Nicole Sopko

To many, Nicole Sopko might seem like a typical yogi. She’s super bendy (and I do mean super!), vegan, and smiles basically all of the time. What might seem typical on the surface is the result of years of a dedicated practice, a commitment to living the yogic principles well beyond a physical practice on her mat, and a deep enjoyment of teaching others. Nicole teaches vinyasa classes in the Dharma Mittra style and is often students’ first exposure to the Yoga Trek studio as our Introduction to Yoga class instructor. Read on to learn more about Nicole, including her rebellious teenaged years, her commitment to four-legged friends, and her perspectives on the practice of yoga. Read the rest of this entry »

If you have ever taken one of Linda Rotunno’s classes, then you know you will have a spunky, cheerful, vigorous and deeply felt experience. You will also know why we are featuring her alongside a focus on the third chakra. She embodies many traits reflecting a strong third chakra: cheerfulness, expressiveness, sense of humor (think “belly laughter”), and selfless service. As a teacher Linda readily transfers to her students the wisdom she has gained from using her body throughout her life and then having to modify her relationship to her physical self as it has aged. Linda has a vibrant personality with a sense of humor and playfulness that are contagious. Read on to learn more about Linda’s love of yoga and how she uses it to be generous with herself and others on and off the mat. Read the rest of this entry »

Kathleen Furey on retreat in Tulum

Not all yogis are alike and getting to know Kathleen Furey demonstrates that. She has a lifelong history of experiencing yoga in a variety of forms and brings her multi-layered experience into her teaching and practice. A Chicago native who grew up in Oak Park, her local roots run deep, as does her connection to the roots of yoga. Read on to learn more about how yoga has supported her innate love of all things physical and natural through all stages of her life. Read the rest of this entry »

Mindy O’Keefe came to yoga the way many of Yoga Trek’s students do: after becoming a mom, she recognized a need during her second pregnancy to take time to take care of her body, a responsibility that became challenging when raising her first child while at the same time running her floral business. Now a stay-at-home mom of three children and a yoga teacher, Mindy has evolved to embody the values and foundations of yoga in how she is as a parent, teacher and person. Read on to learn more about Mindy’s journey from prenatal to Ashtanga to restorative yoga, from dancer to florist to mom, and from intensity to balance. Read the rest of this entry »

“It’s a powerful thing, this yoga!” Yoga Trek teacher Andrea Lissuzzo related recently as she reflected on the transformative benefits of yoga. Andrea credits yoga with providing greater clarity, humility, softness and strength. Throughout her life, Andrea has taken on many challenges, including a doctorate in social work, an Iron Man triathlon, and most recently raising a daughter and son with her husband.  She characterizes yoga, both practice and teaching, as a similarly challenging yet rewarding experience.  On her mat, Andrea has learned that persistence and trust make most things possible, and she encourages her students to explore this in their own practice.  Read on to learn more about Andrea, her teaching style, her personal life, and why she loves sharing yoga with her students. Read the rest of this entry »