nourishing traditions

Jody’s generous and graceful ways combined with her warm, soothing voice throughout the yoga class fill me with serenity, peace and spiritual refreshment.  Her unique ways turn kindness into an art form.  She is my point of reference for all other yoga classes. 

--Mary Mostaghim

Practicing yoga with Jody is a wonderful experience. The postures and guided meditation feel so good. She guides us into a state of deep relaxation, physically and mentally, so that I can carry the relaxation back home to my family, workplace, and other parts of my life.

Her positive, joyful, loving and supportive presence is a reflection of what yoga is all about. She has so much great positive and creative energy you feel renewed just being around her.

--Jean Winfree

In the three years I have known Jody, we have had interesting professional and personal interactions on several different levels. I have greatly enjoyed taking a yoga class with her and have appreciated how well she therapeutically integrates teaching postures, breathing techniques, chanting and meditation. Because of her unique abilities in these areas, I regularly refer patients to her classes as well as for private instruction.

--Dennis K. Chernin, MD, MPH 

Jody's class was my first true yoga class experience, so I started to think that all yoga classes were of this nature. I began to attend various yoga classes in Chicago and realized I didn't really like any of them. None of them were quite like Jody's class. After searching for years for a class like Jody's, I finally did a search on Jody and discovered she was trained in Sivananda yoga. I then started to attend yoga classes at the Sivananda Yoga center in Chicago and loved it.  Shortly thereafter I decided to complete my teacher training in Sivananda Yoga and I traveled to the International Headquarters in Val Morin where I completed my teacher training in 2005. I then taught Sivananda style yoga in Chicago, both at the center as well as in high schools. Even as a yoga teacher, I remember Jody when conducting my classes. I particularly think of her when I am teaching during the final relaxation, as she has the gift of relaxing me to the fullest.  No matter how agitated or distracted my mind is, her final relaxation at the end of her class brings me to the most relaxed state where literally everything seems to fade away.  Yoga has now become an integral part of my life, and all of it began with Jody's class.

--Anita Aysola

I love that Jody stresses the importance of using what we learn in class to enhance our experiences and bring more peace to our daily lives.  The messages she sends us during the week discussing various aspects of yoga are occasional reminders of those benefits.

--Rebecca Shiemke

I was nervous to try yoga and did not know what to expect. I have never been flexible and was sure that I could not relax for 90 minutes. However, I have found that I truly enjoy Jody’s class and look forward to it each week. Jody is a great instructor and very inspiring.  Everyone in the class is able to go at our own pace and Jody offers encouraging words as we try new things.  The class gives me time each week to focus, relax and enjoy being aware of myself.  I am learning to use the techniques from class to center myself during the week.

-- Jennifer Bentley

Jody is my top choice yoga teacher and has been for more than 15 years... If my work and leisure activities are the branches of my life, then my weekly yoga class at Be in Awe (a magical jungle-like sanctuary) gives me the roots to support everything I do.

--Cherie Wolfe