Experienced instructors dedicated to thoughtful movement, personal growth, and creating a space where everyone feels supported.
Michelle Krecik
About Michelle....
Michelle, E-RYT-500, R-PYT is the owner of YOUnique Yoga and director of both the 200 hour level and 300 hour level teacher training programs.
Michelle fell in love with the benefits yoga after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. She took her first yoga training in Chicago then opened YOUnique Yoga in 2012. She is a dedicated yoga instructor with thousands of hours of training behind her. Michelle has honed her skills in creating transformative and empowering yoga sessions that cater to yogis that want to challenge themselves.
Her teaching style is a blend of Vinyasa Flow, Yin, Restorative, Hatha, Nidra; focusing on mindful movement; breath awareness; and fostering a sense of inner harmony. Michelle believes that yoga extends beyond the mat, inspiring a holistic approach to well-being that encompasses personal growth.
Michelle's goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment where students can explore their bodies, build strength, improve flexibility, and cultivate a deep connection with themselves. Michelle encourages self-acceptance, honoring each individual's unique journey while offering guidance for growth.
Kelly Richards
Kelly Richards, Certified Yoga Instructor
Kelly has been practicing yoga since 2016. She slowly began to see the emotional, physical and mental benefits of yoga. Kelly completed her yoga training at Younique Yoga in 2022. Kelly’s yoga styles are Vinyasa and Yoga with Weights and Pilates. Kelly has a passion for fitness and wellness. Yoga has definitely enhanced her life and she is made it her mission to share yoga with others so they can reap the benefits of it as well. Kelly regularly teaches yoga with weights two days a week. She has coined her class “the hour of power”. Kelly’s yoga with weight is a high intensity class with great music and is a lot of fun. If you want a killer but safe workout, where you sweat all of your worries and cares away, come join, “the hour of power!” We sweat and have lots of fun doing it!
Sissy Pomplin
Sissy is a yoga instructor (RYT200) who strives to help yogis feel comfortable in their practice, learn essential postures, and stay present as they move and breathe. She ensures a safe and accepting environment. Having studied yoga, contortion, aerials, dance, and gymnastics for many years, Sissy aids students in becoming more aware of their mind-body connection while balancing strength and flexibility.
Sissy began her yoga journey in high school with a Vinyasa practice to compliment her dance and circus background. From there, she branched into more restorative practices, including Yoga Nidra, Yin, and guided meditation. After graduating from teacher training at The Yoga Room, Sissy continues to promote well-rounded study in movement with a focus on the holistic practice of yoga. Sissy believes that yoga can be accessible for everyone.
Yoga is an opportunity to learn more about yourself, both physically and mentally. Whether you are looking to create some heat in your body or find some time to relax, Sissy loves to guide you in finding your most blissful self. Discover what makes you feel your best today in Sissy's classes!
Olivia Trujillo
Olivia fell in love with yoga in the comfort of her own home. Curiosity and the search for connection led her to her first studio class and soon after teacher training in 2015. If you ask her about yoga, she’ll tell you about the constant evolution of self and life and how this is widely seen from the mat. By teaching yoga one learns an abundance about humans and the self and it’s all wonderfully beautiful. Yoga for her is like finding the home within the self.
Her classes are built on skill and love. She has fueled her passion with continuing her yoga education and pouring this into the studio class experience. Her class is sure to get your body moving and breath working for that physical yoga “High” you often hear about. For Olivia yoga is tapping into the self through the breath into the body. It’s awareness to all the things we can strip away: doubt, fear, Not Enough-ness… all the things that keep us small. When you step on the mat you remember you were built stronger for this human experience and you can take a breath and move into a more surefooted self.
All in all, Olivia strives to show up and hold space for the souls that wander into the studio. She leads with the humble intention to help light a spark in those that cross her path on this journey we call life. Whether it is your first class or 100th there is something to be gained every time you step on your mat.
Sarah Greene
Sarah Ladybug Greene
Yoga Instructor since 2017
Trained at YOUnique
Certified in Hatha, vinyasa, nidra, chair & yin
Massage therapist & Reiki master
Random facts:
Born and raised in NWI
My first ever classes were taught at the Lake County Jail.
Samantha Hawthorne
Hello my name is Samantha Hawthorne I am a RYS 200-Hour Certified Yoga Instructor. Yoga allows you to feel connected to your mind and body while enjoying a workout. Join me for a slow flow class that allows you to focus on breath to movement while settling your mind. You can also join me in heated Heated Pilates is a great way to create strength and flexibility while focusing on your core. My goal is make sure you leave my class feeling accomplished and confident! Hope to see you in class!
Kelly Bishop
Kelly Bishop, LCSW, AYS, E-RYT500, is a Yoga-Informed Psychotherapist and is the lead teacher for the 300 -hour level advanced teacher training program.
Kelly started practicing yoga over 35 years ago when there was no such thing as yoga mats… her teacher had just returned from India and classes were held in a vacant store front on a big wool rug! Throughout the years Kelly left and returned to the practice of yoga until about 15 years ago she committed and really began to deepen her practice. Kelly is in love with yoga and often calls herself a “yoga geek” and truly believes that yoga saved her life in more ways than one.
Kelly completed her advanced yoga training at Devanadi school of Yoga and Wellness where she was initiated into the Sri Vidya lineage. Her classes can at times be deeply devotional, heart opening and infused with love as she is inspired by Bhakti yoga. Her teaching style is alignment and breath-oriented with a strong focus on personal energy movement and awareness, and often a touch of humor. She enjoys assisting students in finding the sweet balance between body, mind and breath. She feels honored to have taken deep dive trainings with well-known teachers to include Leslie Kaminoff, Indu Arora, Tanya Boigenzahn, Saul David Raye, Seane Corn, and Bryan Kest. She has also trained with Leann Carey to offer therapeutic restorative yoga. She is currently a student in a 15 month Yogic/Tantric meditation immersion and teacher training at the Devanadi School and can’t wait to share these beautiful and powerful meditation practices with the Younique yoga community.
Kelly’s goal is to show up to every class and hold space with love and curiosity. She is passionate about getting to know students personally in an environment where individuals can explore movement and breath within their own unique desires and needs in mind. Kelly is deeply inspired by helping people find their own dharma/purpose through the practice of yoga and their personal path toward liberation, and the great joy that it brings!
Moochie (Karen) Brennan
Moochie (who’s real name is Karen) attended her first hot yoga class back in 2014, and immediately fell in love. After practicing on and off for years, in 2022 she committed to practicing on a more regular basis- within a year she decided to extend her practice further by beginning teacher training. While her teacher training focused mainly on the Vinyasa aspect of yoga, Moochie’s love of Yin yoga became apparent, and you can expect some Yin aspects to be woven throughout any class she teaches.
Moochie's yoga journey has changed many aspects of her life. What started out as a way to get out with the girls, destress and unwind from everyday life quickly led to a healthier lifestyle. Yoga has made her stronger, both mentally and physically. Moochie loves the self-confidence that yoga can bring out of you as you progress within your practice, along with all of the amazing health benefits that yoga provides. Knowing that yoga should be accessible to all body types & practice levels, Moochie is a firm believer in meeting your body where it's at. In other words, just realizing that how you move and feel today may be different than yesterday, and that that’s OK.
Originally from the south side of Chicago, Moochie now resides in NWI with her husband and 2 teenage boys. When she is not working or driving back and forth between her kids’ sporting events, you can find her going to concerts, reading, or on her yoga mat. One of her favorite poses is a Forward Fold, due to the stretch that you feel in your legs and the weightlessness you feel in your back, shoulders and neck as your upper body releases any pent up tension.
Emily Lail
Emily is a passionate fitness instructor dedicated to helping her clients reach their wellness goals! She's taught many different modalities, ranging from Zumba to strength training at F45 to Barre. Fitness started solely as a passion for Emily, and she turned it into her career by helping boutique fitness studios grow their clientele through strategic marketing efforts, social media content and consulting knowledge. When Emily isn't teaching fitness classes, you'll find her at home with her son Hudson and adorable Pitbull Patch. She is an avid runner and fitness enthusiast and loves to find new ways to challenge herself and build strength both mentally and physically. A few fun facts about her: she started a book club in NWI (let her know if you want to join!), she attended pastry school, and her degree is in marine science!
