“My goal as a teacher is to help anyone to become healthier, no matter what physical issues they have. It’s my way of paying back the universe for all the wellness professionals in the yoga community who have helped me so much.”
Jim Gibilterra holds a special certification to work with individuals living with Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. This expertise was acquired through the Yoga for Arthritis program - a specialized series created by Dr. Steffany Moonaz, PhD, a respected authority in yoga therapy for chronic conditions. Dr. Moonaz personally certified Jim, ensuring that his training meets the highest standards for safety and effectiveness in adapting yog for those with arthritis. In addition Jim has a close and genuine connection with those living with arthritis. After having both knees replaced and a hip replaced twice, he understands the special needs of the folks in his classes, and how yoga is both safe and beneficial for those living with arthritis.
Jim is a seasoned chair yoga instructor who has taught at wellness centers, park districts and medically integrated fitness facilities across metropolitan Chicago for many years. His classes are especially beloved by the senior community, because they are accessible to anyone, regardless of physical limitations. Known for being fun and engaging, Jim's classes focus on injury prevention, improving balance, enhancing muscle tone and fostering social connections. His popularity is evident - his classes often attract so many participants that the room fills up quickly.
Jim uses a huge variety of poses and transitions, offering many modifications and options for anyone challenged with medical conditions or restrictions.
Many fitness facilities have increased attendance across all of their yoga offerings by incorporating Jim's Yoga School for Beginners 5-class series on a regular basis. Designed for those who never tried a yoga class and feel intimidated or unprepared to just jump into a class. Jim takes the participants through deep dives of the most popular poses, as well as choosing the right mat and equipment, yoga etiquette,
explanations oYoga School for Beginners f the different styles of yoga and much more.
Jim's Yin yoga classes incorporate long static stretches, soothing music, and his calm, deep relaxing voice that keeps yogis returning to Jim's classes every week. Along with these deep, injury-preventing stretching poses and sequences, Jim delivers a positive message throughout the class, about the value of devoting quality time to yourself, for the benefit of the ones you love. Yogis leave Jim's class feeling relaxed and restored.
Jim has been a certified yoga instructor since 2016, and was certified at TriBalance Yoga Studio in Schaumburg, IL . TriBalance is accredited by Yoga Alliance, the prevalent credentialing authority in the United States. In 2023, after completing over 2,000 hours of yoga instruction, Jim earned the ERYT-200 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) yoga certification designation from Yoga Alliance.
In 2024 Jim completed an extensive six-month certification program for Yoga for Arthritis, and received his YFA certification. You can check out Jim's Yoga Alliance listing by clicking here.