About Me
Hi! I’m Amanda Stivers! I started my yoga journey in 2006, at a time in my life when I was feeling lost, anxious, stressed, and unsure about my direction.
Looking for a more holistic way to cope with how I was feeling led me to check out what this thing called yoga was all about.
After reading a few yoga books, taking a few local yoga classes, and starting a home yoga practice, I realized that yoga provided me the tools I needed to work through the uncertainties I was facing. Yoga also made me able to focus on what truly matters, while making me more centered, rejuvenated, and empowered.
Yoga gives me the ability to stay focused, centered, and calm in body, mind, and spirit. I sleep more soundly and have more confidence since starting to practice yoga, and I love how I feel calm, yet energized, after a yoga class. Yoga has been such a wonderful addition to my life that I want to share my practice with you. I want to help you feel great in your body, mind, and spirit, as well!
I obtained my 200-hour registered yoga teacher certificate in Hatha Yoga from the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago, IL in June of 2012, and my 500-hour registered yoga teacher certificate from Prairie Yoga in Lisle, IL in December, 2017. I obtained a Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga Teaching Certificate from T. Nolan Yoga in July 2017. I also attend various yoga classes and yoga-related workshops to keep up-to-date on all things yoga.
When I’m not teaching yoga, you can find me cooking vegetarian meals, reading, studying herbalism, crafting, playing with our adopted greyhound, Lucy, and traveling with my husband.
Namaste!
Hatha Yoga
I teach my classes in the Hatha Yoga tradition. Hatha Yoga is a path toward creating balance and uniting opposites. Through practice, we develop a balance of strength and flexibility in our physical bodies and in our minds by learning to balance our efforts and surrender into each pose.
Hatha is also translated as “ha”, sun-and “tha” meaning moon. This refers to the balance of masculine aspect-the active hot sun-and feminine aspect-the receptive and cool moon-within all us.
In addition to Hatha, I take inspiration from Restorative Yoga in designing my classes. In my classes, we hold poses for several breaths to allow you to settle into each pose and express your best self in the pose. Then, slowly, we move fluidly into the next pose to allow proper foundation and alignment. Variations in poses are always offered, and students are always encouraged throughout class to move at their own pace in a non-competitive environment.
I also offer chair yoga classes! Enjoy and experience the many benefits of yoga with the stability and support of a chair. This gentle form of yoga is designed for those with coordination and balance limitations, and limited range of motion, who may find traditional yoga classes challenging.
In my classes I strive to create a welcoming, calming, relaxing, and fun environment. You can expect an ever-changing practice along with pranayama and meditation techniques, hand mudras, and a healthy dose of encouragement. I hope you consider coming to my classes so I can share the benefits of incorporating yoga into your life. Yoga has enriched my life, and I would like to help you experience the same.
Jennifer
Amanda is truly an amazing yoga instructor! She brings passion to her practice and motivates her students to develop their practices in a way that is both patient and supportive. She finds an elegant way to make each class friendly, informative, relaxing and challenging.
I feel blessed to have her in my circle of yoga buddies!
Cherice
Amanda is a great yoga teacher. She is very encouraging and does a great job of explaining how to do each pose. She has always made me feel comfortable and confident enough to try new poses and challenge myself, even when I was first learning!
I feel like I have learned the skills to stay physically and even mentally healthy, even as a full time teacher/mom with a busy schedule. I'm so thankful for Amanda's classes!
Dan
Amanda is a wonderful yoga teacher. She is kind, knowledgable, helpful, compassionate, enthusiastic, and passionate about yoga. Her classes incorporate the basic, traditional yoga poses as well as new or different poses for her students. She doesn’t rush us through poses, but truly wants us to do our best and get it right.
Amanda has also made me personally feel comfortable and welcome as I’m often the only male in class. I would heartily encourage anyone, either male or female, new to yoga or experienced, athletic or not, to attend Amanda’s yoga classes.
Caryn
Amanda’s classes offer many variations of poses for new and experienced yogis.
I’ve found an unexpected confidence that carries over to my everyday life.
Her approach is calm and soothing and her instructions are clear and concise.
I love this class.
Class Schedule
I teach one all-levels and one chair yoga class at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois from spring, through summer, to fall.
2024 Session Information:
Classes are held on Mondays.
All-Levels Yoga is from 9:00-10:00am
Chair Yoga is from 10:30-11:30am
Session Three: September 9 - October 7 - Cost is $50 for the full 5-week session, or $12 for each drop-in class.
Students are responsible for bringing their own yoga mats and props. Chairs are provided for the gentle Chair Yoga classes.
I hope you will join me for yoga classes in this beautiful setting!
CHAIR YOGA AT THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNITY CHURCH IN ROSCOE, IL
I am teaching gentle chair yoga on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30PM at the First Congregational Community Church at 10780 3rd Street in Roscoe, IL. The cost is $10, and no registration is necessary.
YOGA AT WOMANSPACE IN ROCKFORD, IL
I am teaching an all-levels Hatha yoga class on Thursdays from 10:00-11:00AM from September 4 to September 26 at Womanspace at 3333 Maria Linden Drive in Rockford, IL 61114. The cost is $40 for the full four-week session for Womanspace members, or $50 for non-members. Drop in classes are $15. Please visit the WOMANSPACE WEBSITE for more details and to register at least 2 days before each class.
ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE COMMUNITY EDUCATION
I am teaching at Rock Valley College for the Community Education program. Classes are at the PEC at the campus on Mulford Road in the Dance Studio.
Fall session classes are on Mondays at 9:00-10:00am from October 14 to December 16. The cost for the full session is $115. No drop-in passes are available.
CLICK HERE to go to the Rock Valley College website to register. You have to use the search box on the top right of the screen to find “Yoga” then scroll down to find my class with my name listed as instructor.
CORPORATE GROUP CLASSES
I have taught a number of corporate group classes, meaning I travel to local companies to teach their employees a yoga class. If you would like to arrange for me to teach at your business, contact me today.
PRIVATE CLASSES
I can teach private classes for individuals or groups, both regularly and for special events. If you want me to teach you yoga in your own home, or if you want me to teach at a private event like a women's retreat or bridal party the day of a wedding, send me a note so we can make arrangements.
