“Linda has a very rare depth of training and understanding of the yoga tradition, intertwined with brilliant intellect, compassion, and altruism. These qualities make her the ideal yoga teacher — someone who “walks the talk” in every way, whose concern is solely with helping others to flower. She is a jewel.” — Kevin K., 2010
When asked what style I teach, I can only say “mindful yoga.”
My own practice is always evolving, breath-based and heart-centered – open and free while remaining true to the ancient teachings. Sri Desikachar’s words are the cornerstone of my teaching: teach to people where they are and how they are and whatever happens, happens. I am not a “yoga therapist” but believe in the therapeutic benefits of yoga+breathwork+meditation properly applied to the individual.
My first OM was in 1973 with Beat Poet and Buddhist, Allen Ginsberg, and I have been a spiritual seeker ever since. I divide my time between home base in Batavia, Illinois and India..
Since the mid-1990s I have immersed myself in the study and practice of the complete path of classical yoga and meditation. Registered with the Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT, I have over 3,000 hours of combined training and teaching experience. Metta Yoga in an intuitive and eclectic practice based on Krishnamacharya’s method integrated with elements from other schools.
- In January, 2012 I will deepen my training in the Krishnamacharya yoga lineage by making my 6th trip to India to study yoga therapy with A.G. Mohan and return to the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram for an intensive on asana, pranayama, and meditative practices for the yogic anatomy of the subtle body.
- Certified to teach Trauma Sensitive Yoga by The Trauma Center, Brookline, Massachusetts. This training enables me to teach specialized yoga classes for people who have experienced trauma and/or those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Have traveled to India yearly since 2005 to study at the prestigious Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram with TKV Desikachar presiding.
- Completed the first Mindfulness Yoga and Meditation Training at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, being one of only two teachers from Illinois to attend this 18 month training. Studying with the world’s leading teachers of yoga and Buddhism, the training offered a solid experiential grounding in an integrated yoga and vipassana practice, as well as an in-depth exploration of the entwined history, philosophy, and techniques of classical yoga and Buddhism.
- Ongoing student of Srivatsa Ramaswami of Chennai, India who introduced me into the Vinyasa Krama method of Sri Krishnamacharya. It is an honor to be mentioned in the Acknowledgement of Sri Ramaswami’s book The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga as being one of the teachers who has “studied vinyasa yoga in depth with me” and who has “incorporated essentials of vinyasa krama into…teaching and practice even from Day 1.”
- Completed multiple Yin Yoga teacher trainings with Sarah Powers and Paul Grilley, who told me, “I am very gratified to know you are presenting a broad view of yoga and sharing with people more of the philosophical and spiritual sides of yoga.“ I was one of the first yin yoga teachers in the Chicago area and introduced yin yoga to the Arusha, Tanzania yoga community in 2010.
- Completed Levels 1 and 2 of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy training and created Metta Yoga® Therapeutics, a unique somatic healing modality deeply grounded in mindfulness practice.
- First certified to teach at Suddha Weixler’s Chicago Yoga Center.
Yoga and Buddhist philosophy are woven together to create classes that are a tapestry of breath-body-mind-spirit. Breath work, mindful observation of energy flow, and insight meditation are always part of my classes. I believe that yoga is the vehicle of self-transformation and true yoga is lived off the mat.
Email linda@metta-yoga.com or call 630.677.4501.
