Our Story

Rooted in Practice. Shaped by Community.

For over two decades, Prana Yoga Center has grown with the Fox Valley community—evolving in space and offerings while remaining rooted in authentic practice, meaningful connection, and a welcoming place to return.

The Early Years

In its early days, Prana Yoga Center moved through a few different spaces, growing alongside the community it served. Each location carried the same intention—creating a place to practice and return.

Founded by Lisa Bertke

Prana Yoga Center was founded by Lisa Bertke, whose vision was to create a space rooted in authentic practice, meaningful connection, and steady, accessible growth.

After 15 years in the corporate world, she followed a different path—one rooted in purpose, service, and a desire to share the deeper teachings of yoga. Through years of dedicated study in yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda, she brought that vision to life.

  
    To create a space for authentic practice, meaningful
  connection, and steady return.

Her approach blended classical Hatha yoga with the energetics of Tantra, offering students a practice that was both grounded and expansive.

Under her leadership, Prana grew from a single-room studio into a multi-space center with a diverse range of classes, workshops, and teacher training programs, and a dedicated student community.

From that foundation, the early years of Prana began to take shape—growing steadily alongside the community it served.

Started in St. Charles

Prana’s original St. Charles studio

Prana Yoga Center began its journey in St. Charles at the Cedar Avenue Business Center—a historic brick building dating back to 1920, filled with character and quiet charm. Tucked within this shared space, the original studio was a simple, one-room practice area.

Natural light poured in through the windows and overhead skylight, bringing warmth to the hardwood floors and beamed ceiling.

It wasn’t expansive or refined—but it held everything that mattered.

With a small but dedicated community gathering on their mats, this space became the foundation of Prana—where connection, authenticity, and steady practice began.

A Move to Downtown Geneva

As the Prana community grew, the studio moved to 501 State Street in the heart of downtown Geneva, Illinois.

This second-floor space marked an important step forward. With its central location and a dedicated studio layout—it offered both greater accessibility and a more self-contained experience for students.

Surrounded by the energy of downtown, Prana continued to grow while staying rooted in what mattered most: a welcoming space to practice and connect.

A Home to Grow Into

In August 2010, Prana Yoga Center moved into its current home at 321 Stevens Street in downtown Geneva—a space that allowed the studio to fully expand and evolve.

For the first time, Prana had a dedicated, self-contained environment with front and back entrances, a welcoming lobby, two bathrooms, and ample on-site parking. The experience became more accessible and easeful for students. a welcoming space to practice and connect.

The new space also introduced two studios—the Purple Studio (with infrared heat) and the Green Studio—along with a cozy Buddha Lounge for gathering and reflection.

Growing with the Community

Over the years, thoughtful updates were made to support both teaching and student experience:

2012: The Buddha Lounge was converted into a third studio, the Blue room, to support workshops and expanded programming
2019: The blue room studio was transformed into a Himalayan salt room, with softly lit pink salt blocks lining the walls—now home to restorative classes and small group experiences
2025: Infrared heat panels were added to the Green Studio. Other changes included a refreshed lobby and hallway spaces, improved storage for props, and a simplified student registration experience.

The physical space grew more refined, while continuing to support a wide range of practices—from quiet, restorative sessions to more dynamic, strength-based classes.

Prana’s studios on Stevens Street: (from the top) the original purple studio, an early green studio, the Buddha Lounge, and an early lobby. Click photos to learn more.

Evolving Offerings

As Prana grew, its offerings expanded in ways that honored both tradition and continued learning.

Over the years, the studio became a home for deeper study through partnerships and programs, including:

A 250-hour Yoga & Ayurveda Teacher Training with Prairie Yoga Institute
Ayurveda consultations and workshops
The Heart of Yoga Program
Vishoka Meditation with the Himalayan Institute

Recent additions include strength-based and functional movement classes alongside traditional yoga practices.

A Thoughtful, Ongoing Evolution

In 2024, Lisa stepped away from ownership and relocated out of state, while continuing to share her work through Vishoka meditation online.

Under the current ownership of Paige Roberts, the studio continues to evolve with care and intention.

Recent updates include expanded infrared heat, refreshed lobby and hallway spaces, improved storage for props, and a simplified registration experience.

Through each change, the intention has remained the same: to create a space that supports authentic practice, meaningful connection, and a sense of belonging.

Prana Today

Today, Prana continues to be a space for both stillness and strength—where traditional practice meets modern life, and where each person is supported in their own way.

Whether you’re seeking movement, rest, or something deeper, that intention continues to guide the space.