Our Teachers

Urban Lotus Yoga 773-278-4122 Info@urbanlotusChicago.com

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Our Teachers

Mark Lerro

Training for the past 8 years with various mental, physical, and spiritual disciplines has fostered Mark's warrior spirit, nurturing qualities and a power to inspire others. The knowledge he acquired studying some of the best traditional methods as well as recent innovative practices have set the foundation for Mark’s intelligent and creative sequencing based on elements of Iyengar, Hatha, Vinyasa, Astanga, Forrest, and Universal freestyle.

Mark also infuses elements of Ayurveda, Martial arts, Thai Massage, sound therapy, fire ritual, and Zen meditation into his classes.

Erica Rumpel

Erica Rumpel explores the science of yoga through a foundation of Hatha, Kundalini, and Universal traditions. Studies with Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa and Andrey Lappa have given her insight into the limitless boundaries and benefits of a yoga practice. Her training in Psychotherapy has also added depth to her teaching style; creating an integrative mind-body approach from which to work. Erica's classes emphasize pranayama practice, static and dynamic asanas, and an inward focus to develop an acute sense of observation. "There is a rhythm to live, rhythm to breath, and a rhythm to your practice - all are one."
Erica's classes challenge you to find that rhythm, accept that rhythm and explore it in your own sacred space.

Nathan Paulus

Nathan's classes explore the biomechanics and bioenergetics involved in integrating yoga forms (Asana). He promotes greater body awareness through simplicity and investigation.

Nathan has been studying yoga for 7 years. It does not come easily for him, but it has brought about significant change with reverence for the philosophical and physical applications of the discipline. Currently, Nathan is a student at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine for Tui Na (chinese "push / pull" massage) and Asian Body Therapy. He is also undergoing apprenticeship for Myofacial Trigger Point Therapy with Myopain Relief Center.

Nicole Hopman

A believer in the power of yoga as a lifestyle, Nicole feels that a playful yoga practice enables a person to approach the more mundane aspects of life with a lighter heart and a more accepting attitude. Her yogic journey has played a big role in her life and she feels lucky to have the opportunity to share that journey with others. Nicole is currently blessed to be undergoing advanced (500 hour) teacher training with Sri Dharma Mittra in New York City. Nicole has also attended trainings and workshops with other influential teachers and credits them each with adding to her path. Nicole lives with her beloved rescued cats and pit bull dogs. She is a fan of the fruit market, pet rescue, The Bhagavad Gita, and vegan cookies.

Kathleen Ellis

Kathleen came to Yoga after a long period of living entirely in her head, to the detriment of her spirit and body. Her first teacher, Sosha Devi, taught her the profound healing power of compassion and truth. Since becoming an instructor she has been fortunate to learn from so many teachers, from nationally known yogis Tias Little and Shiva Rea, to her students at the Chicago Mental Health Center. Today her teaching is based strongly in traditional Hatha style with a strong therapeutic influence, nurturing the body and spirit.

Lindsey Britt

Lindsey's formal training started in 1999 with the Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training in New York. Her love for yoga inspired other training with Manju Jois/Ashtanga in 2004, J&J/AcroYoga in 2008, and Paul Grilley/Yin Yoga 2008. After taking a Thai Yoga Therapy workshop with Paul Weitz in 2005, she fell in love with Thai Bodywork. Her Thai Bodywork studies and experience include, Chuck Duff/”Level One” and “Hands Free” in Chicago, apprenticeship with Jill Harman/Yin Thai Yoga in Fort Wayne Indiana for one year, Itzak Harman in Thailand, and the AcroYoga community. Her degree in Sociology (coupled with a minor in Dance), and subsequent four years of social work have taught Britt that community is essential in recognizing the light that connects us all.

Jonny Nobleza

Jonny breathes in passion for all things movement. As a conscious creator he has devoted his life to growing and connecting through various arts whether yoga, music, meditation, dance, or bodywork.

His path in yoga and meditation started rather intuitively during his early teens which eventually led him to Vipassana Meditation and Yoga teacher training's through the Sivananda lineage, AcroYoga and more recently with Daren Freisen at Moksha Yoga. He has been inspired by many teachers of the Anusara, Universal, and Tantric Yoga traditions as well as all of the teachers at Moksha and for this he gives thanks. More recently Jonny has devoted his personal practice to studies with Scott Blossom and the Shadow Yoga lineage. Through this he has found the utmost integrity and profound insight into the teachings of yoga. And as a teacher, it is through AcroYoga that Jonny has seen immense changes in himself and in the relationships within individuals and communities. It is through this practice that he wishes to bring others together in celebration of community and life.

Tina Ward

Tina

My yoga journey began 11 years ago while living abroad and searching for alternative methods for coping with life-long, chronic asthma, and related symptoms. After dedicating myself to a regular practice and combining it with zazen meditation, Tibetan medicine, acupuncture, and various types of massage therapy, I eventually found my way to a more balanced and healthful way of life.

I have practiced and taught a variety of styles of yoga including Astanga, Hatha, Bikram, Anusara, Vinyasa, and Iyengar. The intensity of each class I teach depends on the group dynamic and individual requests, and may have students from beginner’s level to advanced in the same practice.

It has been an exciting and educational path along which I have been blessed to meet many truly wonderful people from all over the world.

I am grateful for my continued opportunities and personal growth, and hope to share my experience and knowledge with my students in order to help them find comfort and strength as they heal and grow.

                                                          Tania Hughes

As a massage and craniosacral therapist, Tania Hughes brings a decade of bodywork background to her yoga classroom. She is interested in the therapeutic possibilities of yoga, and its ability to counter pathology in the body, chronic pain, and the stresses of today's fast-paced lifestyle. Tania teaches empowerment through body awareness as well as transformation of Self through connection to Mind, Body and Spirit.

Tania's yogic path began in 2001 eventually leading her to the practice and study of Ashtanga, Iyengar and Anusara Yoga at Local Chicago studios Yogaview; Nature Yoga; and The Yoga Circle.

In the Spring of 2006 the call to teach led her to gain formal training from her mentors at Yogaview.

She is indebted to all her teachers for their guidance, support and endless patience, and is inspired by her students who continually motivate her to learn more.

Tania's classes offer a light-hearted blend of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga. While seeking enriching breathwork and finding joy in movement are components of Tania's classes, her emphasis is on healthy alignment, all anchored by spiritual connection to Self. She offers a teaching style of kindness, patience, optimism and encouragement towards trust in one's Self.

Class levels range from Beginner/Level I to Level II.

Tatiana Sanchez

Tatiana Cira Sanchez, a native of La Paz, Bolivia is an interdisciplinary artist, dancer/choreographer, musician, certified yoga instructor, Certified Thai Yoga Massage therapist, naturalist, and educator. Her first love and passion for over 20 years in dance training, performance, choreography and teaching has created a foundation to organically explore music and yoga as an integral part of her evolution.