-Joan Hyman

1. What style of yoga do you teach? - Vinyasa flow

2. What is your intention behind teaching? - Yoga has transformed me and, my intention for sharing yoga is to pass these teachings down the way they were passed down to me. It’s also to share my own transformational experience I have gained through many years of practice.

3. Who are your mentors in yoga? I have had the privilege to study with some great yoga teachers including Maty Ezraty, Lisa Walford, Annie Carpenter, Tim Miller, Noah Williams and Marla Apt.

4. What have they taught you? To be patient, dedicated, and to integrate the practice into my lifestyle.

5. Please mention a book that you have read about yoga that has had a positive impact on you? So many! I loved reading The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer. He is a meditation and spiritual teacher. He talks about the practice of surrender and how we can apply it to this modern day world we live in. This book helped me through a big change in my life and I still integrate what I've learned from this book into my daily life.

6. What lesson are you currently learning in your Asana practice? To let go. I have been practicing for 25 years daily, and recently turned 50. I can not do the things I used to do 10 years ago, and it's not as important to me to push myself so much physically. Although I do love a physical practice that brings me to my edge, I am finding the more I soften, the deeper I get into the poses now.

7. How often do you practice? Daily or six times a week, with daily meditation.

8. How do you implement the other 7 limbs of yoga into your life other than Asana? I live connected to my intuition. I check in with myself when I make decisions and ask myself if it aligns with the ethics we learn in yoga. My self care practice I gain through the practices that are included in the Niyamas have been integrated into my lifestyle and like I said above, I am still practicing surrender, but aren't we all? As I matured in my practice, I have learned to embody the higher limbs and my pranayama practice has become an essential in my day to day practice. I am strengthening my meditation practice more and more these days and embracing the essence of space in my life. Have I reached samadhi? Maybe in glimpses, but this is a lifelong practice, maybe even many lives!

9. Why is being present so important to you? Because this is where connection and insight happens. When I am present and in the moment I am a much better partner, teacher, friend, and more at peace with myself. To be present also brings a sense of calm, where I can think more clearly and make better decisions in the moment. When I can stay present, the moment is more alive and I can live more from my heart. This is where true happiness is found.

10. How can we keep up with you on social media? What is your IG handle and/ FB name? Joanhymanschoolofyoga