A long time practicing yogi, Jamie received her 200-RYT certification from the Integrative Yoga Therapy program at Haleybird Yoga and Natural Wellness Studios. While studying, Jamie interned with Yoga Therapist Tina Romenesko, assisting in weekly Yoga Therapy group classes as well as at Washington Park Senior Center. Since completing her first training, Jamie has furthered her studies extensively. She has completed Level 1 certification with Dr. Timothy McCall, Yoga as Medicine; Certified in Aqua Kriya Yoga with Swami Nibhrtananda; trained in Yoga for Osteoporosis with Dr. Loren Fishman; certified as a Cancer Exercise Specialist through the Cancer Exercise Training Institute in Oregon; and most recently completed Level 1, 300 hr training with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy on her way to becoming a certified yoga therapist. Jamie is currently a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and 500-RYT with Yoga Alliance.

Q&A with Jamie Mullen

Q. How long have you been a yoga instructor?
A. I completed my 200-RYT training through Integrative Yoga Therapy at Haleybird Studios in October, 2013.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. My approach to yoga is to integrate all aspects of our being, not just the physical body, but to include our emotional, energetic and spiritual bodies as well. This gentle approach to the practice incorporates movement, meditation, mudras and breathwork.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. Wanting to take care of my complete self really brought me to where I am today. Taking time to breathe, move and relax each day has been vital to the well being of my complete, true self.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. Whether the client is an experienced yogi or someone who has never practiced, everyone can expect to feel well taken care of. In my classes, we move mindfully and with care so that we allow ourselves to bring balance and nourishment to our body, mind, and spirit.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A. I’m not really a trend follower, but one item of note that I am excited about, is that the use of complimentary and alternative medicine/therapies are being recognized by schools such as Harvard, Stanford and Duke. To have reputable, conventional schools become involved in alternative therapies, such as yoga, is a real advancement for our profession.

Q. What are your current personal wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. Since training and becoming a yoga instructor, I have found that I have not been regularly attending the classes from the teachers that helped me to come to love the practice. So I am taking time to allow myself to attend these classes at least once a week. Though personally I practice each day, I love the feeling of community in a group class.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. That would probably have to be the lakefront. In the summer, I will ride my bike there in the early mornings and practice. It is so peaceful and there is plenty of space. I love being near the water.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. I can’t say I really have a favorite as my husband is an amazing cook and I enjoy so many different cuisines, but I guess I would say when I need my island fix, I head over to Ono Kine Grindz in Tosa.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. In order, creating jewelry is my greatest passion next to yoga. Traveling to warm, tropical locales. And I enjoy baking with cookies, scones and biscotti being my specialty.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. I like to sit in meditation and breathe. Often my dog will join me on my mat which also aids in releasing stress.

Ashley is a 200-hour​ RYT ​who specializes in alignment-based yoga. She has been practicing since 2000 and continues to study and progress her teaching style. In her classes, she works to provide sequencing and support​​ designed to fit the class dynamic as well as individual needs. When working with students, Ashley loves learning about personal goals, preferences and any possible obstacles to ensure she is providing support to the best of her abilities!

Q. How long have you been a yoga instructor?
A.​ I became a 200-hour certified yoga instructor in 2012. ​

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A.​ I specialize in alignment-based practice, but I have experience teaching vinyasa, hatha, yin, restorative, and viniyoga.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A.​ My personal practice began in 2000 with hatha yoga. Over the years, I have tried (and loved) many styles of the asana practice, and have found that alignment and breath are my passion regardless of style.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A.​ A new student can expect to begin with some time to calm the mind and body. Throughout the practice, he/she can expect guidance through alignment and breath cues as well as adjustments. They can also expect modifications for poses to help them tailor their practice to their current needs.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A.​ ​I greatly appreciate the increase in awareness about how alignment can look different from individual to individual, and how factors such as body type and joint pronation/supination need to be considered.

Q. What are your current personal wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A.​ My current wellness goal is to find the best ‘diet’ for me. I have had chronic stomach issues throughout my life, and I am ​determined to be done with them! ‘Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.’

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A.​ My favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee is Humboldt Park. I spend a lot of time there with my 4th-6th grade students.​

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A.​ My favorite place to eat is probably either La Merenda or Alem Ethiopian Village, but there are so many amazing places here!​

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A.​ Aside from yoga, I love to read, paint, and go camping. ​

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
​A. My de-stress tool depends on the amount of time and energy I have! Some of my favorite tools are: yin yoga, meditation, walking my dogs, hiking and working in my yard.

Yoga is life! More than 15 years ago I began this journey and it was love at first down dog. I became a 200-hr certified yoga instructor under the guidance and wisdom of Meg Galarza at YogaOne Studio, and am currently seeking my 500-hr certification.

It is taught that yoga can be defined as ‘giving back’ and it is my pleasure and honor to be a part of my students’ developing practice. My hope is that each class leaves an imprint of peace, calm, strength and renewed clarity. And, as I practice in life – all is offered with laughter and acceptance. Peace to all.

Q&A with Kim Christenson

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I became a 200-hr certified yoga instructor in May 2014.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. Vinyasa – all levels, restorative & gentle. I plan to add a pre- and post-natal specialty in my 500-hr training.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I have had a personal practice for more than 15 years, under the guidance of Catherine Murray, Meg Galarza and Ali Modell.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. My approach incorporates breath and body-work, delivered in the Vinyasa-style of practice. I want my students to recognize how the breath affects the body’s ability to move and be still. We will work to build strength – the foundation that allows the journey toward more advanced asanas to be safe and satisfying. And, without a doubt, we will laugh!

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A. An awareness and building acceptance that each of our bodies conform differently to asanas. And, in knowing and accepting this we teachers can offer our students the opportunity to seek safer, more individualized modalities. The result of this new attitude is greater satisfaction with one’s practice.

Q. What are your current personal wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. I work hard to maintain strength and health. I seek out help when needed by informed caregivers and I am always open to new opportunities to learn.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. Read, hang with my kids and watch movies.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. Anywhere on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. Café Corazon

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. Yoga, gardening and time with friends and family. I also love to walk my crazy dog Kylie.

Rae is an eclectic yoga teacher that is truly grateful she gets to share her ever evolving practice with students everyday. She has been growing in her personal yoga practice since 2003 when she was 16. Rae became a certified teacher at Yandara Yoga Institute in Bali, Indonesia and has been a teaching nearly daily since 2015. She follows the 8-limb path on and off the mat, and is thrilled to be a member of the Invivo team leading pranayama, asana and meditation. Rae is also a performer in dance, music, and acting as well as a visual artist of unlimited mediums.

Q&A with Rae Buth, CYT

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. I have been practicing yoga since 2003 and teaching since 2014. I am currently a CYT-200 from Yandara Yoga Institute in Bali, Indonesia and will soon become an E-RYT 200. I have over 1000 teaching hours, and significantly greater number of hours of practice and study.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. A “Namastrae” class is an eclectic blend of yoga philosophy, based particularly around the 8-limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga), the chakra energy centers, and mindfulness meditation practices from various disciplines combined with pranayama, mudra, asana, and mantra and delivered in fun and creative vinyasa & yin classes. My positive experiences in travel, dance, music, and art and my less savory experiences with depression and anxiety and physical injury all inform my yoga teaching.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I’ve been growing in my yoga practice since I was a teen in 2003 and have seen vast and immense benefits in my quality of being as a whole, from mindfulness meditation and continuous evolution and absorption of the asanas.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A. A new student can expect a calming atmosphere, thorough instruction and a space to feel safe – to laugh, to cry and to discover a deeper sense of their inherent being in an accessible but challenging way.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A. I appreciate the growing trend of being in the practice of yoga off the mat; through breathing, thoughts, words, and actions. This allows a greater population to not just view yoga as asana postures but as a way of life to carry along with them.

Q. What are your current personal wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A. My personal wellness goals are to continue to live a balanced and creative life. I do this through observing my thought patterns and breathing through daily meditation and writing, study and application of yogic practices and lifestyle, dance, art and travel. Regarding the asanas, I am specifically working to advance my arm balancing, handstanding and backbending transitions in my physical practice.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. I am a Visual Artist and a Performer. I have a BFA in Visual Art with a minor in Dance so I write songs, choreograph dances, and act in shows as the inspiration occurs. I also have a personal sustainable fashion brand called “Redish,” where I upcycle/re-purpose vintage fabrics into more modern wearables as well as make crystal necklaces and paintings. These are both hobbies and my alternative source of sustaining myself. Last but not least, I adore traveling and learning languages. I’ve been to almost all 50 states, and about 17 countries…and counting!

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. My favorite beautiful place to be in Milwaukee is in my backyard with my partner Aytan, and my kitties Azealia & Phinny soaking in the sun, or singing around the campfire on any given day. Away from home, I love the water. Anytime I am at the beach or by the river, among the trees, I feel blissful. Atwater Beach is queen!

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. I simply adore the decor, small kitchen and deliciously clean cuisine of Riverwest’s original Cafe Corazon. Try it!

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. To destress I practice pranayama & asana, ride my bicycle with my partner, sing & play piano or guitar, draw/paint and sew. My kitties also are great teachers and sources of comfort.

Ashley is a 200-hour​ RYT ​who specializes in alignment-based yoga. She has been practicing since 2000 and continues to study and progress her teaching style. In her classes, she works to provide sequencing and support​​ designed to fit the class dynamic as well as individual needs. When working with students, Ashley loves learning about personal goals, preferences and any possible obstacles to ensure she is providing support to the best of her abilities!

Q. How long have you been a yoga instructor?
A.​ I became a 200-hour certified yoga instructor in 2012. ​

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A.​ I specialize in alignment-based practice, but I have experience teaching vinyasa, hatha, yin, restorative, and viniyoga.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A.​ My personal practice began in 2000 with hatha yoga. Over the years, I have tried (and loved) many styles of the asana practice, and have found that alignment and breath are my passion regardless of style.

Q. What can a new student expect?
A.​ A new student can expect to begin with some time to calm the mind and body. Throughout the practice, he/she can expect guidance through alignment and breath cues as well as adjustments. They can also expect modifications for poses to help them tailor their practice to their current needs.

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A.​ ​I greatly appreciate the increase in awareness about how alignment can look different from individual to individual, and how factors such as body type and joint pronation/supination need to be considered.

Q. What are your current personal wellness goals and how are you addressing them?
A.​ My current wellness goal is to find the best ‘diet’ for me. I have had chronic stomach issues throughout my life, and I am ​determined to be done with them! ‘Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.’

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A.​ My favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee is Humboldt Park. I spend a lot of time there with my 4th-6th grade students.​

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A.​ My favorite place to eat is probably either La Merenda or Alem Ethiopian Village, but there are so many amazing places here!​

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A.​ Aside from yoga, I love to read, paint, and go camping. ​

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
​A. My de-stress tool depends on the amount of time and energy I have! Some of my favorite tools are: yin yoga, meditation, walking my dogs, hiking and working in my yard.

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.

Q&A with Rebecca Schuster

Q. How long have you been a yoga teacher?
A. About a year and a half.

Q. What areas do you specialize in?
A. Vinyasa.

Q. What brought you to your current style of practice?
A. I fell in love with the different varieties of Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutations that I was introduced to in college.

Q. What can a new patient/client expect?
A. A challenging but accessible class where breath and movement becomes linked. I make sure to give modifications in every pose but also the option to take the pose deeper for the more experienced yogi(ni).

Q. What recent industry trends have you found most noteworthy?
A. Yin yoga which is a version of restorative yoga that is becoming rapidly popular. It is a nice contrast to the active and fast-moving vinyasa styles of yoga to include in everyone’s weekly practice or for winding down at the end of the day.

Q. What is your favorite beautiful spot in Milwaukee?
A. I love the beach at Atwater Park, I love spending summer afternoons there.

Q. What is your favorite place to eat in Milwaukee?
A. That’s a hard question but I’ll have to admit my love for EE Sane pops to mind first.

Q. What are your top three favorite things to do/hobbies?
A. Attending yoga classes, long walks with my dog and cooking/baking.

Q. What do you do to de-stress?
A. An at-home restorative or yin practice!