Our Teachers

Lauren S. Deaton

Lauren, 200hr RYT, received her training in Rishikesh, India—the birthplace of yoga. She loves that yoga is a practice for the body, mind, and spirit. Through that unity, she believes we carry our experiences on the mat into our lives off of the mat. Her classes are vigorous and fun vinyasa flows, filled with compassion and humor. It is an honor to share the gift of yoga with others.

Aja Rhodes

Aja began practicing yoga in 2012. By taking the practice to heart, she has discovered a whole new realm of holistic healing that has both influenced her art and her lifestyle. In 2016 she pursued a 200-hour yoga teacher traing in Boca Raton followed by a 300 our training in Costa Rica in 2019. She is currently looking forward to taking a trauma-informed yoga training in the Spring of 2021.

Recently, Aja became a volunteer with Prison Yoga Chicago and has been interested in the intersection between yoga and social justice. She firmly believes that by taking care of our Inner world we cultivate and integrate physical, mental, and emotional awareness. This awareness helps us take responsibility for ourselves and our healing so we may become more effective agents of positive change in our immediate and global communities.

Katie Foley

Katie been teaching Vinyasa style yoga throughout the city of Chicago since 2016 and has been growing her personal yoga practice since 2008. Katie was inspired to begin teaching by her love and genuine desire to help others with their spiritual, physical, and emotional needs. Katie completed her 200 hour RYT at Chicago School of Yoga in June 2016. Katie spends her summers teaching SUP Yoga on Lake Michigan and she is an active student at the Second City Conservatory. Her background in creative arts and her love of music and people create a dynamic flow that encourages you to have fun, center your mind, and pursue growth in your own personal yoga journey.

Janelle (Elle) Knippen

Janelle (*Elle*) Knippen is a 200hr RYT, Dance/Movement Therapist, trained counselor, and Reiki practitioner. She currently counsels caregivers at a non-profit social service organization for seniors. Janelle has had experience leading yoga, movement, and meditation practices for various populations over the years including: seniors, adults with brain injuries, individuals recovering from addiction, and children and teens struggling with mental illness. In her work, Janelle is passionate about helping individuals strengthen their mind/body/spirit connection in order to awaken to their true sense of purpose and authenticity.

Nicole Kalantzis

Nicole discovered yoga as a teenager through her mom’s Lillias Folan “The First Lady of Yoga” tapes. She reconnected with it years later while working at a newspaper in downstate Illinois. Then she moved to Madison, Wisc., enrolled in a 200-hour yoga teacher training program and has been teaching ever since. Nicole’s classes are accessible to all practitioners, beginner to advanced. She likes holding poses and connecting breath to movement, offering both a physical and mental release.