About Us
Felicia
Schmid, 500 CYT is an Advanced 500-hour
Certified Yoga Teacher through Lotus Yoga
Centre, a Registered Yoga Alliance School (RYS). There, she was trained by Sarla Walter (yogiraj.) from the Swami Rama
lineage (the founder of the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and
Philosophy). She has also studied therapeutics &
posture alignment extensively with Master Instructor Gabriel Halpern of the Iyengar
lineage. In 2008, after much commitment and dedication, she received
a Yoga Therapy Certification from Joseph LePage's Integrative Yoga Therapy Home
Study Program. The foundation of this program is based on Samkhya
Philosophy and how Yoga's rich gifts can be gained by freeing/working thru the
5 Koshas (or layers of body, mind & spirit).
She has been passionately teaching since 2002 and has been regularly practicing Yoga since 1999. She proudly opened and operated a studio from 2003-2007. One of her proudest moments is to have spearheaded the first and now well-renowned Yoga: Good for What Ails You Series held throughout the suburbs of Chicago. Her memberships have ranged from Lotus Yoga Teachers' Association, Midwest Yoga Teachers’ Network, International Association of Yoga Therapists as well as the Fox Valley Women's Whole Health Network. She has also participated as a Mentor to the Prairie Yoga Teacher Training Program.
Felicia resides in St. Charles with her husband and two wonderful boys (little and big yogis themselves)! It is because of the continued support and encouragement of her family that she is able to bring the joy of yoga to her community. As she personally began experiencing the true healing benefits of yoga & wellness, Felicia soon realized yoga was her dharma and... helping others heal through yoga was her path. "After having my children, there came a time that I had to begin thinking about them and our future. I finally psyched myself up to meet w/ a surgeon out of Loyola who specializes in VSD--the type of congential heart defect that I have--and prepare myself to have open heart surgery; and, to my (and my husband's) amazement (!!!!) the doctor said the hole in my heart began closing again and I wouldn't need such a procedure. Something unheard of once you reach your twenties, let alone your thirties! Through yoga therapeutics, I have also dealt with or continue to deal with some of the following issues and how they affect my physical and emotional bodies-- auto-immune dysfunction (CFS), hormone imbalances (anovulation, cysts, endometriosis), digestive disorders (IBS, spastic colon), mood imbalance (anxiety/depression), respiratory complaints (sinus, seasonal allergies)"
“Yoga can become quite personal. As you open the layers of the body that are blocked or constricted where heaviness & darkness lie, vulnerability comes to the surface. Ask yourself--How can ’I’ get through this without fleeing? How can ‘I’ create lightness and ease in discomfort? Yoga has taught me to not run—to breathe in a moment of vulnerability or tightness so that freedom, clarity and acceptance can come. My job as a teacher is to help plant the seed that the student will continue to water so that all their beauty will blossom, grow and shine.”
She teaches customized individual sessions based on those lessons learned, combined w/ Iyengar principles of alignment. She is also a Reiki Practitioner and is currently studying the Northern Style of Thai Yoga Bodywork in the tradition of Pichest Boonthamme and will pursue her Ayurvedic studies in the near future. She believes that yoga is a wellness modality and compassionately guides her students on the journey of Yoga in a nurturing, compassionate and safe environment. You can expect a focused, challenging and eclectic class that revolves around strength through softness and softness through strength. Longer holds fused with slow flow is stressed and hands-on adjustments give the student that "ah" feeling!
Felicia
regularly continues her education through self study and practice. She shares with her students knowledge gained from continuing education classes
with inspiring master teachers: Seane Corn's mystical spirit, Gary
Kraftsow's therapeutics, Amy Weintraub's uniqueness and compassion, Noah Maze's
approachableness, Nicki Doane & Eddie Modestini's nurturing kindness,
Sharon Gannon & David Life's inspirational wisdom and Susi Hateley's body-balance mechanics.
She is always open to the opportunities that life brings! She is most grateful to her children who teach her life’s lessons every day, her family, friends and students and gives special thanxs to her first yoga teacher, Lori Lane, for "I would not be where I am today without her."
Trikonasana (Triangle)
@ Asanas & MORE Yoga St. Charles Studio 2006
Felicia's thorough knowledge of various yoga traditions, therapeutics, practices & systems are shared with her students through her caring words & compassionate adjustments. As a yoga teacher myself, I know after each class I will have acquired at least one unique technique, whether for meditation, pranayama or asana, that will bring me closer to my state of bliss. Desiree E., Batavia
Felicia created a personal routine for my own needs and paid close attention to my posture and breathing so I could fully capture the essence of the asanas. What a great experience!"MK, St. Charles
As a fairly new yoga instructor, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with Felicia. I have learned so much from her.. Her style is unique....I have never experienced before the individual attention given to a student as Felicia gives her students. I have been in her class as a student and as an apprentice teacher. Everyone in her class receives individual attention, no matter how big the class.....she makes sure she knows each student well and what adjustment or assistance they may need... Felicia will research for her student’s specific ailments or physical injuries, so she can design a plan specifically for that student.. This has impressed me, since my background is nursing and I have seen how people can suffer with chronic pain, or stiffness....I've seen her students respond to the individual attention, I've seen her students feel better. She truly creates a healing environment, and I am always happy to be a part of it. Dawn C., St. Charles
Yoga makes more sense with Felicia Schmid. Her teaching shines because she is passionate with her own yoga practice. From her experience in assisting master yoga teacher Gabriel Halpern, she offers clear instruction to her students and has developed her own beautiful teaching style. Felicia works hard to provide a safe, fun, and challenging atmosphere and is an asset to my yoga community. Stacy D., Yorkville
After a much-too-long absence from yoga, I discovered Asanas & More in St. Charles. As early as my first class, I realized this was something special. There were classes for every style of yoga, and the instructors were eager to adapt poses and practices to each individual's tastes and abilities. Not only did I strengthen my muscles and become more flexible and balanced, I left each class with a sense of peace and serenity. Following a challenging work week, my Saturday mornings at Asanas & More were a welcome respite and a chance to renew my energies and mental well being. Gail F., Bartlett
Asanas Yoga was a wonderful and genuine place to practice Yoga. I always felt welcome. Felicia is an excellent teacher and I miss her wisdom and true spirit of Yoga. Namaste, Colleen P.
Felicia is a compassionate teacher who teaches not only the correct form of yoga but also how each pose will help you. Her manner is warm and non-intimidating and I always walk out of her class happy and relaxed. She has been a big influence on my life and she is as wonderful of a person as she is a teacher. Amy C., Geneva
Felicia's extensive knowledge of yoga, and the practice of Iyengar's method in particular, gave me a perfect introduction to its mental and physical benefits. She made me feel comfortable and confident, despite my inexperience, and the in-home sessions couldn't have been more convenient. Thank you Felicia! -Chris C., Geneva
Vrksasana (Tree) Hiking! (Michigan)
Me, Amy Weintraub, Suddha Weixler, Desiree Eastham
Eka Pada Baddha Rajakapotasana (one-legged bound king pigeon)
Gabriel Halpern & Me
