Yoga Instructors
Jennifer Ewert
Linda Cannizzo
Lori Hanson
Kelly Pokharel
Tricia Wallace
Janette Warner
Denise Yager
Jennifer Ewert, Director
When Jennifer started doing yoga for increased energy in 1996, she also realized how calm and centered she became as a result. She began with self-study at home, which led to a class with a friend. She became captivated because of the teacher’s ability to connect her to this wonderful ancient practice, inspiring Jennifer to become a Certified Yoga Instructor in 1999.
After teaching yoga at venues throughout McHenry County, Jennifer wanted to share her love of yoga more widely and was compelled to open Akasha Yoga Center. “Yoga can help to reduce stress and provide focus, enabling us to function more effectively and live more peacefully. Its benefits are immeasurable."
Jennifer’s classes draw from years of study with many teachers, resulting in her ever-evolving organic style. Her experience allows her to adapt her class plans depending on the needs of the individuals participating. Her ultimate goal for each participant is a rich, deep meditation at the end of each class in order to attain a sense of peace.
Linda Cannizzo
Working as a massage therapist, Linda recognized
the important balance between strength and flexibility
in maintaining a healthy body. On a friend’s recommendation, she began to take yoga classes to improve her own health. After practicing for five years and seeing the health benefits that yoga brought to her own life, she decided to become a yoga instructor. Linda completed her 200-hour teacher training with the Himalayan Institute in 2009.
As an instructor she would like her students to know
“I’ll meet you where you are and we will grow together from there.”
Lori Hanson
After doing yoga briefly in the ‘80s for stress reduction, it wasn’t until over 15 years later that Lori discovered the profound results that yoga can provide. A near fatal car accident had left her with pain and suffering that six months of Western doctors and physical therapy had failed to relieve. A friend suggested yoga, and thanks to an excellent teacher, her physical and emotional pain began to subside. This experience inspired her to begin sharing this miracle called yoga.
Lori is a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher through the Lotus Yoga Center as taught by Sri Swami Rama of the Himalayas. She is a Reiki Master/Teacher and has also studied Martial Arts, Pilates and Thai yoga.
Her teaching focuses on the restorative and therapeutic aspects of yoga with attention to alignment and fluidity of movement with the breath.
Kelly Pokharel
Kelly began attending yoga classes in 2003 out of curiosity. That curiosity quickly grew into a passion for yoga. Drawn in by the sense of calm and balance she felt after each class, Kelly found the strong desire to share the experience of yoga with others. Kelly completed her 200-hour teacher training with the Himalayan Institute in 2009 and is a certified Hatha Yoga instructor. She also completed the Global Yoga Center’s prenatal yoga training in 2009.
Kelly credits her yoga practice with helping her through a difficult time in life and seeks to make yoga accessible to all. She believes yoga can transform lives by awakening aspects of ourselves that have been buried by daily life.
Tricia Wallace
In 2004, Tricia became a student at Akasha with the hope that yoga would relieve some of the stress that had come with the difficulties in her life. Over time, yoga improved her ability to cope with stressful situations and offered her a new perspective. Beyond stress relief, she found immense joy and a true passion for the practice of yoga. “In the beginning, we can’t imagine how profoundly we can affect our life through the breath, body awareness, and mindfulness, but as we progress in our practice, the peace follows in our life.”
Tricia completed her 200-hour teacher training program through the Himalayan Institute in 2009. She is currently working on her meditation teacher certification through the Temple of Kriya.
Tricia’s classes focus on integrating the mind, body, and breath to cultivate joy and peace in both the practice of yoga and in daily life.
Janette Warner
Janette has been practicing and enjoying yoga for ten years. She started doing yoga when she was pregnant with her first child as a low-impact way to exercise, and as a great way to learn about the importance of proper breathing. She completed her 200-hour teacher training through the Himalayan Institute and is a certified Hatha Yoga Instructor. Her classes concentrate on asana practice supported by the breath, and relaxation— providing both a mind and body awareness.
She enjoys teaching kids as well as adults, and feels everyone can benefit from yoga, on some level, regardless of experience. She believes yoga is a way of life that brings inner peace, and only when we have peace within us, can we bring peace to the world.
Denise Yager
Denise has been enjoying the benefits of regular yoga practice since 2001, and completed her 200-hour teacher training at Kalitrea Yoga Studio in 2004. Her yoga style has Iyengar and Vinyasa Flow influences.
Denise enjoys introducing yoga to people of all ages; She has conducted classes for kids, teens, and adults. Her classes are accessible to those new to yoga, but still ensure that more experienced students find challenge.
