"Learning from Sarah is like constantly opening a new chapter in life, both physically and spiritually. It's within these new chapters I have learned so much about myself... and for that, I am grateful. Practicing yoga with Sarah has allowed me to grow in my own personal way. Sarah encourages her students to open their hearts to their potential despite what their neighbor is doing."
~ Dana Bartunek
Professional Background
Sarah teaches Anusara-inspired yoga, holds Shakti Gong Sound Healing workshops, yoga teacher trainings and immersions, teaches and practices Reiki and other bodywork, and does a little graphic design and ghost-busting on the side. ;)
Yoga Background
Sarah Richelle Starnes began practicing Hatha Yoga when she was 12, and she was raised with chanting, meditation and other holistic and ritualistic practices from very early childhood. Sarah has been teaching yoga since 1999. She is an Anusara-inspired Yoga Instructor, and has also received advanced Hatha Yoga certifications through the White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA. Sarah has been leading Hatha Yoga Teacher Trainings in Illinois since 2004. Her deep, passionate connection to Anusara yoga drives her to diligently study and train with her teacher, John Friend and other certified Anusara teachers multiple times a year. Sarah is also a certified Reiki Adept Master Teacher and Nomena Healer through the Mystical Sciences Institute in Evanston, IL. She has taught yoga in the city and suburbs of Chicago, as well as in Kauai, Indonesia and Italy. Sarah's teaching explores the energetic subtleties of a yoga practice, interwoven with optimal, anatomical alignment principles. The celebratory nature of her teaching style reflects her love for the practice and helps her students learn how to find the courage within to be themselves, while expanding their hearts to reveal the divine joy that is their deepest nature. Sarah brings a fun, blissful and compassionate energy to her classes, providing a safe, and empowering environment for students of all ages and levels of experience.
Q: What other hobbies do you have aside from yoga practice?
A: My passions other than practicing and teaching yoga include dancing, graphic design, photography, essential oils, kirtan mantra and music, partner/acro yoga, tap dancing, hiking with Frankie and our chihuahuas in the woody bush, climbing mountains, horseback riding, swimming in the ocean, writing songs and poetry, painting and exploring anything new to create, or learn and grow from.
Q: What is the title of a book that you have read recently that you could strongly recommend?
A: Heart of the Yogi by Doug Keller
Q: What is one of your all-time favorite movies?
A: Signs
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
I don't ever watch TV, but I do download episodes of LOST and True Blood... those are the only two shows I have watched in many years.
Q: What is one place that you would like to visit in the world? Why?
A: Thailand... I spent over a month in Bali last year, and that's the next place on that side of the world that I would like to explore... then India will be next...
Q: What's your favorite color?
A: the Purple family :)
Q: What award in high school should you have won?
A: the weirdo award
Q: What is one of the funniest incidents that occurred in one of your yoga classes?
A: While teaching outside at a yoga retreat, my chihuahua Moses was hanging around my class and he decided to lift his leg to, ahem... and so I just taught a one-legged dog pose to the class in honor of my little yogi pup. They enjoyed his demo and performed their asana quite mimetically.
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