About Marianne Steenvoorden, Aesthetician Specialist
Marianne grew up in the Netherlands and at 20 years old, she left for Switzerland where she lived for 17 years. There she began her career in skincare, and taught Jazz dance in the evenings. After building these two successful businesses, Marianne knew someone that was interested in taking over the dance classes, this way she could focus her efforts on the growing skincare business. She then enrolled in a yoga program with Rita Nageli. After just two months, attending once a week, she noticed a vast improvement in her flexibility - something she hadn't experienced after five years of dancing eight hours a week. She came to the realization it was the coordination of the breathe and the poses (asanas), coupled with the precision with which they were done, that created those profound changes. In 1983, Marianne moved to the United States, but was unable to find a class that offered the style of yoga Rita had taught. It wasn't until she took a business trip to La Jolla, California that she was introduced to the Master Yoga Academy. So impressed with the class she attended, she enrolled in the teacher training program, studying under Rama Berch (Swami Nirmalananda), Master teacher and founder of Master Yoga Academy. Marianne is teaching yoga since 1998, first at Palos Community Hospital Fitness Center in Orland Park, and then in November 2000, opening her first studio, Heaven On Earth Yoga, in River Forest, Illinois. In 2011, she opened her second studio in Orland Park, Illinois. In 2012, Marianne advanced her training by studying with Kim Orr, the founder of Contemplative practice yoga and is presently teaching this style of yoga. Although very similar, some profound changes in the teachings makes it unique to each individual. Marianne has hundreds of hours of education and is trained to teach individuals and groups at various levels. She also holds specialty classes and workshops as well as private yoga therapy, and yoga therapy classes, including Meditation and pranayama. Marianne has been practicing yoga since 1977, and believes that taking care of your body and mind will prevent illness and keep you healthy and vital at every stage of your life.
