Leaning into Balance: Crunchy(ish) Mom and Yoga Instructor, Sasha
I met my friend Sasha and her adorable family at an event I organized a couple years ago. Right away, I felt her contagious positivity and ‘go-getter’ attitude shine through. Sasha will be the first to tell you that she can not sit still. Take a peek at her calendar and you’ll wonder how she juggles it all: a full-time job, multiple home improvement projects, entrepreneurial ventures, teaching yoga, travel and raising three independent little ones. Even with such a full plate, she always seems to stay calm and grounded.
Sasha has described herself as ‘moderately crunchy’, taking a balanced and intentional approach to life that I highly admire. Many crunchy folks (including myself) have a tendency to be “all-or-nothing” types, but Sasha’s story teaches us that balance may be just what we need to thrive.
Can you tell us more about you and your family?
I’m a proud mom of three kids and two crazy dogs (both German Shepherds), staying busy between family life and a career I love. After earning my MBA in 2023, I stepped into my current role as Head of Product Marketing, where I get to blend strategy, creativity, and product-focused launches every day. Outside of the office, I never sit still! I teach yoga, rent out our home pool, and am laying the groundwork for an event rental business.
When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me adventuring with my family, exploring new places, or diving into a home project (when time and budget allow!). Whether it’s traveling, creating, or improving our space, I’m always chasing ways to make life a little more beautiful and memorable.
What are some of the projects you’ve been working on?
Recently, I’ve tackled a few exciting home upgrades, including designing and renovating two brand-new bathrooms, transforming our laundry room into a more functional and stylish space, and building a custom dry bar that’s perfect for entertaining.
How do you balance your type-A personality with relaxation and self-care?
I’m happiest when I have a few plates spinning, whether it’s in my career, home projects, or new business ideas. But I’ve learned that balance isn’t about slowing down completely; it’s about building in moments that recharge me so I can keep showing up at my best. For me, that means prioritizing quality time with my family, teaching and practicing yoga, and carving out small daily rituals like a morning coffee, snuggles with my dogs, or a nighttime workout and cold plunge.
I also try to approach “relaxation” the same way I approach my projects: with intention. Sometimes self-care is an actual break, and other times it’s working on something creative or hands-on that brings me joy. The key is listening to my own energy and knowing when to push forward and when to pause.
What is your parenting style? How has it shaped your kiddos?
My parenting style blends encouragement and structure. I focus on fostering independence, self-love, and positivity while grounding my kids in traditional values, kindness, and respect. I believe in giving them the confidence to explore the world and the character to contribute to it meaningfully.
You chose to breastfeed your kids into toddlerhood; can you tell us why that was important to you?
Breastfeeding has always been important to me, but it took on an even deeper meaning with my second child. He spent four long months in the NICU and came home on a feeding tube, and I felt like I had missed so much of the newborn phase. Breastfeeding became my way to reclaim that connection. We worked hard every single day to master it, even when it was exhausting and slow.
It wasn’t easy, but those moments together felt like healing for both of us. Eventually, we were able to breastfeed exclusively, and I was lucky enough to continue nursing him until he was 28 months old and I was 12 weeks pregnant with our third! For me, it wasn’t just about nutrition; it was about closeness, comfort, and making up for the time we lost in the beginning. I am always amazed by what our bodies can do and how we can produce exactly what our babies need and when they need it.
Your kids attended a very unique preschool; can you tell us more about it?
We send our kids to Long Grove Country School and we love it! Long Grove Country School is a one-of-a-kind preschool and summer camp set on a farm, where kids spend almost all their time outdoors surrounded by animals and nature. From caring for Gracie the horse and Muffin the pony to visiting and feeding the donkeys, chickens, and bunnies, Nellie is able to have fun, get messy, and make friends.
How can yoga help parents find balance?
Yoga gives parents a chance to slow down, release tension, and recharge. It builds strength, boosts patience, and helps you feel more grounded. It’s time away from your phone to focus on breath and the present moment.
You can find Sasha teaching yoga classes at Life Time Vernon Hills.
