:: The Chicago Yoga Center :: Since 1984 :: Hatha, Iyengar, Ashtanga & Yin Yoga

Chicago Yoga Center Faculty

Suddha Weixler

began studying yoga in 1978 on his first visit to India. He was certified in 1984 and is the Director of the Chicago Yoga Center. A direct disciple of Swami Narayanananda he was educated in classical Yoga by the N•U• Yoga Teachers Association in Denmark, which has more than 40 years of experience in teaching students and educating teachers. His training also includes Iyengar and Ashtanga Yoga. Suddha has studied in India with Pattabhi Jois three times. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He also holds workshops, retreats and an annual Yoga Teachers Training Course. Suddha Weixler

Heidi Ellison Childress

is a native Chicagoan. From a musical family, she danced professionally for the San Francisco Ballet and Basel Ballet, Switzerland. Returning to Chicago, she briefly taught aerobics while becoming buyer and manager of Giorgio Armani.
She became a once a week student of yoga in 1996, increasingly interested by 2000. At first, a physical form for her, with attention and commitment, she has found yoga to be a many layered system of self exploration. A source of great inspiration and energy as well as solace, it continually supports all aspects of her life, helping to bring it into balance.
Heidi practices primarily under the guidance of Suddha Weixler and regularly attends workshops. Most of all, she thanks her husband Marvin for bringing her to her first class, for his constant support and for the often spirited discussions they share on the subject.

Leah Finch

began studying Iyengar yoga in 1995 as an undergrad in Rhode Island. Moving to Chicago for graduate school in 1997, she met and began to study with Suddha Weixler in 1998, opening her yoga experience to include a broader Hatha approach mixed with Ashtanga. Finishing her MFA in 2000 and leaving school for the first time in her life, she found new discipline and structure by re-dedicating herself to her yoga practice. The emotional, mental, and physical concentration, strength, and flexibility gained through yoga help her achieve her goals as an educator, art critic, and writer. .

Katia Holsch

In 2001, Katia met Paul Weitz, Thai Yoga Therapist and 500 RYT Yoga Teacher. For the first time, she experienced what to “yoke” means, a state of union between mind, body and spirit. “Yoga is forever”, is what she felt that day and ever since, grateful to Paul, whom she views as her teacher, always. Eager to learn, she has had the opportunity to train at various workshops with Sean Corn, Ana Forrest, Richard Freeman, Sonia Sumar (yoga for the special child), Lisa Faremouth Weber (radiant child yoga program), the Mohan Family and Srivatsa Ramaswami at the Chicago Yoga Center where she completed her teacher training in 2006 under the amazing guidance of Suddha Weixler. Her quest to share the heart in yoga, her respect for the energy body have deepened, leading her to train with Aadil B. and Mirra Palkhivala, “ teachers of teachers “, and to dare to share her blessings with children as a Sensational Children Meditation facilitator and soon to be, Quantum Touch Healing Practitioner.
On the mat and outside of the mat, she vows to grow as an authentic facilitator of healing of what this art and science of life can bring to all of us.

Patricia Hyland

My students experience and growth is my sole focus. I believe and encourage the study of our strengths and weaknesses carefully with joy. Through self-practice, great teachers, and motherhood my teaching and adjusting techniquies have matured. My understanding of the benefit of yoga is clear. Yoga is the ultimate healer without a doubt in my heart. My teaching began in college 20 years ago. I have completed teacher trainings with Suddha Weixler, Chicago Yoga Center and Advanced Forrest Training with Anna Forrest and Johnathan Bowry. I have a private labour assisting and lactation consulting practice since 1991. I am the honored mother of Elias (15), Henry (11), and Isaak Altenberg (7).

Cara Jepsen

began studying yoga after her mother died and began teaching yoga in 1998. She is a direct student of Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois and Dharma Mittra.
Her background includes 200 and 500-hour trainings with Dharma Mittra, with whom she continues to study. She has also spent ten months in Mysore, South India (plus over two months in the U.S.) with ashtanga vinyasa guru Pattabhi Jois and his family.

In addition, she's completed teacher trainings with Suddha Weixler and Manju Pattabhi Jois. She's also studied with ashtanga teachers Eric Powell, Lino Miele, Dena Kingsberg, Annie Pace, Karen Haberman, Eddie Stern, Tim Miller, David Swenson, Richard Freeman, David Roche, Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty, as well as with teachers from other traditions, including Judith Lasater, Srivatsa Ramaswami, Paul Grilley and Tias Little. Her articles about these experiences are archived at the Yoga Chicago website. Yoga Chicago is also where her restaurant reviews, India diaries and her cartoon "On the Mat" can be found.

Mary Klonowski

began practicing yoga with Suddha Weixler at Chicago Yoga Center in 1985. She completed the NU teacher training in 1995 and has since taught Astanga, Iyengar and therapeutic forms of yoga at various studios throughout Chicago. She is continually developing her teaching skills through educational seminars, workshops and training programs. Mary organized the first annual New Year's Day 2001 yoga benefit to support the yoga program at Gilda's Club, Chicago.

Jackie Penner Lourdes

began studying yoga in 1995. In 2000 she completed yoga teacher training from The Chicago Yoga Center under the direction of Suddha Weixler. Since then she has trained and studied with a number of Ashtanga yoga teachers, such as Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Manju Jois, David Swenson and more. She also includes in her practice vinyasa yoga teachings from various workshops she has completed, such as Shiva Rea and Duncan Wong.
Jackie is currently teaching at the Fitness Formula Club as well as The Chicago Yoga Center and is a certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance. In addition, she has completed training in Thai Yoga Therapy under direction of Paul Weitz.

Jim York

began practicing yoga in 1997 at Yoga Circle. He discovered yoga with a capital Y when he went into savasana for the first time, experiencing a profound, deep relaxation. That same year, he found NU Yoga (now Chicago Yoga Center) and started to practice Astanga yoga.
Yoga has brought many inner and outer gifts to Jim’s life and he is grateful to be able to help
others ‘tune in’, de-stress and revitalize through this wondrous ancient tradition. His down-to-earth teaching style helps students to honor the teacher within themselves.

His classes incorporate elements of Vinyasa, Astanga, and Iyengar yoga with an emphasis on
breathing and finding relaxation, even in challenging poses. You will leave class feeling open, calm and energized.

Jim completed Level I Teacher Training with Suddha in 2002 and Level II in 2008.

Cathie Bond

began studying yoga in 1996, mostly under the guidance of Suddha Weixler at the Chicago Yoga Center. She has completed teacher training courses with Suddha Weixler and Srivatsa Ramaswami and has taken workshops with Ana Forrest and Manju Pattabhi Jois. Most of her yoga training has focused on a vinyasa style of Iyengar and Ashtanga Yoga. Yoga has always been very healing and inspiring for her and she always looks forward to learning more and passing on this knowledge.

Cindy Lee

has over 20 years experience in studying, teaching and performing ballet and modern dance. She has performed with Indianapolis Ballet Theater, Salt Creek Ballet, and Joel Hall Dancers. Cindy is on faculty at Joel Hall Dance Center and Ballet D'Enfant where she shares her passion for dance with students of all ages. In 2004, Cindy completed her certification at the 500-hour level for Pilates teacher training at FromtheCenter Pilates Studio. She brings an extensive knowledge of movement and body mechanics to her teaching which allows her students to achieve a wide variety of goals ranging from therapeutic recovery and improved daily functioning to acheiving higher levels of fitness and performance. Cindy is currently teaching Pilates at Soulistic Studio and Spa. Cindy discovered (and fell in love with) yoga at Chicago Yoga Center 3 years ago. She studies with Suddha Weixler and is currently completing the yoga teacher training course with him. Cindy is honored and excited to be teaching at Chicago Yoga Center.

Abby Factor

Anna Wilson

grew up in California, watching her mother practice yoga at home on the living room floor. Anna began her own practice in 1991 in a small apartment in Vermont and took her first yoga class when she moved to Chicago in 1996. She discovered the Chicago Yoga Center in 2004 and has completed yoga teacher certification training with Suddha Weixler, as well as teacher trainings with Manju Jois, Srivatsa Ramswami and Paul Grilley.

In addition to teaching at the Chicago Yoga Center, Anna also teaches an adaptive class for adults with limited mobility at a residential facility in Evanston and is committed to making yoga more available to underserved communities in Chicago. An editor at a small local history publishing company by day, Anna is happy to leave her desk for the experience of curiosity and creativity she finds in her yoga practice. Anna seeks to bring this pleasure in exploration to her students through a diversity of styles of practice, from the rigors of Ashtanga to the quiet exertion of Yin.

Helen Lee

Miklos Martin-Kovacs

was inspired by the beauty of yoga when he was growing up in Budapest, Hungary and his mother took him to see the performance of the touring yogi Klemendore from Sri Lanka. The desire to understand the message of great sages and gurus stayed with him during his carrier when he was a mechanic, pro athlete, broadcast journalist and business executive. At first he practiced yoga from books & cassettes, later attended Professor Bela Vigh, an anatomy professor's yoga theory class for medical students. While he lived in Budapest he learned chakra meditation from Geza M. Timcak and studied at the Sivananda Yoga Center. After moving to Chicago, he became a student of Suddha Weixler and completed his teacher's training program. He attended workshops with Paul Grilley, Richard Freeman and Swami Ramaswami. Gabriella, his wife and macrobiotic/vegan chef & instructor's proficiency in preparing beautifully balanced meals significantly enhances his spirit and his practice. He is absorbed by the increasingly humbling experience of walking the path of yoga and feels honored when he can share what he learned.

Judy Higgins

after many years of practicing yoga, Judy was drawn to teach after conducting yoga-based trauma relief workshops in post-Katrina New Orleans. While she had always loved yoga, observing the transformations it brought about in others changed her perspective. Judy hopes to guide students into challenging asana sequences that bring awareness to the body and the breath and create space for going inward. Above all, she remains a devoted student, grateful for her yoga practice and her many wonderful teachers.

Judy received her certification from Suddha Weixler at Chicago Yoga Center. She has completed workshops with Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, Richard Freeman and Srivatsa Ramaswami.

"Evolution and involution is an eternal play in Infinity. There was not time without the phenomenal universe and there will never be a time without it. The universe is with God like light with the sun. Life appears in the universe because of the universal and All-pervading Consciousness. If we take the sun as an example, its light spreads all over the world and every ray of light starting from the sun appears as a separate entity and produces a tiny image of the sun. Though these multifarious rays and images appear as separate entities, they have no separate existence apart from the sun. Likewise, is the relationship between God and this phenomenal universe. The universe can never exist without God, in fact God and God alone exists. One can realize this in the state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi."
--Swami Narayanananda, 12 April, 1968

Swami Narayanananda (1902-1988) is the author
of 36 authoritative books on Yoga and spiritual psychology.

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Suddha Weixler
began studying yoga in 1978 on his first visit to India. He was certified in 1984 and is the Director of the Chicago Yoga Center. A direct disciple of Swami Narayanananda he was educated in classical Yoga by the N•U• Yoga Teachers Association in Denmark, which has more than 40 years of experience in teaching students and educating teachers. His training also includes Iyengar and Ashtanga Yoga. Suddha has studied in India with Pattabhi Jois three times. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He also holds workshops, retreats and an annual Yoga Teachers Training Course.
Heidi Ellison Childress
is a native Chicagoan. From a musical family, she danced professionally for the San Francisco Ballet and Basel Ballet, Switzerland. Returning to Chicago, she briefly taught aerobics while becoming buyer and manager of Giorgio Armani. She became a once a week student of yoga in 1996, increasingly interested by 2000. At first, a physical form for her, with attention and commitment, she has found yoga to be a many layered system of self exploration. A source of great inspiration and energy as well as solace, it continually supports all aspects of her life, helping to bring it into balance. Heidi practices primarily under the guidance of Suddha Weixler and regularly attends workshops. Most of all, she thanks her husband Marvin for bringing her to her first class, for his constant support and for the often spirited discussions they share on the subject.
Leah Finch
began studying Iyengar yoga in 1995 as an undergrad in Rhode Island. Moving to Chicago for graduate school in 1997, she met and began to study with Suddha Weixler in 1998, opening her yoga experience to include a broader Hatha approach mixed with Ashtanga. Finishing her MFA in 2000 and leaving school for the first time in her life, she found new discipline and structure by re-dedicating herself to her yoga practice. The emotional, mental, and physical concentration, strength, and flexibility gained through yoga help her achieve her goals as an educator, art critic, and writer. .
Katia Holsch
In 2001, Katia met Paul Weitz, Thai Yoga Therapist and 500 RYT Yoga Teacher. For the first time, she experienced what to “yoke” means, a state of union between mind, body and spirit. “Yoga is forever”, is what she felt that day and ever since, grateful to Paul, whom she views as her teacher, always. Eager to learn, she has had the opportunity to train at various workshops with Sean Corn, Ana Forrest, Richard Freeman, Sonia Sumar (yoga for the special child), Lisa Faremouth Weber (radiant child yoga program), the Mohan Family and Srivatsa Ramaswami at the Chicago Yoga Center where she completed her teacher training in 2006 under the amazing guidance of Suddha Weixler. Her quest to share the heart in yoga, her respect for the energy body have deepened, leading her to train with Aadil B. and Mirra Palkhivala, “ teachers of teachers “, and to dare to share her blessings with children as a Sensational Children Meditation facilitator and soon to be, Quantum Touch Healing Practitioner. On the mat and outside of the mat, she vows to grow as an authentic facilitator of healing of what this art and science of life can bring to all of us.
Patricia Hyland
My students experience and growth is my sole focus. I believe and encourage the study of our strengths and weaknesses carefully with joy. Through self-practice, great teachers, and motherhood my teaching and adjusting techniquies have matured. My understanding of the benefit of yoga is clear. Yoga is the ultimate healer without a doubt in my heart. My teaching began in college 20 years ago. I have completed teacher trainings with Suddha Weixler, Chicago Yoga Center and Advanced Forrest Training with Anna Forrest and Johnathan Bowry. I have a private labour assisting and lactation consulting practice since 1991. I am the honored mother of Elias (15), Henry (11), and Isaak Altenberg (7).
Cara Jepsen
began studying yoga after her mother died and began teaching yoga in 1998. She is a direct student of Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois and Dharma Mittra. Her background includes 200 and 500-hour trainings with Dharma Mittra, with whom she continues to study. She has also spent ten months in Mysore, South India (plus over two months in the U.S.) with ashtanga vinyasa guru Pattabhi Jois and his family. In addition, she's completed teacher trainings with Suddha Weixler and Manju Pattabhi Jois. She's also studied with ashtanga teachers Eric Powell, Lino Miele, Dena Kingsberg, Annie Pace, Karen Haberman, Eddie Stern, Tim Miller, David Swenson, Richard Freeman, David Roche, Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty, as well as with teachers from other traditions, including Judith Lasater, Srivatsa Ramaswami, Paul Grilley and Tias Little. Her articles about these experiences are archived at the Yoga Chicago website. Yoga Chicago is also where her restaurant reviews, India diaries and her cartoon "On the Mat" can be found.
Mary Klonowski
began practicing yoga with Suddha Weixler at Chicago Yoga Center in 1985. She completed the NU teacher training in 1995 and has since taught Astanga, Iyengar and therapeutic forms of yoga at various studios throughout Chicago. She is continually developing her teaching skills through educational seminars, workshops and training programs. Mary organized the first annual New Year's Day 2001 yoga benefit to support the yoga program at Gilda's Club, Chicago.
Jackie Penner Lourdes
began studying yoga in 1995. In 2000 she completed yoga teacher training from The Chicago Yoga Center under the direction of Suddha Weixler. Since then she has trained and studied with a number of Ashtanga yoga teachers, such as Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Manju Jois, David Swenson and more. She also includes in her practice vinyasa yoga teachings from various workshops she has completed, such as Shiva Rea and Duncan Wong. Jackie is currently teaching at the Fitness Formula Club as well as The Chicago Yoga Center and is a certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance. In addition, she has completed training in Thai Yoga Therapy under direction of Paul Weitz.
Jim York
began practicing yoga in 1997 at Yoga Circle. He discovered yoga with a capital Y when he went into savasana for the first time, experiencing a profound, deep relaxation. That same year, he found NU Yoga (now Chicago Yoga Center) and started to practice Astanga yoga. Yoga has brought many inner and outer gifts to Jim’s life and he is grateful to be able to help others ‘tune in’, de-stress and revitalize through this wondrous ancient tradition. His down-to-earth teaching style helps students to honor the teacher within themselves. His classes incorporate elements of Vinyasa, Astanga, and Iyengar yoga with an emphasis on breathing and finding relaxation, even in challenging poses. You will leave class feeling open, calm and energized. Jim completed Level I Teacher Training with Suddha in 2002 and Level II in 2008.
Cathie Bond
began studying yoga in 1996, mostly under the guidance of Suddha Weixler at the Chicago Yoga Center. She has completed teacher training courses with Suddha Weixler and Srivatsa Ramaswami and has taken workshops with Ana Forrest and Manju Pattabhi Jois. Most of her yoga training has focused on a vinyasa style of Iyengar and Ashtanga Yoga. Yoga has always been very healing and inspiring for her and she always looks forward to learning more and passing on this knowledge.
Cindy Lee
has over 20 years experience in studying, teaching and performing ballet and modern dance. She has performed with Indianapolis Ballet Theater, Salt Creek Ballet, and Joel Hall Dancers. Cindy is on faculty at Joel Hall Dance Center and Ballet D'Enfant where she shares her passion for dance with students of all ages. In 2004, Cindy completed her certification at the 500-hour level for Pilates teacher training at FromtheCenter Pilates Studio. She brings an extensive knowledge of movement and body mechanics to her teaching which allows her students to achieve a wide variety of goals ranging from therapeutic recovery and improved daily functioning to acheiving higher levels of fitness and performance. Cindy is currently teaching Pilates at Soulistic Studio and Spa. Cindy discovered (and fell in love with) yoga at Chicago Yoga Center 3 years ago. She studies with Suddha Weixler and is currently completing the yoga teacher training course with him. Cindy is honored and excited to be teaching at Chicago Yoga Center.
Abby Factor

Anna Wilson
grew up in California, watching her mother practice yoga at home on the living room floor. Anna began her own practice in 1991 in a small apartment in Vermont and took her first yoga class when she moved to Chicago in 1996. She discovered the Chicago Yoga Center in 2004 and has completed yoga teacher certification training with Suddha Weixler, as well as teacher trainings with Manju Jois, Srivatsa Ramswami and Paul Grilley. In addition to teaching at the Chicago Yoga Center, Anna also teaches an adaptive class for adults with limited mobility at a residential facility in Evanston and is committed to making yoga more available to underserved communities in Chicago. An editor at a small local history publishing company by day, Anna is happy to leave her desk for the experience of curiosity and creativity she finds in her yoga practice. Anna seeks to bring this pleasure in exploration to her students through a diversity of styles of practice, from the rigors of Ashtanga to the quiet exertion of Yin.
Helen Lee

Miklos Martin-Kovacs
was inspired by the beauty of yoga when he was growing up in Budapest, Hungary and his mother took him to see the performance of the touring yogi Klemendore from Sri Lanka. The desire to understand the message of great sages and gurus stayed with him during his carrier when he was a mechanic, pro athlete, broadcast journalist and business executive. At first he practiced yoga from books & cassettes, later attended Professor Bela Vigh, an anatomy professor's yoga theory class for medical students. While he lived in Budapest he learned chakra meditation from Geza M. Timcak and studied at the Sivananda Yoga Center. After moving to Chicago, he became a student of Suddha Weixler and completed his teacher's training program. He attended workshops with Paul Grilley, Richard Freeman and Swami Ramaswami. Gabriella, his wife and macrobiotic/vegan chef & instructor's proficiency in preparing beautifully balanced meals significantly enhances his spirit and his practice. He is absorbed by the increasingly humbling experience of walking the path of yoga and feels honored when he can share what he learned.
Judy Higgins
after many years of practicing yoga, Judy was drawn to teach after conducting yoga-based trauma relief workshops in post-Katrina New Orleans. While she had always loved yoga, observing the transformations it brought about in others changed her perspective. Judy hopes to guide students into challenging asana sequences that bring awareness to the body and the breath and create space for going inward. Above all, she remains a devoted student, grateful for her yoga practice and her many wonderful teachers. Judy received her certification from Suddha Weixler at Chicago Yoga Center. She has completed workshops with Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, Richard Freeman and Srivatsa Ramaswami.