Katy Freye

Inner Fire Yogi since 2011

I found Inner Fire Yoga after completing my first and only marathon in Chicago, at a point when my body and mind were ready for a new kind of challenge. I have always been drawn to individual sports. From a young age, I gravitated toward activities that required focus, self reliance, and deep body awareness, including solo canoeing, horseback riding, rock climbing, swimming, and jiu jitsu.

Today, much of my life outside the studio is spent on a small hobby farm, where I live with my family, a horse, goats, dogs, and chickens. I love gardening and spending time outdoors with my family, finding the same sense of grounding and presence there that I do on my mat.

Yoga fit seamlessly into my athletic journey. After beginning my practice, I returned to long distance swimming, completing swims the length of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge, swimming out to Madeline Island from Bayfield, Wisconsin, and most recently soloing around Key West. Yoga has also supported my most recent pursuit as a sailor. I captain a Flying Scot with my partner and enjoy both racing and bareboating together, especially in the warmth of summer or while sailing in the Caribbean. The balance, strength, and mental clarity that yoga provides translate directly to time on the water.

Inner Fire Yoga has been an especially perfect match for this Southern girl learning to survive the frigid Midwest. The studio itself feels both nurturing and athletic, a place that supports strength while inviting care and restoration. The community is warm and welcoming, filled with similarly minded people who value growth, movement, and connection. Most importantly, the teachers, like Dr. Ruddy, Karen, and Dar, dedicate their time and energy to enriching us all physically and mentally with intention and generosity. While there are many excellent studios in town and I have explored nearly all of them, Inner Fire Yoga consistently provides the most well-rounded and fulfilling yoga experience for me.