On October 1 and 2, 2010, a number of local yoga instructors participated in a community workshop called, "Yes, You Can Teach Adaptive Yoga for People with Multiple Sclerosis" (TAYMS). Presented by Karen O'Donnell Clarke, the program provided students with an understanding of multiple sclerosis, focusing on common symptoms and the effects on the body, mind and spirit. With this knowledge, Karen enlightened the students on how the eight-fold path of yoga can reduce symptoms and improve movement, health and feelings of well-being.
Yoga teachers who took this training gained knowledge, skills, and confidence in assisting their students and creatively addressing the many different stressors and limitations that can result from having MS. For a comprehensive listing of yoga and other wellness professionals that serve your area, please contact the National MS Society Information Resource Center at 1.800.344.4867. A select listing of yoga instructors who participated in the Chicago TAYMS is provided below.
Stay well!
Virginia B. Angellotti
E-mail: mindfulyogaandpilates@gmail.com
Phone: 1.708.715.6330
Web site: http://mindfulyogaandpilates.weebly.com/
Professional Certifications and Continuing Education: Yoga 200 hour RYT, Stott Pilates Training, Balanced Body Pilates Training
Membership: Yoga Alliance
Services: Private Sessions or Group Classes, Adaptive chair yoga for Anyone
About Virginia: Provides gentle, knowledgeable instruction for all levels
Vishnu Jorge Espinel
E-mail: Vishnu@ouralife.com
Phone: 1.812.454.5564
Web site: http://ouralife.com
Service Area: Chicago
Professional Certifications and Continuing Education: 2010 Teaching adaptive yoga for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Yoga Heals Us LCC- Chicago; 2005 Advanced Teachers’ Training Course, Sivananda Yoga Camp, Canada, 500-hour certification; 2005 Anatomy of Hatha Yoga, Sivananda Yoga Retreat, Bahamas, 68-hour certification; 2004 Yoga of the Heart–Yoga Therapy Certification Course, Sivananda Yoga Retreat, Bahamas, 108-hour certification in teaching Yoga to cardiac & cancer patients; 2003 Yoga Teachers’ Training Course, Sivananda Yoga Retreat, Bahamas, 200-hour certification.
Professional Membership: RYT 500 Yoga Alliance
Services: Gentle yoga, Yoga for seniors, Yoga for MS, cancer and heart conditions
About Vishnu: "I work with every student to create a personal practice that includes gentle physical exercises, deep breathing and meditation. These simple yet powerful tools will help you to control stress and stay healthy." Classes available in English and Spanish.
Elaine Long
E-mail: longelaine@comcast.net
Phone: 1.847.502.2029
Web site http://www.linkedin.com/in/elainelong
Service Area: Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin
Professional Certifications and Continuing Education: RYT, CAP (Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner), FACHE (Fellow in American College of Healthcare Executives)
Membership: Yoga Alliance, ACHE, NAMA
Services: Hatha, Anusara, Restorative/Chair/Gentle/Adaptive, Laughter, Therapeutic
Specialties: Life Coach, Natural Care Consultant, Ayurveda, Private/Individual, Workshops
About Elaine: Elaine Long, FACHE, RYT, CAP is a Fellow American College Healthcare Executives, Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Ayurveda Educator and Practitioner. Elaine is the principal of SOUL BE IT, using professional coaching and natural care education and advice to create your successful life practices with diet, herbs, lifestyle routines, home remedies, yoga, sense therapies and change management techniques. Elaine provides you with yoga classes or health consulting and life coaching for your personal transitions, natural care and prevention. Elaine’s clients get individualized attention, plans and learn to create successful life practices. Her intention is to open your “heart-mind” towards total health in a careful and nurturing way. She will strengthen your self awareness, focus and outcomes and align your practices with your principles.
Alice Markel
E-mail: markel55@wowway.com
Web site: http://yogabyalice.blogspot.com/
Service Area: Southside of Chicago and South Suburbs
Professional Certifications and Continuing Education: 200 Level Certification from the Temple of Kriya Yoga, Teaching Adaptive Yoga for People with Multiple Sclerosis Workshop
Membership: RYT with Yoga Alliance
Services: Hatha Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Yoga for Seniors, Yoga for MS, group classes and private sessions
Michele Streitz
E-mail: streitzfour@msn.com
Phone: 1.612.823.2712 or 1.612.812.3980
Web site: http://one-yoga.org/
Service Area: Minneapolis, Minn. and 75-mile radius
Professional Certifications and Continuing Education: Certified Yoga Instructor since 1999, TAYMS 2010
Services: Vinyasa, Gentle Yoga, Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Adaptive Yoga for MS
About Michele: "I believe that yoga is for every body, and will help people find a way to customize a practice to meet their individual needs. I will travel to accommodate schedules and physical limitations."
Allison Wilmes
E-mail: allisonwilmes.yoga@gmail.com
Phone: 1.847.566.4717
Web site: http://sites.google.com/site/AllisonsYogaInfo
Service Area: Lake County, Ill.
Professional Certifications and Continuing Education: ERYT 200, working toward my 500 hour certification through Doug Keller's Swatantrya program focusing on therapeutic yoga
Membership: Yoga Alliance since 2005; International Association of Yoga Therapists since 2007
Services: "I teach gentle Iyengar-style, alignment-based mat and chair yoga classes in yoga studios, fitness centers and my home studio. Props such as chairs, blocks, straps, and blankets are used to support poses."
About Allison: "I'm known for providing a safe and nurturing environment, for being able to modify poses for individual student needs and for my sense of humor."