Hello! I’m a Seattle yoga teacher with a goal of helping you move well and feel good in your own skin.
To me, a yoga practice is a personal exploration of our own bodies and minds. While the Seattle yoga asana scene is vast and diverse in style, I focus on the fundamental principles of anatomy and kinesiology, providing tools and techniques for anyone–from any experience or tradition–to build a personal yoga practice.
With tremendous respect for the tradition, my aim is to make yoga relevant, irreverent, and accessible. When it comes to the yoga postures, there may be no “right” or “better” ways, but I strongly believe in learning in a way that you can enjoy yoga for a long time. As they say on the back of those large trucks: safety is my priority.
My focus is working with injuries and injury prevention, both on and off the yoga mat, specifically from running, soccer, and rock climbing. I am dedicated to yoga beyond its athletic allure, and am drawn to the Sanskrit language, the philosophy of the Vedas, the subtle work of Pranayama, and the therapeutic applications of Restorative Yoga to balance out our active lifestyle.
My intention, in the yoga class and elsewhere, is to communicate clearly. I highly believe in having a sense of humor. My philosophy is described in The Big Picture.
I currently teach at Village Green Yoga, Backside Bow, and Taj Yoga, which was voted Best Seattle yoga studio on Citysearch in 2008 and 2009. I highly enjoy a smaller group environment, where each student can receive close attention and personal instruction.
I have been doing yoga for over 10 years, and received my 200-Hour and 500-Hour Certification from Pacific Yoga Teacher Training and Advanced Studies, a well-rounded and highly-regarded Seattle yoga training program in Asana, Anatomy, Pranayama, Sanskrit, and studies of ancient Yoga Philosophy. I’m currently furthering my studies of Philosophy, Literature, and History of Yoga in the 800-hour Traditional Yoga Studies program.
I study and apprentice with Seattle yoga teachers Theresa Elliott and Kathryn Payne, and participate in workshops with other teachers. Anusara-inspired teacher Jean Massimo is currently my teaching mentor. I have an enormous curiosity for the anatomy, physiology, and psychology of the human body, and am highly influenced by the anatomical precision and writings of Judith Hanson Lasater. I’m a student of Vipassana Meditation and the teachings of Shinzen Young and Pema Chödrön.
On this website, in addition to my teaching and training information, you’ll find articles I’ve written based on my experience, such as How To Choose a Yoga Teacher Training. In my yoga blog, you’ll find my “reports from the field” on the wide world of yoga, including Seattle yoga news and events. My aim is to record my journey as a yoga teacher, entrepreneur, and student, discovering the art of teaching, the business of yoga, and the trials, tribulations, and joy of being on this Path.
I received a Bachelor of Art in International Business and Bachelor of Science in Informatics from the University of Washington in 2005. I am fluent in Vietnamese, and thanks to a year of living in France, I’ve learned to say non merci when offered a plate of roquefort cheese and mais oui! to joie de vivre.
In addition to yoga, my life long quest is learning how to whistle. When not on the yoga mat, you can find me doodling, User Experience designing, playing soccer, and climbing on rock faces around the Puget Sound and beyond. You’ll also find me on Twitter as @yogageekgirl and Facebook: facebook.com/nikkiyoga.
“May our study together be filled with light.” – Yoga Student Teacher Prayer
