A New Model for Adaptive Yoga: Veronika Patton’s Therapeutic Methods

Veronika Patton has developed a distinctive approach to wellness that blends her extensive medical experience with a deep understanding of mind and body health. Over the past two decades, she has established herself as a leading figure in therapeutic yoga, functional aging, and rehabilitation programs, offering guidance to individuals recovering from illness, injury, or trauma. Through her company, V Yoga Health LLC, she delivers programs focused on movement, breath, and mindful awareness, emphasizing the connection between physical recovery and emotional well-being.
Veronika’s journey began in Kyiv, Ukraine, where she was born on October 8, 1985. At the age of five, her family moved to Israel, where she grew up and spent her formative years. These early experiences exposed her to diverse cultural perspectives and instilled in her a strong sense of resilience and adaptability. At seventeen, she relocated with her mother and brother to the United States, where she embarked on the path that would ultimately define her professional career. Her background in healthcare and wellness began in Israel with paramedic training in 2000, preparing her for service with medical units. This early medical education laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to helping people navigate physical and emotional challenges.
After settling in the United States, Veronika pursued studies in nursing and psychology at Harper College while simultaneously gaining hands-on experience in private and hospital medical environments. From 2003 to 2017, she worked in several clinical settings throughout the Chicago area, including California Devon Medical Center, Lutheran General Hospital, and The URO Center in Wheeling and Vernon Hills. These roles allowed her to witness the complexity of human health firsthand, from acute medical conditions to long-term recovery, and they reinforced her understanding of the importance of compassionate care.
Veronika’s transition into yoga and mind-body wellness began in 2014 when she earned her RYT 200 certification, followed by her RYT 500 certification in 2020. Her training continued through advanced studies in therapeutic movement, nutrition, and adaptive fitness at Penn Foster College. She expanded her expertise to include aerial yoga, yin yoga, restorative yoga, pediatric yoga, cancer exercise recovery, functional aging, and cognitive fitness. Each of these experiences contributed to the development of her adaptive approach, which integrates traditional yoga practices with medically informed rehabilitation techniques.
Her teaching career initially took her to studios and wellness centers across Northern Illinois, including House of Ayurveda, Wild Roots Yoga, Barrington Yoga Loft, TGM Northshore, and Fitness 19. Her work with students emphasized individualized care, with modifications and adjustments designed to meet the specific needs of each person. By 2019, she had begun working independently, focusing on adaptive, trauma-informed, and therapeutic yoga practices. Her instruction centers on the principle that movement can be both healing and empowering when it is guided with precision and awareness.
In 2016, Veronika founded V Yoga Health LLC, formalizing her approach to wellness and providing private and group instruction. Her programs are designed for a wide range of participants, including cancer patients and survivors, older adults, individuals recovering from injury, and those seeking cognitive and emotional support through mindful movement. Her own experience as a breast cancer survivor deeply informs her work, giving her insight into the physical and emotional hurdles her clients may face and shaping the compassionate and structured methodology she now teaches.
Beyond her work with adults, Veronika has also applied her expertise to early childhood education. Since 2020, she has served as the Early Childhood Program Director at Yachad Kids Academy in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, overseeing programs that promote motor development, cognitive growth, and emotional resilience in young children. Her medical training and yoga experience allow her to create activities that are both developmentally appropriate and focused on holistic wellness.
Veronika’s multicultural background has influenced her philosophy and practice. Having lived in Ukraine, Israel, and the United States, she draws from a variety of cultural and educational perspectives to inform her work. Her family has been a source of inspiration and support. Her mother has a longstanding career in early childhood education and owns a childcare enrichment program in the Chicago suburbs. Her brother, Alex Kislov, has earned international recognition as a music producer and event organizer in the electronic music industry. Their commitment to creativity and entrepreneurship has shaped Veronika’s approach to developing her own career and her business.
In addition to teaching and program development, Veronika has authored the book V Yoga Health Teacher Training RYT200: Enhance Your Knowledge of Yoga, published in 2024. The book reflects her extensive training and practical experience, offering guidance to new instructors who wish to develop a strong foundation in therapeutic and adaptive yoga. Through her work, she emphasizes the importance of precision, safety, and mindful awareness in teaching practices that support health and recovery.
Today, Veronika Patton continues to live and work in the Chicago metropolitan area, expanding her programs and refining her methods. She stands as a bridge between clinical healthcare and mind-body wellness, offering programs that are rooted in evidence-based knowledge while honoring the personal experiences of her clients. Her work highlights the transformative power of movement, breath, and compassionate instruction, and her career serves as a model for how wellness professionals can combine medical expertise with holistic practices to create meaningful, life-enhancing programs.