Know me better

I am an E-RYT, an experienced Yoga Alliance® registered teacher at the 200 hour level. Currently I teach Gentle Flow Yoga, Beginner’s Yoga, Partner Yoga workshops and Pranayama workshops in Atlanta, Georgia. I am also available for private individual and group instruction (email me at kimalford@comcast.net for more information.)

To define my personal style of teaching yoga, I would say it strongly rests upon the practice of self-discovery, the development of deep awareness, proper alignment, creating balance in the body, mind and spirit, and cultivating a joyful way of being.

In addition to yoga asana, I’ve continually studied the ancient yogic texts and philosophies. This is a natural attraction for me, because from a young age I was prone to philosophical musings, reinforced by conversations with my father, which continue to this day. I am also actively interested in all the limbs of yoga as described by the sage, Patanjali.

One of the limbs that I incorporate into my personal practice and the classes I teach, is pranayama. Pranayama is an essential part of yoga and one that teaches you how to use your own prana, or life force. This had led me to integrate practices that open and heal the chakras (energy centers), like specific vinyasas (a planned sequence of yogic postures), pranayama, mantra (yogic chanting) and meditation.

Yoga is powerful way to raise your consciousness and learn how to be present within the moment. Through these yogic practices, one can create wellness and balance in every aspect of their being. When I teach yoga, I emphasize learning how to listen deeply to your body’s wisdom. This way of practicing minimizes injury. I have a particular focus on teaching those with body challenges how to incorporate yoga into their lives in a way that is do-able. I personally live with a chronic pain condition and the use of all the tools of yoga and meditation help me manage this on a daily basis. This in turn has a profound effect on the way I teach. This ever-evolving practice and way of being is one that will accompany me for a very long time.

In addition to teaching yoga, I am also a full time graphic designer and have a small studio where I design creative solutions for small to medium sized businesses. You can get more information and see my portfolio at www.kimalforddesign.com