Our Teachers

Our Teachers are Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructors. Substitute teachers are either certified or working towards certification through IYNAUS.

What is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher?

IYNAUS Brochure
IYNAUS Poster

Iyengar Yoga Certification is a rigorous process held to a high standard and governed by the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States (IYNAUS) (http://www.iynaus.org). Certificates are earned only after years of training, study, and evaluation. Candidates being assessed for certification are expected to be proficient in many practical and educational skills.

The criteria for these evaluations, as well as the structure of the certification process, were established by BKS Iyengar. This system articulates his teaching methods, and provides credentials for individuals pursuing the path of yoga instruction.

Currently there are many levels, or grades, of certificates. Higher levels indicate that the instructor has a depth of knowledge, practice, teaching skills, and class room experience.

The certification mark has been developed to establish recognition for the work and merits of this program. It is your guarantee of a teacher that has developed, and been assessed for, a level of competency and maturity.

Look for the mark!

Our Staff

For more information on our teachers, substitutes and support staff, follow the links below:

Bob Whittinghill
Patrina Dobish
Lorene Zant
Substitute Teaching Staff
Support Staff

Bob Whittinghill

Bob Whittinghill has practiced yoga for nearly twenty years, and has been teaching Iyengar Yoga since 2000. Certified by IYNAUS at the Intermediate Junior 1 level, he cultivates the craft of instruction and the art of yoga, studying and apprenticing for the last 10 years with his mentor, Lois Steinberg. He has attended the Iyengar Institute in India for more than 4 months of study over 3 visits.

He draws upon his experience in the creative and performing arts, and his affinity for world civilizations, in his practice and teaching. Iyengar Yoga embodies a culture. It is rich with traditions, articulated practices, specialized language, iconography and an ethical standard. Bob endeavors that his classes enlighten students on that vast body of knowledge, and inspire them towards their own excavation of, and enculturation into, the opulence of Iyengar Yoga.

Aroused by the power of the spoken and written word, Bob has worked on the editorial staff of the magazines for 2 IYNAUS conventions, Odyssey 2001 and Yatra (2007). He was the editor-in-chief for Lois Steinberg's Geeta's Guide to a Woman's Yoga Practice, Volume 1 (2005), and has contributed numerous articles and interviews for publication on the subject on Iyengar Yoga. He also teaches public classes at Yoga Circle in River North.

Patrina Dobish

http://patrina.us

Patrina Dobish, a Certified Intermediate Junior 1 Iyengar Yoga instructor, has studied yoga her entire adult life. She helped found the Yoga Tree and is the Managing Director. Her studies include consistent tutelage with senior Iyengar Yoga teachers in the United States. Patrina has spent weeks at RIMYI (Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute) studying with Geeta, Prashant and BKS Iyengar. She has attended every Iyengar Yoga Convention held in the United States since 2001. The Estes Park convention where BKS Iyengar taught was also an opportunity she didn't miss.

Patrina is on the Board of Directors of IYNAUS. She was the Production Manager and Ombudsperson for Sadhana (2001) and Yatra (2007) convention magazines. Along with Jennie Williford, she spearheaded the redevelopment of the regional Iyengar Yoga Association of the Midwest (IYAMW) and served as the Ad Hoc Vice President from 2007 - 2009. When Patrina is not practicing yoga she is either pining for it or cycling somewhere to commune with nature, struck with existence.

Lorene Zant was certified as an Introductory Level II in 2006. She began studying Iyengar Yoga on Long Island, NY in 2001 and after moving to the Philadelphia area in 2003 she studied under Joan White. Joan holds an advanced level certificate and has been studying with B.K.S. Iyengar since 1973, during which time she visited India 27 times and assisted Geeta with various publications. Lorene was her weekly student, apprentice, and attendee at several of her teacher trainings. Joan is one of the major influences in Lorene’s life and and has had a profound impact on her teaching. Lorene has embraced Joan’s philosophy of interweaving the Yoga Sutras with asana practice, keeping precision of action and direction a priority in her classes. Additionally, she has taken workshops from numerous Senior Iyengar Teachers during the past 10 years.

The practice and instruction of Iyengar Yoga has brought clarity of thought, focus, and purpose to Lorene’s life, and fueled her efforts to complete a nursing degree in 2009. With this achievement, she is able to combine her desire to both heal and teach. In addition to teaching at the Yoga Tree, she teaches at venues in Lake County.

Ann Socha

Ann has been a dedicated student of Iyengar Yoga since she took her first class 1996.She has had the great privilege of studying with the Iyengar family in India as well as with senior teachers Manouso Manos, Nancy Crum Stechert and Lois Steinberg. When she's not practicing or teaching, Ann enjoys painting, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband and cat.

Jess Kane

Jess is a certified Iyengar yoga instructor who began studying Iyengar yoga in 1997 with senior teacher Lois Steinberg. Impressed by the impact of Iyengar yoga on her life, Jess quickly became a serious student and has continued practicing ever since. Jess has had the ultimate privilege of studying with B.K.S. Iyengar and his daughter Geeta. She began teaching in 2001 and teaches at Yoga Circle and Rast Ballet. Jess strives to make each class and practice challenging yet fun.

In addition to teaching yoga, Jess works at the Chicago Women's Health Center. She finds that her knowledge gained from working in the health field compliments her work as a yoga instructor. Jess is passionate about making yoga approachable for everyone and making health care an empowering experience that is accessible to all. When not doing yoga or working at the health center (or biking from one to the other) you can probably find her swimming at the lake or hanging out with family.

Natasha Julius

Natasha has been teaching yoga in Chicago for more than five years and completed her IYNAUS Introductory teaching certification in 2009. In addition to teaching and practicing, Natasha also works as a freelance writer and editor. She pens a weekly column and several features for The Beachwood Reporter as well as other local publications. She tries to approach teaching as she approaches most other endeavors - with an abundance of humor and good will.

Renee Cortez

In collaboration with Patrina Dobish, Renee has produced the asana practice manual for Yoga Tree.

Alice Lane

As Lake Street Church music director Alice has organized community gatherings which have included a Yoga demonstration. She also organized a panel discussion about Yoga and its origins for the community activities around the church.

Sarah Hanson

Founder and original director of the Yoga Tree, Sarah has provided invaluable and consistent support to the studio.