Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Christy Lyons has been an active person and avid athlete her whole life. Her “official” wellness journey, though, began in 2004, around the time she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences & Psychology at Northwestern University, when a time of high stress led to many serious health issues. When modern medicine failed to provide answers, Christy began to practice yoga and adjust her diet. This holistic approach led to great results in her health, and Christy was sold on this lifestyle.
In 2005, Christy’s banking career and her study of international business at the University of Cambridge took her to London for a year. She then moved to Hong Kong in 2006. It was this move to Asia that initiated her true yoga journey, and she completed her first Yoga Alliance 200-hour Yoga certification in July 2007. Christy took various workshops, including in detoxification, meditation, and stress relief, while teaching 5-10 Yoga classes each week. She completed a second Yoga Alliance 250-hour Yoga certification in April 2008 that focused on nutritional components. In July 2008, Christy moved back to Chicago to begin her own yoga journey full-time and grow her professional plans back home.
Christy began to work as a physical therapy technician (similar to an exercise therapist), learning from doctors, and in the evenings, taking classes at Northwestern University in anatomy, biochemistry, and genetics. She started teaching yoga at several locations throughout the city, and seeing private clients in their homes. Corporate clients followed, and Christy was soon teaching classes and creating wellness programming in other companies’ facilities. Christy completed her personal trainer certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and began teaching in accordance with an American Council on Exercise (ACE) Pilates Mat Certification. She expanded her services to include weight loss, wellness programming, personal training, and customized programs.
2011 brought much change to Christy’s professional and personal life, and Christy responded to it by creating a new strategic plan for moving forward. Her soon-to-be published Lyons Wellness Detoxification Guide, 2012 Edition, is part of that plan, along with creating places and spaces where clients can learn and grow on their own wellness journeys with Christy and her staff to guide them.
Thus, Pure Wellness was born and will open its first studio on January 7, 2012 in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Christy will also begin a Master’s degree program in Industrial & Organizational Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in January 2012.
