WELCOME TO YOGA WITH CHRIS!
Be in the moment
Chris Yovanovich
Chris is dedicated to honoring and sharing the most authentic healing aspects of the ancient traditions of Yoga. Nourishing the body, mind, and spirit, she relies on the wisdom of teachings that have proven to be effective over thousands of years. Physical postures are only a part of what she teaches. Breathwork, meditation, bandhas, Ayurveda/nutrition, sound healing (Nada Yoga) and basic lifestyle changes are just some of the ancient teachings she shares through her weekly classes at Witham’s Wellness Center in Lebanon, IN., Inner Balance Yoga + Pilates in Brownsburg, IN. and Blossom Yoga + Pilates in Zionsville, IN.
As a musician, Chris enjoys performing for her classes as well as local wineries, rehab centers, and special events. She believes that tapping into the frequencies of the heart through sound is a powerful tool assisting us to get out of our heads and back into our hearts! She also loves integrating healing frequencies through the use of tuning forks in classes to assist students with finding their center.
Chris offers her workshop, Somatic Reset: Healing Stress and Trauma at various locations in the Midwest. She has been teaching yoga full time over the past 20 years after working 15 years in the medical field as social worker. She first began studying yoga at Paramahansa Yoganada’s Self Realization Fellowship based in L.A. for 3 years prior to being initiated as a Kriyaban in 2005. This was before she ever stepped foot into a yoga studio to practice the physical postures. Chris studied under Marsha Pappas and Nikki Myers at Cityoga obtaining her 200 RYT in 2005.
Teacher Trainings
After teaching at Cityoga and various corporations thoughout the city, Chris began developing and leading 200 hour teacher trainings in 2010 and 300 hour teacher trainings in 2014 with Peace through Yoga, Indiana Yoga Studio, Butler University and Christian Theological Seminary. She is currently preparing to teach her 31st teacher training at Blossom Yoga in Zionsville beginning August, 2025.
Chris is dedicated to teaching the healing aspects of yoga and preparing yoga teachers to become the best that they can be on and off the mat. Over the years, she trained with various senior trainers in the lineages of Viniyoga with Gary Kraftsow, Iyengar Yoga with Jyoti, and Anusara/Ashaya Yoga with Todd Norian, which are all hatha based. She has also completed specialized trainings in yoga for addictions, trauma and arial yoga. She is passionate about assisting others to delve deeply into their own practice to enable them to teach more intuitively from the heart.
Whether one is considering teaching yoga or just learning more about themselves, Chris encourages everyone to experience teacher training at least once in their life. Many take more than one teacher training! From professionals in high stress positions to retirees, many have taken her teacher trainings finding it was indeed a change for the better! However, it is not an easy path. It is a deep dive into the shadow self, revealing blockages and dormant potential, eventually making space for more love, peace, joy and overall balance in every day and work life.
WORKSHOP
SOMATIC RESET: HEALING CHRONIC STRESS & TRAUMA
WITHAM WELLNESS CENTER, 2505 N. LEBANON ST., SOUTH ENTRANCE
Mondays | Restorative/Yin Fusion | 6:00-7:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAYS | SLOW FLOW | 12:30-1:30 P.M.
$15 per class
may be paid ONLINE, in person, or through Venmo: @Chris-Yovanovich
IN THE VILLAGE OF ZIONSVILLE- 30 S. Elm St., 4607
SUNDAYS | SLOW FLOW | 11:00 – 12:00 P.M.
FRIDAYS | RESTORATIVE | 4:30-5:30 P.M.
660 Patrick Place, Brownsburg, IN. 46112
FRIDAYS | HEATED VINYASA | 9:00-10:00 A.M.
FRIDAYS | RESTORATIVE/YIN | 11:00-12:00 P.M.
SAGE YOGA
645 Fieldhouse Way Lebanon, IN. 46052
EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY | RESTORATIVE/YIN FUSION | 7 -8 P.M.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
SLOW FLOW YOGA
Slow flow yoga is a gentle and meditative practice that focuses on gradually moving through poses while synchronizing movement with the natural cadence of the breath. This deliberate pace allows for increased mindfulness and enhanced focus on proper alignment and form. As the body moves through slow, intentional movements, blood flow is stimulated, aiding in the circulation of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
By engaging in slow flow yoga, practitioners can support the function of the lymphatic and endocrine systems. The gentle movements help to stimulate the lymphatic system, which plays a crucial role in removing waste and toxins from the body. Additionally, the practice can support the endocrine system, which regulates hormones and overall body functions.
Through the combination of breathwork, movement, and mindfulness, slow flow yoga can cleanse the body of impurities and support the immune system. The deliberate movements help to release tension and promote relaxation, allowing the body to operate more efficiently and effectively. By incorporating slow flow yoga into a regular practice, individuals can cultivate a sense of balance, rejuvenation, and overall well-being.
RESTORATIVE YOGA
The Restorative yoga class I offer is designed to help you unwind and release tension in your body, especially focusing on the neck and shoulders. As we know that ending a hectic week can leave you feeling physically and mentally drained, this class is crafted to provide deep relaxation and restoration.
We will begin the class with gentle breathing exercises to calm the mind and bring awareness to the breath. Then, we will move into a series of slow-paced, supported yoga poses that target the neck and shoulders, allowing you to release built-up tension and stress.
During the body work portion of the class, I will offer hands-on adjustments and gentle massage techniques to help release any tightness or knots in the muscles of the neck and shoulders. This soothing touch can help to improve circulation, reduce pain, and promote a sense of deep relaxation.
By the end of the class, you will feel a sense of peace and relief from the stresses of the week, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I invite you to join me in this Restorative yoga class to experience the healing benefits of body work and neck and shoulder releases.
RESTORATIVE/YIN FUSION
Restorative and Yin yoga are gentle and slow-paced forms of yoga that focus on deep relaxation and stretching of the body. These practices are particularly effective in releasing stored tension and trauma that may be held in the body.
When we experience stress or trauma, our bodies often respond by tightening and contracting muscles, leading to physical discomfort and decreased flexibility. Restorative and Yin yoga poses target these areas of tightness and allow for the release of tension, creating space for healing and recovery.
By holding poses for an extended period of time and focusing on deep breathing, practitioners are able to tap into the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and reduces stress. This in turn helps to calm the mind and release emotional and physical tension stored in the body.
Through the practice of restorative and Yin yoga, individuals can begin to cultivate a greater sense of awareness and connection to their bodies, allowing them to release and process trauma in a safe and supportive environment. By incorporating these practices into their wellness routine, individuals can experience greater levels of physical and emotional healing, ultimately leading to a more balanced and resilient state of being.
HEATED VINYASA
A meditative heated vinyasa yoga class combines the fluid movement of vinyasa with the calming, inward-focused elements of meditation, all set in a warm inviting environment. The room is heated to a comfortable temperature, typically around 85-95 degrees F, to encourage flexibility and promote a sense of release in the muscles.
The class begins with a gentle grounding sequence, encouraging students to center their attention on their breath and present moment. As the practice flows, each breath is synchronized with a movement-exhaling into one pose, inhaling into another-breathing a rhythm that feels almost like a dance. The teacher may offer cues for mindfulness, inviting students to stay connected with their inner sensations, fostering a deep sense of awareness.
Throughout the class, the pace remains steady but not too fast, allowing for thoughtful transitions between poses. While the heat helps to deepen stretches and improve circulation, the focus is always on tuning into the body’s sensations and thoughts, letting go of distractions, and staying present. Poses, or asanas may range from gentle sun salutations to more expansive backbends, with moments for restorative poses sprinkled in. The use of deep breathing and mindful movements helps students calm their minds, releasing stress and cultivating a serene mental space.
A rest period is always offered toward the end of class allowing students to integrate all they experienced to gain the full benefit of what they did. Western medicine has recently published a study indicating that rest of at least 10-20 minutes of any activity helps the body fully integrate all that was accomplished on a cellular level. Knowledge ancient yogis knew thousands of years ago!
Questions? Contact Chris Yovanovich | (317) 225-7867 | csyo66@gmail.com
