Emily Kiefer

As a teenager, my world was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with a rare, chronic disease consisting of recurring spinal tumors in my spinal cord. I felt betrayed by my body, and didn't know where to go next. As I struggled with the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of the illness, I turned to yoga as a way to regain control over my body and my life. I found that the practice of yoga not only helped me build strength and flexibility, but also provided a sense of calm and inner peace that I had been missing. Up until this point I had only been exposed to hot, sweaty, powerful vinyasa flows often seen in yoga studio chains. But in 2016, I changed careers and moved to downtown Chicago, which allowed me to deepen my yoga practice through slow movement and mindfulness practices throughout the day. I began practicing restorative practices and learned about the energetic body that helped me to slow down my body and mind while the world (and my illness) around me was moving at lightning speed. These embodied practices saved me as I had recurrence of tumors throughout my spine which led me to traveling state lines to find a new doctor. Slowing down my body and mind transformed my life in so many amazing ways, and I became increasingly interested in the philosophy of yoga. In particular, the idea that the body, mind, and spirit are all interconnected altered my experiences and relationships with others for the better. I began to incorporate yogic philosophy into my daily life, using it as a guide to navigate stress, anxiety, burnout in my career, as well as the ups and downs of my illness. I realized I wanted to share my love of yoga with others so completed my yoga certification in 2023 and never looked back! My approach to teaching yoga is grounded in the belief that everyone has the power to heal themselves, both physically and emotionally. We become our highest selves when we slow down our "go, go, go" bodies and minds through the hustle and bustle of city life. I encourage my students to listen to their bodies and to honor their limitations, while also challenging them to push beyond their comfort zones and discover inner strength. Off the mat, I am a traveling homebody. You'll either find me exploring new places around the globe or at a Chicago brewery with my husband and pittie baby, Oskee.