How Veronika Patton Built a Career at the Crossroads of Medicine and Mind-Body Health
Veronika Patton has spent more than twenty years shaping a career that reflects a rare combination of medical experience and wellness education. Her work as a yoga instructor, author, and therapeutic movement specialist has made her a respected figure in modern wellness, especially for people who look for support during recovery, aging, or emotional stress. She is known for her calm presence, her careful teaching style, and her ability to understand how movement and breath can help the body heal. Today, she leads V Yoga Health, her own wellness practice, and continues to develop programs that bring together the structure of medical knowledge with awareness of the mind-body connection.
Her story begins in Kyiv, where she was born on October 8, 1985. Her early years in Ukraine were brief because her family moved to Israel when she was five. She grew up there and spent most of her childhood and teenage life surrounded by a culture that values education and resilience. Those years shaped her interest in service and care. At seventeen, she moved again with her mother and brother, this time to the United States. The move opened a new chapter for her and marked the beginning of her long path in medical support and wellness instruction.
Her first steps toward a career in health were taken in Israel. In 2000, she began medical studies that led to her completing a paramedic degree. That training prepared her for possible service in medical units of the Israeli army and gave her confidence in emergency care. It also taught her how to work under pressure and how to stay focused on the needs of people who depend on immediate support. These early lessons continued to influence her as she entered the wellness field many years later.
After arriving in the United States, she continued her academic interests by studying nursing and psychology at Harper College. At the same time, she began working in medical offices and hospital settings, gaining practical experience in patient care. Her jobs from 2003 to 2017 placed her in many clinical settings across the Chicago area. She worked at California Devon Medical Center, Lutheran General Hospital, and The URO Center in Wheeling and Vernon Hills. These roles exposed her to daily medical routines, patient concerns, and the responsibilities of clinical support. She observed the challenges people face when dealing with illness, injury, or stress. This experience later became a strong influence on her approach to therapeutic movement.
While she worked in these medical settings, Veronika slowly developed an interest in yoga and mindful movement. What began as personal curiosity evolved into a serious study. She earned her RYT 200 certification in 2014 and later completed her RYT 500 certification in 2020. During this time, she also invested in advanced education in therapeutic movement, nutrition, and adaptive fitness through Penn Foster College. Her growth continued with additional training in aerial yoga, yin yoga, restorative yoga, pediatric yoga, cognitive fitness, functional aging, and cancer exercise recovery. Each certificate added another layer to her understanding of how movement can help people manage health concerns and long-term recovery.
Her work as a yoga instructor began in 2014 when she started teaching at studios and wellness centers throughout Northern Illinois. She taught at House of Ayurveda, Wild Roots Yoga, Barrington Yoga Loft, TGM Northshore, and Fitness 19. Her teaching style focused on clear instructions and careful attention to individual needs. She often adjusted movements for older adults, beginners, or people dealing with physical limitations. Over time, she grew into a specialist in adaptive and trauma-informed practices. In 2019, she began offering instruction independently, which allowed her to design programs based on her own understanding of therapeutic movement and patient support.
Veronika expanded her vision further in 2016 when she founded V Yoga Health LLC. Through her company, she offers private sessions, group classes, and wellness programs focused on rehabilitation, breathwork, and balanced movement. Her work often supports clients who are recovering from injury, surgery, or chronic conditions. Her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor plays a meaningful role in the way she approaches this work. She understands the emotional and physical barriers that come with recovery and uses that understanding to create spaces that feel supportive and safe.
Her career also extends into early childhood education. Since 2020, she has served as the Early Childhood Program Director at Yachad Kids Academy in Buffalo Grove. She designs programs that help young children develop motor skills, emotional awareness, and physical confidence. This role combines her medical background with her belief that movement and wellness should begin early in life.
Her multicultural background influences every part of her work. Living in Ukraine, Israel, and the United States has given her an appreciation for diverse perspectives and a flexible approach to problem-solving. Her family is known for creativity and entrepreneurship. Her mother is a respected childcare and enrichment provider in the Chicago suburbs, and her brother, Alex Kislov, is an established music producer and event organizer with an international presence in the electronic music world. Their dedication and independence shaped her values and encouraged her to continue building her own path.
In 2024, she published V Yoga Health Teacher Training RYT200 Enhance Your Knowledge of Yoga, which reflects her years of study and practice. Her goal is to guide new instructors and help them understand the importance of responsibility in wellness education.
Today, she continues to live and work in the Chicago metropolitan area. Her focus remains on helping people improve their physical and cognitive well-being through thoughtful movement. She stands at a unique point between medicine and mind-body health, and her work continues to grow as more people look for support that respects both the body and the mind.
