Biography

 

When I started my yoga journey in 2000, I had no idea where it would take me. A good friend of mine suggested that I enroll in a prenatal yoga class when I was pregnant with my first child. I had never practiced yoga before, but she told me about the health benefits and convinced me to go. I remember sitting in class with all the other pregnant women and immediately feeling the camaraderie. Our teacher was so calming and inspiring as she led us through the asanas (poses), I was hooked.

 

In 2004 my family and I moved to Clifton Park, NY and my practice became much more focused. Then, in 2007, a few of my friends and I joined a Triathlon training group through our local YMCA. After many months of training I participated in my first-ever triathlon. It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment when I crossed the finish line. The training was intense and I found that my yoga practice helped to keep me grounded through it all. It also helped me to stay strong and flexible and avoid injuries. I started doing yoga for the physical practice, but found that yoga offered me so much more.

 

I realized that I wanted to learn more about yoga and share that knowledge with others as a yoga instructor. In 2008, I discovered and enrolled in the Lotus Gardens Teacher Training Program. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My teachers Lara Azzarito-Ward and Lisa Rosenthal are both inspiring and knowledgeable women whom I admire greatly. The training I received consisted of breath work, anatomy and a comparative study of the different styles of yoga including Ashtanga, Anusara, Bikram, Integral, Iyengar, Kirpalu, Kundalini, and Sivananda. Now that I am a 200 Hour Certified Yoga Instructor, I draw upon all of these styles of yoga to create my classes. I enjoy teaching everyone from beginners to experienced yogis and yoginis.  My personal practice consists of Hot Power Vinyasa Yoga in the tradition of Bryan Kest and Baron Bapiste. I find that the way the breath is connected to the movement allows for a moving meditation and the heat allows for deeper asanas.

 

In addition to practicing and teaching yoga, I enjoy spending time with my husband and 2 boys and completing 5k runs for charity.

 

This life is yours.  Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well.  Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly.  Take the power to walk in the forest and be part of nature.  Take the power to control your own life.  No one can do it for you.  Take the power to make your life happy

~Susan Polis Shultz