OUR TEACHERS
Cara Chang Mutert, E-RYT500
is owner/director of The Yoga Lounge, which she founded in 2004. Cara’s teaching style is Iyengar alignment based, gentle, meditative, flowing and therapeutic in nature. With more than 30 years of study, practice, and 1000+ hours of training, Cara leads Yoga Alliance approved 200 and 300 hour teacher training programs, and domestic and international yoga retreats.
She earned her 500-hour advanced certification in 2010 from Prairie Yoga, with Lori Gaspar and Gabriel Halpern, and recently earned an additional 500-hour certification as a result of her continued studies with Tias Little at Prajna Yoga. She received her 200-hr. certification with Kim Schwartz through the Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago. She continues to study with her teachers is so grateful for their inspiration and encouragement. Cara also wrote and created the first credited yoga courses at McHenry County College, and has served on the adjunct faculty there since 2007.
Cara currently teaches on Mondays at 10 a.m. and Friday mornings at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., monthly The Ropes and Wall Flow classes, along with various special workshops, 200 and 300-hour yoga teacher trainings. and private sessions focusing on therapeutics and specific individual needs. Cara extends her deepest gratitude to all her teachers, students, family and friends for their love, loyalty, and support throughout her journey.
Jon Uidl
began his yoga journey in 2006 at The Yoga Lounge and is now a 500-hour yoga instructor. He trained at Moksha Yoga Center, Chicago with Daren Friesen, Kim Wilcox and Rich Logan, and at Prajna Yoga, Santa Fe, NM with Tias Little. He continues to study with master teachers Gabriel Halpern and Tias Little. He teaches Restorative Yoga on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., Mindful Vinyasa on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and monthly Yin Yoga on First Fridays at 5:30 p.m.. Jon is a primary faculty member and mentor of our Teacher Training programs.
Nancy Loessl
is a 500-hr certified yoga instructor whose love of yoga began when she started taking classes as cross training to running. Nancy was very quickly “addicted” to yoga and wanted to learn more, so she enrolled in the teacher training program at the Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Center, Palatine. Her training is based on traditional Hatha yoga as founded by Swami Rama in the Himalayas in India. Nancy completed her 200-hour certification in September 2011. She enjoys teaching all-level classes giving options to make it just right for each student. Nancy teaches Slow Flow every Thursday at 9 a.m., assists on The Yoga Lounge Retreats, and is a mentor for our 500 hour training program.
Denise Yager
began practicing yoga in 2000, completed her 200-hour training at Kalitrea in 2004 and has been teaching yoga ever since. She recently completed her 500 hour certification at Prairie Yoga. Her interest in making yoga accessible has led her to teach classes for everyone from young children to senior citizens. The teachers who continue to have the biggest influence on her teaching style include Jill Thomas, Gabriel Halpern, Paul Grilley, Rolf Gates, and Susi Hately. She has attended workshops on yoga for seniors, yoga for osteoporosis and yin yoga and has taught anatomy to yoga teachers in training for the past five years. She enjoys developing a warm and friendly class environment that supports brand new students while challenging experienced practitioners. Denise teaches Yoga Basics on Fridays at 8:30 a.m. and leads and is a primary faculty member of our 200 and 300 hour Teacher Training programs, leading the anatomy portion of our trainings.
Eileen Filler
is a long-time student of The Yoga Lounge and has trained and practiced at the studio for more than 10 years and completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at The Yoga Lounge. Eileen, who is also a Registered Nurse, brings her knowledge of anatomy, yoga, reflexology, reiki and other energy work to her teaching, along with her valuable experience working with seniors struggling with dementia and Alzheimer’s as former Day Program Manager and Intake Coordinator at Family Alliance for the past five years. Eileen’s teaching style reflects her understanding of working with seniors and focuses more on restorative, therapeutic aspects of the practice. She is a certified Laughing Yoga instructor and earned her 200-hour teacher training at The Yoga Lounge, and is now studying for her 500 hour certification with us. Eileen teaches Chair Yoga on Mondays at 11:30 a.m.
Jori Toman
has been practicing yoga since 2010. Believing she only wanted and needed the physical benefits of yoga, she practiced quietly and discreetly in her home. It wasn’t until she attended her first yoga class that she realized there is so much more to gain from yoga. “I didn’t think I was interested in anything spiritual or meditative, but I was so mistaken. It’s actually exactly what I need.” For the past 5 years, Jori has built a passion for taking and teaching aerial fitness classes which led to her motivation for practicing yoga. “Yoga balances me out physically and mentally.” Jori completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program at The Yoga Lounge. “Every single one of my instructors has provided me with amazing knowledge that I will use in my yoga journey as a student and as an instructor. With an open heart and an open mind, there is always more to learn. I am forever grateful for and humbled by my yoga practice.” Jori teaches Thai Yoga on Mondays at 7 a.m. and All Level Yoga on Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Theresa Hay
is a 200-hour certified instructor completing her training at The Yoga Lounge, and is currently enrolled in the 500 hour advanced training.
“I began my yoga practice much the way many of us do, I was looking for a gentle day off from running to stretch my body. It wasn’t until I was a mother of two that I really found that what I needed from my practice was the quiet moments on my mat to learn to center myself against the demands and whirlwind that is motherhood and life itself. It’s also what draws me to share in this wonderful practice with others. I hope to help those who come to my classes to find their calm and their moments of peace before heading back out to their lives. When I’m not teaching you can find me knitting or baking treats for friends and family. ”
Theresa currently teaches Sunrise Yoga on Wednesday mornings at 7 a.m.
Ash Walitschek
Ash’s teaching style is rooted in Iyengar based alignment, with added vinyasa movement, meditation and breathwork. In her classes, she combines spiritual wisdom with practical tools, delving into transformative concepts like the chakras and various yogic philosophies. Ash encourages students to explore the power of affirmations, thought patterns, and nervous system regulation. This allows students to see and feel the shift in their practice, cultivating a stronger connection to their transcendental voyage as well as strengthening their mind and body.
Having completed a rigorous 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2020, Ash continues her journey in the 500-hour yoga teacher training program at the Woodstock Yoga Lounge, under the guidance of experienced mentors.
With a focus on safety and alignment, Ash ensures a nurturing environment, offering an abundance of props and heightened awareness of body mechanics.
Inspired by the transformative power of yoga on the mind, body, and soul, Ash draws wisdom from revered teachers like Cara Mutert, John Uidle, and master Gabriel Helpern, whom she will always have immense gratitude for showing her the way and holding space for her emotional heart.
Ash teaches Feel & Flow on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Slow Flow on Saturdays at 9 a.m.
Linda Cannizzo
Linda teaches a Hatha style, alignment-based practice. She enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities. She believes in meeting her students where they are and offering them a safea caring environment to explore their practice.
She received her 200-hour certification with Himalayan Yoga in 2009 with Rolf Sovik and Sandra Andersen. In 2014 she received her 500-hour certification with Lori Gaspar at Prairie Yoga. She has studied with Gabriel Halpern and Tias Little, and continues to be inspired by Cara Mutert and the other teachers at the Yoga Lounge. Linda is a mentor in the 500 hour Teacher Training program and currently teaches the All Levels class on Mondays at 5:30.
One of Linda’s most important values is creating community, and she is very grateful to be a part of the beautiful community at The Yoga Lounge.
Linda teaches All-Level Yoga on Mondays at 5:30 p.m.
Katherine Greenlee
Katherine has been practicing at the Yoga Lounge for about 11 years and recently completed the Meditation Teacher Training Program at the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago, IL. “In my guided meditation classes, learn how to reduce stress through the basic technique of Observing the Breath. This simple method allows you to quiet the mind and tap in to your own inner peace and stillness. In subsequent classes, experience the healing effects of Visualization, generate more positivity through the Object of Beauty technique and further deepen your meditative experience. I look forward to sharing the benefits of meditation with you!” Katherine teaches Beginning Yoga & Meditation on Thursdays at 6 p.m. and a FREE monthly guided Meditation on select Sundays.
Tatiana Enders
Tatiana has been training at The Yoga Lounge for 2 years and has been studying movement since very early in life, including gymnastics, martial arts, dance, Pilates and other disciplines where one seeks to master the self rather than compete against another. She was drawn to study yoga more deeply because of the spiritual aspect beyond the asana movements. Through her practice she continues to discover a deeper balance she never knew was available.
In addition to her training at our studio, Tatiana studies consistently with master teacher Gabriel Halpern of the Iyengar lineage. She is excited to bring her understanding of alignment and details of body mechanics to The Yoga Lounge.
Tatiana is teaching an Iyengar-based alignment class this summer on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m.
Kelly Jensen
started her yoga journey in 2016 as part of her mental health management and immediately fell in love with all of the benefits of the practice on and off the mat. She earned her 500-hour certification in 2020 through Wild Abundant Life, where she honed her skills as a bold, empowering, and supportive teacher. Her style is slow and mindful, with a focus on alignment and breath. Kelly has been practicing at The Yoga Lounge since she moved to Woodstock in early 2018 and loves the community here. She currently is teaching Vin Yin on Sundays at 7 p.m.
Chelsea Vlcek
Chelsea is our Studio Administrator, managing managing Punchpass, memberships, customer communications, our video library and other vital functions. She received her RYT-200 certification from The Yoga Lounge in 2019 to complement her masters in mental health counseling. She has a particular interest in the mind/body connection and the effect of meditation on well being.
Carina Vowels
In the spring of 2017 Carina celebrated the completion of her first 200hrs of yogic studies with Megan Grace and Keith Borden at Perennial Yoga Wisdom School in Madison, WI. Carina's tenacious curiosity brought her to yoga and is what allows her to continuously unearth new ways to perceive the world. She wants to share her curiosities with others by cultivating an ever-present field for questions regarding the movement of the body, the intricacies of the mind and the mystery of the spirit that lives in all beings. Her enthusiasm for the use of props to enhance asanas allow her slow flow Vinyasa style to be accessible to all students. She is enchanted by the way each of the elements manifest throughout the practice of yoga and honors these phenomena by encouraging a playful yet reverent space to experiment. Carina currently manages our social media marketing and photography.
Nicole LaPak
Like many of my fellow yogis, I was initially drawn to yoga for the physical benefits of stretching and strengthening my body. I needed a way to help my body heal and recover from years of running. I quickly fell in the love with yoga and the way the practice makes me feel both physically and emotionally. Shortly after I began practicing yoga, I took what I was learning and integrated mindfulness, breathing and asanas into my Kindergarten classroom. This was the beginning of my yoga teaching journey. I believe that yoga should be accessible to everyone at every stage of life. I enjoy teaching a slow flow style using props and compassion, encouraging growth and gratitude both on and off the mat.
Catherine Carroll
completed her 200-hr Yoga Teacher Certification at The Yoga Lounge in the Fall of 2018. She began her yoga journey in the late 1990’s at Kalitrea Yoga where she first attended a class with Gabriel Halpern and was later introduced to the Viniyoga tradition and chair yoga by Nan Palmer, of Abiding Yoga Therapy. Catherine’s teaching style incorporates the Viniyoga tradition, which invites a focus on the breath as a support. She often incorporates mudra positions for the hands and enjoys sharing a yoga nidra style guided breath imagery in the final relaxation of savasana. She feels blessed to say, “In our changing world, I remain grateful to have found and to be part of the love and support that makes The Yoga Lounge such a special community.” Catherine frequently subs at The Yoga Lounge.
Kiaya Freeze
Kiaya began practicing yoga 15 years ago as a teenager in high school. As a lifelong figure skater she instantly fell in love with the poetic movements of yoga and planned on becoming a power vinyasa teacher. However, along the way she discovered a passion for teaching beginners, seniors, and anyone who felt uncomfortable on the mat. She's been practicing at The Yoga Lounge since 2018 when she joined the 200 RYT program and since then, successfully completed her teacher training certification.
Robin Janiga
My passion for yoga has developed out of a desire to experience every type of activity I can. I worked in the fitness industry at Health Bridge Fitness Center for 11 years and before that taught aerobics at a local club. After many years of pushing my body to its limits it began to push back. I need an outlet for my mental and physical well being. Yoga has given me the total package. The need for us all to slow down and breathe is priceless at any age. Robin completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at The Yoga Lounge and subs at the Yoga Lounge whenever she can.