Instructors

Eliza Eshelman - ZaZie

I am a householder yogi and have committed this life towards the Vedic sciences and Buddhist beliefs.  I can offer you the tools to better your life, the truth that can set you free and initiate your path towards awakening.  I uphold the values of yoga and Ayurveda in my everyday life and my mere wish is to share my passion with others.

Give yourself a chance to experience what yoga can bring to your life besides designer yoga clothing and a supplement to your fitness regime. Yoga is not another means to sweat nor is it the new trend; yoga is the divine practice to understand the self–it is the union of mind, body and soul.

Valerie Powers

Valerie Powers earned her master's degree in Kinesiology from CSU Sacramento in 2000 and is certified with the American College of Sports Medicine as a Health Fitness Instructor and trained with YogaFit to teach various levels of yoga. Valerie has been involved in the health and fitness industry for over 15 years. She enjoys teaching and sharing the benefits of healthy lifestyle.

Jill Harman

As Jill will tell you "There is nothing romantic about starting a yoga practice." The first several weeks entail everything from shaking, sweating and crying to the sweet sweet final relaxation of Savasana. (everyone's favorite asana). No amount of explaining can prepare you for the shock of realizing how much your arms weigh when you start a yoga practice. When a new student attends class, they can be sure to be encouraged and supported because Jill never wants to forget what "a beast" downward dog was and sometimes still is. Come with a open heart and be prepared to be uplifted by the beautiful and challenging practice of yoga.

Abel Harman

My journey with yoga began in 1998 with a searching mind, an overtaxed and overweight body, and a spirit that was wanting more... "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear". Out of the blue, yoga was introduced to me. As soon as I saw one demonstration of a basic series of postures I was "hooked". Oh how I remember those early days, I could barely bend over. Touching my toes or the floor was much more than impossible !!!

Years later I look back with wonder and amazement at the Mind/Body/Spirit change that has occurred for me. In my classes we will always remember those beginning days and use them as a foundation to build.

I have a background as an electronic engineer, a computer scientist and a continuing student of philosophy, theology and physics. I encourage everyone to come to a class and see if yoga can fill some part of your journey through this life.

Christa Smith

Christa Dehner began her yoga journey after she took her first yoga class five years ago.  She knew right then and there that yoga would be a part of her life from that day forward.  She fell in love with the physical challenge of yoga as well as the mental and spiritual benefits it gave her.  Christa has been a dancer for most of her life and a dance teacher so the transition to yoga was natural for her. Her passion for yoga inspired her to share that passion with others through teaching. She truly enjoys watching students transform  during their yoga practice.  She received her 200-hour certification from the Himalayan Yoga & Meditation Center in Palatine, Illinois.

Kristina McComb

Kristina has been practicing yoga since 2001, when she attended her first class in the fitness center at her workplace. After attending that class, she immediately knew that yoga was something that would become a very important physical and mental part of her life. Learning how to truly go inside yourself and concentrate on your breath, body and what you feel, is one of the things that she really enjoys about yoga. “We have so many things that cause stress and distraction in our lives and we really need to make time to just remember ourselves. Yoga is a great way to do that, and feel good about yourself at the same time. I especially love that yoga is a non-competitive activity. Everyone works at their own level and explores their own possibilities, and the friendships you make along they way are very special.”

After taking classes for a couple of years, Kristina decided that she’d like to expand her knowledge of yoga, and share it with others. She received her Level 1 certification from YogaFit at the end of 2003, and her 200 hour certification in 2005. She teaches adult classes and also really enjoys teaching Senior Chair Yoga classes.

Sonya Maldeney-Cull

My journey through Yoga began in college, purely as a way to boost my GPA. Little did I know that simple intention would last 20 years! A once weekly practice evolved into taking Yoga “off the mat” and into my life in 2004. Just practicingWarrior 1in class and keeping a steady breath even though my legs were shaking has carried me through more than just a Saturday morning class ~ it has carried me through the curveballs life has thrown my way.

I’ve taught various styles & levels of fitness classes since 1991, am certified in YogaFit Kids Yoga and currently undergoing the RYT 200hour Teacher Training through Prairie Yoga. My intention as an instructor is to share the gift of yoga and all its benefits ~ both on and off the mat ~ to everyone.

Belinda Fischer

I believe yoga is for everyone and welcome all students, including beginning practioners and experienced yogis.  As individuals journey and learn together, we will be accepting of ourselves and others, releasing expectations.  I am committed to growing and deepening my own practice though attendng various classes and workshops along with studying yoga traditions.  I've found such joy in knowing and seeing the beauty of each person's asana that is uniquely created by God.

I am certified in YogaFit Level 1 & 2 and have studied BKS Iyengar for 10 years.  I am currently certified and instructing a variery of classes at the Parkview Huntington YMCA.

Angie Thompson

Angela’s dedication to fitness began while training for her first 5k race 11 years ago.  Her journey started out as a basic 5K training schedule, but it quickly became a life-long commitment to health and wellness.   In a relatively short period of time, Angela found a deeper passion for fitness and became an on-line fitness and motivational coach.   She began supporting others on their quest to better health by planning workout regimens and assisting with specific training goals.

With her positive attitude and high energy, Angela started working in group fitness and has coached several people in strength/endurance training, running, plyometrics and is now embarking upon kickboxing and bootcamp.  Becoming fit requires just as much mental strength as it does physical stamina.  Let Angela help you achieve your goals.