Teacher Spotlight: Stephanie Lynn

Stephanie Lynn, E-RYT 500, YACEP, Level III Reiki Master

For nearly 30 years, yoga and meditation have provided me with a boundless source of strength and resilience, as well as peace and compassion.  Although physical fitness is a wonderful benefit of yoga, for me it is far more.  It is also a source of mental, emotional, and spiritual “fitness.”  My teaching is a direct reflection of my belief in the potential of yoga and of my dedication to a life of service.  It is my aim to steward every student in an individual way, regardless of the size of the group I am serving.  I consider it my responsibility to ensure the safety, comfort and care of the students in my classes, and I am grateful for every opportunity to serve in this capacity.

Nine years of teaching yoga have offered me an opportunity to connect with both students and other teachers in deep and meaningful ways. My journey and evolution as a student and teacher of yoga will be lifelong, and is always fulfilling. With a bachelor of science in biology and chemistry, I have a fascination and understanding of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics that helps me to guide students in a more comprehensive way. As a student of yoga, I have studied directly under Sandra Carden, Raghunath Cappo, John Friend, Gopi Kinnicutt, Gaura Vani Buchwald, Radhanath Swami, and Laura Kupperman, and have taken workshops with Krishna Das and Jai Uttal.  I have specialized training with The Connection Coalition (yoga and meditation for teens dealing with special and challenging circumstances) and Yoga for Survivors (yoga and meditation for oncology patients and survivors), and I have a special passion for Yoga Nidra.  In 2015, I recorded and released a Yoga Nidra CD and download entitled Bathing in the Sunrise.

I am a foodie who enjoys cooking and conversation, long nature hikes, world traveling, reading, and people watching.  Two extended trips to India have offered me the opportunity to dig deeper into the spiritual aspects of yoga and to expand my own perspective and understanding of life on this small planet.  Life has offered me some very special circumstances and learning opportunities, and before anything else, I am a lifelong learner and student. Teaching from the heart and my truest nature, I infuse my own learning and growth into my classes, with compassion and light humor.  Mindfulness-based meditation has been the most transformative aspect of yoga and meditation for me.  Through the practice of peaceful presence and acceptance, I have been able to cultivate self-awareness and a well-rooted sense of passion and purpose in life.  It is my hope to offer this to my students in each and every class.  My classes are disciplined and challenging, but light-hearted and filled with compassion, as I strive to meet each student where he or she is, and serve as guide and steward.  Please join me on the mat!

Stephanie teaches several weekly classes at Yen Yoga & Fitness. Join her this May for a 30-Hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training.