Teaching Yoga

If writing is my passion, yoga is the oxygen that keeps that fire burning. Figuratively. Perhaps literally. Which is why I love splitting my time between writing and teaching yoga.

While I have a regular physical practice, my yoga journey began with a study of meditation, mindfulness, and breathwork (pranayama). Yoga has taught me to ground my emotions through steady breath and clarify my thoughts through a lens of gratitude and compassion.

Teaching yoga brings another layer to my own practice, sharing what I love with others.

There are many places where I’ve begun to bring writing and yoga together, and I hope to one day write a book about my experiences with yoga. Namely, about the ways I’ve used yoga philosophies to live a steadier, kinder, and—potentially—happier life.

Studio Classes: If you would like to join me for either virtual or in-person yoga classes, I primarily teach at Sthira Sukham Yoga in Ashburn, VA.

This beautiful studio offers a wide range of classes by caring teachers, led by studio co-owner Kate Thuss. You can join virtually (via Zoom) from anywhere or come to in-person classes.

Beyond classes, Sthira Sukham Yoga’s website offers a wealth of information about yoga, including guidance on pranayama, asana, props, mudras, yoga terms, and more. (Check the Resources tab on the web menu.)

Fitness Center Classes: For local practice, you can also join me for classes at The Fitness Equation.

Guided Meditations: I’ve recently joined the teaching community at Insight Timer. This international platform offers guided meditations and mindfulness practices that you can access online or with the Insight Timer phone app.

Insight Timer offers both free practices and premium tracks with a subscription. You can find my meditations and follow me at: Susan Quilty on Insight Timer.

Grounded in Reality Newsletter: My twice-monthly newsletter offers updates on both my writing and yoga projects, as well as reflections on mindful living in an often chaotic world. Each newsletter also features a Mini Yoga Break, showing ways to bring small moments of mindfulness into our day.

This newsletter is hosted by Substack, where you can read all of my archived newsletters and sign up to have future ones sent directly to your inbox. Sign up or explore here: Grounded in Reality.

Experience: I am registered through Yoga Alliance at the E-RYT 500 level. This designation requires 500 hours of core training and 2,000 hours of teaching experience. (YA profile)

I’m well past those requirements with additional training in various topics, including functional anatomy, Yin yoga, Yoga Nidra, Restorative yoga, and trauma-informed yoga. I have a particular interest in practices to support a healthy nervous system, which may include pranayama, meditation, and other energy work.

Yoga has become more mainstream in American society, but it’s still largely known as a physical (asana) practice. What many people may not realize is that asana is only one branch among the eight limbs of yoga.

The other limbs focus on practices like meditation and breathwork (pranayama), as well as guidelines for how to interact with others (yamas) and how to enhance self-observation and self-discipline (niyamas). I love teaching yoga with these elements layered in.

Delving into these larger yoga philosophies, which date back thousands of years, can be surprisingly relevant to modern living. I approach yoga as a holistic practice, bringing aspects of this multifaceted practice into my life both on and off my yoga mat.