By Sophie Babcock, Associate Board Vice President, Events
In partnership with The Collective Yoga Cooperative, the CCH Associate Board will host a Month of Mindfulness this February, featuring a series of virtual yoga classes taught by instructors around the country, with all proceeds benefitting CCH.
The month-long event will feature both live and pre-recorded classes, with a variety of registration options. Participants can choose to register for one, three, five, or all seven live classes, a 5-pack of pre-recorded classes through The Collective Yoga Cooperative’s online yoga portal, or all live and pre-recorded classes.
The Collective Yoga Cooperative is a growing organization that works to bring access to yoga to communities such as BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and those of economic diverse backgrounds, welcoming marginalized communities who deserve to feel safe, welcomed, and represented in the landscape of yoga. Founders Paco and Elena will be hosting two of the seven live classes we’re offering in February.
Visit our ticket page to sign up for live classes, or purchase a class-pack to use at any time on the Collective’s online library.
Meet our Teachers
Paco (he/him)
Co-Founder of The Collective Yoga Co-Op
Wednesday, February 10, 7:30 p.m.
With a background in surfing and martial arts, Paco loves to move. He combines Power Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Yin yoga. You can expect a challenging workout based on anatomical alignment and a relaxing cool down. As a co-founder of the Collective, Paco’s mission is to bring the practice of yoga to those of diverse backgrounds, including the BIPOC, LGBTQ+ communities.
Louise (she/her)
Saturday, February 13, 9 a.m.
A San Diego-based yoga instructor and public school teacher, Louise will lead us in a rejuvenating and restorative beginner yoga class. Louise’s personal mission is to make yoga more accessible to all, for many years incorporating mindfulness into rituals with her students and their families. She co-founded cOMmunity Yoga & Mindfulness, a nonprofit focused on making yoga affordable. Check her out on Instagram for her regular class offerings: @communityyogamindfulness
Katie (she/her)
Tuesday, February 16, 7:30 p.m.
Katie is a Chicago-area native, scientist by day and yoga teacher by night. She began practicing yoga in 2014 for the physical recovery and mental stillness that she found through it, and pursued yoga teacher training in order to further connect with and share the benefits of yoga with her community. Her goal is to help her yoga students find a sense of presence on their mat, in order to be more present in their daily lives off the mat. In her day job, Katie works in product development for a food company – you may have tried their guacamole or dips! Katie loves summertime bike rides, traveling, and avocados. Katie’s class will be a breath-to-movement vinyasa flow, tailored to beginner and intermediate levels. Familiarity with basic yoga poses is helpful, but not necessary. All are welcome!
Elena (she/her)
Co-Founder of The Collective Yoga Co-Op
Thursday, February 18, 6:30 p.m.
Elena is influenced by many forms of yoga and teaches with a focus on alignment and intentional sequencing. Her hope is to create a unique practice for her participants, through movement, breath, and meditation; a space to be curious.
Caitlin (she/her)
Monday, February 22, 6:30 p.m.
Caitlin’s mat is a sacred place for her. It’s where she goes to nourish her mind, body, and spirit, each time feeling more grounded, more in-tune with herself, and of course more mindful. According to Caitlin, “yoga always brings me back to the present, out of my head, my thoughts, and my worries and fully into the moment.”
Sam (she/her)
Wednesday, February 24, 6:30 p.m.
Sam Bianchini is an international yoga teacher and facilitator. She has studied for over a decade with yogis, healers, and medicine carriers from traditions all over the world, and is well known for her unique blend of soulful yoga and powerful ceremony, blending asana as physical and emotional medicine, with ancient philosophy, sound healing, and the occasional Kurt Vonnegut quote. Sam’s yoga classes are warm, inspiring, poetic and soulful. She draws extensively from the teachings of Tantra, and encourages an equal and harmonious balance of spiritual fulfillment and worldly fulfillment. She is known best for her communal classes that are held in the style of a deeply spiritual ceremony. Her classes are strong, yet gooey, deep, meditative and loving. Sam is also fiercely committed to making yoga for all beings, and to actively decolonizing yoga in the west, as well as bringing awareness to the very needed anti-racism work in the yoga and healing world to make yoga available for all our relations.
Cassie (she/her)
Saturday, February 27, 1 p.m.
After moving to Chicago from Wisconsin in 2007 and juggling a full class schedule, Cassie found herself in need of a stress release. That was when she found yoga and immediately began to notice its profound effects on her daily life. Fast forward 14 years and she’s a certified yoga instructor and a Reiki Master & Meditation Teacher. She weaves Reiki into her classes to help her students discover and nurture themselves on and off the mat. All levels are welcome and modifications will be offered throughout her class.