throughout class too! 3) Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I chose to teach at 5KY because I love the intimate nature of the studio and community. It’s small and tight-knit and supportive, and I love that each student and teacher is known and loved in their own right. I also really like that it was founded with the intention of bringing yoga to often-overlooked populations in yoga practices. Lastly, Erin and Rita have been so supportive of queer-inclusive programming, which is super important to me, and that feels so wonderful. 4) What makes your soul sing? My soul sings with dance parties, queer joy, cats, theatre, symbolism in poetry and books, empowered yoga practices, and the feeling of sunshine on your face when sitting by a lake. I love finding the small moments of joy! You can find Cee at 5KY on Thursdays at 5:45 pm.  Asra in Sukasana (Easy Pose) 1) What brought you to yoga?
I did a little yoga during college and found myself feeling extremely calm and in a better mental state afterward. When I graduated and was constantly struggling with my mental health, I was drawn to yoga as a way to help me regulate my mind and emotions. 2) What is your approach to teaching? I try to approach teaching with a bit of lightheartedness. My goal in each class is to give my students a break from their daily lives and stresses so they can experience the mental benefits that I experience from yoga. 3) Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I chose to teach at 5KY because it was the only studio (of the many I applied to) where the owners have really helped to mentor and encourage me to become a better teacher. I love the community and the energy of everyone who teaches and takes classes at this studio. 4) What makes your soul sing? Passion and joy make my soul sing! When I see other people discussing or going after what they love and are passionate about or I see people experiencing a deep joy, it really lights something up inside me! You can find Asra at 5KY on Mondays at 7:30 pm.  Rita Alviar on her Harley What brought you to yoga? I was "physically" brought to yoga by my dear cousin Janet! ( She is now one of our regular students at the studio!). I had no idea what yoga even was at that time...about 15 years ago! :-) The more I practiced the more I found peace... What is your approach to teaching? I teach with an open heart & try to offer my students the opportunity to connect to their own version of peace & joy! I am honored & humbled to share yoga with them! Why do you choose to teach at 5KY? I chose to teach at 5KY because of our cornerstone as a Yoga for the Special Child studio! I connect very much to sharing the deeper meaning of yoga with all our students! I consider the opportunity to teach as a gift! What makes your soul sing? My soul sings at the studio when my students find meaning beyond the physical aspects of yoga! My soul also sings when I receive big hugs from my daughter Sammie! :-) You can find Rita at 5KY on Sundays at 3 PM and Mondays at 10:15 AM.
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FIVE KEYS YOGA
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WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAYFive Keys is fantastic! The studio is lovely and soothing, and the teachers are very caring and attentive. |
I've ... probably been to 25 different yoga studios. This is one of the most welcoming, calming spaces with very talented instructors. |
I love this yoga studio. It's a great balance of a good workout and relaxation and feels like a real community. |
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Five Keys Yoga, LLC ∙ 1818 W. Belmont Ave. ∙ Chicago, IL 60657 ∙ (773) 857-1763 ∙ namaste@5keysyoga.com