"Per is a seasoned practitioner with over 30 years of experience in consciousness-based movement and wellness disciplines. He holds accreditations in Yoga Therapy, Tai Chi, and Somatic Education. He is also an experienced meditation instructor, helping people address dysregulated bodies and minds.
Per's journey in yoga began at the renowned Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in the late '90s, where he supported teacher training programs as an assistant. His dedication to education extended to his hometown of Chicago, including roles at Global Yoga Center and co-directing programs at Eight Limbs Yoga Center. In 2016-17, he worked with Rising Lotus Yoga Center’s teacher training program, under the direction of Gabriel Halpern. Per's passion for education also led him to consult with The Kaivalyadhama Ashram of India to introduce training programs in the United States. He currently serves as a faculty staff member for the Optimal State Yoga Therapy program.
Per's artistic pursuits include immersion in the captivating world of Butoh, a Japanese dance style. He studied under internationally renowned professional teachers within this tradition, as well as his primary teacher, Sara Zalek. In 2017, his love for the art form evolved into non-professional performances, drawing from his college theater background and graduate-level studies in the Humanities.
Per's path has been shaped by mentors such as Dr. Rudy Ballentine in North Carolina, who shared profound knowledge about Tantra, Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). He also acknowledges Dr. Eleanor Criswell-Hanna for her transformative guidance in Somatic Education, neurophysiology, and Somatic philosophy. Other influential teachers include his root teacher, Hannah Hedricks, Steven Cope, Russill Paul, Amba & Don Stapleton, and Joseph & Lillian LePage.
Throughout his career, Per has shared his expertise in various settings, including yoga centers, corporations, health clubs, dance studios, hospitals, and social service agencies. Notably, he had the privilege of working with both Oprah Winfrey and members of the House of Saud.
In 2020, Per took on the role of Director of Somatic Interventions at the Body-Mind Co-Op in Chicago, a for-profit psychotherapy agency that integrated complementary practices. His consultation work focused on combining complementary talk therapy interventions with body-based skills training to support the well-being of psychotherapy staff during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.
Per's writing has been featured in articles for Yoga Therapy Today, Yoga Chicago magazine, and other media. He appeared in a nationally released video on Kripalu yoga and was honored, alongside his mentor Eleanor Criswell, to write a foreword for Dr. Martha Eddy’s book, Dynamic Embodiment of the Sun Salutation.
Currently, Per teaches meditation full time at Sensei Wellness Resort, a luxurious 236-acre property in Southern California. The resort's mission is to integrate best practices for well-being, utilizing cutting-edge health tracking technology and providing ultimate luxury accommodations.
