"Yoga Christy" is an unconventional and often humorous teacher who is quite likely, by her very way of being, to teach you lessons beyond your expectations. She is loved by an eclectic range of students: seniors, executives, sailors, trapeze artists, triathletes...and the counterculture, young and old, all find a home in her welcoming presence.
Christy creates a learning environment that is challenging, nurturing, and inspiring, balancing the three Vedic gunas (humors) of rajas (fire/energy/will), tamas (earth/gravity/surrrender), and sattva (air/spaciousness/opening). This is not ambitious power yoga, lazy passive yoga, or a heady yoga trance--it is all three united to support each student's growth in a balanced way. Christy's extensive teaching experience and deep personal practice have given her skill in teaching multiple levels of students simultaneously while assisting those with injuries, imbalances, or other needs. She is inspired, passionate, and hardworking.
Christy is back for her second winter in South Florida!!! Read what others have to say about Christy . . .
Christy left her career in web design to become a full-time Yoga Instructor after experiencing the transformative power of Yoga in her own life. Christy credits Mind/Body exercise with helping her eliminate scoliosis, become fit and centered, and transform from unathletic clutz to performing artist and athlete. She is a passionate and insightful instructor who loves helping people improve their well-being, physical abilities, and success in life.
Christy completed her 200-hour Yoga teacher training in 2001. Over the last 7 years, she has has spent over 3500 hours teaching and learning from her students and clients at many local studios, universities, and health clubs, as well as managing her own studio. She works with all types: extreme athletes (competitive sailors, trapeze artists, and triathletes), stressed professionals, and those rehabilitating from injuries or dealing with handicaps.
Christy is an avid curriculum-writer, developing sport-and injury-specific programs and take-home personal training materials for her clients. In 2007, she authored the popular 10-wk intensive course “Essential Yoga.” Christy's future projects for this year include publishing 2-4 Yoga Home Practice DVD's, publishing the Essential Yoga Course in book format, and re-publishing her 2005 "Blissful Connection" Partner Yoga Manual.
In 2008, Christy became the second certified Vedic Thai-Yoga Therapy instructor of the Vedic Conservatory, supervised by International Massage Hall-of-Famer Michael Buck. This year, Christy also became the Publishing Assistant for the Vedic Conservatory, and edited and assembled a 123-page teaching manual authored by VC Director Michael Buck. In September 2008, she moved to Delray Beach, Florida, to assist Michael more closely with the development of VC educational materials.
Christy practices Yoga daily and studies with Baltimore teacher Stan Andrzejewski as well as her NY yoga buddy Phil Lynch, and international teachers Victor Van Kooten, Paddy McGrath, and Russil Paul. She has completed numerous courses and certifications in Yoga and Pilates, and is an ACE Personal Trainer. Christy is also a certified Reiki Master, and has initiated over 100 students. In her free time, Christy is a devoted cycle commuter, professional bellydancer and performer, and amateur acrobat and trapeze artist.
*
Christy's COUPLES YOGA program with Douglas Owen was featured in the Baltimore Sun in July 2005!!!
TESTIMONIALS:
"Christy is a pleasure to work with. Her attitude is always positive. She has an acute understanding of body mechanics down to a very fine level. I believe these are some of the attributes that give her an edge on her competition.
-Dan Korn, Personal Training and Thai-Yoga Client for 3 years
"I like your Essential Yoga class because it reminds me
of the way they teach Yoga in India."
-Paige Shuttleworth, work-study Yoga student
"This is the best Yoga class I've taken since 1975!"
-Jes Porro, Essential Yoga Student
"Always remember, that for me, you are the best
Yoga instructor that I have ever had......."
-Sharon Kay, Yoga Student
"Thank you for sharing the wonderful experience of Yoga.
I have really enjoyed your classes."
-Celia Davis, Beginner Yoga student at Brick Bodies
"I'm a runner, and I found you're right...
Yoga really has helped me with my flexibility...and I'm not as sore."
-Joe, Beginner Yoga student at Brick Bodies
"Your teaching style is good because you break down the poses down and give more explanation than most teachers. In my experience (more than 20 years of taking yoga in D.C. and Baltimore) most teachers basically ignore the fact that the students are doing the poses incorrectly and just move through the routine.
It's almost as if many teachers are going through the routine for themselves and if you can catch on that's just great, and if not, that's not their concern...Also, many teachers assume people know the basics, e.g., proper stance in the mountain poses, holding in the bhandas, breathing-- even basics like not forcing your body into poses...most teachers don't bother to explain why you don't want to do that...and you do!
I've only had two or three classes with you, but these experiences were all refreshing. You also seemed to conduct the classes on the basis of the abilities of the students in attendance. Again, most teachers don't care where the students' abilities lie...they have a set routine and they go with that...
Last spring I graduated from...{a local}...teacher training course--where the focus is more on the total experience than just the physical postures. Even though I loved the program, l felt there was a lot missing from the training, including things like correcting students positioning and detailed analysis of proper alignment...I'd like to learn more about working closely with students in correcting their poses, and modifications of poses for students who have difficulties with the basics. I've done a lot of reading and experimenting on my own, but I'm looking for opportunities to learn more."
-Diana Schulin, Yoga Student who went on to become a Private Client
"Understanding and connecting with my body is very important to me. I have always enjoyed how I feel when I am fit, strong, and flexible. Christy encourages all of these things in her Yoga instruction. She challenges me to try new things in Yoga which make me stronger. I have seen huge results since Christy's classes over the several months I have been her student. She also brings our attention to things we might not know are important such as foot and toe flexibility and the importance of a strong core for stability. I know I will be a healthier, happier person each time I leave one of Christy's classes. I am very grateful to have her instruction and positive in encouragement in my life. I know through Yoga, I will always grow."
-Rebecca Letwin, Yoga Student at Canton Club
"I wanted to re-iterate how much this (Essential Yoga) Course has changed my life.
I knew I wanted to do it, but I didn't really realize when we were in the first few weeks how much it would change my life.
I went to the park one day and was walking around, and something felt funny. Then I realized I was walking straight!! I had been walking like a duck my whole life and didn't even know it before this class. Now I'm walking straight!!!
My whole posture is totally different. I've taken Yoga for years and I never learned this. Christy is a guru. I can't wait for the class to start again so I can take it a second time."
-Shelly Work, Yoga Student. (FYI, Shelly did repeat the Essential Yoga Course, and brought her sister, Carrie. Then she came to the New Years' Yoga and Healing Retreat Weekend!!!)
"It was truly a privilege for me to attend your yoga classes.
Yoga has changed me for a better person."
-Mandana Mir, Brick Bodies Yoga student
"I really appreciate the explanations you give for everything when we're doing the poses. It really helps me a a lot to understand my body."
-Josef, Beginner Yoga student at Brick Bodies
"Your Yoga class is the only one I can go to right now
that doesn't make me feel like shit. When I go to Hot Vinyasa Yoga,
it makes me feel overheated and angry, or like I'm going to pass out."
-Paige Shuttleworth, Essential Yoga Student
I was climbing in the rigging on my boat the other day and I was surprised to find that I felt more in control of my body than usual. I didn't realize this course would make such a difference in how my body felt doing other activities."
-Captain Linda, Essential Yoga Student
"Thank you sooo much for the opportunity to balance My Brain w/ My Veins!!!!! I achieved such a level of relaxation through the breathin' , I slept, {which is RARE} through the WHOLE night!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!"
-Groove, Essential Yoga Student
"I was so very fortunate to have Christy as my very first teacher of yogic practices. Six years later, she continues to be my greatest influence even though I moved several states away from her in the summer of 07. I have been teaching my own students now for several years, and though I have taken classes from dozens of teachers, it it Christy's personal, sincere approach that still most influences my every breath and asana. She will help you to make the life-style choices that will most positively influence your life, not by telling you to change in any way, but by her own example. Thank you so much for everything, Christy."
-Jon Poupore, Yoga Student for 5 years
"There wasn't a minute of that massage that didn't feel amazing!
-Theresa Columbus, Massage Therapist, after Thai-Yoga session
"I will never forget the day you taught me to stand on my head!!
You truly are an amazing instructor. Your dedication and devotion to your students goes above and beyond. Your passion for Yoga and Thai-Yoga Therapy makes you an asset to your team, students, and community.
I admire you for all you do! You will not be easily replaced."
-Jacki Dalsimer, Group Fitness Director, Canton Club Health & Fitness
"Brilliant!"
-Damian Foxall, Pro Sailor, Volvo Ocean Race 2006, after Thai-Yoga session and Injury-Specific Personal Yoga Training.
Christy was the local Baltimore Bodyworker and Yoga Teacher
for the 2006 Ericsson Racing Team.
"It's like a have a whole new back!"
-David Chilton, after Thai-Yoga session
"That was one of the best presents I ever got!!"
-Josh, after Thai-Yoga session
"The whole weekend was so awesome...one of the most amazing gifts
was that you just took everything in stride so easily that I was able to really get into it, and go deeper than I ever have before.
You're amazing, I mean, you are our local guru, Swami Christy!"
-Heather Smoll, Student at New Years' Yoga and Healing Retreat
"You're a miracle worker!"
-Steve , after Thai-Yoga session
"Yoga Christy is the BEST!!!"
-CJ Jaffe, Private Client, Lyme Disease Patient,
Ironwoman Triathlete, Trapeze Artist, my Personal Hero