Jessie Novak, Lead Trainer - E-RYT 200, RPYT

Jessie Young-Novak is a Registered Yoga Teacher E-RYT 200, and a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher RPYT 85. She received her teaching certifications from Bloom Yoga Studio in 2013 and 2014 respectively after performing, teaching dance and Pilates, choreographing, and practicing yoga in Chicago since 2002. She was first exposed to yoga, Pilates, kinesiology, Laban, Bartinieff, and Feldenkrais, in addition to dance technique while training at the University of Iowa. There she uncovered her passion for observing the human body in motion from an analytical and postural perspective. She continues to seek out teachers and opportunities to further her knowledge of anatomy, bio-mechanics, and healthy, functional movement for people of all ages.

​

While rehabilitating several common and not-so-common dancers' injuries, Jessie discovered the benefits of integrating yoga and Pilates into an overall strength and conditioning program. After retiring from the professional dance world, she received Pilates certification in 2009 from the Pilates Method Alliance with an idea for pursuing yoga training in the back of her mind. Jessie's yoga practice deepened after the birth of her first child while attending Mom & Baby Yoga classes at Bloom. The mental benefits of practicing yoga as a new mom were invaluable, and she deeply appreciates the nurturing yogic community of this special population of moms and families seeking balance in their new roles. In 2013 her family welcomed their second child, and she is deeply grateful for the tools and strength her prenatal yoga practice and training has provided, allowing a space to practice self-compassion and non-judgment.

​

Whether working with groups or individuals, Jessie is a passionate, engaged teacher, applying a holistic and functional approach, while using creative imagery with a love for anatomy and physiology. She believes movement, music, and breath benefit every body, every age, in every stage.

​

Lucy Coloccia, Lead Trainer

E-RYT 200, RPYT

Originally hailing from the mountains of Colorado, Lucy began her yoga journey in 2004 when her best friend started using her as a guinea pig to practice for her yoga teacher-training program and she has been hooked ever since. Her consistent yoga practice over the years has helped transform her stress-filled lifestyle for the better which inspired her to become a teacher to share the gift of yoga with others.

​

As a yoga teacher, Lucy is inspired by many different styles of yoga and seeks to give her students the tools to create their own mind/body connection on the mat as well as in everyday life. Her classes are a restorative balance of alignment and flow imbued with heart, sweat, and breath. She both her 200 hour and Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training certifications through Bloom Yoga Studio.

​

Natalie Evans, Childbirth and the Early Postpartum Period Module Instructor 

Certified Childbirth Educator, DONA trained

​

Natalie is a certified Childbirth Educator through ALACE (Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators). She has also enjoyed the rewarding work as a doula for over 10 years and is DONA (Doulas of North America) trained. She has attended a wide variety of births in the home and hospital setting, including Cesarean and VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) births. She is the Chair of Member Services for NEIDA (NorthEastern Illinois Doula Association). Along with her birth work Natalie also enjoys the exciting and difficult job of being the mother of two children, one born at Evanston Northwestern hospital and one a home water birth.

​

DuShaun Branch Pollard, Cultural Competency, Children's Yoga & Social Media
RYT 200, RCYT

DuShaun has been practicing for almost 15 years and fell in love with yoga because
it allowed her to find peace of mind while moving her body. As a yoga student,
DuShaun noticed that in the majority of her classes, she was the only black and plus-sized person in the room. This inspired her to become a practitioner to bring yoga to more people who looked like her.

​

DuShaun is certified in Children's Yoga, RYT 200 and she was trained in 2020 for prenatal and postpartum yoga. DuShaun has her own business Sage Gawd Collective LLC and teaches a wide range of classes including chair yoga, intro to yoga, yoga for teens, and baby and me yoga. In all classes, DuShaun puts an emphasis on bodily autonomy and doing what feels right for you. 

Outside of yoga, DuShaun is a Community Organizer and adjunct college professor.  Because of her former and current work, DuShaun is focused on bringing yoga to historically marginalized communities, with a focus on black and brown youth, women,
activists, and organizers. She believes people need rest, relaxation, and resistance; yoga is a powerful way to tap into the balance of ease and positive effort.

Kerry Maiorca, Ethics module instructor
E-RYT 500, RPYT, Advanced Relax & Renew Trainer

Kerry founded Bloom back in 2004 to make yoga more welcoming and accessible to all. She co-created Bloom's 85 hour Teacher Training program to help teachers share yoga's incredible benefits with during the childbearing year. Kerry enjoys exploring the individual nature of yoga and encourages students to make the practice their own. Her down-to-earth teaching style emphasizes healthy alignment, gentle strengthening, mindfulness, and an exploration of conscious breath and movement. Whether teaching an active or gentle practice, Kerry prioritizes time for reflection, stillness, and rest. As a recovering past- and future-thinking junkie, she loves the way consistent yoga practice teaches us to live in the now so we may enjoy all of life's richness. Kerry has been teaching since 1998 and considers it an honor to mentor and support budding instructors in their own journeys towards teaching.