Jan Byrd is the owner of Metta Yoga Studio and a certified yoga instructor who received her certification from the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago in May 2007. She is also a registered teacher with the Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level. Jan has been studying yoga for four years. Her yoga studies with the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago began in early 2006 under Kim Schwartz and David Lipschutz. Jan is currently studying Kriology: The Mystical Tradition of Kriya Yoga through the Temple of Kriya Yoga. Jan is a member of The International Association of Yoga Therapists.
Jan came to yoga hoping to discover a way to reverse the physical and mental effects of an increasing sedentary lifestyle and found much more. Jan has personally experienced the life transforming qualities of a yoga practice and is excited about sharing it with others. "The benefits of yoga are extraordinary and diverse, a few of which include increased awareness and concentration, improved flexibility and breathing, decreased tension and anxiety, less illness, and overall better quality of life. Yoga is an approach to reducing stress and instilling a sense of balance in your personal life. Yoga will energize your mind and body, while it revitalizes your whole being."
Making yoga adaptable to every level of ability, regardless of age, is what most inspires Jan's teaching. Emphasis is placed on correct alignment, coordinating breath with movement, and self awareness.
When not giving yoga classes, Jan works as a legal secretary in a law firm and makes her home with her husband Jim and her cat Natasha.
Romana Kalova is a certified yoga instructor who received her certification from the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago in June 2007. She is also a registered teacher with the Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level. She has been studying yoga for three years. In July 2008, Romana became certified through the Temple of Kriya Yoga as a meditation teacher. Romana started her yoga studies with Yoga From the Beginning in Chicago in early 2006 under Meg Barber. Romana continues to study with Meg and also Mary Samano of the Temple of Kriya Yoga.
Coming from the Czech Republic in 2004, she was subsequently told to try yoga to help relieve pain from an old sports injury incurred back in her childhood. Romana found that yoga brought relief from back pain and headaches. But most of all, she found a journey of self discovery. "As I can see what a gift yoga is, as I can see through my own experience how much happier and peaceful we can be, my greatest joy is to share my love of yoga with others."
Romana's style of teaching places strong emphasis on alignment, sequencing, breath and inner awareness. With an open heart and mind she is attentive to each student and their individual needs. To deepen her practice, she continues to study the aspects of restorative, vinyasa and kriya yoga.
Romana believes that yoga and meditation are wonderful tools to use towards a happier life. She feels it is never too late to start as every day is a new beginning!
Printer Friendly Version ~ Return to Website