Inspiring Yogi Spotlight

We sat down with Kiana Ng, a Canadian yoga teacher and gymnastics coach and asked some candid questions on her journey of Yoga.  Her classes often have a theme or intention behind them with the goal to teach her students something that can be kept with them both on and off the mat. 

1. What made you to get into Yoga?

I got into yoga after coaching gymnastics for many years. I was taken to my first class and, not going to lie, it wasn't a love at first site but over the course of a year, it started becoming more and more frequent until I fell in love with it. This was during a time when I was pressed with making decisions for my career as well. I always loved coaching and teaching, but gymnastics was always missing something for me and some of the aspects of yoga is what did it for me and made me realize that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life; help, heal, and teach people yoga and all of its components.

2. How long you have been teaching yoga? How has Yoga touched your everyday life ?

I've been teaching yoga since 2015! Yoga has brought so many great opportunities and people into my life, but more importantly, it's helped me grow as an individual. It's taught me things about myself that I didn't know, it's helped me understand myself better and create a place where I can continue to learn and heal myself. Everything I learn on my mat, is taken off my mat.

3.What is your approach to introduce Yoga to someone new to Yoga ?

I would take them to or suggest to them a variety of classes that would be suited for beginners. What's intimidating is walking into a studio and not knowing anything about yoga because they feel out of place and uncomfortable and self-conscious. So as a teacher, I would make sure they're seen if they're in my class; introduce myself, ask for their name. If it's someone I know, I would go to the class with them so they're more comfortable.

4. What are some of the challenges you face in your Yoga teachings and how do you overcome those?

A skill that I've been developing and reminding myself of more lately is being able to trust in myself that I can give my students what they need. It's an awareness and intuitive process that takes time so I wouldn't say it's me overcoming anything drastic, but more of a building of trust and self-confidence as a teacher, letting self-doubt fall away.

5. What are your goals as a Yoga teacher ?

I want to reach as many people as possible with teaching yoga. One day, I will host international retreats around the world and open my own yoga studio.

6. Outside teaching yoga, what are some of things that interests you ?

Outside of yoga, I like to meditate, read, travel, and sometimes channel my expressive side with painting or playing the guitar!

Follow Kiana on Instagram: @ kianangyoga

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