Karissa James
RYT 250 • Certified yoga teacher for Kids Yoga, Meditation and Yin Yoga
Classes: Gentle Hatha • Restorative Yoga
Karissa creates steady, supportive Hatha and Restorative yoga experiences that help students regulate their nervous system and reconnect with a sense of calm and strength and deep rest.
What to Expect in Karissa’s Classes
• Focus on nervous system regulation and safety
• Clear, accessible guidance for all bodies and experiences
• Space for stillness and reflection
Karissa’s classes offer a steady, supportive space to slow down and reset. You’ll move with intention and leave feeling more grounded and at ease.
Her approach prioritizes safety, inclusion, and a sense of calm that carries beyond the mat.
Who Are Karissa’s Classes For
Students experiencing stress or burnout, beginners, busy professionals, caregivers, neurodivergent practitioners, and anyone seeking a grounding, supportive practice rooted in nervous system balance and intentional movement.
Why Prana
“Prana is a space where everyone is welcomed and supported exactly as they are.”
Karissa values the inclusive and supportive environment at Prana. It’s a place where students of all backgrounds and experiences can feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow at their own pace.
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Karissa first came to yoga over twenty years ago as a way to support marathon training—but what kept her coming back was something deeper. Yoga offered structure, regulation, and a quiet kind of strength that extended beyond the physical practice. It became a way for her to stay connected to herself—so she could show up more fully in her life and for others.
That intention is at the heart of her teaching.
Karissa completed her yoga teacher training (YTT) at Prana and has practiced here for many years, so teaching here truly feels like coming home. She is deeply grateful for the supportive community, her years serving as a YTT mentor, and the opportunity to be part of such an exceptional yoga space in this area. She is also a lead mentor in the Prairie Yoga Teacher Training program, where she guides new teachers with knowledge, care, and inspiration.
Her classes create space in a world that often asks us to keep going. She invites students to slow down, listen, and move with purpose—without pressure. Over the years, she has expanded this work beyond the studio, teaching Puppy Yoga in partnership with dog rescues through the Bensenville Park District and developing specialized yoga programs for breast cancer survivors through Living Well—each experience rooted in connection, healing, and accessibility.
With a background as a public preschool special education teacher, Karissa brings a natural ability to create environments where people feel safe, supported, and comfortable. She also extends yoga’s mindfulness and healing qualities into her work in education, leading workshops on using yoga to prevent burnout. Through local and state conference presentations, she supports school staff in finding balance, resilience, and nourishment in their work. There’s a sense of care in the room, along with moments of gentle exploration and even a little playfulness.
The result is a practice that feels grounding, accessible, and deeply supportive.
Join Karissa on the Mat
Showing Karissa’s upcoming classes and workshops. Select a time that works for you and reserve your spot.
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