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Instructor Bio - Jessica Aiken, R.Y.T., certified Jivamukti Yoga Instructer- Chicago, IL
Artist and Yoga Teacher - Jessica received her BFA in Fine arts from University of Illinois at Chicago and her MFA from Northwestern University in Art and Theory with a specialization in Painting, Installation, and Video Art.

Jessica teaches Yoga and Pilates full time in Chicago and works in her home art studio. Yoga - Jessica was first introduced to yoga in 2001 and by 02 was hooked on a vigorous regular practice.  Jessica began teaching yoga full time in 2005.  Jessica's main yoga teacher trainings include: 15 hour pre-natal and beg vinyasa yoga 2003, 200 hour teacher training in Ashtanga with Larry Schultz (It's Yoga) in 2005, 300 hour Jivamukti with David Life, Sharon Gannon and Yogeswari 2009.  Jessica’s love of Ashtanga yoga lead her to India in 07/08 for 2 1/2 months studying: (Ashtanga at Pattabhi Jois's Ashtanga Yoga Research Center with Sharath Rangaswamy in Mysore as well as Ashtanga with Rolf and Marci Naujokat in Goa, Sanskrit, yogic philosophy, classical Bharatanatyam Indian dance and Henna art in Mysore, and Yoga and Ayurveda and Yoga in Rishikesh).

In her day-to-day yoga community in Chicago she is forever thankful to the many teachers that are very inspirational to her; especially: Patricia Hyland, Cara Jepsen, Amy Beth Treciokas, and Todd Bowman. International/National teachers that she has had the fortune to meet and have highly influenced her teaching and practice are: Shri K Pattahbi Jois, Sharath Rangaswamy, Rolf and Marci Naujokat, Chuck Miller, Bhagavan Das, Sri Dharma Mittra, Maty Ezraty, Larry Schultz, David Swenson, Danny Paradise, Nancy Gilgoff, and especially her beloved gurus David Life and Sharon Gannon who through living example, everyday teach her that compassionate living, art, animal and peace activism, non-violence in action, and yoga as a spiritual path are together the object of her devotion!

Pilates - Jessica has practice pilates since 2003 and became more passionate about it as her yoga practice deepened over the years. Jessica completed her first Pilates teacher training in 2006 she is certified in both reformer and mat and has been teaching pilates now for 6 years. She has completed 128 hours of pilates trainings to date and is presently continueing her studies in the classical style with Power Pilates. She completed her most recent training in the Classical Mat system (Beginner and Intermediate) through Power Pilates with Senior teachers Beth Reidinger and Linda Spriggs in 2011.

Jessica has taught for the following Yoga studios and gyms throughout Chicago: Arabesque Dance studio, Bally Total Fitness, Fitness Formula Clubs, The Peninsula, The Yoga and Therapy Studio, Lakeshore Athletic Club, Soulistic Studio, Yoga Now, Namaskar, and a number of Private Clients, Universities, and Business. In 2008, Jessica assisted Owner/Director of Yoga Now Amy Beth Treciokas in the very first 2 of Yoga Now's 200 hour registered yoga alliance teacher trainings.

Jessica currently teaches private, workplace and group classes.Her group yoga classes are currently at Yoga Now (sunday, monday, tuesday, thursday, and friday). She also leads workshops in Pranayama and Meditation, Jivamukti Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga as well as Yoga and Creativity at various studios around the Chicagoland area. Monthly (second fridays) at Yoga Now she leads a candlelit Jivamukti workshop: "Jivalution" with a different theme each month. She is forever grateful to all of her teachers that have inspired her, challenged her and mentoured her, and to their teachers, and their teacher's teachers. Jessica considers her own personal daily yoga practice the most precious gift and is thankful everytime she steps onto the mat.

Contact Information - Smile Yoga - Chicago, IL
For all inquiries please contact Jessica Aiken
email: jessica@smileyogachicago.com, jesseaiken123@yahoo.com
web: www.smileyogachicago.com