Yoga With Tracy Von Kaenel - 2012

Yoga With Tracy Von Kaenel

2012 was a year of growth, both spiritually and in the amount of bodies with a desire to add yoga to their lives. The class sizes grew to a healthy number, a pure indication that something good is going on at the Tai Chi Center of Chicago. There were more requests for private yoga lessons and Yogassages as people once again acknowledged the importance of taking care of one’s self. And the Aerial yoga program has been steadily expanding, introducing dozens of new and experienced yogis to this unique form of the practice.

A group of yoga instructors from Iowa made the trip to Chicago to experience Aerial Yoga from Tracy Von Kaenel and are now offering it to their students in the Quad Cities. In fact folks from all around have come to study Aerial Yoga, including The Suburban Yoga Network Connection (SYNC) who brought their group to the city for a workshop. The 7 teachers enjoyed the workshop and then shared their enthusiasm with Yoga Chicago magazine. I was also blessed with enthusiastic instructors traveling to Chicago to learn the Aerial techniques from as far away as California and even Brazil. I even got Elizabeth (yes THAT Elizabeth!) to tip upside down on the sling a few times….wee!

The yoga classes enjoyed some specialty classes again this summer including a Chakra balancing class, Zen Practice, Cardio Yoga, and a lovely outdoor class in a beautiful hidden garden in the neighborhood. I continue to be impressed by the level of dedication from this enlightened group. Their spirits and energy continue to bring joy to the practice, in the studio or in the garden.

One of my personal favorite highlights of the year was in September. Yoga with Tracy Von Kaenel hosted a Yoga Retreat inviting those who’ve consistently studied with me the longest to a beautiful lakefront home in Kenosha for a full weekend of yoga philosophy, asana class, healing circles, delicious vegetarian food, like-minded community and lots of fun. It was a great experience and everyone returned with a new sense of centeredness and peacefulness, which they continue to share with everyone back home.

Our participation in the Ravenswood Art Walk this year included 13 yogis and yoginis participating in a choreographed piece that weaved together a flowing yoga practice, aerial yoga, aerial dance, and a community chant of Om Mani Padme Hum. It was very well attended and very well received. Thanks to all the dedicated yogis and yoginis for their hard work, and to our guest dancer Danielle…. all of them are amazing.

The only thing missing this year was even more yogis. Many of the regulars have had to stop coming due to circumstances in their lives. There’s not a class I teach that I don’t think of them and miss them. Every student who’s ever come through the doors of TCC is incredibly special to me, and such an important part of my life. My continued Samkalpa is for those students to find a way to get back into a yoga practice (whether it’s with me or not). I know how important the practice is to a harmonious life and I would love everyone to experience that.

I look forward to 2013 with open arms. There are some great new things on the horizon. The Aerial classes will be moving to a new time, Mondays 6-7p.m and we’ll be starting a new Zen Yoga class on Mondays from 7:30-8:30 pm. I’m excited about the Aerial move, as it will allow this energetic practice to be practiced at an earlier time of the day and also excited to close the day with a soothing and rejuvenating Zen practice. I bid a fond farewell to a very good year, and a hearty welcome to the next, which will be even better. Namaste.

Namaste,
Tracy