Dear Friend,

I was introduced to yoga in 2001 by a friend who invited me to take a class with her at a new yoga studio that was opening nearby. Although I had been a dancer in my youth, I had lost quite a bit of my flexibility from years of long distance running and weight training. I thought it would be a good way to stretch, so I agreed to go. Emerging from the hot and sweaty 90-minute Bikram yoga class, I was a changed person. I was fascinated at how such simple poses could be so challenging, shocked at how difficult it was to balance on one foot and humbled at my lack of coordination. Yet somehow I was exhilarated as well. My mind was quiet and my thoughts clear for the first time in memory. I was hooked and within a few weeks I had given up the gym and was attending 5 or 6 classes a week.

To say that yoga changed my life would be an understatement. Yoga led me from a disengaged life of an unsatisfying job and unhealthy relationships to a passion-filled career and fulfilling, heart-centered relationships. It led me back to my true self and my daily practice continually fuels me to follow my true path. Yoga helped me deal with years of misdiagnosed fatigue and chronic pain, through my proper diagnosis of gluten intolerance and multiple food allergies and supported the healing process during my lengthy recovery period. Yoga took me through pregnancy, labor and delivery of my child. Although the physical practice varied widely through these periods, the practice of mindfulness, body awareness and the focus on the breath continually brought me back to center. Yoga has taught me that no matter the challenge, if I can focus on my breath and be present, I can do anything.

I have had the blessing of taking classes with many excellent, less known teachers locally as well as a number of well known luminaries. I have been inspired through study with Ana Forrest, Manju Jois, Doug Swenson, Nancy Gilgoff, Mukunda Tom Stiles, Barbara Benaugh, Patricia Walden, Baron Baptiste and Kali Ray. I study locally with Shawn Shaw of Metrowest Yoga and Lynn Beiger of Back Bay Yoga whenever possible. I thank Nicole Carter, Carrie Tyler, Diane Featherstone and Heidi Fredette for their loving guidance in the development of my personal practice, teaching skills and for being strong and fearless yoginis. And most recently, I thank Coeli Marsh for facilitating a golden nugget of knowledge that is rapidly transforming my teaching.

I teach yoga as a tool for creating a healthy and balanced life. In my classes, students access the mind and spirit through being present and aware of the mind-body connection. Rather than promoting “zoning out”, I encourage students to quiet the mind through focus on the breath and the movement and alignment of the body.

Yoga is not a religion. I do not teach or promote religious concepts or practices. I do incorporate mindfulness concepts and opportunities for reflection that can be used for personal insight.

I am committed to making yoga accessible to all. It is my belief that by eliminating the perceived and true barriers to yoga that more people will be more present in their bodies and their lives, better able to care for themselves and their loved ones, and ultimately the planet. People will experience more joy and greater wellness and sense of well being. Check out flipthedog.com for more info on this mission.

I look forward to seeing you in your chair or on the mat!

Yours in Yoga,

Joonu