Teacher Profile: Kim Sin

If you want to get your heart beating and your breath moving during the week, one of Kim Sin's lunchtime classes at yoga mayu is just what you need. Get to know Kim a little better with this month's Teacher Profile:

Where are you from?

Sacramento, CA

When and why did you start practicing yoga?

I took my first class at 19 years old. I used to study dance. When I stopped dancing, I searched for a means to stay active. I disliked yoga at first, but grew to really love it six years later.

How long have you been teaching yoga, and where were you trained?

I've been teaching yoga for two years. I initially trained in Santa Monica with YogaPoser. My second and most impactful training was here in SF with my teacher Jason Crandell.

How long have you been teaching at yoga mayu?

I've been teaching for a year at yoga mayu.

Why do you teach?

I teach because I love yoga. It's changed my life in huge and small ways. If I can help someone to experience a sense of union or calm for a short or extended amount of time, then I'm personally satisfied.

How has yoga benefited you?

I could go off for six hours about this one. Yoga calms my overanxious brain. Yoga has been a platform for me to exemplify and integrate discipline, attention, strength, surrender, patience, and love. My body is more resilient. My mind is better at problem solving and relaxing when it normally wants to wig out. Challenges on my mat that I have either overcome or continue to meet teach me to be patient and playful with challenges off my mat. I'm more confident in myself as a person, as a family member, and friend. It's given me a fascinating and enjoyable career. It's frankly given me a reason to be.

Why should someone who has never tried yoga try it now?

Because you'll feel better afterwards, guaranteed. Because you want to feel balanced in every regard (physically, mentally, emotionally, etc.).

What pose do you find the most challenging?

I find backbends challenging.

What are some of your non-asana interests?

Family, food and traveling.

What is your favorite thing about San Francisco?

I love that my teacher is here and accessible. I love the diversity of ethnicities and food.

What is your favorite thing about yoga mayu?

I like the owners. I like the simplicity of the space. The students are rad.

What is one thing you want everyone to know about you?

I'm extremely serious about the practice of yoga, but I think laughing is a prerequisite for really good yoga.

What is your schedule at yoga mayu?

Monday 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Wednesday 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Do you have a website?

kimsinyoga.com

If you want to get some balance in all aspects of your life, make sure you sign-up for one of Kim's great classes!

Teacher Profile: Christopher Love

If you've been practicing at yoga mayu for awhile, you've probably taken one of Christopher Love's challenging and heart-felt classes. But how well do you really know Christopher? Recently he was kind enough to answer a few questions so we can all to get to know him a little better.

Where are you from?

I grew up in North Carolina, spent some time in the midwest, and moved to the Bay Area 15 years ago.

When and why did you start practicing yoga?

I took my first class at the gym. I was hooked from the first "Om." As a psychotherapist and group leader, I was intrigued by the profound integration between body and mind. A friend urged me to begin teaching, and I've never looked back.

How long have you been teaching yoga, and where were you trained?

I've been practicing and teaching yoga soon after arriving in San Francisco 15 years ago. I am registered as an experienced teacher with the Yoga Alliance at 500 E-RYT. I received my 200-hour certification from Darren Main's training in 2002, and my 300-hour certification with Yoga Tree in 2010. I also have a master's degree in counseling, and certifications in bodywork. I am fortunate to have met and worked with many of our modern masters, exposing me to the different branches of hatha yoga today. These have included John Friend (Anusara), Anna Forrest, Guru Amrit Desai (Kripalu), Dharma Mitra, and Rod Stryker (Para Yoga). There have been numerous, gifted local teachers that have versed me in the Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Vinyasa traditions as well. My current teacher in Indian classical music is Sargam Shah.

How long have you been teaching at yoga mayu?

Nearly 3 years.

Why do you teach?

I believe human life is blessed with unique capacities that are denied by most people every day. Yoga offers a level of integration rare to many disciplines, a systematic way to encounter yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally in ways that transform your understanding of who you are. Yoga, meditation and the power of self-inquiry can resolve such great truths, freeing you to be at peace.

How has yoga benefited you?

Yoga has saved my life in countless ways, keeping my body strong and supported, and helping me to become a better human being. When I started yoga my life was in a lot of transition. Yoga helped me through these changes. This practice has also fundamentally changed my perspective of human distress and recovery, transforming the way I work with my counseling clients.

Why should someone who has never tried yoga try it now?

It's never too late to get started. Yoga in its varied forms can be practiced by anyone at any age, helping you to know your own body, mind and life in profound ways.

What pose do you find the most challenging?

I was born with flat feet, so balancing postures have provided the most challenge as I have worked on the foundation of my feet and arches.

What are some of your non-asana interests?

I am a student of Indian classical music. I play harmonium and sing mantra for yoga classes, and lead kirtan. I also live just outside the city in Mill Valley, where nature and wildlife are all around me. Working in my yard, hiking with my dog and cycling outdoors keeps me connected.

What is your favorite thing about San Francisco?

I love the opportunities for self-expression, the diversity of people, cultures and points of view. I drive over the Golden Gate bridge every week, and I am still struck by how majestic a place we live in.

What is your favorite thing about yoga mayu?

The students at Yoga Mayu are inspiring. Our focus on strong, clear vinyasa provides consistency and the opportunity to see people grow.

What is one thing you want everyone to know about you?

I have studied music, sung and played various instruments from childhood. I nearly became a professional trumpet player earlier in my life. Now I study and practice Indian classical music, play the harmonium and sing mantra every day.

What is your schedule at yoga mayu?

Tuesdays 5:00pm to 6:15pm

Thursdays 5:00pm to 6:15pm

Saturdays 11:15am to 12:45pm

Do you have a website or a newsletter people can sign-up for?

Web: lovechristopher.com

Newsletter, please email: christopher@lovechristopher.com

Now that you know all about him, make sure you sign-up for one of Christopher's classes! Like he says, "It's never too late to get started."

Teacher Profile: Sara Levine

If you've ever taken one of long-time yoga mayu teacher, Sara Levine's classes, you know she is fun and helpful and great at what she does. But did you know how she started teaching? Or what she loves about San Francisco? Keep reading to find out the answers to all your burning Sara-related questions:

Where are you from?
Bozeman, Montana

When and why did you start practicing yoga?
My first class was at the Estes Park Yoga Journal in 2000, but I didn't start practicing regularly until 2005 in San Francisco. I first began because a friend suggested it, and I fell in love almost instantly. It was scary, challenging, painful and totally amazing. I began a little backwards since I started in a Yin class and gradually made the move to vinyasa flow.

How long have you been teaching yoga and where were you trained?
I've been teaching for just over 3 years. I did my first 200 hour training at Yoga Tree in San Francisco. Since then I've trained another 300+ hours in prenatal, postnatal, anatomy, sequencing, mellow flow and restorative.

How long have you been teaching at yoga mayu?
Since they opened (almost 3 years ago). I took Gizella's first class to the public and asked her if I could teach at her studio. I assisted a class of hers and she gave me a job right there. I feel so blessed to have been in that place at that specific time. I can't imagine not teaching at yoga mayu.

Why do you teach?
Because it is the first thing that I have found which makes me feel alive in every moment that I am in it. I can actually say that I love my job, and I feel like I want to learn more every day. It is challenging, inspiring and profoundly simple. I also teach for my students, because they have become my closest friends. I love each of them and watching them realize their own potential is inspiring every time it happens.

Why should someone who has never tried yoga try it now?
Because they didn't try it yesterday. Have you heard the saying "try something new everyday"?

What pose do you find the most challenging?
At the moment - Twisted High Lunge. I have a hard time feeling expansive in the pose, and I am always resisting if I am asked to stay there for longer than I would like.

What are some of your non-asana interests?
Reading, anatomy, painting, food, vintage furniture shopping, things that smell good, my friends and family, brewery tours.

What is your favorite thing about San Francisco?
The food. My friends. And that I attribute my yogic story to this city.

What is your favorite thing about yoga mayu?
There is an energy in the space, that has been created by all of the past and current teachers and students. When I step into that room, I feel at home. I could be there all day.

What is you schedule at yoga mayu?
Sunday 11:15-12:45AM - Deep Flow
Monday, Wednesday 5-6:15PM - Vinyasa Flow 1-2
Monday 8:15-9:30PM - Deep Flow
Wednesday 8:15-9:30PM - Slow, Deep Flow

Want to keep up with all of Sara's classes and workshops? Check her out on Facebook or sign up for her newsletter on her website!