Aasha Elliott (She/Her)

Studio Owner/Yoga + Meditation Instructor/Teacher Trainer, E-RYT 500, YACEP/LCSW

Aasha is a lover of all things yoga, meditation, mantra, astrology, chanting and singing. She is also currently working on drawing 108 Ganeshas and each one is a surprise in how he manifests! :)

Yoga has become an integral part of Aasha's life over the years, and preserving the authenticity of Chi-Town Shakti as a ShambhavAnanda Yoga® Center and supporting the growth of her students brings her so much joy. Aasha first welcomed yoga into her life several years ago when she was desperately seeking a "life-line". She first began to understand the true essence of "surrender" while melting into the exhale of a supine twist. Aasha continues to deepen her ability to surrender, to trust the divine and to open her heart through practice and through teaching. Aasha completed her 200-hour teacher training in 2012. She also completed Meditation Teacher Training in 2012 and is committed to daily yoga and meditation practices of her own. Aasha is passionate about sharing these invaluable practices that have become such an invaluable part of her life.

Aasha also holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Social work from Loyola University Chicago (2009) and also works as a clinical therapist. She frequently integrates yoga and meditation practices into her sessions with clients. Aasha feels eternally grateful for her practice, for the Chi-Town Shakti Yoga community, for her life-changing connection to ShambhavAnanda Yoga® and to her teacher/founder of ShambhavAnanda Yoga®, Babaji Shambhavananda.

Amanda Francis (She/Her)

Amanda experienced her first yoga class at age 15 during a summer dance camp and was immediately hooked. For the past 20 years, she has practiced a variety of yoga styles, eventually stumbling upon and falling in love with ShambhavAnanda Yoga®️. Studying at both Chi-town Shakti and Shoshoni Yoga Retreat, she obtained her 200-hour in 2014, and has since completed Levels 2 & 3, and 85-hour Prenatal certification. She is currently working toward her 500 hour certification and enjoys always being a student. 

In her spare time, you can find Amanda distance running alongside Lake Michigan, or doing acro yoga with her husband and 3 silly children in one of Chicago’s beautiful parks.

Sithara Vincent (They/Them)

Yoga + Meditation Instructor/Lead Teacher Trainer/E-RYT 500/YACEP/LCSW

Sithara aims to teach from the heart--bringing an authentic sense of groundedness to each class. After diving deeper into their journey with movement in 2015, Sithara began to reconnect with a daily yoga practice. At this time, they completed a capstone project researching the effects of movement on human empathy. Through this process, Sithara found forms of movement incorporated into mental health therapies. Sithara then happened upon Chi-Town Shakti in 2018 and immediately felt a connection with the people, the studio, and the school of ShambhavAnanda Yoga®.

Upon completing their 200hr certification at CTS in 2019, Sithara began to incorporate breathing techniques and movement into their daily practice of social work. Their main goal has been to continue making holistic forms of care more easily accessible to those in need. Sithara’s teaching focuses on pranayama (breathing techniques) to utilize the energy we all have to continue to heal and build a connection with ourselves and the world around us through Yoga. Sithara is thankful for the opportunity to continue this Yoga journey through practicing, teaching, and growing with their students. They hope to continue bringing this sense of gratitude to every class, and hope to continue to grow and learn along with their students. Sithara also completed ShambhavAnanda Yoga®️’s 30-hour Meditation Teacher Training in 2020.

Kisa Kowal (She/Her)

Yoga + Meditation Instructor/Yoga Teacher Training Director/RYT-200

Kisa discovered the magic of Yoga in 2006 when, during her first class, she experienced the deep connection between body, spirit, and breath and also managed to touch her toes without pain for the first time since childhood. An enthusiast of movement in all of its forms, she has enjoyed practicing many types including several styles of dance, Tae Kwon Do, hiking, swimming, and theatrical movement. In yoga, she found a unique combination of laughter and meditative movement that has been transformative and deeply nourishing.

 Kisa began taking classes at Chi-Town Shakti in 2008 and received her 200 hour teaching certification there in 2012. She has completed numerous trainings in both asana practice and meditation since that time and continues to work toward 500 hour certification.

Kisa is deeply grateful for the growth practicing ShambhavAnanda Yoga® has brought her both on and off the mat. As a teacher, she encourages each student to have their own journey, meet their body where it is at in this moment, explore the magic of the breath, and strengthen their connection to the love, laughter, and silence within. Kisa is passionate about exploring the use of props with students during yoga to experience asana in more accessible, more challenging, or in new and different ways! Yoga truly can be for everyone.  

Sam Sleva (she/her)

Sam has been regularly practicing yoga since 2015. She was initially attracted to the practice for physical movement and strength, but fell in love with the practice for its deep roots in ancient philosophy and practical application on and off the mat. She is passionate about building classes that equip students with mental and physical tools that support physical and spiritual growth. Certified as an RYT-200 through Chi-Town Shakti in 2025, she combines creative sequencing with an emphasis on breath, alignment, and accessibility. What she appreciates the most about Chi-Town Shakti is the commitment to yoga for everybody and every body. Off the mat, Sam works in corporate leadership development. She finds joy in both grounding and energizing activities - equally loving time bopping out in nature or around our beautiful city.

Tania Schusler (She/Her)

Yoga + Meditation Instructor/Teacher Trainer/RYT-200

Tania finds that yoga's integration of breath, movement, and meditation has led her to feel more centered, calm, adaptable, and present in all facets of life. She enjoys sharing yoga with others and encourages each student's personal experience. Originally from northern Illinois, Tania began practicing yoga while a graduate student in upstate New York and next lived in New Hampshire. Each time she moved, she sought a studio that felt welcoming and so was thrilled to discover Chi-Town Shakti when she settled in Chicago in 2012. She especially appreciates the supportive community at Chi-Town Shakti as she continues to learn and grow in her own yoga and meditation practice.

Tania completed the ShambhavAnanda Yoga® 200-hour training at Chi-Town Shakti in 2016 and Level 2 training in 2018. She has been a Certified ShambhavAnandaYoga® Meditation Instructor since 2022. Off the mat, Tania teaches environmental studies at Loyola University Chicago and enjoys reading, cycling, hiking, cross-country skiing, and spending time with family and friends.

Pamela Diaz (She/Her)

Pam was introduced to yoga in 2008 and was quickly drawn in by the physical and energetic benefits after just a few classes. She loves that yoga is a very individual practice and the idea that wherever you are in your practice is exactly where you are meant to be. She recently completed her 200-Hour Certification at Chi-Town Shakti and is appreciative of the kind, supportive community here.  

Off the mat, Pam works full time in the Environmental Sustainability field and enjoys running, stand up paddle boarding, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Jesenia Roman (She/Her)

Jessie received her 200-hour Hatha Yoga teacher training at Chi-Town Shakti in Spring of 2022. She is excited to complete Level 1 Meditation teacher training at the end of August. 

The wish to grow is alive and vibrant at Chi-Town Shakti and she is honored to be a part of the community as she continues to learn, grow, and explore her own practice, as well as sharing it with others. Jessie hopes to share the effort and ease, playfulness and reverence, spontaneity and structure she discovered on the mat to others on her journey of teaching. She thoroughly believes yoga and meditation are invaluable gifts and strives to create a space, both internally and externally, that nurtures curiosity, growth, and expansion.

Off the mat, Jessie spends her days tending houseplants as a horticultural technician, writing and reading fantasy stories, admiring the moon, and drinking copious amounts of tea.

Kirstin Safakas (She/Her)

Kirstin has been practicing yoga for 15 years, visiting dozens of studios around Chicago hoping to find a home. Upon consistently taking Chi-Town Shakti's Sunday night classes she realized that she had finally found it! Through slow-flows and Tuesday evening meditations Kirstin became a part of our community as well as a member of the larger Shambhavananda Yoga sangha. Wishing to deepen her practice during the pandemic she received her 200-hour certification and is now working towards her 500-hour through Shoshoni Yoga Retreat. She is also certified as a meditation instructor.

Candid about her own struggles with mental health, Kirstin credits yoga and meditation with supporting her journey towards wellness- physically, yes, but even more important, mentally and emotionally. Through teaching yoga she holds a warm and open space for those who may be on a similar journey, meeting people "where they are" on the way. She loves that the studio celebrates individuality and will always encourage students to come to class as their truest self.

Kirstin feels most alive when she's traveling, eating, laughing, and staying up late. Outside of working in communications for the Federal government, she also enjoys running, antique shops, cats (especially her own), poetry, and making a mess of her kitchen.

Renee Shurilla (She/Her)

Renee was introduced at an early age to meditation, and reiki. She fell in love with the practice of yoga when starting to take classes regularly in 2015. She received her 200-hour teaching certification through the ShambhavAnanda School of Yoga at Chi-Town Shakti in May of 2021, and is excited to bring her practice into teaching. She enjoys being a student, and plans to continue learning and working with her practice.

Renee’s style is grounding and calming, bringing in a sense of surrender. She hopes to provide a welcoming environment that is accessible to all. Through her yoga practice, she has found ways to listen to her mind and body and a greater appreciation of the art of being kind to yourself. This concept of self care and acceptance is something that she strives for in her own practice and while teaching.

Off the mat, Renee works as a licensed counselor, bringing tools of meditation and grounding into her therapy practice. She also enjoys creative writing, singing, music in general, and spending time with her husband and dog.

Denise Stein (She/Her)

Denise believes that Yoga is for every body! Along with physical benefits, Yoga can help us find greater compassion, curiosity, and presence. Denise began practicing Yoga over a decade ago, and completed her 200-hour Yoga teacher certification at Chi-Town Shakti in 2022. She also holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance. She enjoys camping, reading, growing plants, and learning about new topics with her trivia team. Denise hopes to cultivate classes that are grounding, calming, safe, and welcoming- especially for students who are just starting their Yoga journeys.

Justine Aten (she/her)

Justine has regularly practiced yoga at Chi Town Shakti (CTS) for over 10 years and recently completed CTS’s 200-hour yoga teacher certification program. She teaches to share her love of yoga and all its benefits with as many people as possible. In yoga, Justine has experienced many delights: a deeper connection to body and spirit, the centering and calming effects of meditation, and the transformative connection between breath and movement. She feels fortunate to have found yoga as a means to keep her body, mind and spirit healthy and strong.

As a teacher, Justine strives to make yoga accessible to all, regardless of experience, age or background. To that end, in class she provides options for postures and uses an abundance of props (blankets, blocks, bolsters, etc.). She strives to be very clear in her cueing, focusing on the connection between breath and movement. Justine brings her authentic self into her class and loves to help all find the joy in practicing yoga.

As her day job, Justine is a high school teacher. Off the mat, she enjoys reading, hiking, travel and spending time with her family and friends. Justine is deeply appreciative for the support of Chi Town Shakti and ShambhavAnanda Yoga®️ communities as she continues to grow in her yoga and meditation practice.

Sheeva Mahboobipoor (she/her)

Sheeva is an alignment-based yoga instructor who has been teaching since 2022, with a passion for guiding students into deeper presence through mindful movement and breath. Her classes emphasize pranayama and breath awareness, creating a grounded and nourishing space for students of all levels to reconnect with themselves.

With a love for slow flow sequences and restorative sound baths, Sheeva weaves in stillness, intention, and energy work to support healing on all levels - physical, emotional, and spiritual. As a Level III Reiki healer and professional tarot reader, she brings a multidimensional understanding of energy and intuitive guidance to her practice.

Sheeva’s goal as an instructor is to help people find inner peace, build a compassionate relationship with their body, and connect to the wisdom of higher energy and consciousness. Whether on the mat or in meditation, she holds space for others to remember the sacred within themselves.