Heather Martello

When I began practicing yoga over 15 years ago, I quickly discovered that I had happened into something very powerful. As I realized the transformative effects of yoga on a physical, mental and energetic level, my mission became sharing it with others. In 2003, I completed my first teacher training and received my 200-hour teaching certification from Ana Forrest. I have since completed trainings with nationally and world-renowned programs and teachers, including Moksha, Yogaview (Level 2), Shiva Rea and Rod Stryker, and I continue to study with master teachers on an on-going basis. After receiving a B.A. from U of I, I received a Master’s Degree in Education from Northwestern University. This, and my 20 years of teaching both on and off the mat, allows me to make accessible some of the subtler aspects of yoga. My teaching style is a fusion of the various yoga disciplines I’ve studied, and emphasizes breath, strength, and spirit, while placing equal importance in finding a place for joy and laughter in the practice. Always a different sequence, my classes are challenging and often rather sweaty, yet provide a safe haven for students of all abilities. My Level 2 class is a vigorous but moderately-paced Vinyasa-style flow practice in which the asanas (poses) are linked with breath, with an emphasis on alignment. While each class has a different theme or peak pose, my classes are well-rounded and will leave you feeling balanced. Class usually begins with pranayama (breath work) and/or a brief meditation, followed by sun salutations, classical standing and seated poses, as well as backbends and inversions. The creative and challenging sequences will systematically prepare you for a playful exploration of the deeper peak poses.