Tammy Mitchell

The flow and exchange of energy is a constant inspiration to bring healing essence of yoga into peoples lives. Tapping into the body's energy through a yoga practice compels love, gratitude, compassion, joy and equanimity to heighten in our form.  Tammy draws on the influences and experiences of being an elementary & high school physical educator & coach, and her love of nature, the energetic body, Om cooking, teaching children & adults, travel & music, to bring you a variety of yoga and movement experiences. With the love & support from Barrett Carlson, family & friends, Tammy has studied the past three years with teachers of the Shambhava School of Yoga, Chuck Duff of Thai Yoga Bodywork and Dr. Anthony James of the Soma Veda Institute. Tammy is the co-owner of Heading OM, a certified Hatha Yoga teacher, certified Thai Yoga Advanced Practitioner & facilitator, practices Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki & holds an Illinois teaching certificate. Her passion and commitment directs her to the ancient healing arts of Thai and Hatha Yoga, with intent to share her experience with you. Welcome OM!   www.myspace.com/omontherange

Kandy Stamer Bernal

Offering a wealth of knowledge with her love for wellness, nutrition, the environment & sustainability, Kandy is the Co-owner of Ulew Natural Products, LLC, a company that offers non-toxic cosmetic & body products. Ulew advocates for safe products, raising awareness of the effects of toxic chemicals on our bodies and the environment and co-sponsors the Peoria Healthy Living Expo. Kandy shares her life with her husband Jim and her large, loving family.

Teresa Smith

COMING SOON

Lisa Zell

You can take the girl out of West Peoria, but you can't take West Peoria out of the girl. That's what my dad said when he first visited our studio. I was born & raised in West Peoria and have lived there all but the last three years of my life. Heading OM has been such a joy for me. I am a "late bloomer" in the world of Yoga and enlightenment.  My practice began when I discovered that I would deliver my second child after turning 40 the same year. I am a student of Anusara, Hatha, Iyengar & virtually every new path of enlightenment that I meet. I'm not ready to commit to one specific philosophy as my journey continues to show me new things that interest me, including Reflexology, Healing with Crystals, Reiki & Thai Yoga. My teaching style combines heart opening poses with the traditional Yoga philosophy, breath work, meditation & a lot of humor mixed in. I am the 7th of 10 children in the Pat & Vic Burnett family, so if you don't know me, you probably know one of my parents, brothers or sisters. I attended Academy of Our Lady/Spalding Institute, Western Illinois University, ICC, and worked in insurance and child care before hearing the call to teach Yoga. I am so grateful to be in love with and happily married to Ed Zell and we share our lives with two beautiful daughters, Clare & Bunny. Namaste!

Heidi Turcot

One of Heidi's greatest joys is to share this ancient science of self-development with others through her teaching. She has continued to develop her skills and understanding by attending advanced trainings through the years with many of the current yoga masters, including Erich Schiffmann, Judith Lassiter, Gary Kraftsow, Kausthub Desikachar, Srivatsa Ramaswami, and Swami Dharmakeerti Saraswati. A recent yoga emersion in India with Swami Saraswati has further deepened Heidi's connection to the roots of the tradition. In 2008, Heidi will complete the 500 hour level professional teacher training at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, earning the certification of an advanced /experienced yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance.
The emphasis in Heidi's eclectic teaching is on personalizing the practice to each student's capacity using a meditative, flowing style with the full integration of the breath in each and every pose. Students are encouraged to respect their body wisdom and to use the various yogic practices as a way to deepen their self-understanding and realization through the integration of mind, body and breath.
Heidi also holds a Masters degree in Social Work and works as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker when she is not on the yoga mat. She lives with her husband Keith and their dog Casey, both of whom inspire her to remain present and open-hearted to life. Heidi's yoga practice began in 1981 and she has been teaching since 1996. She is certified in Integrative Yoga Therapy since 1997 and is registered with Yoga Alliance.

LISA NELSON RAABE

Lisa Nelson Raabe, RYT, 2005, combines the energetics and dynamism of Ashtanga yoga with the alignment and stability of Iyengar. Cultivating an openness to emotions caught in the body, she focuses therapeutically on structural issues with anatomical precision toward gaining greater body awareness.  By embodying a meditative attitude of breath awareness, visualization and relaxed mindful effort we cultivate the clarity and wakefulness necessary to lead more fulfilling and abundant lives.  Lisa has extensive training with Tias Little of Prajna Yoga, a study of the body-mind connection through yoga asana, pranayama, meditation, sensory sensitivity and concentration practices.  Lisa is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist.