Balance Yoga Owner Angie Ryan Talks Wall Yoga and Her Studio Story on NPR Illinois

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jeff Williams from NPR Illinois’ Community Voices to talk about Balance Yoga Studio and School, my journey into yoga education, and one of the most unique features of our Springfield studio: the Great Yoga Wall.

During our conversation, we talked about how Balance Yoga began, why I teach yoga differently, and how the Yoga Wall can help people experience movement with greater support, awareness, and confidence.

Listen to my full NPR Illinois interview here.

My Journey to Balance Yoga

My path to becoming a yoga educator began with my own physical challenges. A severe foot injury, scoliosis, and years of searching for answers taught me how strongly the way we stand, walk, breathe, and move can affect how we feel.

Yoga helped me understand my body in an entirely new way. It was not simply about becoming more flexible or learning impressive poses. It was about improving alignment, rebuilding strength, moving more efficiently, and learning how the entire body works together.

That experience eventually led me to open Balance Yoga Studio and School in Springfield, Illinois.

Today, I think of myself as a body mechanic. I help people recognize movement patterns that may be contributing to discomfort and teach them practical ways to move with greater support and less strain.

What Is Wall Yoga?

The Great Yoga Wall uses adjustable straps and supports attached to the wall to help students explore yoga poses in a different way.

Depending on how it is used, the Wall can provide support, resistance, stability, feedback, or traction. It can help students better understand alignment and experience familiar movements without relying entirely on strength or flexibility.

The Yoga Wall can be especially helpful for visual and hands-on learners because it allows people to feel where their bodies are in space. It can also make certain movements more accessible while offering new challenges for experienced students.

At Balance Yoga, Wall Yoga is taught in very small groups so each student receives individualized instruction and support.

Yoga for Real Bodies

Many people believe they need to be flexible, strong, or experienced before trying yoga. They worry they will not be able to keep up or that their body will not move like everyone else’s.

That is exactly why Balance Yoga exists.

Our classes are designed for real people with real bodies. We use chairs, walls, blocks, straps, bolsters, and other props to help students understand movement rather than simply trying to copy or create a specific pose or shape.

The goal is not to make movement look impressive. The goal is to make movement feel better, work better, and support daily life.

Listen to the Interview

I’m grateful to Jeff Williams and NPR Illinois for inviting me to share the Balance Yoga story and introduce more people to Wall Yoga.

Click here to listen to the full 16-minute Community Voices interview on NPR Illinois.

If you are curious about yoga but unsure where to begin, Balance Yoga may be exactly what you have been looking for. Our Springfield studio offers small, beginner-friendly classes focused on alignment, body mechanics, breathing, and helping you move with greater confidence.