Self Centered Yoga: 2201 West Belmont Ave Chicago, Illinois ph:773.388.8010, Yoga Teachers

Self Centered Yoga Studio offers classes in Vinyasa, Hatha, Prenatal, Parent and Baby classes by our accredited staff.

Meet a few of our wonderful teachers ...

Marcela Silvia Diaz Brown : Silvita, RYT(200)

The dance is a poem of which each movement is a world.”. ~Mata Hari

M. Silvia Diaz Brown is a dancer, performer, choreographer, movement certificate instructor and Yoga teacher. Born in Puebla, Mexico, she obtained her BFA degree in dance from the Universidad de las Americas Puebla (UDLAP) in Mexico 2003 and was a member of the UDLA Danza Dance Company there. Silvia studied physical theatre at Juniata College, PA under the direction of Andrew Belser and Don Rieder, where she performed European clowning and Comedia del Arte. In 2004, Silvia obtained a Hatha Yoga certification in Bowling Green Kentucky U.S.A. In June of 2008 she finished her MFA in Theatre, along with a Movement Teaching Diploma, at York University in Toronto, Canada.

Silvia deepened her Yoga practice and Yoga teaching through the intense movement program she completed in Toronto Canada, where she also taught dance and character body work for actors. Silvia recently moved to Chicago to continue her artistic and movement career where the teaching of Yoga is a very important part of it. This summer, she was a guest Movement teacher at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Silvia truly enjoys Yoga and the sharing of this wonderful practice with her students.

Kerry Sweeney Burki, RYT 200

Kerry discovered Iyengar yoga in 1997 while pursuing her degree in Religious Studies in Northern Arizona. She was amazed at how wonderful she felt after taking just one class and knew she had just begun her life long relationship with yoga. She practiced Kundalini Yoga in Tempe, Arizona then moved to Chicago where she began practicing at the Sivananda Yoga Center in Edgewater before becoming certified in both Hatha and Prenatal at Global Yoga and Wellness Center in Wicker Park in 2004.

She really enjoys sharing all of the goodness that yoga has to offer with others. She had a son in March 2008 and practiced yoga throughout her pregnancy. It was an amazing experience to connect with herself, her baby and other moms to be. She currently practices with yoga with her son and is learning to teach yoga to children.

She continues to take workshops and is constantly inspired by caring teachers. Yoga helps her to express her creativity and explore more ways to make the world a better place.

Mary Lou Cerami, RYT(200)

For breath is life, and if you breathe well you will live long on earth. ~Sanskrit Proverb

Mary Lou completed her 200-hour yoga certification at Global Yoga and Wellness Center. Mary Lou's goal as an instructor is to create a sense of community while sharing the simple beauty of yoga and its path to self acceptance thru awareness of the body. Her outreach in community teaching has allowed her the opportunity to teach for the Chicago Department of Aging's Senior Fitness Program since 2006. Her lifelong commitment to health and fitness allowed Mary Lou to grow first as a serious fitness competitor, later delving into the boxing world until a Personal Training position led her to yoga and its ultimate reward as a yoga teacher. Mary Lou continues her Martial Arts training with Gingarte Capoeira in Chicago. Today Mary Lou shares the gift of Thai Bodywork and therapeutic yoga from trainings with Chuck Duff of the Thai Bodywork School and Jason Nemer, Jonny Nobleza and Lindsey Britt of the Acroyoga kula.

Libby Galin, RYT(200)

Libby Galin began her study of yoga six years ago while attending graduate school at Northwestern University. What was at one time a weekly class at the rec center developed into a more regular, devoted part of Libby's life until 2007, when she enroll in the Hatha and Pre-Natal Yoga training program with Rhonda Kantor and the Global Yoga and Wellness Center. She is certified through the Yoga Alliance at the 200 level. Libby emphasizes self-love and body awareness in her classes. Libby was a track, cross-country and marathon runner for 15 years before finding yoga. She has found that yoga has made her feel better mentally and physically than any other type of activity and is eager to share her love of the practice with others. Libby believes that yoga is for everybody and can fit into different lifestyles in small or large ways

Claire Hurwitz, RYT(200)

For me yoga is a state of mind and a way of living life; slowing down to enjoy the little things, my practice helps me connect with joy."

Claire first came to yoga six years ago, adding classes here and there to compliment her usual exercise routine. Quickly, she fell in love with the serenity and peace of mind that followed her once a week classes, and she was hooked. A curious student Claire delved into the wide world of yoga taking classes in meditation, Kripalu Yoga, Hatha, Vinyasa and many more. While living in San Francisco, Claire was introduced to Forrest Yoga and returned to her native Chicagoland to train as an instructor completing her Forrest Yoga Teacher Training at Generations Yoga Studio in Wilmette, IL. Drawn to Forrest yoga because of its theme "going deeper," i.e., getting in touch with your body and emotions held in the body, Claire studied with creator and founder Ana Forrest. Claire hopes to help her students cultivate a closer connection to their body and spirit while sharing her yoga practice in an authentic and safe space.

Laura Lash, RYT(200)

Laura has also been a practitioner of yoga for over nine years, beginning at the YMCA / Boston. The same friend that brought her to her first yoga class encouraged her to visit Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Lenox, MA. It was here that her practice developed into a lifestyle. In March 2005, upon early-retirement from a career in television production, Laura completed 200 hours of Teacher Training through Kripalu. Since that spiritual twist of events, Laura has been teaching Gentle, Fundamentals, Hatha and Vinyasa yoga in the Chicago area. In February 2009, she completed training with Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. In her time away from the yoga mat, Laura can be found riding her bicycle on the streets of Chicago; walking and training her rescued dog, Chai, an Australian Cattle Dog; and vacationing in Maine.

Tyra Notorangelo, RYT 200

Tyra is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) who completed her Hatha yoga instructor certification at Global Yoga and Wellness Center. She began practicing yoga in 2000 at a local Health Club and her teacher was so gifted and creative she got addicted. She has practiced Anusara, Vinyasa and Kundalini methods and has taken a Workshops with Anna Forrest, Rita Knorr and Rich Logan. She believes that it is important to pay close attention to alignment and safety, trying to make sure that her students, whether new or experienced can be challenged in the class by making modifications. She has been an avid runner, completing her first marathon in 2009. She enjoys the philosophy of yoga and tries to include a bit in each class so the focus is on the mind as well as the body. “Every time we practice it will be a new experience - we should embrace, enjoy and take something from each one.”

Karen Plumley, RYT(200)

Karen discovered yoga a number of years ago when she began to take classes as a complement to her regular workouts. She took prenatal as well as mom & baby classes after the births of her two children. But what really attracted her to yoga was the relaxation and serenity she felt after taking a class. This became especially important to her as her children grew and she sought a quiet place to refocus and breathe.

Karen has felt drawn to a career in bodywork and movement, stemming from her early days as a gymnast and dancer. But Karen feels yoga has so much more to offer a person, especially because anyone at any age can practice, and so much good can come from just sitting and breathing! Inspired by how good she felt both emotionally as well as physically, Karen decided to become certified to teach yoga. She is registered at the 200 hour level through Yoga Alliance, having completed her training through Global Yoga and Wellness Center in early 2008. Karen hopes to create a sense of tranquility and well being for those who attend her gentle classes.

Beth Prystowsky, RYT(200)

Beth is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) through Yoga Alliance and completed her Hatha yoga instructor certification from the Global Yoga and Wellness Center in Chicago, Illinois. She specializes in Prenatal Yoga and practiced and benefited throughout her pregnancies. Her classes are taught with the goals of improving posture, promoting concentration and focus, enhancing strength, and increasing energy level and stamina. Beth teaches private lessons as well as group lessons throughout Chicago. She hopes to bring a sense of peace to your life through your practice.

Jen Shin, RYT(200)

Jen believes deeply in the profound healing and growth yoga can inspire and has experienced it firsthand. Jen is very happy and honored to be able to teach and share this with her students. She is particularly inspired by two yoga styles: the grace and incredible discipline of Ashtanga, and the heart-centered discipline of Anusara. In addition to being a graduate of the Yoga Now Teacher Training program, Jen is an actor and has also trained in various movement disciplines, including Feldenkrais, Viewpoints, Alexander, and Suzuki technique. She strives to incorporate elements of these techniques, as well as the spirituality and mindfulness learned from her Zen Buddhist studies, into every yoga class she teaches.

Julie Snyder, RYT(200)

Julie believes that yoga has something to offer everyone at every age and ability level. She first began her practice in a free class offered at the student center of her university over 13 years ago and has been exploring the vast world of yoga ever since. After moving to Chicago, Julie decided to further enrich her yoga journey by becoming a registered yoga teacher through Global Yoga and Wellness Center. Her belief that yoga can offer both physical and mental benefits to all prompted her to open Self Centered Yoga as a place where everyone can feel welcome to enjoy yoga in a warm and friendly environment. When not in the studio, her life's pleasures include being a mom, spending time with her family, reading, running, traveling, and the great outdoors.

Jessie Young, RYT(200)

Jessie hails from the renowned rain-clouds of the Pacific Northwest, where she took to yoga as an extension of her dance training. While receiving her BFA in Modern Dance at the University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT) she had the privilege of evolving her practice under the guidance of D’ana Baptiste at Centered City Yoga, where in 2007 she received her 500-hour certification. She has had the wonderful opportunity of teaching in Salt Lake City, UT, Port Angeles & Seattle, WA and now Chicago! With a natural enthusiasm for movement, students can expect a thorough but light-hearted approach to their yoga practice, with a focus on building a sense of community, and empowering individuals in their practice. When not teaching at Self Centered Yoga, you can find Jessie dancing/performing with The Moving Architects & Dim Sum Dance in addition to teaching hip-hop, creative movement & yoga classes through the Old Town School of Folk Music. She is thrilled to be a part of the community here at Self Centered Yoga!