Our Teachers

Emile's holistic living journey began with self-mastery in meditation, subconscious reprogramming & Yoga in 2014 at age 18. She has been expanding her horizons since.

 

Emile is the owner of Rising Lotus Healing Center, Founder of/Creator for YOGAEM LLC, Experienced & Certified Yoga Teacher, Global & International Retreat Host, Lead Trainer of the Rising Lotus School of Yoga & Wellness 200-hour Teacher Training Program, Master Reiki Healer, Certified Sound Vibrational Therapist, Meditation/Visualization Guide, Channeler, Psychology Graduate, Holistic & Spiritual Living Devotee & Enthusiast.​

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"We are beings of evolutions. We are products of an evolutionary process. It is our duty to move towards evolution of the Self by nurturing this creative spark of the Divine, expanding it, and live in service to it. The way this creative energy is expressed is unique to each of us. This expression is our most authentic state. You fulfill your part by being true to you and what lights you up. No one else is here to be you, but you. Your authentic expression is medicine to the world. I am here to help you live in alignment with what feels expansive and moves you towards your evolution. There is no limit to your evolution." - Emile

 

Emile's Training & Certifications:

• E-RYT 200-hrs of Hatha Yoga - Trained by Vita Sireikis in 2017

• Graduated with a BA in General Psychology - University of Illinois, Chicago in 2018

• RYT 200-hrs of Kundalini Yoga - Trained by Samadhi Banks in 2020

• RYT 300-hrs of In Depth Iyengar Yoga (Yoga Therapy Focused) - Trained by Gabriel Halpern in 2022

• 100-hrs of Yoga Nidra - Trained by Caley Alyssa 

• Master Reiki Healer - Trained by Jenni Maes & Shaman Jay

• Sound Vibrational Therapist  - Trained by Shaman Jay

• 80 hours of "Living Wisdom" - Bridge Between Yoga & Activism - Trained by Bex Tyrer

• 80 hours of "Unwind the Feminine" - Specialized Yoga Training  - Trained by Bex Tyrer

• 12 hours of Para Yoga - Trained by Rod Stryker

• 10 hours of "Yoga on a Quantum Level" - Trained by Gina Antoun

• 10 hours of the "Foundations of Meditation" - Trained by Gina Antoun

Through her own spiritual awakening, & altruistic Aquarian nature, Gina has dedicated her life to sacred service. Her curiosity, along with a Sagittarius moon placement sparks her passion for higher learning & esoteric study which she infuses in all of her offerings. Gina is a certified yoga teacher, and offers her expertise in yoga teacher training modules. She serves as a meditation guide, Reiki energy practitioner & ceremony facilitator of lunar rituals & sacred rites. She has hosted local & international retreats, workshops, women’s circles, specialized courses and events that promote higher consciousness, well being and community connection.

 

In 2021, Gina began an in depth course of study in Mystery School teachings of the Desert Rose, receiving her ordination as a Priestess of Mary Magdalene, upholding the mystical feminine teachings & rituals of the Rosa Mystica. She infuses Egyptian energy medicine practices & lunar wisdom from this lineage in her ongoing offerings.

 

Gina is co-founder, along with her husband Joe, of Inspiritus Alchemy, a magickal cottage in Willow Springs where Gina runs a holistic hair salon business offering energy infused, conscious hair services. The upstairs loft of IA is a temple space, fondly dubbed, The Red Temple where she offers Magdalene Alchemy Meditation Practices, Shabbat, Women's Circles, Private Empowerment Sessions and Psychedelic Integration mentorship

 

You can connect with Gina every Tuesday morning at Rising Lotus for her signature Light Body Activation class, as well as monthly community New Moon Rituals.

Stay connected on socials @InspiritusAlchemy or stay tuned at www.inspiritusalchemy.com Ahava, Gina

starlite 🌟 received her 200hr YTT in 2016. starlight is very passionate about the meditative aspect of yoga, connecting Mind, Body, and Spirit. She brings many styles of yoga into her classes, always making sure to dedicate time to create a space for stillness during practice. With her powerful meditative guidance, you truly open up the path to go into a space of stillness and peace within and feel the unity you share will all of life. 

 

"Greetings. Eye am. Reflections abound. Healing me healing you. Describing me describing you. Loving me loving you. Slightly more yin than yang, and also more yang than yin. Eye balance like fire. Unpredictability is the plan, more of an evolution than a class. Are you breathing, or are you being breathed? Release. A loss, a purge, a deep wonderment that bends all cells, one. Breathe in the exhale. Notice. Just look at it. Come with me, be come a receiver. Abundant. Pure. Fulfilled. Now inhale. This always was an introduction to your cellf. Love you."

Jennifer discovered the transformative power of yoga at a time when life seemed overwhelming and stressful, which resulted in feeling burnt out from the corporate world and fast-paced society in which we live. Yoga opened a path to the journey of self-discovery, self-mastery, and embodiment. Jennifer completed her 200-hour YTT certification in 2017 and since then continues to lead classes that explore the connection between breath awareness, skillful movement, and mindful intention.

She aims to create a supportive environment where students can safely experience the celebration of movement and yoga as medicine. Jennifer encourages students to approach their yoga practice as an opportunity to deepen connection to the self, build confidence, reinforce self-love, cultivate discipline, and unlock creative expression. It is her intention for students to leave feeling connected, grounded, and inspired to take their yoga practice with them off their mat and into their daily life.

A RYT-200 teacher, Diane began practicing yoga late in life as a way to round out her cardio and strength training while increasing her decreasing flexibility. After just one class, she discovered that yoga was so much more… a true balancing of mind, body and spirit.

 

Diane loves to share her love of yoga asana, breath work and a sense of inner peace in her classes. Knowing that every day is a unique experience, so too is your yoga practice. Her philosophy is to let the poses meet the body where it is today, not trying to push your body to fit the poses, while developing your own self-awareness.

 

When not practicing or teaching yoga, Diane loves to walk in nature, kayak, try new vegetarian/vegan recipes, read, listen to music and enjoy family time.

“I believe in the healing power of yoga, one breath and one moment at a time.”

With a background in dance, Connie first came to the mat seeking a physical practice for strength and flexibility but quickly realized yoga is so much more. The more she practiced, the more her mat became a sanctuary. A place to let go and find stillness. Connie fell in love with the spiritual side of yoga, and the way our connection to breath makes us whole in mind, body and spirit.

Yoga has helped Connie grow stronger, both physically and mentally, on and o( the mat. Her practice has taught her self-acceptance, and to see herself and others with only love. “When you lead with your heart, anything that no longer serves you begins to fall away and only love remains.”

Connie’s passion to help others led her to complete her 200 RYT certification in 2016 through LifePower Yoga. Always a student first, she continues to learn and holds additional certifications in Restorative Yoga, Restorative Yin Aerial Yoga, and Level 1 Reiki Energy Healing.

Connie is grateful to be part of the yoga community and Rising Lotus family, and looks forward to sharing space with you.

Nicole Schneider is a full-time traveling yoga teacher, 500HR RYT, YACEP, with training in multiple Hatha styles. Along with her full teaching schedule, Nicole leads private and corporate yoga sessions, supports community efforts through yoga fundraising events, and shares her teachings online, in after school programs, outdoor classes, yoga workshops and trainings across the Chicagoland area. Nicole has developed her own Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Program and is passionate about training other teachers and students in the art of relaxation. With a global finance background and Northwestern MBA, Nicole understands the stress of corporate life and enjoys helping others cultivate their own peace and balance through yoga and meditation.

Visit www.justbewithnicole.com to learn more about Nicole and her yoga offerings.

Back in 2022 after what felt like being stuck in an energetic slump for a long time, Evelyn decided to try something out of her comfort zone - Yoga. She had no idea that after her first class, a brand new journey was starting to unfold. That experience and all the ones after, changed her life and the way she saw herself existing in this world.

 

After being a Retail Leader for over a decade, Evelyn decided to step into her yoga era! She went all in on her training and became a 200HR Yoga Alliance certified teacher in March of 2023. Evelyn have gained so much inspiration from the gurus that have crossed her path and hope to pay it forward with each opportunity to teach. Evelyn is grateful she has the opportunity to continue to lead others but now her focus is on movement, happiness, and spiritual wellbeing.

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Expect a typical class with Evelyn to be Energetic, Fun, and Flowy! She takes inspiration from music to mantras and infuse it into a sequence. She hopes to encourage students to find their expression, harness their light, feel empowered, and move to the waves of their own unique energy.

Bernie Rybarczyk, Jr. Bernie began practicing yoga at the age of 27 in February 2012. Within One year he began teacher training with Sarah Starnes at the Elmhurst Yoga Shala where he received his first 200 Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification. He began teaching on June 2013 for Lifetime Fitness and freelancing at studios in the Chicago-land area. In June 2014, Bernie went to Minnesota to train with Jason Hulshof of Lifetime Fitness and received his 2nd 200 Hour Vinyasa/Ashtanga Teacher Certification.

He has 7 years of teaching experience at Lifetime Fitness and other studios. Bernie was ranked Top 10 in the Country in Lifetime’s yoga program for class attendance & participation. He is also a music producer/artist/songwriter and Film Writer.

Alina was awakened to the power of yoga back in 2000 when she felt deeply and unexpectedly drawn to try a class. She immediately experienced a strong sense of home, of belonging and as she developed her practice she became more drawn to the spiritual knowledge, pranayama and the way yoga can transform lives as well as bodies. 

Alina has practiced many styles of yoga here and overseas and was moved to become a teacher, achieving her Yoga Alliance teaching certificate in Italy. 

Radiating a positive, encouraging energy, Alina’s classes reflect her desire to help others find stillness, strength and joy through their practice. 

Each class has a focus, a purpose and in her classes she manages to weave in the wisdom of the ancient teachings of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita and even her own mystical poetry. She has commitment to the asanas, her students and to the yoga community. 

She is grateful to her teacher, Wade Gotwals for his guidance, encouragement and support and is honored to be teaching as his assistant.

“When I teach I become aware of the pure love and joy students feel when they master the breath and I am passionate about helping others find their inner light and healing power through this ancient practice,” says Alina.

After 20 years of balancing career, family and expectations, Allison took a leap of faith to be more present at home and at ease in her life.  Allison's passion for Yoga became a central focus as she completed her training with Brenda Temme and Life Power Yoga. 

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Allison believes in the healing power of Yoga, the strength of its community and impact on the world. She's committed to empowering others to see themselves through their own eyes, finding peace through breath and cherishing the present moment. Allison keeps fresh with meditation, workshops and practicing with fellow Yoga teachers. Her classes are dynamic, powerful and full of heart!

Born in Chicago and raised in South Florida, Kelly’s early years were filled with athletics, music and the beach. After college, she moved back to Chicago and worked different jobs in media, television & wellness. She enjoyed those experiences but something was missing.

 

In 2019, she found yoga.

 

Determined to find her own voice and unique path, yoga helped her with self connection and expression. It gave her the confidence to explore new ways of thinking, speaking and interacting with the world.

 

Somewhere between the high energy of the city and the laid back lifestyle of the south, lies the essence of who she is.  A free-spirit with a strong desire to find truth, peace & love in everyday life.

 

Kelly is known for delivering a deep, heartfelt yoga practice that encourages you to learn and connect in deeper ways to yourself and others. She creates an environment of peace and positivity using guided meditation, movement, music & thoughtful messages.

 

When she’s not teaching yoga, she’s wandering the earth, being inspired by old things, new things, things that grow, people, animals, the beach, books and art.

Hannah grew up participating in gymnastics and cheerleading. From a young age. She enjoyed movement, flexibility and being within her body. She took some yoga classes in high school and college but it wasn’t until after she graduated college in 2017, that she dove in deep with her yoga practice. Yoga helped her reconnect
with herself by getting her back into her physical body and calm mental anxieties.
After several years of taking various styles of yoga classes and attending
workshops, Hannah decided to conquer a personal goal and signed up for a 200
hour yoga teacher training at Rising Lotus Yoga Studio. She achieved this goal in 2023 and began teaching yoga right away. Shortly after completing her 200 hour training, she became certified in Buti Primal Flow Yoga which is a vinyasa inspired practice that incorporates balancing out the divine feminine and masculine energy within the bodies.

Hannah is forever grateful she followed her intuition and is now able to share her passion with others. Hannah always
reminds her students that they know their bodies best and to listen to them
throughout practice and life!

Yoga was the key that unlocked a whole new perspective on life for Anna Lee.

At once she realized it was more than an activity but a lifestyle. Within this journey of transformation, healing, and growth, she knew more than anything, she wanted to share her love of yoga with others. To help people realize the power of their own breath, and to know that no matter how much is going on outside oneself, they can tune into the rhythm of their own heart beat, taking comfort in its pulse. Anna Lee was beyond enthusiastic at discovering her devotion to nature could be combined with her passion for yoga in completing her 200 hour certificate at Adventure Yoga Training in Arizona. It is Anna Lee’s greatest hope that each class will bring you an expansion of the mind, nourishment of the body, and an elevation of your soul.

Having first discovered yoga on television through a PBS special in the early 2000s, Titi has been a dedicated student for almost two decades. As an avid learner, she has learned to apply yoga in all aspects of her life, on the mat and off the mat. Always a student first and a natural-born teacher, Titi was led to teach yoga through paths of fate. Known for her terrible dad jokes and her childlike spirit, the space she creates allows her students to be playful, let go, and connect to their true sense of Self. Mentored by Gabriel Halpern, Chicago’s Grandfather of Yoga, she sets herself apart from other yoga teachers by aspiring to stay true to yoga’s original roots by finding ways to incorporate all eight limbs of yoga in class. She goes above and beyond to ensure that all students have access to yoga practices regardless of background, in hopes that all students walk away with their most authentic selves.

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Certifications/Training:

• E-RYT 200 hours of Vinyasa Yoga with Luna Pierson and Linda Lehovec

• RYT 300 hours of Yoga Therapy Focused Iyengar Yoga with Gabriel Halpern

• 200 hours of Qi Gong Teacher Training with Christopher Grant 

• 50 hours of Fascia Training with Joanne Avison

• 50 hours of Yoga Nidra Training with Ram Jain

• 6 hours of Restorative Yoga Training with Cyndi Lee

• B.S. Natural Sciences - St. Norbert College

• M.A. Early Childhood Education - Northwestern State University