Private lessons include all aspects of yoga, beyond the physical practice. Cathy's Yoga Biography:

I started yoga in 1992 and began teaching soon after when I was asked to sub for Jody Turner’s classes in Portland, Oregon. My teacher, Diane Wilson of Portland, Oregon, gave me her blessing.

I trained with Diane for 8 years almost daily, as well as taking her Teacher’s Training Course in Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Kriya Meditation in 1998.

Diane shared her deep passion and love for yoga and the creativity possible with a daily practice. Diane is a Master in her own right, but refuses to take the title of guru or name her style as she honors each student as an equal. If it weren't for her approach, I would not have continued with yoga, because she never said to me the words, this is the ONLY way to do it. I am ever grateful for her teaching and inspiration. I highly recommend her to anyone who wants to explore the edge of yoga. She is in Portland, Oregon. Check out her workshops and classes here.

I learned about Iyengar yoga with Jack Mason, who is currently retired from teaching. I took a series of private lessons with Jack, so I was able to explore my practice very deeply with him. I have not forgotten his teachings.

I learned a lot about teaching from my students. I have worked with people of all ages, abilities and shapes and sizes. My classes have been a most valuable training.  I have learned to take what I have experienced in my own body through years of yoga practice and pass the knowledge on to my students. I love to find the aspect of yoga that makes it imperative for the individual. I believe that every human will benefit from yoga and there is a way to practice that will appeal to everyone. We only need to find the right teacher or teachers. If you do not like a class, try another teacher! Once you have found the right one, stick with them until its time to explore another perspective. If your practice becomes stagnant, look further. Yoga is never stagnant. Only we become stagnant in our practice.

Every class begins with tuning in to self and strengthening the core and low back with abdominal asana, as it is much needed in our society. The abdominal asana I favor have been passed on to me from Diane Wilson and Ana Forrest. Classes vary depending on the needs of the students and myself and include many other strengthening asana coming from all traditions and styles of yoga.

I have found the core work to be essential in strengthening my life, my practice and healing my lower back. I teach Hatha and Kundalini Yoga in my own style, which combines Sivananda, Kriya, Iyengar and Forrest Yoga. I have not been trained as a teacher by Ana Forrest, but as a student in many workshops since 2001.  I  always honor and acknowledge what I have learned from her with her expertise on strengthening the core and working through injury in yoga as well as the emotional healing addressed in her teaching. Ana's website is here.

Process Coaching has taken the emotional healing to the next level for me in my yoga practice. I am currently integrating the two in my own exploration with myself in yoga and in my teaching.

My intention with yoga in my practice and teaching is to bring balance to the spirit, emotional and physical body in the heart so that we can individually vibrate who we are as part of the greater ecosystem on Earth. In private lessons, Process Coaching and Energy Healing come into play as needed. My intent is to teach and learn (always) how to become fully present and responsible here on Earth.

I am available for private individual or private group instruction, and retreats. I also teach teens in Kirkland.