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.

Kim, RYT(200)

Kim began practicing yoga with her mom in 2001. She continued her practice throughout her pregnancy with twins (at Self Centered Yoga Studio) and feels it contributed to her healthy and full term pregnancy. Practicing yoga also helped Kim to rebuild her strength after carrying and delivering two big babies, as well as maintain a sense of peace and balance. She believes anyone can benefit from doing yoga. Kim leads her classes with compassion and warmth and focuses on building strength, increasing flexibility, and bringing an atmosphere of calm to her students’ practice. Kim completed her 200 hour at Global Yoga and Wellness Center.

Shannon Galvin, RYT(500)

Shannon began practicing yoga on the beaches of Hawaii over 6 years ago and was immediately drawn to the connection between the mind, body, and divine spirit. In 2009 she started a 15 month, 500 hour advanced teacher training course through Yoga Roots taught by Janice Adelman Cadwell. Meditating for many hours and days in Abadiana, Brazil, Shannon realized that it's all about the 'Here and Now.' With her compassionate heart and understanding she is able to bring peace, truth, and the ability to hold a sacred space into her classes. Her classes are powerful and invigorating yet ultimately healing and relaxing. You will also experience meditation, pranayama, and yoga philosophy in her classes. It's about each and everyone's individual journey and Shannon is able to connect through awareness of students' individual needs and push them beyond their fears, anxieties, and any self doubts. The ultimate goal in yoga is Samadhi and that is what her goal is for her class and herself......Bliss!!!! Hari Om Tat Sat!!!!!

Shana Marie, RYT(200)

Work is love made visable.". ~ Kahill Gabran

As a yoga teacher my intention is to provide a sacred space that encourages others to love the self through their own life’s unique and beautiful path. Through Hatha yoga my teachings are emphasized by drawing attention to alignment, breath, and meditation to inspire the qualities of creativity, playfulness, joy, and abundance. A balanced mind, body, and spirit opens our perception and expression of life into greater clarity, richness, and vibrancy. As we dedicate ourselves to this focus of balance we gain greater awareness and insight into a harmonious experience – on & off the mat. Namaste-Shana Marie

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.”

Melanie Pankau, RYT(200)

Melanie’s two passions are art and yoga. Melanie’s yoga journey began in 2003 when she attended her first class and felt an immediate connection to yoga. As her practice developed, she realized how yoga’s meditative and healing qualities mirrored her artistic studio practice. In 2007, she decided that she wanted to share with others the positive impact yoga can make on one’s life. In 2008, she received her 200-hour (Registered Yoga Teacher-RYT) teaching certification from Global Yoga and Wellness Center in Chicago, IL. Melanie is also a professional artist and recently completed her Master of Fine Arts degree.

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.

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.