Peak Yoga Palatine Instructors
At Peak Yoga and Wellness, our team is more than a group of instructors - we're a hand-selected family of passionate, heart-led guides committed to your journey toward your Peak Self.
Payton Kiely
Owner, Yoga, Meditation and Pilates Teacher, Somatic Healing Provider, Reiki Practitioner
Payton created Peak Yoga and Wellness as a space for healing, connection, and coming home to yourself. Her classes are designed as experiences of self-exploration through somatic practices like movement, breathwork, and meditation.
With a gentle, intentional approach, she guides you to soften, listen, and reconnect with the wisdom of your body. Each practice offers tools to support a deeper sense of presence both on and off the mat.
Looking for more personalized care? Schedule a somatic healing consultation.
Cassi
Yoga and PilatesTeacher,
Sound Healer, Reiki Practitioner
Cassi always had a passion for movement, but it wasn’t until she discovered yoga that her true transformation occurred. She discovered profound healing from the simple practice of placing one hand to her belly and one to her chest. The realization came that one cannot work with the body without also working with the mind. When we work with the symptoms of discontent and suffering, we begin to see that physiology and psychology are inseparable.
Becca
Yoga Teacher, Sound Healer,
Assisted Stretch Provider
Becca is an intuitive and creative yoga teacher. She approaches yoga from a holistic perspective, incorporating sound healing and breath work. Practicing mindfulness through yoga has helped her develop a strong mind/body connection. She encourages her students to take what they discover on their mat with them into their daily lives.
She is also a certified aerial yoga and aerial silks instructor.
Mariela
Yoga Teacher
Mariela is a certified 200hr Vinyasa teacher, but quickly fell in love with restorative practices and got certified as a Restorative Yoga Teacher in 2021 in Brazil, where she also studied Accessible and Adaptive Yoga and Trauma Sensitive Yoga. She works to ensure her practices are a safe and welcoming space for everybody.
During her practices she combines meditation, pranayama and slow movements to prepare the body and the mind for deep and conscious rest and relaxation.
Talita
Yoga and Pilates Teacher
Talita's journey into the world of yoga began when her therapist recommended it, and it turned out to be a transformative experience. Recognizing the profound impact on her mental and emotional well-being, Talita felt a calling to share these benefits with others and decided to become a yoga instructor. Her specialization lies in emphasizing the importance of anatomy and proper alignment in her teaching style. Talita strongly believes in the profound connection between the mind and body, placing a significant emphasis on the art of proper breathing.
Heather
Yoga Teacher
Heather considers herself to be a student of yoga first and a teacher second.
She is passionate about helping others build confidence in themselves through the practice of yoga. She strives to create an environment in her classes that is both fun and empowering for all students.
Kathy
Yoga Teacher
Kathy was drawn towards a spiritual way of living and mind body connection for over 15 years before deciding to take the journey into yoga teacher training at Peak.
She wanted to share her love of movement and breath by teaching yoga. Kathy strives to bring yoga into everyday life by doing, evolving and truly living it, allowing peace and joy to flourish within and spread to others!
Lindsey
Yoga Teacher
Lindsey’s journey to well-being began in 2016 when her heart had an irregular rhythm and anxiety controlled her life. Through yoga and mindful practices, she found a path to healing and transformation. Her classes are uniquely designed to be accessible and meaningful, embedding life-empowering messages into each experience.
Lindsey's Life Motto: Be generous with your time, go where others are afraid to go, give it all you’ve got, and love what you do.
Gina
Yoga Teacher and Reiki Practitioner
Gina is a 200-hour RYT yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner who creates grounding, heart-centered classes rooted in mindfulness, intention, and emotional release. Her teaching blends intentional, energy awareness, and accessible sequencing so every student feels supported. With a focus on community, authenticity, and coming home to yourself, Gina guides students to move with presence, soften into their bodies, and feel deeply connected on and off the mat. Gina also owns Shop Empathic who supplies our retail section with lovingly made, local and minority brand products!
Nikki
Yoga and Pilates Teacher
Nikki's teaching is rooted in the belief that conscious movement is a powerful practice of returning home to yourself. Her journey began in Denver in 2006, where she first turned to yoga and meditation to navigate and heal her anxiety. Now she teaches those same practices that transformed her life to others.
Drawing from her background in Yoga, Meditation, Reiki, and Mat Pilates, she specializes in strength-forward, alignment-based sequences. These sequences are designed to wake up the body, connect students to their own inner peace, and celebrate the devotion it takes to show up. When she isn't on the mat, Nikki works in executive recruiting and co-hosts her wellness podcast, The Modern Zen Collective.
Hailey
Yoga Teacher
Driven by her passion for teaching, Hailey is dedicated to helping others gently reconnect their bodies and minds in a loving and non-judgmental way, especially in a world that can often feel overwhelming. With over 25 years of experience in yoga and healing modalities, Hailey creates a sacred space for her students. Her classes skillfully blend Gentle Restorative Yoga, Meditation, Tai Chi/Qi Gong, Belly Dancing, Reiki, and Mystic Shamanism, fostering a calm and supportive atmosphere. Hailey specializes in assisting individuals facing chronic illnesses, PTSD, autoimmune conditions, and various syndromes, guiding them towards healing and empowerment in their journey.
Diane
Yoga and Meditation Teacher
Diane’s journey with yoga began over a decade ago as a path to deeper clarity, healing, and inner steadiness. She offers heart-centered classes rooted in mindful movement and intentional breath, creating a supportive space where students can build strength, find balance, and reconnect — meeting themselves exactly where they are. Her teaching is grounded in presence and intention, with a commitment to making yoga welcoming and inclusive for every body and every level.
Olivia
Yoga Teacher and Studio Assistant
Olivia found yoga during a time of personal challenge, and it quickly became a source of healing and transformation. Following that inner pull, she traveled to India to complete her 200-hour YTT. She now brings that same sense of care and connection into her role, supporting the studio and teaching classes where others can grow and feel a sense of belonging.
Kelley
Massage Therapist
After receiving massages to treat chronic neck pain, Kelley discovered how massage therapy can improve the overall quality of life and wanted to help other people in her community relieve their chronic pain.
She loves to provide massages in the yoga studio because massages and yoga compliment each other in a way that makes the most of both sessions. It brings her joy to know that by providing her services in the most serene of settings will leave the guest feeling relaxed and ready to spread good vibes through the rest of their day.