instructors

Jill Gamer found yoga as a college student and was immediately drawn to the way it made her challenge herself and realize what her body was capable of. She also found it helped her to focus on being healthy and mindful on and off of her yoga mat. Jill knew yoga was her passion after taking her first Ashtanga class with Cara Jepsen. After graduating from DePaul in 2005, she went off to San Fransisco for one month to recieve her 200-hr (Ashtanga-Vinyasa) Yoga Teacher Certification with Clayton Horton of Greenpath Yoga. During her stay in the Bramanada Ashram, Jill learned that yoga was more than just an vigorous discipline but also a spiritual journey that she was just beginning. Since coming back from San Fransico, Jill has recieved her Level 2 (300-hr) Teacher Training from Yogaview Chicago where she studied with teachers Geri Blier, Claire Mark, Quinn Kearny and Tom Quinn. She has completed Shanna Linn's "Anatomy for Yogis" course and Moksha Yoga and continues to learn through taking other teacher's classes. Jill's classes are physically challenging but also accommodating to many different levels as Jill provides alternatives and modifications. Her classes are different and innovative with just the right amount of spirituality.

In 2001, Becky signed up for a six-week yoga course at Santa Clara University. Little did she know how much it would change her life! She has spent the last 8 years learning everything she can about the physical, spiritual, and emotional benefits of a regular yoga practice. She became a certified yoga teacher at yogaview, and has attended additional trainings for prenatal yoga and yoga therapy. She has had the good fortune to study under Geri Bleier, Claire Mark, Quinn Kearney, Tom Quinn, and Dee Davis. When she isn't practicing how to pronounce the different poses (Eka Pada Koundinyasana, anyone?), Becky writes and edits children's books.

David was drawn to yoga and meditation studies as an antidote to his hectic days at the Chicago Board of Trade. He found that meditation and yoga calmed his mind and softened his heart. David leads meditation services at the Midwest Buddhist Temple and brings over a decade of meditation practice to his yoga teaching style. He is fascinated by the depth of yoga and humbled by the valuable lessons his practice regularly provides. The power and alignment of the postures have helped him connect with his true self, and challenged him to go deeper. David is a Baptiste Associate Instructor and has also completed Yogaview's Teacher Training program led by Quinn Kearney and Claire Mark. He feels fortunate to now teach and share the beauty of yoga with others. David lives in Chicago with his longterm partner and favorite yogini Rachel, and their dog Libby.

Rich G. first began practicing yoga at home in 2000. He soon outgrew his yoga videotapes and sought a class setting in the gym. Two classes a week soon became four, five, and then he was arranging his schedule around yoga classes. He left the gym and found the studios: yogaview, Yoga Circle, and Moksha. By 2006, he had completed yogaview's first Self Practice Intensive/Teacher Training and turned his passion into a calling. Rich is also an avid student, practicing daily with master and senior teachers like Geri, Quinn, Tom and Claire. He's grateful to be a part of the living community of yoga.

At an early age, Nick was introduced to Tantric and Buddhist studies, meditation and breathing exercises by his sister, Deneene. In 2006 Nick took his first yoga class and has been a devoted student to the practice ever since. Yoga helps him to live his life more fully in the moment and connect to the beautiful power of the Divine. Nick completed yogaview's teacher training & practice intensive in 2010 with Tom Quinn, Geri Bleier, Quinn Kearney, and Claire Mark. He is full of gratitude for the education he received from his teachers at yogaview. Nick has been blessed to experience the teachings of many great teachers including John Friend, Darren Rhodes, Noah Mazé, Amy Ippoliti, Christina Sell, Tim Miller, Richard Freeman, Chuck Miller, Tim Feldmann, Shiva Ray, Paul Weitz, Stephanie Starnes, Sarah Starnes, Sara Strother, and many other local Chicago teachers. Nick teaches Hatha Vinyasa yoga with emphasis on alignment, pranayama, meditation, mantra, mudra, and visualization. His open minded, open hearted spirit brings a calm, peaceful, and playful energy to his yoga classes. He practices living in the moment with gratitude, love, and mindfulness, and without judgment and resistance. He believes this is one of the keys to happiness and health. Nick sees every student as himself and has the patience and positive attitude to teach and really influence people's lives in a positive, loving way. Besides teaching, Nick has a deep passion for playing music, mostly didgeridoos, and tribal drums. He enjoys being in nature and exploring the earth.

Kelly's love affair with yoga began in 2009 when she moved to Thailand with her husband. Despite the language barrier, Kelly was immediately drawn to the sense of community she felt within each yoga class. She learned the yoga postures by strategically positioning herself in front of the mirrors so she could see the reflection of the other students. Within a few weeks of practicing, she was hooked. After experiencing the extraordinary benefits of yoga, Kelly awakened to a deep realization... 'I want to share yoga with everyone!' Kelly's love of yoga and desire to share the path of profound transformation has led her to teaching. In 2010, Kelly returned to Chicago and received her 200hr yoga teaching certification through Yogaview, under the incredible guidance of Geri Bleier, Claire Mark, Quinn Kearney and Tom Quinn. Kelly teaches alignment based vinyasa flow. Utilizing breath, music, theme, mindful sequencing, and humor, she brings a challenging, yet playful teaching style to her classes. Off the mat, Kelly maintains her fun zest for life doing anything outdoors, cooking and entertaining, visiting vineyards, and travelling across the planet with her husband.

Veronica's love for yoga began playfully as a child as she tried to imitate her mother as she practiced in the living room. Since then, she has led a life connected to somatic-awareness and heartfelt passion. As a dancer, she naturally felt drawn to yoga and dabbled in many styles of yog including hatha, vinyasa, and restorative classes. In college she felt the benefits of her practice permeate into life off the mat, eventually leading her to complete her 200 hour Vinyasa teacher training after graduating with a degree in Linguistics in 2009. Her formal trainings since then include workshops with Seane Corne, Janet Stone, Shiva Rae as well as an Anusara Immersion. Veronica has taught yoga in Chicago, Costa Rica, and Panama for the past two years. She travels into every community in hopes to inspire growth via the teaching of yoga in many forms including asana, pranayama and meditation. Veronica makes an effort to continually educate herself so that she can share more with her students. Music is an integral part of Veronica's life as she spends a considerable amount of her time creating playlists for class. Her classes weave creative language, an emphasis on anatomy and yogic philosophy into an experience that celebrates life as a continual meditation. A variety of options are presented for all levels in order to foster transformation for each and every body and spirit.