Paula has a great curiosity for movement mechanics and the art of moving.  She has pursued this interest on many levels and earned a BA and MFA in Dance. Her interest continued as she became a certified yoga teacher and then a certified Pilates teacher. She has spent two decades teaching dance, yoga, and pilates at the studio, community and university level.

Her interest in anatomy, kinesiology and movement mechanics led her to pursue a degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Since 2013 she has worked extensively in outpatient orthopedics and honed strong manual therapy skills.

Whether in the studio or the clinic she hopes to help others to have a better human experience through movement. She is especially interested in efficient movement mechanics to reduce pain and increase the longevity that we have in our daily lives, activities, and sports.

Q&A with Paula Biasi Trusky

Q. How long have you been a physical therapist assistant?
A. 5 years.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. Manual therapy complemented by the use of yoga, pilates and other somatic practices as therapeutic exercise.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. As a Physical Therapist Assistant, Pilates teacher and Yoga teacher, I like to combine my deep background in movement and my knowledge of anatomy with an interest in injury prevention and rehabilitation. My treatments emphasize manual therapy, teaching self-care techniques, efficient mechanics, and functional movement patterns.

Q. What can a new patient expect?
A. My patients can expect to feel comfortable and at ease in my care. I aim to treat the whole person and not just the affected body part. I think that people have a right and obligation to be educated about their bodies. Patients can expect to learn about their anatomy and habits and learn how to manage their injuries or areas of pain in their daily lives.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A. I am very interested in natural movement fitness. I think we need to train our bodies for what we expect them to do on a daily basis and also use our bodies for tasks that they have evolved to perform, which is not sitting at a desk all day!

Q. What are your current personal wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. I am focusing on eating and moving for wellbeing. For me that means eating a diet based around real whole foods, with room for chocolate of course!  I’m moving my body with the aim of being strong, mobile and as agile and pain free as I can be. There are high standards for women in our society to look a certain way. My wellness goals revolve around letting my body find its natural stasis point when I move and eat to feel good and healthy.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. Only three?! Move my body (yes that’s vague, but I love to move in all sorts of ways), hang with my pooch Roxy and cook delicious food.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. The east and west river trails just north of Invivo.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. For pizza I like Tranfer Pizzeria (best crust ever) and for Thai food I love EE-sane, they do spice right!

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. My hobbies help me to relax. Taking my dog for a nice long walk, practicing yoga, and enjoying a glass of wine.

RYT, ACE-Certified Personal Trainer
Yoga Instructor
Fitness Instructor
Wellness Director

Living with painful headaches and joint instability, Cynthia began studying yoga and strength training to improve her own well being in 2003. Wanting to share this same sense of freedom and make yoga accessible to as many people as possible, she received her 200-RYT certification from Feel Your Best (FYB) whose philosophy is the “Person not the Pose.” Upon graduating in 2005, she began teaching a gentle, benefits-oriented teaching style that incorporates Iyengar (alignment), Ashtanga (power), Viniyoga (therapeutic) yoga. Over the last 10+ years, she’s lead alignment-based, accessible yoga classes that balance effort with ease. She encourages conversation, individual discovery as well as ways to personalize the yoga practice. Cynthia’s worked with clients of all fitness levels, abilities, and ages.

Ever inquisitive, she continues her yoga education through personal study, workshops and conferences. She’s certified in Chair Yoga with Stacie Dooreck’s SunLight Yoga and certified in Core Functional Fitness with Hope Zvara. As a certified ACE Personal Trainer, she brings functional movements, postural strength, and healthy range of motion to her yoga classes. As a certified TRX instructor, she enjoys teaching accessible fitness classes on the suspension trainers. As a certified NETA Wellness Coach, she shares ways to add healthy habits and reduce stress in everyday life. She’s also a member of Yoga Alliance.

Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Graphic Design from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Prior to teaching, coaching and consulting full time, she worked in corporate marketing and communication departments in several industries for 23 years.

To give back to the yoga community, for the past 10 years she has donated her service and talents at Yoga Journal Conferences around the USA.

Q&A with Cynthia Akey

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2005 and practicing since 2003. But I found my first yoga book when I was 13 and started practicing some of the asanas. It opened a whole new world.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I specialize in alignment-based practice and have experience teaching gentle, therapeutic, restorative, chair, yin, vinyasa, corporate, yoga for runners/athletes and yoga for beginners.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I came from a place of pain – migraines and joint instability. Being hypermobile, I sought structure and strength and was drawn to Iyengar yoga and its use of props to make it accessible. I am fascinated with intentional energy and breathwork incorporating these into each pose. As I age, my practice continues to evolve to better suit my daily needs.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A student can expect to approach each practice with a beginner’s mind and awaken personal “a-ha” moments. I specialize in uncovering the subtleties of asana, pranayama and meditation. In each class, I encourage discussion and offer moments for individual discovery so that each student may make the practice their own. To ensure classes are accessible, we’ll use props – wall, chairs, bolsters, blocks and straps. Mindful modifications and hands-on adjustments will be provided.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. I’ve seen a shift from a practice of personal development and self-reflection to one of action and activism. While yogis are here to inspire health and wellness, we can awaken and transform our hearts, minds and community.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. Balancing work and life. Too often we overextend ourselves to do more. Currently, I’m focused on mantra, meditation, pranayama, making time for reflection and some quality sleep.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I spent the last few years living in a land-locked city in northern California. I really missed Bradford Beach and Lake Michigan. I love to watch the waves and walk on the sand. It’s a great place to meditate and renew my spirit. I missed the seasons too – so it’s great watching the trees leaves change colors.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. So much has changed in the past few years while I have been away. It’s been fun to rediscover the Milwaukee area. I really enjoy Blue’s Egg because breakfast is my favorite meal.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I love to travel with my husband, spend time with my cat who behaves like a dog, and learn anything. I also enjoy being creative – with food, jewelry, graphic design, and event planning.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. To reduce stress, I visit my “beach” – in person or just visualize it. I like to get some exercise – walking in nature, riding my spin bike, or practicing yoga and pranayama. I’m a fan of old movies and musicals. So a cup of tea and “Hello, Dolly” help me laugh and smile.

CYT

Lauren’s journey with yoga began when she was in college and in need of a physical form of exercise to stay in shape. As her practice evolved over the years, she discovered the life-changing effects that practicing yoga both on and off the mat can have on the mind, body, and soul.

Through yoga and its philosophy, she was inspired to be the best version of herself she could be and found the confidence to follow her heart and intuition to live the life she had always dreamed of. She believes in surrendering to the workings of the universe to find stillness and tranquility in the mind, something that she had struggled with for quite some time in her own life. She is both excited and humbled to be able to share this wisdom and join her students on their journeys with yoga!

Lauren received her 200-Hour YTT certification through the Yandara Yoga Institute in Baja California, Mexico. Here, she studied Hatha Yoga, including Vinyasa Flow, Yin and Restorative, Prenatal, and Kundalini. Each class incorporated meditation, mantra, and a variety of pranayama techniques.

She strives to incorporate the many elements of yoga into each of her classes, making each class memorable and inspiring. Her aim in class is to encourage her students to call attention to their own inner radiance, and to honor this radiance through the connection of breath and movement!

Q&A with Lauren Wein

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I completed my 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training with Yandara Yoga Institute in Baja California, Mexico in June 2019. Here we practiced the many aspects of yoga from sun up to sun down, including participation in satya circles, nightly satsang gatherings, meditation, mantra, and asana practice. My personal practice began in 2013 when I was a freshman at the University of Minnesota, and I have been practicing ever since!

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. As a teacher, I specialize in connecting the emotional, energetic, and spiritual body with the physical body and breath. I want each of my students to walk away from my class feeling inspired and renewed, ready to take on any challenges that life may throw their way with an open mind and an open heart.

Currently, I specialize in Hatha and Kundalini yoga, and I am working towards a certification in Pre-Natal/Pregnancy yoga.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I needed a new outlook on life, as I came from a place where I felt I was always reaching for something more, continuously searching for the one thing that was missing in my life. Through my journey with incorporating yoga and its philosophy in my daily life, I discovered that the only thing that was missing was my ability to feel and show appreciation and gratitude for the things I’ve had all along.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A new student can expect to feel balanced and liberated as we work up a sweat lengthening and strengthening the muscles. I will encourage you to flow through the postures as if you are performing your own unique dance, while no one is watching or passing judgement! By incorporating traditional Indian music and kirtan into each class, I invite my students to open their hearts and their minds, and find empowerment in their movements.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. Discussions on yoga and yoga therapy helping with depression and mental health. Now a days with all the technology and social media, yoga can be seen as a good release for anyone who may be struggling.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. I am working on using the three elements of Kriya Yoga from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as a guideline to live a balanced life: self-discipline in finding time for my own personal yoga practice each week, self-study in recognizing my faults and applying life’s lessons, and staying present each day as opposed to worrying about the future, the past, or things outside of my control.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I love the view of Milwaukee from the end of the break wall on Lake Michigan!

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. Dorsia on Brady Street! They offer flights of pasta and INCREDIBLE pizzas with super fresh ingredients! The best pizza I ever had was the Prosciutto, a pizza that has a fig mostardo base. Delicious!!!

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I love to play competitive sand and indoor volleyball! I’ve been playing at Bradford Beach for the past few summers and it is always a blast.

Right now, I am learning how to play the ukulele and I would like to make this a hobby of mine one day!

TRAVEL! I have a permanent travel bug living inside of me. Nothing excites me more than stepping off an airplane in a new country or city.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. I love to spend time outside in nature when I need a way to de-stress. Nothing a good, long hike through the woods can’t fix!

I also find meditation with mantras to be a beneficial. Whenever I am feeling stressed about something that is out of my control, I turn to my Mala beads and my list of favorite mantras, and I pick a mantra that offers the wisdom I may need in that present moment.

Registered Yoga Teacher, professional dancer

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Devin Settle has been practicing yoga since 2011 when she was introduced to it as a dance major at UW-Milwaukee. As a former front desk associate at Invivo, she was able to experience some of the best teachers Milwaukee had to offer and deepen her practice. 

Devin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from UW-Milwaukee. She has taught dance and dances professionally with the Panadanza Dance Company.

In 2019, she decided to pursue a 200-hr yoga teacher training at Empower Yoga in Milwaukee. This experience held profound meaning and introduced Devin to a great passion for teaching. She loves connecting with students, especially those who are new to yoga. 

Her past experiences with dance and the Alexander Technique influence the structure of her classes, and she always prioritizes offering students the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of meditation. Yogis are encouraged to playfully ride the edge of their perceived limits, and if you fall, smile and try again.

Q & A
How long have you been an instructor?
I’ve been a yoga instructor since the beginning of 2020.

What areas do you specialize in?
I primarily teach Slow Flow Vinyasa, Power Yoga and Guided Meditation.

What brought you to your current style of practice?
I try to teach what I know and what has provided me the most pain relief. I believe in remaining authentic by teaching what I practice.

What can a new student expect?
New students can expect me to break down poses and then offer more difficult layers for those who want to try to advance their practice. My classes start with a grounding pose, move through a flow, and then come back to grounding poses at the end.

What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
I’ve noticed an increase of yoga studios that offer heated classes. I’ve experienced heated classes which are very enjoyable, and some that I think go a bit past wellness and into potentially harmful territory. I would suggest to any student who is interested in heated yoga to start slow, drink plenty of water, and always keep their health as the top priority.

What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
Recently I’ve been working with a personal trainer to build strength, especially in my upper body. It’s tough but helps me grow in other areas of fitness!

What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
Kadish Park, just off of North Ave. It offers the most beautiful view of downtown Milwaukee, especially at sunset!

What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
Ohh, so many amazing restaurants! I’m a huge fan of Blue Star Cafe.

What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
Biking/hiking the trails of Milwaukee’s park system, painting in my backyard, and performing as a dancer in a company.

What do you do to de-stress?
If I have the opportunity to get in a kayak, I love spending time on the water. I love to be outdoors, immersed in nature. If I can’t get outside, I enjoy taking baths with candles, salts, a great music playlist—all the good things! I also love to sing in my car and cuddle with my kitty.

Check out the INVIVO Wellness Class schedule.

RYT
Yoga Instructor

A Wisconsin native, Lindsey Ruenger has been teaching yoga since becoming certified in 2018. With a background in dance, she felt naturally drawn to the practice of yoga. Her exploration as a teacher has brought her a sense of overwhelming purpose. She finds it a gift to be able to offer students a safe space to let go and find ease in movement.

But even as a teacher, she sees herself as a student – always learning and exploring the practice with open eyes. You can expect her classes to be fluid, dynamic and strengthening with an emphasis on breath. In addition to yoga, Lindsey currently teaches mindfulness practices and dances professionally.

Q&A with Lindsey Ruenger

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since getting certified in summer 2018. However, I have taught dance and fitness classes since 2011.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I love teaching all styles of yoga but have a core understanding in Hatha.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I began practicing yoga throughout my dance career, explored different styles and landed on Hatha yoga during my teacher training. But, my personal practice looks different every day. I really try to listen to my body and its needs physically, mentally and spiritually. Sometimes this can result in a rigorous flow, and sometimes a meditation or restorative practice.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. Students can expect my classes to be easeful and flowing while also strengthening and dynamic. Most importantly, I prioritize connecting the movement to breath.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. I’m a big advocate for kids yoga and meditation. I really believe children need it because they can internalize stress and tough emotions in the same way that adults do. I also have been involved with teaching yoga at outdoor festivals, a trend I’ve been seeing bloom over the last few years. I think bringing people together to connect with nature, each other and themselves is so rewarding. It really makes for a fun and vibrant experience.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. My current wellness goals are to maintain a healthy, balanced diet while continuing to move my body in a variety of ways (yoga, pilates, circuit training, etc.). Most recently, I am working on building a consistent daily meditation practice. I also have chronic pain and tightness in my shoulders so an at-home yoga practice with lots of heart openers is very needed!

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. Three Bridges Park. I performed there once and it has a special place in my heart.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. Too many places to choose! – EE Sane, Maharaja, Thai Kitchen

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. Aside from yoga, I love to dance, travel and spend time with my family, friends and hateful cat 🙂

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. Practice yoga, mindfulness/meditation, take long walks or enjoy a glass of wine with cheese

RYT, ACE-Certified Personal Trainer
Yoga Instructor
Fitness Instructor
Wellness Director

Living with painful headaches and joint instability, Cynthia began studying yoga and strength training to improve her own well being in 2003. Wanting to share this same sense of freedom and make yoga accessible to as many people as possible, she received her 200-RYT certification from Feel Your Best (FYB) whose philosophy is the “Person not the Pose.” Upon graduating in 2005, she began teaching a gentle, benefits-oriented teaching style that incorporates Iyengar (alignment), Ashtanga (power), Viniyoga (therapeutic) yoga. Over the last 10+ years, she’s lead alignment-based, accessible yoga classes that balance effort with ease. She encourages conversation, individual discovery as well as ways to personalize the yoga practice. Cynthia’s worked with clients of all fitness levels, abilities, and ages.

Ever inquisitive, she continues her yoga education through personal study, workshops and conferences. She’s certified in Chair Yoga with Stacie Dooreck’s SunLight Yoga and certified in Core Functional Fitness with Hope Zvara. As a certified ACE Personal Trainer, she brings functional movements, postural strength, and healthy range of motion to her yoga classes. As a certified TRX instructor, she enjoys teaching accessible fitness classes on the suspension trainers. As a certified NETA Wellness Coach, she shares ways to add healthy habits and reduce stress in everyday life. She’s also a member of Yoga Alliance.

Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Graphic Design from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Prior to teaching, coaching and consulting full time, she worked in corporate marketing and communication departments in several industries for 23 years.

To give back to the yoga community, for the past 10 years she has donated her service and talents at Yoga Journal Conferences around the USA.

Q&A with Cynthia Akey

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2005 and practicing since 2003. But I found my first yoga book when I was 13 and started practicing some of the asanas. It opened a whole new world.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I specialize in alignment-based practice and have experience teaching gentle, therapeutic, restorative, chair, yin, vinyasa, corporate, yoga for runners/athletes and yoga for beginners.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I came from a place of pain – migraines and joint instability. Being hypermobile, I sought structure and strength and was drawn to Iyengar yoga and its use of props to make it accessible. I am fascinated with intentional energy and breathwork incorporating these into each pose. As I age, my practice continues to evolve to better suit my daily needs.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A student can expect to approach each practice with a beginner’s mind and awaken personal “a-ha” moments. I specialize in uncovering the subtleties of asana, pranayama and meditation. In each class, I encourage discussion and offer moments for individual discovery so that each student may make the practice their own. To ensure classes are accessible, we’ll use props – wall, chairs, bolsters, blocks and straps. Mindful modifications and hands-on adjustments will be provided.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. I’ve seen a shift from a practice of personal development and self-reflection to one of action and activism. While yogis are here to inspire health and wellness, we can awaken and transform our hearts, minds and community.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. Balancing work and life. Too often we overextend ourselves to do more. Currently, I’m focused on mantra, meditation, pranayama, making time for reflection and some quality sleep.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I spent the last few years living in a land-locked city in northern California. I really missed Bradford Beach and Lake Michigan. I love to watch the waves and walk on the sand. It’s a great place to meditate and renew my spirit. I missed the seasons too – so it’s great watching the trees leaves change colors.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. So much has changed in the past few years while I have been away. It’s been fun to rediscover the Milwaukee area. I really enjoy Blue’s Egg because breakfast is my favorite meal.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I love to travel with my husband, spend time with my cat who behaves like a dog, and learn anything. I also enjoy being creative – with food, jewelry, graphic design, and event planning.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. To reduce stress, I visit my “beach” – in person or just visualize it. I like to get some exercise – walking in nature, riding my spin bike, or practicing yoga and pranayama. I’m a fan of old movies and musicals. So a cup of tea and “Hello, Dolly” help me laugh and smile.

RYT, ACE-Certified Personal Trainer
Yoga Instructor
Fitness Instructor
Wellness Director

Living with painful headaches and joint instability, Cynthia began studying yoga and strength training to improve her own well being in 2003. Wanting to share this same sense of freedom and make yoga accessible to as many people as possible, she received her 200-RYT certification from Feel Your Best (FYB) whose philosophy is the “Person not the Pose.” Upon graduating in 2005, she began teaching a gentle, benefits-oriented teaching style that incorporates Iyengar (alignment), Ashtanga (power), Viniyoga (therapeutic) yoga. Over the last 10+ years, she’s lead alignment-based, accessible yoga classes that balance effort with ease. She encourages conversation, individual discovery as well as ways to personalize the yoga practice. Cynthia’s worked with clients of all fitness levels, abilities, and ages.

Ever inquisitive, she continues her yoga education through personal study, workshops and conferences. She’s certified in Chair Yoga with Stacie Dooreck’s SunLight Yoga and certified in Core Functional Fitness with Hope Zvara. As a certified ACE Personal Trainer, she brings functional movements, postural strength, and healthy range of motion to her yoga classes. As a certified TRX instructor, she enjoys teaching accessible fitness classes on the suspension trainers. As a certified NETA Wellness Coach, she shares ways to add healthy habits and reduce stress in everyday life. She’s also a member of Yoga Alliance.

Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Graphic Design from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Prior to teaching, coaching and consulting full time, she worked in corporate marketing and communication departments in several industries for 23 years.

To give back to the yoga community, for the past 10 years she has donated her service and talents at Yoga Journal Conferences around the USA.

Q&A with Cynthia Akey

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2005 and practicing since 2003. But I found my first yoga book when I was 13 and started practicing some of the asanas. It opened a whole new world.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I specialize in alignment-based practice and have experience teaching gentle, therapeutic, restorative, chair, yin, vinyasa, corporate, yoga for runners/athletes and yoga for beginners.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I came from a place of pain – migraines and joint instability. Being hypermobile, I sought structure and strength and was drawn to Iyengar yoga and its use of props to make it accessible. I am fascinated with intentional energy and breathwork incorporating these into each pose. As I age, my practice continues to evolve to better suit my daily needs.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A student can expect to approach each practice with a beginner’s mind and awaken personal “a-ha” moments. I specialize in uncovering the subtleties of asana, pranayama and meditation. In each class, I encourage discussion and offer moments for individual discovery so that each student may make the practice their own. To ensure classes are accessible, we’ll use props – wall, chairs, bolsters, blocks and straps. Mindful modifications and hands-on adjustments will be provided.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. I’ve seen a shift from a practice of personal development and self-reflection to one of action and activism. While yogis are here to inspire health and wellness, we can awaken and transform our hearts, minds and community.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. Balancing work and life. Too often we overextend ourselves to do more. Currently, I’m focused on mantra, meditation, pranayama, making time for reflection and some quality sleep.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I spent the last few years living in a land-locked city in northern California. I really missed Bradford Beach and Lake Michigan. I love to watch the waves and walk on the sand. It’s a great place to meditate and renew my spirit. I missed the seasons too – so it’s great watching the trees leaves change colors.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. So much has changed in the past few years while I have been away. It’s been fun to rediscover the Milwaukee area. I really enjoy Blue’s Egg because breakfast is my favorite meal.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I love to travel with my husband, spend time with my cat who behaves like a dog, and learn anything. I also enjoy being creative – with food, jewelry, graphic design, and event planning.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. To reduce stress, I visit my “beach” – in person or just visualize it. I like to get some exercise – walking in nature, riding my spin bike, or practicing yoga and pranayama. I’m a fan of old movies and musicals. So a cup of tea and “Hello, Dolly” help me laugh and smile.

RYT

Heather Eiden is passionate to facilitate a traditional Hatha Yoga experience for my students. The Yoga Sutras, the Chakras and the Eight Limbs of Yoga are a few of the sources that inspire my yogic teaching.

She feels successful as a yoga instructor when her students feel calm, inwardly focused, and outwardly strong. Teaching yoga is an honor and Heather leads yoga students to understand the authentic teacher that is within them.

Heather holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master’s of Science in Art Education from Concordia University, Milwaukee, WI. She completed her 200-hour Yoga Certification from Feel Your Best in Mequon, WI and holds a Yoga Health Counselor Certificate from Kanyakumari Ayurvedic and Yoga School. Heather continues her yoga studies at the Kripa Iyengar Yoga Foundation in India.

She is also a NAMC Certified Infant/Toddler Teacher and works as a early childhood art educator at Milwaukee Monteessori School.

Heather is also an accomplished contemporary folk artist. She primarily uses clay as a medium of exploration. Her art tiles are like traditional ceramic forms deconstructed into fine art. Heather diplays pieces at various local community venues and shows.

Q&A with Heather Eiden

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2005. 

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A.  I specialize in teaching Prenatal Yoga, focusing on the Chakras, approaching yoga practice with a beginner’s mind and Yoga for meditation.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. Traveling to India three times to study yoga has lead me to the Iyengar training specifically for ailments.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A new student can expect yoga poses for meditation, internal action and external stillness, pranayama and good humor. I warm up my yoga class with movements  for joints and glands.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. Recent industry trends of smaller classes and private yoga sessions have created a new level of focus that is inward for the practitioner. My current wellness goals are walking and running groups for mutual support.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. Balancing work and life. Too often we overextend ourselves to do more. Currently, I’m focused on mantra, meditation, pranayama, making time for reflection and some quality sleep.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I go to the Milwaukee River for inspiration.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. My favorite restaurant is Beans and Barley. As an native East Sider, I’ve been going there since high school.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I love to travel with my husband, spend time with my cat who behaves like a dog, and learn anything. I also enjoy being creative – with food, jewelry, graphic design, and event planning.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. My favorite things to do are hiking in forests, walking in cities, making clay sculpture and painting stories in my art studio.

RYT, Prenatal Yoga Certified
Yoga Instructor

Martha was called to yoga several years ago to become a better listener and to balance body-mind-spirit. She earned her 200 hour yoga certification from Yoga Institute in 2016.

Q&A with Martha Wasserman

Q. How long have you been a teacher?
A. Since 2017

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I specialize in Prenatal Yoga.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. Working as a birth and postpartum doula lead me to teaching Prenatal Yoga. I am also a Reiki practitioner and practice Kundalini Yoga as well.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. Expect an all-welcome viewpoint. Each person opens to yoga in their own way. In a typical class, expect hatha alignment-focused instruction, a bit of flow, breathwork and guided meditation.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A. I appreciate that yoga is increasingly recognized as a means to relax the body as meditation relaxes the mind. Yoga is now suggested and recommended by OBGYN’s, midwives, and mental health professionals. This is a great step.

Q. What are your current personal wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. So my goal is to do what I do now: breathe, give thanks, walk whenever possible, release attachement to outcome, love, practice yoga, run, swim, and learn.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. The Milwaukee River.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. Home! Eating out, I go to Riverwest Co-op.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. Being outside, spending time with family and friends, and being a Doula.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. Go outside, run, walk and practice yoga.

Paula has a great curiosity for movement mechanics and the art of moving.  She has pursued this interest on many levels and earned a BA and MFA in Dance. Her interest continued as she became a certified yoga teacher and then a certified Pilates teacher. She has spent two decades teaching dance, yoga, and pilates at the studio, community and university level.

Her interest in anatomy, kinesiology and movement mechanics led her to pursue a degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Since 2013 she has worked extensively in outpatient orthopedics and honed strong manual therapy skills.

Whether in the studio or the clinic she hopes to help others to have a better human experience through movement. She is especially interested in efficient movement mechanics to reduce pain and increase the longevity that we have in our daily lives, activities, and sports.

Q&A with Paula Biasi Trusky

Q. How long have you been a physical therapist assistant?
A. 5 years.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. Manual therapy complemented by the use of yoga, pilates and other somatic practices as therapeutic exercise.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. As a Physical Therapist Assistant, Pilates teacher and Yoga teacher, I like to combine my deep background in movement and my knowledge of anatomy with an interest in injury prevention and rehabilitation. My treatments emphasize manual therapy, teaching self-care techniques, efficient mechanics, and functional movement patterns.

Q. What can a new patient expect?
A. My patients can expect to feel comfortable and at ease in my care. I aim to treat the whole person and not just the affected body part. I think that people have a right and obligation to be educated about their bodies. Patients can expect to learn about their anatomy and habits and learn how to manage their injuries or areas of pain in their daily lives.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A. I am very interested in natural movement fitness. I think we need to train our bodies for what we expect them to do on a daily basis and also use our bodies for tasks that they have evolved to perform, which is not sitting at a desk all day!

Q. What are your current personal wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. I am focusing on eating and moving for wellbeing. For me that means eating a diet based around real whole foods, with room for chocolate of course!  I’m moving my body with the aim of being strong, mobile and as agile and pain free as I can be. There are high standards for women in our society to look a certain way. My wellness goals revolve around letting my body find its natural stasis point when I move and eat to feel good and healthy.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. Only three?! Move my body (yes that’s vague, but I love to move in all sorts of ways), hang with my pooch Roxy and cook delicious food.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. The east and west river trails just north of Invivo.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. For pizza I like Tranfer Pizzeria (best crust ever) and for Thai food I love EE-sane, they do spice right!

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. My hobbies help me to relax. Taking my dog for a nice long walk, practicing yoga, and enjoying a glass of wine.

RYT, Prenatal Yoga Certified
Yoga Instructor

Misa found yoga in 2013 while searching for something gentler than running and to help deal with everyday stress. She found far more than she ever expected beyond the physical practice and immediately dove deeper into yogic studies.

After losing many loved ones including her father, she enrolled in yoga teacher training, and in 2017 completed her 200-hour at Asheville Yoga Center in part to honor her father who taught his entire life and it ended up being a form of therapy.

The gift of yoga transformed her outlook on life, allowed her to heal and to make a deeper spiritual connection which she had been missing her entire life. In giving back, she always holds a safe space for practice and advocates that yoga is for everyone to find and connect to what they need in this moment.

Teaching vinyasa flow in Atlanta, she found the style very meditative while connecting breath and movement, and currently as a new mama she is passionate about and teaches pre/postnatal yoga.

Q&A with Misa Schillaci

Q. How long have you been a teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2017 and practicing since 2013.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I’ve trained in alignment based yoga, or Iyengar and flow-based yoga, or Vinyasa. I am currently furthering my studies in accessible and pre/postnatal yoga practices so I can share yoga with everyone, especially current and future mamas.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I came to yoga to destress and find a less physically demanding exercise than running. I found a lot more than I was looking for and connected to the mental and spiritual aspects as well.

My day-to-day living has dictated what type of practice I follow. When I had a long commute and worked many hours, vinyasa flow took me to a meditative state and made me physically stronger.

After I became pregnant I took on a gentler, more restorative and yin style practice, but also continued a slow power flow to maintain strength. I now find a balance between all of these styles.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A new student can expect to destress via connection to their breath and meditation, to lengthen and strengthen their body with focus on proper alignment, and to be given lots of options to practice what is comfortable for them that day utilizing a variety of props.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A. There seems to be a focus on quick fixes and results seen through practices such as CrossFit and Orangetheory. These are great options for those who thrive in a competitive, fast-paced workout environment but may not be sustainable depending on one’s health history, age, nutritional intake, etc. I more so appreciate the rise in popularity of yoga, meditation and gentler, meditative more sustainable practices such as tai chi and qigong.

When it comes to yoga, I am thankful to see that there is currently a larger focus on making yoga work for you and not making you work for yoga. I also appreciate seeing yoga used as a tool in the hospital setting especially relating to pregnancy, labor and delivery, in the prison system and as an overall therapy for a myriad of ailments and situations.

Q. What are your current personal wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. I practice moderation across all aspects of my life and hope to re-establish a regular routine of yoga, meditation, cardio and healthy nutrition, which I lost a connection to due to postpartum complications at the end of last year.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I love the peaceful calm of Lake Michigan from Veteran’s Park as well as the view of the Milwaukee River from Invivo’s yoga and fitness studios.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. There are so many great places, many that I haven’t yet tried, but I’ve always enjoyed vegetarian delights at Beerline, lobster at Lakefront Brewery and the inventive southern inspired food at The Original.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. Besides yoga, I enjoy running and hiking outdoors, playing volleyball, scrapbooking memories and beading/making malas. My real passion is travel and I am working on visiting all fifty U.S. states and all seven continents.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. Anything outside to inhale fresh air and reconnect with my breath.

RYT, ACE-Certified Personal Trainer
Yoga Instructor
Fitness Instructor
Wellness Director

Living with painful headaches and joint instability, Cynthia began studying yoga and strength training to improve her own well being in 2003. Wanting to share this same sense of freedom and make yoga accessible to as many people as possible, she received her 200-RYT certification from Feel Your Best (FYB) whose philosophy is the “Person not the Pose.” Upon graduating in 2005, she began teaching a gentle, benefits-oriented teaching style that incorporates Iyengar (alignment), Ashtanga (power), Viniyoga (therapeutic) yoga. Over the last 10+ years, she’s lead alignment-based, accessible yoga classes that balance effort with ease. She encourages conversation, individual discovery as well as ways to personalize the yoga practice. Cynthia’s worked with clients of all fitness levels, abilities, and ages.

Ever inquisitive, she continues her yoga education through personal study, workshops and conferences. She’s certified in Chair Yoga with Stacie Dooreck’s SunLight Yoga and certified in Core Functional Fitness with Hope Zvara. As a certified ACE Personal Trainer, she brings functional movements, postural strength, and healthy range of motion to her yoga classes. As a certified TRX instructor, she enjoys teaching accessible fitness classes on the suspension trainers. As a certified NETA Wellness Coach, she shares ways to add healthy habits and reduce stress in everyday life. She’s also a member of Yoga Alliance.

Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Graphic Design from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Prior to teaching, coaching and consulting full time, she worked in corporate marketing and communication departments in several industries for 23 years.

To give back to the yoga community, for the past 10 years she has donated her service and talents at Yoga Journal Conferences around the USA.

Q&A with Cynthia Akey

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2005 and practicing since 2003. But I found my first yoga book when I was 13 and started practicing some of the asanas. It opened a whole new world.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I specialize in alignment-based practice and have experience teaching gentle, therapeutic, restorative, chair, yin, vinyasa, corporate, yoga for runners/athletes and yoga for beginners.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I came from a place of pain – migraines and joint instability. Being hypermobile, I sought structure and strength and was drawn to Iyengar yoga and its use of props to make it accessible. I am fascinated with intentional energy and breathwork incorporating these into each pose. As I age, my practice continues to evolve to better suit my daily needs.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A student can expect to approach each practice with a beginner’s mind and awaken personal “a-ha” moments. I specialize in uncovering the subtleties of asana, pranayama and meditation. In each class, I encourage discussion and offer moments for individual discovery so that each student may make the practice their own. To ensure classes are accessible, we’ll use props – wall, chairs, bolsters, blocks and straps. Mindful modifications and hands-on adjustments will be provided.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. I’ve seen a shift from a practice of personal development and self-reflection to one of action and activism. While yogis are here to inspire health and wellness, we can awaken and transform our hearts, minds and community.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. Balancing work and life. Too often we overextend ourselves to do more. Currently, I’m focused on mantra, meditation, pranayama, making time for reflection and some quality sleep.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I spent the last few years living in a land-locked city in northern California. I really missed Bradford Beach and Lake Michigan. I love to watch the waves and walk on the sand. It’s a great place to meditate and renew my spirit. I missed the seasons too – so it’s great watching the trees leaves change colors.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. So much has changed in the past few years while I have been away. It’s been fun to rediscover the Milwaukee area. I really enjoy Blue’s Egg because breakfast is my favorite meal.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I love to travel with my husband, spend time with my cat who behaves like a dog, and learn anything. I also enjoy being creative – with food, jewelry, graphic design, and event planning.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. To reduce stress, I visit my “beach” – in person or just visualize it. I like to get some exercise – walking in nature, riding my spin bike, or practicing yoga and pranayama. I’m a fan of old movies and musicals. So a cup of tea and “Hello, Dolly” help me laugh and smile.

RYT

Heather Eiden is passionate to facilitate a traditional Hatha Yoga experience for my students. The Yoga Sutras, the Chakras and the Eight Limbs of Yoga are a few of the sources that inspire my yogic teaching.

She feels successful as a yoga instructor when her students feel calm, inwardly focused, and outwardly strong. Teaching yoga is an honor and Heather leads yoga students to understand the authentic teacher that is within them.

Heather holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master’s of Science in Art Education from Concordia University, Milwaukee, WI. She completed her 200-hour Yoga Certification from Feel Your Best in Mequon, WI and holds a Yoga Health Counselor Certificate from Kanyakumari Ayurvedic and Yoga School. Heather continues her yoga studies at the Kripa Iyengar Yoga Foundation in India.

She is also a NAMC Certified Infant/Toddler Teacher and works as a early childhood art educator at Milwaukee Monteessori School.

Heather is also an accomplished contemporary folk artist. She primarily uses clay as a medium of exploration. Her art tiles are like traditional ceramic forms deconstructed into fine art. Heather diplays pieces at various local community venues and shows.

Q&A with Heather Eiden

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2005. 

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A.  I specialize in teaching Prenatal Yoga, focusing on the Chakras, approaching yoga practice with a beginner’s mind and Yoga for meditation.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. Traveling to India three times to study yoga has lead me to the Iyengar training specifically for ailments.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A new student can expect yoga poses for meditation, internal action and external stillness, pranayama and good humor. I warm up my yoga class with movements  for joints and glands.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. Recent industry trends of smaller classes and private yoga sessions have created a new level of focus that is inward for the practitioner. My current wellness goals are walking and running groups for mutual support.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. Balancing work and life. Too often we overextend ourselves to do more. Currently, I’m focused on mantra, meditation, pranayama, making time for reflection and some quality sleep.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I go to the Milwaukee River for inspiration.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. My favorite restaurant is Beans and Barley. As an native East Sider, I’ve been going there since high school.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I love to travel with my husband, spend time with my cat who behaves like a dog, and learn anything. I also enjoy being creative – with food, jewelry, graphic design, and event planning.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. My favorite things to do are hiking in forests, walking in cities, making clay sculpture and painting stories in my art studio.

RYT, Prenatal Yoga Certified
Yoga Instructor

Martha was called to yoga several years ago to become a better listener and to balance body-mind-spirit. She earned her 200 hour yoga certification from Yoga Institute in 2016.

Q&A with Martha Wasserman

Q. How long have you been a teacher?
A. Since 2017

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I specialize in Prenatal Yoga.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. Working as a birth and postpartum doula lead me to teaching Prenatal Yoga. I am also a Reiki practitioner and practice Kundalini Yoga as well.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. Expect an all-welcome viewpoint. Each person opens to yoga in their own way. In a typical class, expect hatha alignment-focused instruction, a bit of flow, breathwork and guided meditation.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A. I appreciate that yoga is increasingly recognized as a means to relax the body as meditation relaxes the mind. Yoga is now suggested and recommended by OBGYN’s, midwives, and mental health professionals. This is a great step.

Q. What are your current personal wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. So my goal is to do what I do now: breathe, give thanks, walk whenever possible, release attachement to outcome, love, practice yoga, run, swim, and learn.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. The Milwaukee River.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. Home! Eating out, I go to Riverwest Co-op.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. Being outside, spending time with family and friends, and being a Doula.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. Go outside, run, walk and practice yoga.

RYT, Prenatal Yoga Certified
Yoga Instructor

Misa found yoga in 2013 while searching for something gentler than running and to help deal with everyday stress. She found far more than she ever expected beyond the physical practice and immediately dove deeper into yogic studies.

After losing many loved ones including her father, she enrolled in yoga teacher training, and in 2017 completed her 200-hour at Asheville Yoga Center in part to honor her father who taught his entire life and it ended up being a form of therapy.

The gift of yoga transformed her outlook on life, allowed her to heal and to make a deeper spiritual connection which she had been missing her entire life. In giving back, she always holds a safe space for practice and advocates that yoga is for everyone to find and connect to what they need in this moment.

Teaching vinyasa flow in Atlanta, she found the style very meditative while connecting breath and movement, and currently as a new mama she is passionate about and teaches pre/postnatal yoga.

Q&A with Misa Schillaci

Q. How long have you been a teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2017 and practicing since 2013.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I’ve trained in alignment based yoga, or Iyengar and flow-based yoga, or Vinyasa. I am currently furthering my studies in accessible and pre/postnatal yoga practices so I can share yoga with everyone, especially current and future mamas.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I came to yoga to destress and find a less physically demanding exercise than running. I found a lot more than I was looking for and connected to the mental and spiritual aspects as well.

My day-to-day living has dictated what type of practice I follow. When I had a long commute and worked many hours, vinyasa flow took me to a meditative state and made me physically stronger.

After I became pregnant I took on a gentler, more restorative and yin style practice, but also continued a slow power flow to maintain strength. I now find a balance between all of these styles.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A new student can expect to destress via connection to their breath and meditation, to lengthen and strengthen their body with focus on proper alignment, and to be given lots of options to practice what is comfortable for them that day utilizing a variety of props.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A. There seems to be a focus on quick fixes and results seen through practices such as CrossFit and Orangetheory. These are great options for those who thrive in a competitive, fast-paced workout environment but may not be sustainable depending on one’s health history, age, nutritional intake, etc. I more so appreciate the rise in popularity of yoga, meditation and gentler, meditative more sustainable practices such as tai chi and qigong.

When it comes to yoga, I am thankful to see that there is currently a larger focus on making yoga work for you and not making you work for yoga. I also appreciate seeing yoga used as a tool in the hospital setting especially relating to pregnancy, labor and delivery, in the prison system and as an overall therapy for a myriad of ailments and situations.

Q. What are your current personal wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. I practice moderation across all aspects of my life and hope to re-establish a regular routine of yoga, meditation, cardio and healthy nutrition, which I lost a connection to due to postpartum complications at the end of last year.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I love the peaceful calm of Lake Michigan from Veteran’s Park as well as the view of the Milwaukee River from Invivo’s yoga and fitness studios.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. There are so many great places, many that I haven’t yet tried, but I’ve always enjoyed vegetarian delights at Beerline, lobster at Lakefront Brewery and the inventive southern inspired food at The Original.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. Besides yoga, I enjoy running and hiking outdoors, playing volleyball, scrapbooking memories and beading/making malas. My real passion is travel and I am working on visiting all fifty U.S. states and all seven continents.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. Anything outside to inhale fresh air and reconnect with my breath.

RYT
Yoga Instructor

A Wisconsin native, Lindsey Ruenger has been teaching yoga since becoming certified in 2018. With a background in dance, she felt naturally drawn to the practice of yoga. Her exploration as a teacher has brought her a sense of overwhelming purpose. She finds it a gift to be able to offer students a safe space to let go and find ease in movement.

But even as a teacher, she sees herself as a student – always learning and exploring the practice with open eyes. You can expect her classes to be fluid, dynamic and strengthening with an emphasis on breath. In addition to yoga, Lindsey currently teaches mindfulness practices and dances professionally.

Q&A with Lindsey Ruenger

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since getting certified in summer 2018. However, I have taught dance and fitness classes since 2011.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I love teaching all styles of yoga but have a core understanding in Hatha.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I began practicing yoga throughout my dance career, explored different styles and landed on Hatha yoga during my teacher training. But, my personal practice looks different every day. I really try to listen to my body and its needs physically, mentally and spiritually. Sometimes this can result in a rigorous flow, and sometimes a meditation or restorative practice.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. Students can expect my classes to be easeful and flowing while also strengthening and dynamic. Most importantly, I prioritize connecting the movement to breath.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. I’m a big advocate for kids yoga and meditation. I really believe children need it because they can internalize stress and tough emotions in the same way that adults do. I also have been involved with teaching yoga at outdoor festivals, a trend I’ve been seeing bloom over the last few years. I think bringing people together to connect with nature, each other and themselves is so rewarding. It really makes for a fun and vibrant experience.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. My current wellness goals are to maintain a healthy, balanced diet while continuing to move my body in a variety of ways (yoga, pilates, circuit training, etc.). Most recently, I am working on building a consistent daily meditation practice. I also have chronic pain and tightness in my shoulders so an at-home yoga practice with lots of heart openers is very needed!

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. Three Bridges Park. I performed there once and it has a special place in my heart.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. Too many places to choose! – EE Sane, Maharaja, Thai Kitchen

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. Aside from yoga, I love to dance, travel and spend time with my family, friends and hateful cat 🙂

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. Practice yoga, mindfulness/meditation, take long walks or enjoy a glass of wine with cheese

RYT, ACE-Certified Personal Trainer
Yoga Instructor
Fitness Instructor
Wellness Director

Living with painful headaches and joint instability, Cynthia began studying yoga and strength training to improve her own well being in 2003. Wanting to share this same sense of freedom and make yoga accessible to as many people as possible, she received her 200-RYT certification from Feel Your Best (FYB) whose philosophy is the “Person not the Pose.” Upon graduating in 2005, she began teaching a gentle, benefits-oriented teaching style that incorporates Iyengar (alignment), Ashtanga (power), Viniyoga (therapeutic) yoga. Over the last 10+ years, she’s lead alignment-based, accessible yoga classes that balance effort with ease. She encourages conversation, individual discovery as well as ways to personalize the yoga practice. Cynthia’s worked with clients of all fitness levels, abilities, and ages.

Ever inquisitive, she continues her yoga education through personal study, workshops and conferences. She’s certified in Chair Yoga with Stacie Dooreck’s SunLight Yoga and certified in Core Functional Fitness with Hope Zvara. As a certified ACE Personal Trainer, she brings functional movements, postural strength, and healthy range of motion to her yoga classes. As a certified TRX instructor, she enjoys teaching accessible fitness classes on the suspension trainers. As a certified NETA Wellness Coach, she shares ways to add healthy habits and reduce stress in everyday life. She’s also a member of Yoga Alliance.

Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Graphic Design from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Prior to teaching, coaching and consulting full time, she worked in corporate marketing and communication departments in several industries for 23 years.

To give back to the yoga community, for the past 10 years she has donated her service and talents at Yoga Journal Conferences around the USA.

Q&A with Cynthia Akey

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2005 and practicing since 2003. But I found my first yoga book when I was 13 and started practicing some of the asanas. It opened a whole new world.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I specialize in alignment-based practice and have experience teaching gentle, therapeutic, restorative, chair, yin, vinyasa, corporate, yoga for runners/athletes and yoga for beginners.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I came from a place of pain – migraines and joint instability. Being hypermobile, I sought structure and strength and was drawn to Iyengar yoga and its use of props to make it accessible. I am fascinated with intentional energy and breathwork incorporating these into each pose. As I age, my practice continues to evolve to better suit my daily needs.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A student can expect to approach each practice with a beginner’s mind and awaken personal “a-ha” moments. I specialize in uncovering the subtleties of asana, pranayama and meditation. In each class, I encourage discussion and offer moments for individual discovery so that each student may make the practice their own. To ensure classes are accessible, we’ll use props – wall, chairs, bolsters, blocks and straps. Mindful modifications and hands-on adjustments will be provided.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. I’ve seen a shift from a practice of personal development and self-reflection to one of action and activism. While yogis are here to inspire health and wellness, we can awaken and transform our hearts, minds and community.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. Balancing work and life. Too often we overextend ourselves to do more. Currently, I’m focused on mantra, meditation, pranayama, making time for reflection and some quality sleep.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I spent the last few years living in a land-locked city in northern California. I really missed Bradford Beach and Lake Michigan. I love to watch the waves and walk on the sand. It’s a great place to meditate and renew my spirit. I missed the seasons too – so it’s great watching the trees leaves change colors.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. So much has changed in the past few years while I have been away. It’s been fun to rediscover the Milwaukee area. I really enjoy Blue’s Egg because breakfast is my favorite meal.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I love to travel with my husband, spend time with my cat who behaves like a dog, and learn anything. I also enjoy being creative – with food, jewelry, graphic design, and event planning.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. To reduce stress, I visit my “beach” – in person or just visualize it. I like to get some exercise – walking in nature, riding my spin bike, or practicing yoga and pranayama. I’m a fan of old movies and musicals. So a cup of tea and “Hello, Dolly” help me laugh and smile.

RYT, RN, BSN
Yoga Instructor

Q&A with Leah Mott

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I am a Registered Yoga Teacher through the Yoga Alliance (RYT-200) and have been teaching yoga classes since 2014.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I specialize in Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, and Bhakti Yoga.  I teach yoga to help all souls awaken to their inner strength and inherent beauty so that they, too, can live a life of freedom and joy.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I took my first yoga class with my mom when I was in college.  I was searching for a way to be my authentic self, and yoga was the safe space that allowed me to be vulnerable and imperfect and flawed.  From that moment on, my practice has been my foundation for growth, understanding, happiness, and love in my life.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. I create a friendly, peaceful class environment for everyone, from curious beginners to experienced practitioners wanting to further their self-awareness.  I am passionate about teaching a yoga class that instills connection between the mind, body, and spirit. Our bodies are so beautifully and powerfully made, no matter what shape or size they are.  My goal is to help students cultivate self-love through mindful movement (asana), breath (pranayama), and meditation. My yoga classes are educational, introspective, and leave students feeling balanced and whole.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. My absolute favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee is sitting on the rocks by the river in the nature area outside of Invivo.  I love taking a morning walk down the river to that spot, and sitting, meditating, and breathing. It makes sense why I love teaching at Invivo so much, because the windows in the studio look out onto my favorite beautiful spot in all of Milwaukee!

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. I love Cubanitas!  I absolutely love their plantain chips, guacamole, and mojitos.  It is such a fun and unique place to go for dinner.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I enjoy walking in nature, reading personal growth books, and going on backpacking adventures with my boyfriend.  Alongside teaching yoga, I am a mental health nurse, and a mental health nurse practitioner student.

RYT, ACE-Certified Personal Trainer
Yoga Instructor
Fitness Instructor
Wellness Director

Living with painful headaches and joint instability, Cynthia began studying yoga and strength training to improve her own well being in 2003. Wanting to share this same sense of freedom and make yoga accessible to as many people as possible, she received her 200-RYT certification from Feel Your Best (FYB) whose philosophy is the “Person not the Pose.” Upon graduating in 2005, she began teaching a gentle, benefits-oriented teaching style that incorporates Iyengar (alignment), Ashtanga (power), Viniyoga (therapeutic) yoga. Over the last 10+ years, she’s lead alignment-based, accessible yoga classes that balance effort with ease. She encourages conversation, individual discovery as well as ways to personalize the yoga practice. Cynthia’s worked with clients of all fitness levels, abilities, and ages.

Ever inquisitive, she continues her yoga education through personal study, workshops and conferences. She’s certified in Chair Yoga with Stacie Dooreck’s SunLight Yoga and certified in Core Functional Fitness with Hope Zvara. As a certified ACE Personal Trainer, she brings functional movements, postural strength, and healthy range of motion to her yoga classes. As a certified TRX instructor, she enjoys teaching accessible fitness classes on the suspension trainers. As a certified NETA Wellness Coach, she shares ways to add healthy habits and reduce stress in everyday life. She’s also a member of Yoga Alliance.

Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Graphic Design from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Prior to teaching, coaching and consulting full time, she worked in corporate marketing and communication departments in several industries for 23 years.

To give back to the yoga community, for the past 10 years she has donated her service and talents at Yoga Journal Conferences around the USA.

Q&A with Cynthia Akey

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2005 and practicing since 2003. But I found my first yoga book when I was 13 and started practicing some of the asanas. It opened a whole new world.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I specialize in alignment-based practice and have experience teaching gentle, therapeutic, restorative, chair, yin, vinyasa, corporate, yoga for runners/athletes and yoga for beginners.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I came from a place of pain – migraines and joint instability. Being hypermobile, I sought structure and strength and was drawn to Iyengar yoga and its use of props to make it accessible. I am fascinated with intentional energy and breathwork incorporating these into each pose. As I age, my practice continues to evolve to better suit my daily needs.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A student can expect to approach each practice with a beginner’s mind and awaken personal “a-ha” moments. I specialize in uncovering the subtleties of asana, pranayama and meditation. In each class, I encourage discussion and offer moments for individual discovery so that each student may make the practice their own. To ensure classes are accessible, we’ll use props – wall, chairs, bolsters, blocks and straps. Mindful modifications and hands-on adjustments will be provided.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. I’ve seen a shift from a practice of personal development and self-reflection to one of action and activism. While yogis are here to inspire health and wellness, we can awaken and transform our hearts, minds and community.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. Balancing work and life. Too often we overextend ourselves to do more. Currently, I’m focused on mantra, meditation, pranayama, making time for reflection and some quality sleep.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I spent the last few years living in a land-locked city in northern California. I really missed Bradford Beach and Lake Michigan. I love to watch the waves and walk on the sand. It’s a great place to meditate and renew my spirit. I missed the seasons too – so it’s great watching the trees leaves change colors.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. So much has changed in the past few years while I have been away. It’s been fun to rediscover the Milwaukee area. I really enjoy Blue’s Egg because breakfast is my favorite meal.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I love to travel with my husband, spend time with my cat who behaves like a dog, and learn anything. I also enjoy being creative – with food, jewelry, graphic design, and event planning.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. To reduce stress, I visit my “beach” – in person or just visualize it. I like to get some exercise – walking in nature, riding my spin bike, or practicing yoga and pranayama. I’m a fan of old movies and musicals. So a cup of tea and “Hello, Dolly” help me laugh and smile.

RYT, ACE-Certified Personal Trainer
Yoga Instructor
Fitness Instructor
Wellness Director

Living with painful headaches and joint instability, Cynthia began studying yoga and strength training to improve her own well being in 2003. Wanting to share this same sense of freedom and make yoga accessible to as many people as possible, she received her 200-RYT certification from Feel Your Best (FYB) whose philosophy is the “Person not the Pose.” Upon graduating in 2005, she began teaching a gentle, benefits-oriented teaching style that incorporates Iyengar (alignment), Ashtanga (power), Viniyoga (therapeutic) yoga. Over the last 10+ years, she’s lead alignment-based, accessible yoga classes that balance effort with ease. She encourages conversation, individual discovery as well as ways to personalize the yoga practice. Cynthia’s worked with clients of all fitness levels, abilities, and ages.

Ever inquisitive, she continues her yoga education through personal study, workshops and conferences. She’s certified in Chair Yoga with Stacie Dooreck’s SunLight Yoga and certified in Core Functional Fitness with Hope Zvara. As a certified ACE Personal Trainer, she brings functional movements, postural strength, and healthy range of motion to her yoga classes. As a certified TRX instructor, she enjoys teaching accessible fitness classes on the suspension trainers. As a certified NETA Wellness Coach, she shares ways to add healthy habits and reduce stress in everyday life. She’s also a member of Yoga Alliance.

Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Graphic Design from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Prior to teaching, coaching and consulting full time, she worked in corporate marketing and communication departments in several industries for 23 years.

To give back to the yoga community, for the past 10 years she has donated her service and talents at Yoga Journal Conferences around the USA.

Q&A with Cynthia Akey

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2005 and practicing since 2003. But I found my first yoga book when I was 13 and started practicing some of the asanas. It opened a whole new world.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I specialize in alignment-based practice and have experience teaching gentle, therapeutic, restorative, chair, yin, vinyasa, corporate, yoga for runners/athletes and yoga for beginners.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I came from a place of pain – migraines and joint instability. Being hypermobile, I sought structure and strength and was drawn to Iyengar yoga and its use of props to make it accessible. I am fascinated with intentional energy and breathwork incorporating these into each pose. As I age, my practice continues to evolve to better suit my daily needs.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A student can expect to approach each practice with a beginner’s mind and awaken personal “a-ha” moments. I specialize in uncovering the subtleties of asana, pranayama and meditation. In each class, I encourage discussion and offer moments for individual discovery so that each student may make the practice their own. To ensure classes are accessible, we’ll use props – wall, chairs, bolsters, blocks and straps. Mindful modifications and hands-on adjustments will be provided.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. I’ve seen a shift from a practice of personal development and self-reflection to one of action and activism. While yogis are here to inspire health and wellness, we can awaken and transform our hearts, minds and community.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. Balancing work and life. Too often we overextend ourselves to do more. Currently, I’m focused on mantra, meditation, pranayama, making time for reflection and some quality sleep.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I spent the last few years living in a land-locked city in northern California. I really missed Bradford Beach and Lake Michigan. I love to watch the waves and walk on the sand. It’s a great place to meditate and renew my spirit. I missed the seasons too – so it’s great watching the trees leaves change colors.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. So much has changed in the past few years while I have been away. It’s been fun to rediscover the Milwaukee area. I really enjoy Blue’s Egg because breakfast is my favorite meal.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I love to travel with my husband, spend time with my cat who behaves like a dog, and learn anything. I also enjoy being creative – with food, jewelry, graphic design, and event planning.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. To reduce stress, I visit my “beach” – in person or just visualize it. I like to get some exercise – walking in nature, riding my spin bike, or practicing yoga and pranayama. I’m a fan of old movies and musicals. So a cup of tea and “Hello, Dolly” help me laugh and smile.

Biz has been teaching yoga since 2006 and practicing since she was a freshman in college. She enjoys dedicating her time and energy to sharing yoga with her students.

Biz is a Professional Yoga Therapist (PYT-800 hour) and a Registered Yoga Teacher (e-RYT) through Integrative Yoga Therapy and the Yoga Alliance. She is also a certified Pre and Post Natal Yoga Instructor through Global Yoga Center in Chicago and a Certified Group Fitness Instructor through the America Council on Exercise (ACE).

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Advertising and a minor in Spanish from the University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul, MN. Prior to teaching yoga full time, Biz worked in the fast-paced advertising world. Loved it, but she let it go to focus her energy on helping people get closer to their true self through the practice of yoga.

In addition to practicing and teaching yoga, Biz enjoys walking and running, spending time with her husband and two dogs, traveling, cooking, gardening and partaking in just about any activity outside when the weather is warm!

Biz specializes in Yoga Therapy for stress management, back care, chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s Disease, female fertility and pre/post-natal care.

If you are interested in working with Biz for private Yoga Therapy, please visit the front desk to schedule a consultation or email her directly at biz@invivowellness.com.

Q&A with Biz Casmer

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2006 and practicing since I was a freshman in college.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I specialize in Yoga Therapy for stress management, back care, chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s Disease, female fertility and pre/post-natal care.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I began my yoga journey in a health club and practiced “competitive yoga”! Because of my overly flexible body, I ended up injuring myself and learned to love the therapeutic aspects of yoga instead. This changed my personal practice as well as the practice that I share with my students. I understand the importance of energizing and heating our body, but like to balance that with fluid movements to keep our mind and body mobile and hopefully free from injuries.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A new student to my group classes can expect a balanced class including body scans/awareness, breath, energy-body work (mudras/chakras), core work, a theme of some sort and definitely meditation. A private yoga or yoga therapy client can expect the same – just catered specifically to their special needs/injury/illness.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A. Not recent, but as of late I have been very connected to the nutritional side of healing.Through the guidance of nutritionists, body-workers and friends I have been changing my personal eating habits and working really hard to cleanse my system. I have been sharing this with my group classes and private clients by leading yoga practices that cleanse different systems and organs in our body. I am finding that complimenting yoga with nutritional cleansing has been incredibly helpful for me and I love sharing what I have learned with my students.

Q. What are your current personal wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. My personal wellness goals are to continue to find balance between work, family/friends, my personal time and my yoga/meditation practice. This will be a lifelong journey/wellness goal!

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. Anywhere along the lakefront. I love being near the water and we are so blessed to have such a beautiful lake in our city!

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. Juniper 61. It is a walk from my house and somewhere that my husband and I like to go to get a good meal and unwind.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. Spend time with my husband and 2 pups, move – either yoga, walking or running and travel to new places.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. Run, walk, meditate or enjoy an at-home yoga practice. Or – watch HGTV…for as long as humanly possible.

Note: The yoga therapy components of our teaching are based on our Professional Yoga Therapy Certification through Integrative Yoga Therapy [non-YAR credential or other qualification], not derived from our status as an [RYT/E-RYT] with Yoga Alliance Registry.

RYT, ACE-Certified Personal Trainer
Yoga Instructor
Fitness Instructor
Wellness Director

Living with painful headaches and joint instability, Cynthia began studying yoga and strength training to improve her own well being in 2003. Wanting to share this same sense of freedom and make yoga accessible to as many people as possible, she received her 200-RYT certification from Feel Your Best (FYB) whose philosophy is the “Person not the Pose.” Upon graduating in 2005, she began teaching a gentle, benefits-oriented teaching style that incorporates Iyengar (alignment), Ashtanga (power), Viniyoga (therapeutic) yoga. Over the last 10+ years, she’s lead alignment-based, accessible yoga classes that balance effort with ease. She encourages conversation, individual discovery as well as ways to personalize the yoga practice. Cynthia’s worked with clients of all fitness levels, abilities, and ages.

Ever inquisitive, she continues her yoga education through personal study, workshops and conferences. She’s certified in Chair Yoga with Stacie Dooreck’s SunLight Yoga and certified in Core Functional Fitness with Hope Zvara. As a certified ACE Personal Trainer, she brings functional movements, postural strength, and healthy range of motion to her yoga classes. As a certified TRX instructor, she enjoys teaching accessible fitness classes on the suspension trainers. As a certified NETA Wellness Coach, she shares ways to add healthy habits and reduce stress in everyday life. She’s also a member of Yoga Alliance.

Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Graphic Design from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Prior to teaching, coaching and consulting full time, she worked in corporate marketing and communication departments in several industries for 23 years.

To give back to the yoga community, for the past 10 years she has donated her service and talents at Yoga Journal Conferences around the USA.

Q&A with Cynthia Akey

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been teaching yoga since 2005 and practicing since 2003. But I found my first yoga book when I was 13 and started practicing some of the asanas. It opened a whole new world.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. I specialize in alignment-based practice and have experience teaching gentle, therapeutic, restorative, chair, yin, vinyasa, corporate, yoga for runners/athletes and yoga for beginners.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I came from a place of pain – migraines and joint instability. Being hypermobile, I sought structure and strength and was drawn to Iyengar yoga and its use of props to make it accessible. I am fascinated with intentional energy and breathwork incorporating these into each pose. As I age, my practice continues to evolve to better suit my daily needs.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A student can expect to approach each practice with a beginner’s mind and awaken personal “a-ha” moments. I specialize in uncovering the subtleties of asana, pranayama and meditation. In each class, I encourage discussion and offer moments for individual discovery so that each student may make the practice their own. To ensure classes are accessible, we’ll use props – wall, chairs, bolsters, blocks and straps. Mindful modifications and hands-on adjustments will be provided.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found noteworthy?
A. I’ve seen a shift from a practice of personal development and self-reflection to one of action and activism. While yogis are here to inspire health and wellness, we can awaken and transform our hearts, minds and community.

Q. What are your current wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. Balancing work and life. Too often we overextend ourselves to do more. Currently, I’m focused on mantra, meditation, pranayama, making time for reflection and some quality sleep.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I spent the last few years living in a land-locked city in northern California. I really missed Bradford Beach and Lake Michigan. I love to watch the waves and walk on the sand. It’s a great place to meditate and renew my spirit. I missed the seasons too – so it’s great watching the trees leaves change colors.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. So much has changed in the past few years while I have been away. It’s been fun to rediscover the Milwaukee area. I really enjoy Blue’s Egg because breakfast is my favorite meal.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I love to travel with my husband, spend time with my cat who behaves like a dog, and learn anything. I also enjoy being creative – with food, jewelry, graphic design, and event planning.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. To reduce stress, I visit my “beach” – in person or just visualize it. I like to get some exercise – walking in nature, riding my spin bike, or practicing yoga and pranayama. I’m a fan of old movies and musicals. So a cup of tea and “Hello, Dolly” help me laugh and smile.