Chicago : Michigan Avenue
Amy Beth Treciokas
YogaNow
Amy started practicing yoga in 1993 with Kim Schwartz of the Temple of Kriya Yoga. She left the corporate world in 1996 to become a yoga instructor. Her first step was traveling to Mysore, South India to meet and study with her teacher, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson, Sharath Rangaswamy. After 5 visits encompassing 24 months of study with Jois he gave her his blessing, authorizing her to teach Ashtanga Yoga in the States. Amy has also studied with Certified senior Ashtanga teachers Tim Miller, Lino Miele, Dena Kingsberg and David Roche. Amy is the Director of YogaNow and teaches the traditional method of Ashtanga (Mysore-style) at YogaNow. Amy started chanting while in India and has been leading Kirtan in the Chicago area for the last 5 years. She greatly looks up to kirtan... Read the profile >>
Annette Fiscelli
“If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits”. (Don Ward) Always being an athlete, since growing up figure skating and then turning to fitness to stay in shape, I found a love in bodybuilding and seeing what the body can do. Since then, numerous marathons, multiday races and full distance triathlons have become a part of my life. I used to think "those people are crazy. I would never do that" but now I am one. Putting my excuses and fears aside, I trained to accomplish goals that at one time seemed unreachable. One of my favorite moments of being a trainer/coach is passing along that feeling of being unstoppable. Feel good about yourself, set goals and do not underestimate yourself. Nothing is out of reach. Get inspired and be inspiring. Read the profile >>
Chris Nassivera
In 2000 Chris mentioned to a friend she needed to find a low impact work out to combat the effects of 15 years of long distance running. Her friend brought her to her first Bikram Yoga class in Denver’s Cherry Creek where she signed up for the “60 Day Challenge” and has been practicing and teaching yoga ever since. Chris has both 200-hour Hot Yoga and Power Yoga certifications from CorePower in Denver and a 200-hour Budakon certification with Cameron Shayne in Los Angeles. Chris has been teaching for Corepower since 2005. After moving to Chicago in 2007 Chris began teaching at Om on the Range in Lakeview. Chris earned a bachelor’s in Secondary Education from SUNY Oswego and spent 10 years in outside sales. Outside of yoga, Chris enjoys running, skiing, hiking, and cooking. Chris... Read the profile >>
David Bohn
Lakeshore Athletic Club
The value of physical activity was instilled in David at a young age by parents who had been athletes themselves and since the age of six has been involved in sports and other physical activities. David is currently the Fitness & Pilates Manager for Lakeshore Athletic Club Illinois Center. He has been personal training and teaching group fitness classes since 1999 and teaches a variety of classes from muscle and sports conditioning to yoga, Pilates, indoor cycling and American Taekwondo. David still competes in American Taekwondo and has been a ranked finisher the last three national tournaments. David works with clients to create realistic and measurable goals and helps to design a comprehensive program that addresses both their aesthetic and their health and fitness concerns... Read the profile >>
Karina Davis
Karina is the founder and driving force of Studio E. She is a multi-certified personal trainer with over 11,000 hours of experience in physical and physiotherapy, coaching clients, and instructing other trainers. NPTI, EFTI, Master Instructor, Ashtanga Yoga, Kettlebell, CPR certified, ACSM, Idea Fitness Member. Read the profile >>
Kimberly Barnhart
Equinox
The first time I ever saw the Ironman World Championships on the television, I was six years old and thought that was the most incredible thing I had ever seen anyone do. Twenty-four years later, racing an Ironman is the most amazing thing I have ever done. Having raced all over the United States, as well as Mexico and Africa, in all triathlon distances, racing is what makes me feel alive and is a huge part of my life. The most rewarding thing about my job as a triathlon coach and fitness instructor is helping people feel better about themselves. It is the greatest feeling to be part someone’s life, helping them overcome mental and physical challenges and achieve their goals. You have to be able to lead by example and be willing to do whatever you ask of others. You will... Read the profile >>
Kristen Wolf
Superior Pilates
Kristen Wolf, owner, manager, instructor at Superior Pilates in River North, started playing competitive tennis at age 7. She went on to play the women’s ITF and WTA circuits when she was 19. She was coached by Richard Williams with Venus and Serena and joined the world tour. While competing on the Mexican circuit, she was introduced to the authentic Pilates method. She fell in love with the benefits of this training and did a ton of research when she returned to Chicago. She was accepted at Northwestern University – but didn’t let her academics stop her love for Pilates. She studied under Romana Kryzanowska in New York and with teacher/ trainers certified by Romana based here in Chicago. She graduated as a dean’s list student with a double major in International... Read the profile >>
Luis Bracamonte
Luis Bracamonte is a Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a Functional Fitness expert. Born in Trujillo, Peru he competed in South American Championships, World Cup Circuits, Bolivarian Games and the Pan American Games of Winnipeg in 1999. Luis attended the University of Illinois-Chicago via a full athletic scholarship and was the swim team captain. He graduated in May of 2001 with a Bachelor in Kineisiology and went on to become a full-time Personal Trainer and Swim Coach. Luis has since worked for several of the top fitness facilities and clubs in Chicago and has been featured on Fox Chicago and Foxhilites.com. He currently works with Unicus Fitness and Wellfit Triathlon as well as training clients in home or in studio. Luis holds certifications from the National Strength and... Read the profile >>
Michelle Cushing
Dare to be Fit, and Holmes Place Health Club
My passion is fitness. I have taken many journeys in life - from being scouted for a professional European handball team, to smoking heavily for years - all prior to discovering my true calling - helping others stay healthy, emotionally wealthy and fit! Prior to becoming a personal trainer I worked in financial services for over 10 years. There I learned that limited time and stress affect the well-being of American professionals. This is where I found my desire to make a difference. I enrolled in a full time Personal training program and earned my certification through NPTI (National Personal Training Institute). Upon completion of this program I remained on staff for over 2 years and taught the hands on curriculum to future personal trainers. I have also been trained as a Pilates... Read the profile >>
Nicole Romano
Nicole Romano, a native of Miami, Fla., joined the Exhale team in January of 2008. She moved to Chicago in the winter of 2006 to pursue a career in dance. Nicole was a scholarship trainee at the Lou Conte Dance Studio for two years before becoming a dance instructor there. In the fall of 2006, she performed at the Civic Opera House for the Lyric Opera of Chicago's presentation of "Salome". In the fall of 2007, she was a company apprentice with Hedwig Dances; a Chicago based Modern Dance Company. Previously, she was a member of the Dance Repertory Theater in Tallahassee, Fla., where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance with honors from Florida State University. Her training includes intensives with the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, the Orlando Ballet and the American... Read the profile >>
Rebecca Christy
Body Endeavors & The Ritz Carlton Club
Rebecca's introduction to Pilates came to her through dance training. She has found Pilates to be the most complete and the healthiest system of movement she has experienced. Rebecca completed the Power Pilates training program at Body Endeavors in June 2004 and currently teaches at Body Endeavors as well as at the Ritz Carlton and Peninsula hotels. Additionally, Rebecca received her B.A. in Public Policy from DePaul University and soon will receive a 2nd B.S. in Nutrition and her M.S. in Oriental Medicine at Midwest College of Oriental Medicine to become a licensed Acupuncturist. Read the profile >>