‌Power Yoga On Main

Mick spent 10 years in the Army and then the last 34 years in the corporate world. Health and overall wellness have always been a passion of his; he found the perfect complement with Yoga.

He has been trained to teach Bikram and Baptiste Method Yoga. Teaching and practicing Yoga has been a way for him to continue to fulfill his own health and fitness desires as well as a wonderful opportunity to share his passion with others.

Since Power Yoga on Main opened on October 1, 2010, Mick has completed Teacher Training with Carmen Aguilar and has completed workshops under Master Teachers Andrey Lappa and Mara Ina Healy, as well as Paulie Zink, founder of Yin Yoga, and Philip Urso, co-founder of the Live Love Teach Yoga School. Mick started practicing Yoga in 2004. He was one of those guys that thought “YOGA, yea right…not me." Mick had always considered himself to be in pretty good shape.  He left his first class with a smile on his face; and it was one of the best experiences he had, yet he was extremely challenged. He loved it!!

Yoga has made tremendous changes in Mick's life. It has helped him both mentally and physically. He feels that teaching is truly an honor and a privilege. He is so excited about this ongoing journey for himself and for all of you that read this. Yoga will change your life.

Namaste

Karen was an avid runner until she was diagnosed with severe arthritis in her knees, so she traded her running shoes for a yoga mat. Karen started practicing yoga in 2006. She walked into her first class, not knowing what to expect and discovered she had zero flexibility. She began to practice on a regular basis. Her regular basis quickly turned into a daily practice. Then Karen took her first Baptiste class, and WHOA! she was in love. She wanted to share what she was experiencing through yoga with the whole world! Three weeks after practicing Baptiste yoga, Karen said no to going back to corporate; and she applied for teacher training and never looked back.

During the period since Power Yoga on Main opened on October 1, 2010, Karen has completed Hands-On Assists training with Carmen Aguilar and studied anatomy. She has completed workshops under Master Teachers Andrey Lappa and Mara Ina Healy, as well as Philip Urso, co-founder of the Live Love Teach Yoga School, and Paulie Zink, founder of Yin Yoga. Karen has also trained under Master Teacher Robert Boustany, developer of the Pralaya Yoga System. She has continued her education on additional advanced anatomy and healing yoga.

Karen specializes in private sessions, including pre-natal and postpartum, having completed training for both.

Karen has experienced amazing physical changes. Over time, she found the flexibility she never knew she had. Her body started to tone, and strength came. These are just the physical results. What was even more rewarding is that she found mental clarity and a calmness in her life. That solace she found ON her mat permeated into her life OFF the mat. It has been an amazing journey that just keeps getting better. As a teacher, Karen can see and hear first hand from her students how their lives have changed practicing this yoga. Sharing this facet of her life is so inspiring and equally rewarding. There's nothing better than sharing the gift of yoga! It keeps giving back in so many ways. The physical AND mental rewards are countless.

In August of 2008, shortly after she had her second child, Amanda became a certified spin/cycle instructor and immediately began teaching at local Downers Grove gyms.  After a few years of attending occasional gym yoga classes, a friend from town recommended Amanda try hot yoga at Power Yoga on Main. The heat helped with her tight hamstrings, and she instantly fell in love. When Amanda left her first class at Power Yoga on Main in June of 2011, she knew that the vinyasa style of yoga and extremely encouraging atmosphere were the essential missing ingredients to her yoga practice. Amanda has gained strength, calmness, and relief from stress through the consistent practice of yoga.

After roughly ten years of dedicated yoga practice, Amanda finally decided to follow her dream of becoming a yoga instructor and completed her 200 RYT through Power Yoga on Main in May of 2018. As a high school mathematics teacher during the day, Amanda encourages her math students to have an open mind and have fun while learning – the same can hold true on your yoga mat. Amanda cannot wait to share her energy and passion for yoga with you!

Amanda is here to inspire you to challenge your body and your mind as you travel somewhere new and find your edge through determination and focus. Amanda looks forward to seeing you intensify your postures and rock out on your mat!

Alison started practicing yoga back while training for the Chicago Marathon in 2010. She tried yoga on and off for years, but this was her first experience with a heated studio. Her tight hamstrings and hips fell in love. The heated studio allowed her muscles to open more than they ever did. Among teaching, coaching, and training for a marathon, Alison found solitude and peace on her mat.

With a deep appreciation for her practice, she completed her yoga teacher training program in May 2016 and became a 200-hour registered yoga teacher. She still finds yoga and running go hand in hand.

Not only does Alison want to help athletes be able to participate in sports they love, but experience the spiritual journey as well. Through breath and meditation, yogis can transfer what they learn in class to all aspects of their lives. As a middle school teacher, Alison already pushes her students to open their minds, and see the good in most unlikely places. This might just be on your yoga mat.

A group exercise instructor for over 25 years, Alison completed her second 200-hour RYT here at PYOM and recently completed her advanced 500-hour RYT. She has been practicing primarily vinyasa flow yoga for 16 years studying under many different teachers locally and across the country. Traveling for her day job as an engineer, she loves to explore different yoga studios to challenge her own personal practice and enrich her teaching toolbox.

Each class Alison guides is tailored to the yogis that walk in the door and roll out their mat on that particular day and that particular hour. Her favorite part of teaching is experiencing the growth in her students .... when you get into a pose for the first time, lift your feet up, and fly into an arm balance or simply let the stress of the day fall away and tell her "that's exactly what I needed today."

Mel fell in love with yoga in high school when she was introduced to an after school yoga club. She discovered heated vinyasa yoga at PYOM in 2012 and has been practicing in the studio ever since. You may have practiced next to her in class before!

It has been one of her life goals to become a yoga instructor and in the summer of 2023 she earned her 200 hour RYT and restorative yoga certifications. She has learned over the years how wonderful and necessary yoga is for both physical and mental healt. Her goal for each class is for her students to feel the love for yoga and have fun.

In her day job, Mel is a high school chemistry teacher. Her and her husband have twin daughters and love to spend time outdoors!

She can't wait to see you on your mat!