We have a wonderful new Curvy Yoga teacher this month! I am excited to share them with you! To see a full list of our Curvy Yoga Certified teachers, please click here.
Emily Adams
Location: Bristol, TN
Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. I attended my first yoga class in April 2014 and loved it! Within a few weeks, I saw improvement in my ability to stay focused and to be present, decreased pain and stiffness from back and shoulder issues, and less stress in my life. A year later, I began my 200 hour teacher training as a way to deepen my own personal yoga practice. I have a special interest in showing people that ANYONE can do yoga and develop the skills to be more mindful and present!
Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community? I avoided yoga for a long time because I thought I didn’t fit the body type of a yogi. Once I got to my first class, I realized it didn’t matter what I looked like or how well I could do the poses. I hope to create a space where everyone feels welcome and safe, regardless of size.
What can folks expect when they take a class from you? A warm, accepting environment where we can feel safe to practice our yoga – whatever it may look like!
What has been your favorite part of the certification process? Learning ways to make poses more accessible for all!
How can people get in touch with you? People can find me on Facebook!
Carmen Jimenez
Location: Columbia, SC
Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. My relationship with yoga is very therapeutic. My 240-hour program with Mission OM; Theraputic Yoga Teacher Training program has given me the foundation to work with diverse populations with a variety of needs. My teaching practice has many areas of focus for adults and children; such as meditation, mental change as well as developing a practice for individuals in larger bodies. Through yoga, anyone can develop their practice based on the personal goals and needs.
Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community? There are amazing studios and teachers in my area that offers a variety of classes and styles. I want to increase the yoga community in my area by offering the practice for everyone regardless of size or personal needs. I want people to feel comfortable in their practice and be able to see a teacher that looks like them body wise and a teacher that can relate to their challenges in the standard yoga class
What can folks expect when they take a class from you? People can expect a positive environment with a lot of encouragement, lots of fun poses with props and modifications, and a chance to realize that they are capable of anything with the support they need.
What has been your favorite part of the certification process? Having interactions with other yoga teachers and working on the same end goal!
How can people get in touch with you? People can find me on my website, Facebook and on Twitter!
Susan Miller
Location: White, SD
Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. I have been doing yoga since the early 90’s, however it has been in the last four year that my practice has grown deeper and richer. Yoga helps me stay honest with myself. I know that if I don’t get on the mat, my days will be challenging and the nights full of tossing and turning. After my TT200 I committed myself to a daily practice that includes shavasana and meditation. My students will find me down to earth and compassionate. I am creative in the ways I approach asana’s and yoga philosophy. The eight limb path is as accessible in today’s society as it was during the time of Patanjali. In class students will discover that yoga is not just poses, but a richer fuller experience for the mind, body and spirit.
Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community? The Curvy Yoga movement is important in the world today because there is so much negative talk about size and weight. More and more people are finding that they are becoming isolated because they don’t meet society’s unreachable standards. I live in Rural America, and my goal is to bring yoga to EveryBody. That’s everyone, regardless of size, gender, ethic background, or age. My plan is to incorporate Curvy Yoga techniques into every class I teach. Everyone will be welcomed in my class with a smile, a handshake and a hug if they want one. There is a space waiting for you. Come on in.
What can folks expect when they take a class from you? Fun! Laughter! Relaxation! Classes are never the same twice. There will be a bit of everything in class as we all work together to explore all the riches that yoga has to offer. I teach a beginner Hatha Yoga class with modifications and props. I have a traveling yoga studio in a hockey bag. In my bag I have straps, blocks, blankets (big and small) and tennis balls. I teach in a community center where we have plenty of chairs and tables. Lots of wall space too, for poses like Legs up the Walls. I look forward to making new friends and seeing some familiar faces in class as well. It is an exciting time to be teaching yoga
What has been your favorite part of the certification process? My favorite part of the certification process has been the challenging homework questions. They were not questions that you could answer without some serious thinking. I really like that. I take being a yoga teacher very seriously. The work that I do during my certification process should reflect that dedication. I think Anna is honest and open about her journey as a curvy yoga student and a curvy yoga teacher. The good and the bad, the highs and the lows. That
helps those of us who are just starting out on the Curvy Teacher path. It takes a special person to be able to do that. The world is a better place because of people like Anna.
How can people get in touch with you? People can find me on Facebook!
Ronnie Wagner
Location: Norwalk, CT
Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. I started doing yoga in a serious way about 6 or 7 years ago. Starting with Anusara Yoga, and evolving from there. I was draw in to the positive approach and joy that was being taught. A Yoga where the first principle was “Open to grace”. I have since expanded my practice and learned so much more. I am particularly drawn to Bhakti, loving the story telling, the music (Kiritan), In addition to the ansana, physical practice. With the physical practice, I am an alignment geek, completely fascinated with learning to move the body. How these movements effect the body energetically and physically.
Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community? I want to bring Curvy Yoga to my community because I believe the practice of yoga is for everyone, and accessible to every. Sometimes I think this get lost in the conversation. There is a need to reach out to undeserved groups, to support a body positive approach and to expand the perception that is sometimes present that yoga is only for the fit and flexible. Anyone can do yoga, we all start doing yoga from a different place. We can all build from there. As teacher we need to learn how to help our students find what works best for them. Not just to suggest modifications for poses, but to find the beauty in each person’s expression of pose. To allow the each of us let go of the idea of competition in yoga with anyone else.
What can folks expect when they take a class from you? In one of my classes you can expect a welcoming environment with a playful sequence that challenges accompanied by soothing music. Each pose has modifications offered. If you catch me on the right day I may even play my harmonium. I welcome yogis of every level and ability.
What has been your favorite part of the certification process? My favorite part of the certification was discussing the challenge of the curvy yogi. I have experienced these challenges my self. I loved learning the modification that help in poses, how to do a more curvy friendly sequence. Many of the readings were also excellent. My favorite being Body Image and the Eight Limbs. The discussion of language was especially thought provoking.
How can people get in touch with you? People can find me via email!
Anna Antic
Location: Portland, OR
Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. I have to admit: I was not one of those people who fell deeply in love with yoga after one class. If anything, I kind of hated it! I felt disconnected from my body and from the rest of the folks in the room, so I put yoga on the furthest back burner and focused my energy on more demanding physical pursuits (cycling, skating, roller derby). When a friend suggested I try yoga again to help rehab a skating injury, I balked… but somehow gave it a second chance, and I am so glad I did. It is not an exaggeration to say yoga saved my life. I never planned to become a yoga teacher (if anything, the old me would be laughing at how I turned out!), but I couldn’t keep this gift to myself. I currently teach both hatha and vinyasa at a donation-based studio, and I volunteer with the amazing folks at Living Yoga as well.
Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community? I grew very, very weary of hearing body-shaming horror stories from close friends who wanted to try yoga. I know how intimidating entering a new space and trying a something new can be, so I work tirelessly to create more accepting spaces for all. I also know our bodies are not static things; we are constantly changing. I’d like to offer people tools to learn to accept themselves as they are, and to accept the changes in our bodies with grace, love, and humor.
What can folks expect when they take a class from you? Lots and lots of space for exploration and acceptance of where you are right in that present moment (even and especially if you feel like you need a break in that moment), instruction that builds each pose from the base up, tips and tricks for staying present and positive well beyond the class, and some really terrible jokes 😉
What has been your favorite part of the certification process? Knowing I’m not alone in wanting to expand the perception of yoga. I loved learning from the different experiences and perspectives of my classmates. I only wish we could all take each other’s classes!
How can people get in touch with you? People can find me on Facebook and on Twitter!
Leanne Bertino
Location: Westfield, IN
Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. As a curvy woman the thought of doing yoga never occurred to me. Not ever! About four years ago a friend suggested I give it a try. By the end of my first class I was really tired, somewhat sore but totally in love with yoga. As a natural born teacher I realized not all students were having their needs met by “regular” yoga so I decided to pursue teaching as I felt that as a curvy yogi I had a lot to offer. I am fairly new to teaching and am filled with passion, ideas and enthusiasm.
Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community? I need to bring Curvy Yoga to my community because sadly we have nothing like it here. I adore my teachers and the practice I have developed. But I also see people who appear to be crushed by the inability to do yoga because classes are geared towards the yoga stereotype- people who look like they do yoga. I’d like to create a welcoming space for people of all body shapes, sizes and abilities.
What can folks expect when they take a class from you? I believe in the meaning of the word yoga. It means union of body, mind and soul. I hope to transmit the peace that union brings to me in all of my students. II teach in a gentle, playful manner and most of all encourage people to love and accept themselves and their bodies as they are on any given day. Yoga is not a competition and I hope to make students realize that it’s just about them and nobody else. I must say it’s harder than it sounds even for myself.
What has been your favorite part of the certification process? I really enjoyed getting a fantastic well-rounded toolkit of ways to safely work with curvy bodied individuals. There is a way that literally every body can do yoga and this training really gave me the confidence to move forward with my teaching. Being able to have Ann Guest-Jelly as a mentor was beyond wonderful. She has been such a positive role model for me and clearly has put an enormous amount of time, effort and thought into Curvy Yoga.
How can people get in touch with you? People can find me on my website and on Facebook!
Bobbi Oxendine
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. I was introduced to yoga, meditation, and holistic living at a young age. My mother was ahead of her time and had a regular practice that she shared with me. It took a few decades for me to come back to the practice and it has helped me calm down physically, mentally and emotionally. I love teaching! It allows me to express myself and share the practice with others. I love teaching! EveryBody is welcomed and can enjoy my creative and challenging Vinyasa and Yin classes.
Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community? I want to ensure that my classes are accessible and empowering for everyone. I live in a Curvy body and understand some of the emotional and physical challenges of practicing yoga in a space that is not inclusive; I want to share the practice of yoga in a way that is accessible to everyBody.
What can folks expect when they take a class from you? FUN! LOVE! CREATIVE movement! You can expect to be entertained and challenged. The practice is physically expressive with dance-influenced asana, There are uplifting affirmations, class themes, relaxing guided meditations and lengthy Shavasana.
What has been your favorite part of the certification process? I loved learning new ways to communicate, learning how teach modifications and helping people feel welcome and experience a practice where they can feel results. I also enjoyed Anna’s passion and knowledge of working with all bodies.
How can people get in touch with you? People can find me on my website, Facebook and on Twitter!
Emily Heisterkamp
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. Yoga brings balance to all aspects of my life: physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental. I love that it can be exactly what you need when you need it: powerful and full of strength or gentle and restorative.
Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community? “To thine own self be true.” Do what works for your own body in each shape and not what social media tells you it has to look like.
What can folks expect when they take a class from you? My students can expect to work hard, break a sweat, and laugh. I love a great playlist, a jiving flow, and a little comedy when we need it!
What has been your favorite part of the certification process? Opening my eyes to the possibilities in postures and shapes. Thinking of how great some of these options will be for myself and my students.
How can people get in touch with you? People can find me on my website!
Katie Nehil
Location: Traverse City, MI
Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. I have been practicing Yoga for over 4 years and teaching locally for a year. I believe that the Yoga Mat is a safe haven for people of every body type and every body ability.
Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community? I want to bring Curvy Yoga to my community, because we need it! People of all sizes and shapes need the benefits of yoga. The current yoga industry can feel exclusive to those who are thin, affluent, super-flexible…you get the idea. However, the heart of yoga holds true. It is a practice for everyone, no matter your body type or life situations. People have never needed that more than they do right now.
What can folks expect when they take a class from you? People can expect a well balanced class with focus on breath and safe movement. Classic elements of yoga philosophy will be discussed and utilized in my classes. I teach from my heart and I want others to bring their passion(s) to the mat. Most of all, I want to create a body positive environment for people of every size and shape.
What has been your favorite part of the certification process? My favorite part of the certification process was connecting with teachers who feel the same way I do. I enjoy being part of the Curvy Yoga community and brining Curvy Yoga to the people!
How can people get in touch with you? People can find me on Facebook!
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