So honored to welcome this incredible group into the fold! Curvy Yoga is popping up around the world — literally! 

Joy Bernstein

Location: San Antonio, TX

Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. My relationship with yoga is like having a life coach. If I doubt it, why? If I can’t handle it, why? If I feel out of sorts, why? The answers appear when I come to my mat. In my teaching my whole purpose is to help you see, touch and feel when you are ready. Don’t fear the Mat.

Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community?  I want to bring Curvy Yoga into my community because I want people to know they are amazing at who they are at the space they are in. That it’s not about the person beside you but the person within you and the awesome capability one has when they see uncertainty. My community is hungry for that second chance.

What can folks expect when they take a class from you?  Yogis can only expect that I am glad to see them regardless of how much it took for them to talk themselves into showing up. That I am not there to push you to bend but show you an easier way to get to where you want to be if you aren’t ready yet. Folks can expect to take the practice seriously but not themselves.

What has been your favorite part of the certification process? My favorite part of the certification process was all the tweakings I can do and the choice of words that are strong and powerful. I was amazed about this certification. It went hand in hand with my 200 teacher training well; in fact, I feel I learned even more than I did in my teacher training.

How can people get in touch with you?  They can connect with me at my website and on Facebook.

Gina Castillo

Location: Charlotte, NC

Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. Unlike most yoga instructors I have had a love/hate relationship with yoga. At first, it was an instant hate because I was dripping with sweat and uncomfortable in my own skin in a studio setting. I couldn’t dream of going to a studio when I saw all the ultra-athletic women filing in. The next time I returned to the mat, it was completely different. I had an instructor that made modifications for me and let me know that was okay to go at my own pace, with my own breath. As I deepened my practice I began to notice that change in attitude, energy, and flexibility that comes with yoga. I was hooked from then on.

Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community?  I realized as soon as I set foot in my first yoga studio that I would feel so much more comfortable with students that were my body type. I especially felt this when I was getting certified for my 200hr RYT. Once I was certified, I felt it was my mission to bring Curvy Yoga to the Charlotte,NC area to help people such as myself realize that you don’t have to be size 2 to enjoy and regularly practice yoga.

What can folks expect when they take a class from you?  They can expect a fun, inviting atmosphere with sequences tailored to their specific needs. I like to incorporate daily themes and corresponding music to reinforce our lessons. I also encourage progress. With each class we go a little deeper into the poses depending on your specific desires. No two classes are ever the same.

What has been your favorite part of the certification process? Getting advice from Anna! She literally wrote the book on Curvy Yoga and she’s a personal inspiration. I marvel at all that she does for the Curvy Yoga community and beyond.

How can people get in touch with you?  The best way to reach me is by email: castillo(dot)ginam(at)gmail(dot)com. I am also available on Facebook and will be launching a website very soon!

Alison Colyer

Location: Northwich, Cheshire, United Kingdom

Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. No matter what has been happening, Yoga has been a constant in my life offering me a wonderful array of practices to help me deal with the ups and downs of everyday living.   I love the sense that I get when I stand in Tadasana and I feel my feet planted on the earth and my spine reaching up towards the sky.  It makes me feel as if my body is the connection between heaven and earth and that what I do and who I am really matters.  I think this is the essence of what I really want my students to learn and experience.

Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community?  When I first started practising yoga I used to attend a village hall with a wonderful mix of ages, sizes and fitness levels.  Over the years as I’ve seen the popularity of yoga increase I’ve seen not more diversity in people attending classes, but a little less.  Media portrayal of yoga has meant that people think things like “I can’t practice yoga because I’m not bendy”, or “I’m too big to practice yoga”.  I want to bust this myth and to allow people to realise that yoga really is for every body.  I am committed to making sure that I can offer a welcoming and safe place for people of all sizes to explore what gifts yoga has to offer them.

What can folks expect when they take a class from you?  My classes offer a friendly, warm and safe place to be you.  As you are today.  To breathe, feel, stretch and gradually learn to enjoy the sensations of being in your body, your mind, your heart.  I’m passionate in my belief that yoga is for everyone and that there’s always a way to adapt movements or postures to suit each individual.  Classes offer a wonderful mix of movement, laughter and deep, deep relaxation – a place to stretch your body, to still your mind and to soothe your soul.  A taste of Blissful Living!

What has been your favorite part of the certification process? Without a doubt the interaction with Anna.  She’s really made me feel at ease and as if I was getting a call from one of my long-time friends.  She has encouraged me every step of the way and really made me feel that I have something valuable to offer.  The course notes and the administration are fabulous and I have felt wonderfully supported throughout the whole process.  I’m only sorry it’s ending as I’ll miss those calls!

How can people get in touch with you?  People can find me on my website, Facebook and Twitter.