Karen Nachtigall

I want to create an inclusive environment where students can cultivate awareness of the entire practice of yoga. I started my yoga practice years ago while dealing with injuries and illness. Yoga provided me a way to connect to my body that inspired health and wellness. I wish the same connection for my students. I have experience with special populations, trauma, chronic illness, chronic pain, opiate addiction, and sports performance. I have over 2500 hours of teaching experience through private lessons, teacher trainings, group classes, and workshops. Karen Nachtigall enjoys an active lifestyle. As a college athlete she played volleyball and learned the value of living in a healthy body. She began her yoga practice over ten years ago in California after college. Dealing with chronic illness, yoga helped her find peace in her body. Yoga soon became a major part of her life practicing everyday and exploring different styles. Karen has had many wonderful mentors and yoga teachers both in California at Coil Yoga and here in Chicago where she completed her teacher training at Yoga Loft, she is RYT 200. Along her journey for wellness she studied shiatsu massage and is CMT 150. She has relocated here to earn a Masters in Fine Arts, Sculpture at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago. Her art work explores phenomenological experiences in the body which is informed by her struggles with health. “I strive to teach classes that build strength, develop a connection with the subtle body, and relax the nervous system. I want my students to feel relaxed, content, and at home in their body. I started my yoga practice years ago while dealing with injuries and illness. Yoga provided me a way to connect to my body that inspired health and wellness. I wish the same connection for my students. I am happy to be teaching at Lateral Fitness because of their approach, knowledge, and commitment to health and fitness. I have found the community here is truly inspiring” Karen Nachtigall enjoys an active lifestyle. As a college athlete she played volleyball and learned the value of living in a healthy body. She began her yoga practice over ten years ago in California after college. Dealing with chronic illness, yoga helped her find peace in her body. Yoga soon became a major part of her life practicing everyday and exploring different styles. Karen has had many wonderful mentors and yoga teachers both in California at Coil Yoga and here in Chicago where she completed her teacher training at Yoga Loft, she is RYT 200. Along her journey for wellness she studied shiatsu massage and is CMT 150. She has relocated here to earn a Masters in Fine Arts, Sculpture at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago. Her art work explores phenomenological experiences in the body which is informed by her struggles with health. “I strive to teach classes that build strength, develop a connection with the subtle body, and relax the nervous system. I want my students to feel relaxed, content, and at home in their body. I started my yoga practice years ago while dealing with injuries and illness. Yoga provided me a way to connect to my body that inspired health and wellness. I wish the same connection for my students. I am happy to be teaching at Lateral Fitness because of their approach, knowledge, and commitment to health and fitness. I have found the community here is truly inspiring”