Marinda Stopforth, OTR/L, CYT 500

Occupational Therapist

Marinda Stopforth, OTR/L, CYT 500 graduated as an Occupational Therapist from the University of the Orange Free State, South Africa, in 1987 and has experience in acute care, home care and out patient rehabilitation. She has worked in the rehabilitation of spinal injuries, pediatrics (learning disabilities), ortho/neuro patients and completed her certification in the management and treatment of lymphedema in 2004. She has been on staff as an Occupational Therapist at Edward Hospital in Naperville since 2003.

Curiosity and interest in complementary health practice has led her to study and work as an aroma therapist, reflexologist and as a qualified Reiki Master Teacher. Marinda completed her 200 hour yoga teacher certification with Daren Friesen of Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago, and her 500 hour advanced yoga teacher certification with Lori Gaspar of Prairie Yoga. Her interest in the therapeutic application of yoga led her to study with Master yoga teachers Aadil Palkhivala, Tias Little and Gabriel Halpern.

Marinda continues to explore her study of consciousness as a residential trainer for the Monroe Institute in Virginia with her husband, Bob, and is also a certified 1:1 Provider for the Institute of HeartMath in California.

Marinda believes that: "The practice of yoga allows us to be reconnected with the physical body. It brings balance and acts as a pattern for the natural healing ability we posess. This awakening of the body's own intelligence reaches beyond the physical and facilitates healing in body, mind, and spirit."