All of our instructors are RYT certified Grade A awesome teachers.
Susan BurnsOwner, ERYT 500, YACEP, She/Her/Hers
Susan had been practicing yoga for over a decade before receiving her 200 hour yoga teacher training through Pulsation Yoga. Susan’s practice originally started as a supplement to her distance running, but over the years she realized she got much more from yoga, and it has become her central focus. Susan received her 300 Hour Training through Matt Giordano “TheYogiMatt” and is a Chromatic Teacher, which emphasizes teaching postures and educating students. She emphasizes a balanced practice to build strength, stamina and peace through a flowing style suited to her students’ needs, while pushing them to their highest potential.
Sandy SmithManager, ERYT 500, YACEP, She/Her/Hers
Sandy is a graduate of Pulsation Yoga’s 200 and 300 hour yoga teacher training programs, a teacher at Pulsation Yoga since 2015, and a Lead Teacher in the Pulsation Yoga Teacher Training program since 2019. Sandy primarily teaches Fundamentals and All Level classes for the studio, helping students build a regular yoga practice by focusing on the foundations of poses and alignment. Formerly a certified Wellness and Weight Loss Coach, she still strives to assist students to discover the benefits of yoga to develop strength, breath/body connection, and appreciation of their bodies regardless of where they are on their journey.
Alison TsengERYT 500, YACEP, She/Her/Hers
Alison’s yoga experience is centered around Ashtanga and Anusara based practices. She started to practice simply as a way to get exercise, but as time went on yoga became critical in helping to deal with her General Anxiety Disorder. As a teacher, Alison strives to help students feel and see the benefits that yoga offers their mind, their self-confidence, and their lives, even when they step off the mat. She believes it is important to build strength, flexibility, and balance through proper alignment. She tries to inspire a sense of community that creates a fun, rejuvenating, and relaxing environment.
Amanda DolanRYT 200
Bio coming soon!
Bettie MavesRYT 200
Bettie has been a long time practitioner of yoga, starting when she was eighteen. She has both her 200 HR Yoga certification as well as her Himalayan Meditation certification. She is passionate and knowledgable about the eight limbs of yoga and loves to share her experiences, understanding and love of this beautiful practice. She has been fortunate to have the opportunities to practice in several different countries, which helps bring a depth of knowledge and love from around the world into her classes.
Bryan YamakawaRYT 200
Bryan started practicing yoga to help strengthen his body in a way that didn’t cause headaches or stress on his body – and so in 2018 his yoga journey began. After completing Yoga Teacher Training at Pulsation Yoga in 2025 he began teaching at the studio and hopes to spend more time teaching someday when he retires. “My teacher training taught me to be humble. There’s always more to learn, and there are many different ways to reach the same goal.” Bryan’s teaching style is vinyasa based – moving and breathing slowly, with strength, muscle engagement and intention. His personal mantra is “Breathe.” Outside of the studio, Bryan’s spends time on his business, graphic design, travel, being a dad and a good husband.
Elizabeth KeaneRYT 200, She/Her/Hers
Elizabeth graduated from the YTT program at Pulsation in May of 2023. She initially began coming to yoga because of her background in dance, but her connection to the practice has grown to become an integral part of her life in managing anxiety and stress. She remains a constant student of yoga, expressing gratitude each time she steps on her mat. Elizabeth strives to create an environment where students can connect with the present moment while also pushing themselves to find a challenge, whatever that means for them that day.
Megan MillerRYT 500
A teacher since 2008, Megan has 200 hour RYT certifications in Forrest and Anusara Yoga and is wrapping up a 500 RYT Iyengar Influenced Advanced Teacher Training. She is also certified in Levels 1 & 2 Yoga for Golfers. Megan’s classes are uplifting and energetic, while embracing calmer, reflective moments. Each class is themed and interlaced with breath work, philosophy, creative sequencing and playlists that are an eclectic mix. Megan works to help students personalize their practices by modifying poses and mindfully progressing to deeper and more challenging poses when they’re ready. Rooted in alignment principles, she wants to help students develop wise, knowledgeable, instinctual practices and find balance, harmony, and peace on and off the mat.
Eve SwireRYT 200
The physicality of yoga sparked Eve’s interest long ago, but her practice blossomed when she began to experience yoga’s holistic benefits for body, mind and spirit. Fascinated by what yoga has done for her in terms of stress reduction, increased awareness, balance, strength and flexibility, Eve has found a passion in trying to help others. Eve completed Pulsation Yoga’s Teacher Training Class in 2015. She is forever challenging herself to learn more, to relax and to accept. Eve’s classes will always offer a physical challenge but her focus is the search for meaningful individual accomplishments rather than competing with an idealistic standard.
Kathryn TRYT 200, She/Her/Hers
Kathryn completed her 200-hour teacher training with Pulsation Yoga in June of 2018. She brings an extensive background in teaching movement of various kinds, including dance and group exercise, and has taught special needs children and adults, singers/performers, gymnasts. Additionally, Kathryn specializes in adapting movement and exercise for adults with cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges. Alignment and injury prevention are key components to her teaching, and the use of the breath and mindfulness bring a therapeutic aspect to her classes, which has been especially beneficial to her clients in the mental health field. In Kathryn’s classes she encourages people to “leave judgment at the door and just enjoy being you!”
Kayleigh KarlovitsRYT 200
Kayleigh’s first experience with yoga was when a local studio visited her high school. As an adult, she has had the opportunity to practice a variety of styles at studios across the country. No matter where she has lived, finding a yoga studio has been a priority. In 2021, after moving back to the Chicagoland area, Kayleigh started practicing with Pulsation Yoga. She cherishes the sense of community that she found at Pulsation Yoga and in 2025, she completed Pulsation Yoga’s 200hr yoga teacher training. Kayleigh focuses on the power of mindful movement, conscious breath, and restorative relaxation.
Michele Davies-CoyleRYT 200
Michelle began her career as a group fitness instructor but quickly discovered just how powerful yoga can be—not just for building strength, but for supporting mental clarity and overall well-being. What started as adding yoga-inspired movement into fitness classes soon grew into a passion, leading her to complete her yoga teacher training at Pulsation Yoga. She now brings energy and intention to a variety of classes, including Fundamentals, All Level Yoga, Yin, and Restorative. She especially loves guiding beginners to intermediate students, helping them build confidence, reduce stress, and feel stronger and more connected both on and off the mat. Outside the studio, she enjoys gardening, reading, playing with her dogs, and spending time with loved ones.
Nadiya DnesRYT 200
Yoga has been a part of Nadiya’s life for decades, and her own practice has helped her grow stronger, more flexible and fearless, both on and off the mat. Yoga inspires her to live each moment more mindfully. In her classes, she loves to combine creative sequencing, a spirit of playfulness and a dose of inspiration to help students deepen their practice. She seeks to help others thrive in life by nurturing body, mind and soul, and her hope is that you step off the mat feeling refreshed, nourished and balanced.
Patti QuillFront Desk
Patti is a longtime resident of Mount Prospect and the River Trails community. An event planner by day, she also serves on the Village’s Special Events Commission, where she volunteers her time and expertise for community events like the annual Shining Stars Gala.
Around the studio, you’ll find Patti at the front desk on weekends, popping in during the week, or helping out at special events. She loves connecting with teachers and students while contributing to the welcoming and supportive yoga community.
Around the studio, you’ll find Patti at the front desk on weekends, popping in during the week, or helping out at special events. She loves connecting with teachers and students while contributing to the welcoming and supportive yoga community.
Rose NudoRYT 200
Rose has a passion for learning and has always known she was a healer. She practiced yoga for ten years prior to earning her teaching certification in 2018. In 2022, after the end of the pandemic, she enrolled in 100-hour refresh at Pulsation Yoga. Most recently, January 2024, Rose completed 100 hrs of Mindful Yin training. In addition to her yoga background she is also a certified personal trainer thru NASM. Rose’s teaching background includes both the general population and these special populations: seniors, children, and those with cognitive impairment. Personally, Rose found healing from anxiety through her yoga practice. She became a yoga teacher because of her passion for helping others find their mind-body connection and inner peace. Rose will always be a student and will continue to share her knowledge with others.
Timmy McCulloughRYT 200, He/Him/His
Timmy began practicing yoga in 2017 and completed YTT at Pulsation in early 2021. He began practicing for the physical exercise to supplement his lacrosse career ending, but this focus shifted during his training when he was exposed to the Yoga Sutras. His goals as a teacher are twofold: to help students comfortably move beyond their boundaries by understanding the subtle movements that link every pose together, and to honor yoga’s history by sharing the knowledge passed down from teacher to student for thousands of years. He believes every teacher has something to learn and every student has something to teach, and looks forward to learning from everybody who joins him for a class.
Val MarkovskaRYT 200, Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Teacher, Reiki III, Spinal Flush Sound Therapy Certified
Val had followed a spiritual practice of yoga and meditation for years before she became a student at Pulsation Yoga in 2015. Finding more than just a physical benefit in yoga, Val continued to seek deeper into the philosophy, spirituality, and history of yoga, leading her on a path of expanding her practice. She completed teacher training in 2017 and has been teaching since. Val continues to expand her knowledge in Hatha, Anusara, Iyengar, Restorative, and Yin yoga. She received certifications at Chopra Global studied with Eddie Stern and Robert Moses at Yoga Education Collective.
Her classes are mindful and playful, opening and challenging the heart, mind, and body while integrating the wisdom and style of various yogic practices, including asana, pranayama, and mindfulness.
Her classes are mindful and playful, opening and challenging the heart, mind, and body while integrating the wisdom and style of various yogic practices, including asana, pranayama, and mindfulness.