Kristen Brendel

Dr. Kristen Brendel PhD, E-RYT, C-IAYT holds certifications in yoga therapy from the International Association of Yoga Therapy (C-IAYT) and is a Yoga Alliance Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT).  Kristen is the founder and director of Per La Vita Wellness, LLC, an organization dedicated to using mindfulness, yoga, and other evidence-based practices for holistic health and wellness. At Per La Vita, she teaches mindfulness-based stress reduction courses, which integrate yoga and mediation, works with clients individually and in groups using yoga and mindfulness as primary modalities of interventions. Kristen is also a volunteer at Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center where she teaches yoga and mediation to those impacted by cancer. At Per La Vita, she also created  and implements the first ever yoga and mindfulness teacher training for professionals to apply in their respective fields. In addition to her work at Per La Vita Wellness, Kristen is an associate professor of social work at Aurora University and her research and teaching interests revolve around the intersection of yoga and mindfulness with mental health.