Urdhva Mukha Svanasana ( upward facing dog )

I took my first yoga class in 1980. Toward the end of my first teacher's training, although I did not intend to teach, I was encouraged by my teachers, asked to teacher assist and substitute teach. When a teacher left unexpectedly I began teaching my first yoga class in 2001, shortly after completing my first yoga teacher's training. I am fortunately and gratefully influenced by several teachers, whose wisdom and grace inspires me to the synthesis within my teaching. My first Iyengar teacher, Lynne Minton helped me realize the mindful articulation of alignment and how to deeply relax. Sarah Powers compliments my love of creative flow and Yin yoga while blending in Buddha dharma. Tias Little encouraged me to blend humor with great respect for the connection between these philosophies. Steven Cope inspires intelligent introspection to be a part of the practice & life. Buddhist teachers Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Pema Chodron, Mark Coleman, and Jack Kornfield have guided my use of the dharma, yoga and psychology to grow personally and to joyfully offer what I have learned in each encounter of my life, teaching or not. It seems that my teaching has rightfully become an extension of my life and practice.

---

Joy's gentle nature, warm smile and sensitivity create an excellent learning environment for the beginner, while her abilities and knowledge provide substantial challenge to the more experienced yoga student.

Let yoga help to remove obstacles, to create "A Mindful Practice For Life".

Joy's Yoga Teaching Certifications:

The Yoga Studio Mill Valley, California 2001
Sarah Powers, Tias Little, Georg Feuerstein, Paul Grilley

Yoga Institute, Northern New Mexico 2002
Lex Gillan, Stan Hafner, Hunter Lief

Yoga Away, Denver Colorado 2006
Bija Bennett, River Cummings

Mindfulness Yoga & Meditation, Spirit Rock, California 2009
Reclaiming the connection of Buddhist and Yogic Philosophies.
Jack Kornfield, Mark Coleman, Phillip Moffitt, Anna Douglas, Anne Cushman, Stephen Cope, Frank Jude Boccio, Tias Little, Patricia Sullivan, Chip Hartranft, Judith Lasater, Jill Satterfield, Janice Gates, Sarah Powers.

The Synthesis of Yoga Styles that Joy Teaches:

Iyengar (mindfulness of body alignment)
Yin (meridians - connective tissue - meditative)
Vinyasa (flow - linking postures together)
Restorative (deep relaxation - stress reduction)
Viniyoga (yoga therapeutics)
Pranayama ( working with breath)
Sivananda (strength & spirit)
Vipassana and Shamatha Buddhist Meditation
Mindfulness (attention to the experience of the moment)

 

~ top ~