 What brought you to yoga?
My quest for healing and self-discovery shaped my journey to yoga. After enduring years of chronic anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and physical pain from conditions like spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, and a pinched ulnar nerve, I found myself stuck and dissatisfied with my life. Although I practiced yoga, it wasn’t until I was overwhelmed by persistent negative thoughts that I fully embraced it as a means of mental focus and healing. Yoga became my sanctuary, helping me calm my mind, alleviate anxiety, and relieve physical pain. Through this practice, I developed self-love, built strength, and shifted my nervous system from stress to relaxation. What is your approach to teaching? As a yoga and wellness practitioner, my approach is grounded in mindfulness. My goal is to help students learn how to connect with and honor their bodies for where it is at now, not where they think they need to be. I encourage students to tap in and listen more closely to their intuition and learn how to trust their heart-mind and grow in their yoga practice without judgment or self-criticism so that the experience of yoga feels safe and approachable. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I chose 5 keys because their philosophy and values align very closely with my own. Plus, I like the cozy intimate setting, which is helpful for those who prefer a smaller class size. What makes your soul sing? I am an amateur singer. In a literal way, singing makes my soul sing. Haha! Singing and performing have always been a part of my life. It makes me so happy to belt out the big soaring notes and just let my heart feel free.
0 Comments
 Erin Haddock What brought you to yoga? I studied theater in college and initially had a hard time getting out of my head while on stage. A professor suggested modern dance, which was a wonderful experience and taught me to be more present in my body. When I was much younger, I’d suffered an unresolved fracture on my toe, which had kept getting worse and worse, leading to a lot of imbalance in my body. Finally, my podiatrist told me I’d need to get surgery on my foot and take a break from dancing. Separately, I’d been curious about yoga for a while. It seemed like a great way to get in touch with your body, while also developing control over your movements, which is very important for a performer. So in my final quarter, a friend recommended I try out the yoga class the dance department ran. I joined and loved how I felt afterward - especially mentally and emotionally. What is your approach to teaching? I feel strongly that yoga is both a science and an art. There are many ways to bake a cake - some of them work and some of them don’t. So I want my students to know that the way I'm guiding class is only one way to explore things. In yoga, there's an approach for anyone. I also think that yoga is a powerful and holistic system. That's why over 300 million people dedicate time to these practices that are now thousands of years old - it works! Sometimes we are a little naive about how potent specific practices are and without the proper foundation, can expose ourselves to more harm than good. It is important to learn from teachers who understand why and how to teach what they are intending. Yoga has been transmitted over many generations from the source, through the teacher and to the student. As teachers, we should always be students of wisdom. We should understand the traditions of yoga, which stretch back centuries, so as not to disconnect this gift from its roots. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? When I met my guru, Sonia, I was actually very skeptical about the spiritual aspects of yoga, especially chanting mantras. My head and my heart were in two completely different places! On the very last day of my first program with her (after only six days), I started crying during my morning yoga class and couldn’t stop. The floodgates opened in front of everyone during what I felt should have been a relaxing and enjoyable time. Ashamed, I skipped breakfast and took a nap, hiding from the rest of the ashram. After I woke, I felt as if an enormous weight had been lifted from me. I didn’t realize it at the time, but looking back, I know it’s because the kind of classes Sonia teaches go much further than just dissolving physical tension. They dissolve spiritual tension as well. I knew that if Sonia could help me transform that much in six days, I could go very far studying with her for six years. I had never experienced a class like hers before. And that was the kind of class I wanted to lead. I immersed myself completely in her method, Yoga for All Abilities. For several years it was just me, working one-to-one with my kids and young adults. Although teaching the YAA method is to this day the best part of my job, it can be lonely as a solitary teacher. For five years, I worked solo and dreamed of helping to rejuvenate the YAA community here so I would have a thriving community to practice within. When I met Rita, my yoga sister, I finally felt the pieces of the puzzle come together. I absolutely cherish our wonderful sangha, built around the beloved soul who sparked YAA, Roberta Sumar (Sonia’s younger daughter). What makes your soul sing? My beautiful, hilarious, curious son My adoring and adorable husband Any time spent in nature You can find Erin at 5KY teaching Advanced Yoga on Saturdays at 9:30 AM. Erin also hosts free silent meditation on Saturdays after her yoga class.
 Sherry Hsu What brought you to yoga? A few years back, when I first moved to a new city, I stumbled upon a hot yoga class. Even though I was a bit nervous at first and felt like escaping from the room, I pushed myself to give it a shot. Over time, it helped me build a healthier body brought balance to my mind and a sense of belonging. What is your approach to teaching? My teaching approach centers around meeting individuals on their unique journeys in their practice, creating a space for everyone. I am passionate about crafting a flow with different options that encourage people to attune to their bodies, fostering self-trust. Together, we embrace challenges, ensuring that everyone leaves the class feeling more empowered than when they entered. This approach leads to a practice harmonizing the body, mind, and soul. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? Their belief that yoga is for everyone really resonates with me. There was a time when I felt lost, navigating life in a foreign land, and later stepping into the role of a first-time mother. Yoga became an unending source of support and strength for me. I hope that everyone who needs it can feel this power too. What makes your soul sing? Food and coffee! Chicago's diverse international cuisines and countless coffee shops are something I'm truly grateful for.  Aki Burayidi What brought you to yoga? My mom has been doing yoga since before I was born so it’s always been a part of my life. My mom always jokes that yoga was my first babysitter because she would sit me in front of yoga for kids tapes when I was little! What is your approach to teaching? I try to create classes that allow people to connect with their bodies and breath while exploring new ways of moving their bodies. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I chose to teach at 5KY because I love the sense of community at the studio! Everyone is so kind and all the instructors have such an open and inviting energy. What makes your soul sing? Spending time with people I love, chocolate, and good food :)  Helen Spica What brought you to yoga? I came to yoga as a way to positively connect to my body and heal after injury, starting my life-long journey of exploring therapeutic movement. What is your approach to teaching? Above all, I want my students to have a joyful and safe experience of yoga. My classes are a space in which all levels of students can explore and develop a meaningful personal practice linking body, heart, and mind. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? 5KY’s mission to make yoga and therapeutic movement available to all bodies and all ages is one I feel in my heart, and aligns so perfectly with everything I truly love about teaching yoga! What makes your soul sing? The city of Chicago! I’m so grateful to live in this uniquely beautiful place. You can find Helen at 5KY teaching Beginner Yoga on Mondays at 6 PM and Intermediate Yoga on Tuesdays at 5:45 PM.
 Rachel Aseltine What brought you to yoga? I became interested in yoga in college after seeing some friends of mine practicing crow pose on campus. It looked so cool and effortless! I still aspire to make crow pose look cool and effortless. It’s a journey! What is your approach to teaching? I want to teach yoga in an accessible way, through a trauma-sensitive lens. I want my students to feel safe and empowered to connect with their body through movement and breath. I hope to foster that connection in any class that I teach. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I found Five Keys Yoga when I was looking at yoga studios on the north side of Chicago. I was immediately drawn to the studio’s focus on folks with special needs. When I read “Yes, you can do yoga!” on the website, I knew I was home! That is exactly the message that I want to tell every person that I meet! What makes your soul sing? I love to be in nature. Feeling fresh air, listening to water as it moves, watching the light filter through the leaves of a tree - these simple things always leave me in awe of all creation. They help me feel connected to myself and to this earth, and they truly make my soul sing. You can find Rachel at 5KY teaching Slow Flow Yoga on Tuesdays at 7:30 PM, Gentle Yoga on Thursdays at 5:45 PM and Candlelight Restorative Yoga on Fridays at 5:30 PM.
She also leads quarterly Intro to Yoga series on Saturdays at 3 PM.  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 teaching Restorative Yoga on Sundays at 3 PM. Rita returns from sabbatical, starting May 5th!
|
Archives
December 2024
About
Just some thoughts about yoga as I go... Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
FIVE KEYS YOGA
|
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. |
An ideal studio for someone new to yoga. |
Five Keys Yoga, LLC ∙ 1818 W. Belmont Ave. ∙ Chicago, IL 60657 ∙ (773) 857-1763 ∙ [email protected]