All instructors are 200 or 500 hour certified yoga teachers
*** Private classes available upon request ***
Michael - Sweaty Yoga, Hatha+, Vinyasa Thai, Power Yoga, Core -
"Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend." - Bruce Lee
My life has taken many forms, many shapes and is constantly evolving. A friend introduced me to yoga at a dark time in my life. I had just hit rock bottom and yoga became more than just a practice to me. For once in my life I knew what it was to feel alive. I love the feeling of opening my mind and letting life's beauty flow. Opening Black Swan Yoga has been a dream come true and look forward to the evolution of this studio, amazing Black Swan Yoga teachers, students, and city of Austin, TX.
Lilyana - Hatha Flow, Vinyasa -
Although I was born and raised in Dallas, Austin has been my home for the past five years and I plan on keeping it that way. I began practicing yoga in 2000 and was hooked from the first savasana. Yoga brought balance to every aspect of my life and I strive to practice daily, both on and off the mat. I began teaching in 2006 and love to work with beginners, advanced practitioners and everyone in between. Each person brings something unique to every class, asana and breath and that's why I love teaching- so I can learn from and serve each of my students. We're all on this journey together and can learn so much from each other in the process.
Hillary - Iyengar, Vinyasa -
I have spent most of my life traveling and exploring. Originally from New Mexico I have called Austin home since February of 2009. After earning my bachelors degree in Eastern Philosophy and Religion I received my RYT and have been teaching yoga for the past two years. I see yoga in all stages and movements of life; it is the dance of nature, a reflection of our humanity and a path of self-realization and enlightenment. My yoga is constantly evolving and I believe that if you are moving with intention, stilling your mind and breathing, you are doing yoga beautifully.
“The yogi realizes that his life and all its activities are part of the divine action in nature, manifesting and operating in the form of man. In the beating of his pulse and the rhythm of his respiration he recognizes the flow of the seasons and the throbbing of universal life.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Joshua - Kundalini, Kundalini Power, Power Yoga, Vinyasa Dance -
Sat Nam ~ After a spontaneous spiritual awakening at 19, I began practicing Hatha and Kundalini yoga to cultivate and maintain mental clarity, elevated energy, and a joyful presence throughout the transition of leaving the comfortable "American way" and embarking upon a 3 year soul journey through Utah, California, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Australia, and Burning Man. After practicing and teaching in international studios, tropical beaches, and snowy mountains, I realized I loved Austin more than anywhere else, and settled back in town, teaching Hatha Flow classes with an emphasis on mindfulness and prana flow. I experienced a huge energy current flood my central energy channel (sushumna) during the Kundalini Summer Solstice Festival in New Mexico, and was immediately hooked to the elevation, transformation, and power of Kundalini Yoga. Since that time, I co-created an intentional yoga & permaculture community, Sacred Acres, and have been leading Full Moon & New Moon meditations and YogEcstatic Dance Experiences in addition to teaching Kundalini and Hatha Yoga, and deepening the connection to our Source.
"If you don't see God in All, you don't see God at all" - Yogi Bhajan
Tyler - Sweaty Yoga, Power Yoga, Vinyasa, Vinyasa Dance -
Many blessings in this lifetime. Always an active and curious youth, I gave yoga a try at college in Chicago. It then slowly percolated into my life until after years of doing it on my own, an opportunity to deepen my understanding arose - and I flew to India for my teacher training. Thus for 10 years since I started, this process of continual self-discovery, through travel and yoga, has enriched my life immeasurably. I seek to offer what kernels of knowledge and experience I have. We can use yoga both to help sooth the extremes that we encounter on a daily basis, settling us back into a truer space of peace, equanimity and joy; and thereby deepen our understanding of the What We Are. "Know Thyself" - Socrates.
Amy - Power Yoga, Sweaty Yoga -
I can only teach what I practice and what works for me is a nice Vinyasa/Power Yoga flow. My classes are strong and challenging but totally approachable. Some days are mellow and some days are full of fire. There is no doubt that what we do on the mat will lengthen, strengthen, and balance us physically but also mentally. It is my hope that we can quiet the mind and begin practicing 'moving meditation'. For the past 5 years I have been teaching at Santa Monica Power Yoga a yoga studio run solely on donations from the students. As a native Texan, I am happy to call Austin home and be teaching at Black Swan Yoga. I will see you soon. Namaste
Leigh - Power Yoga, Sweaty Yoga, Hatha +
I came to yoga in 1998, what a revelation! The best thing I have ever done for myself was to gather up my courage and get into that first class. It wasn't long before I figured out that the benefits of my yoga practice went way beyond the physical. The practice of yoga has changed my life for the better in more ways than I can count. Every single time I step onto the mat, at some point, I think, "I feel fantastic!" and that's why I started teaching. I received my 200 certification in 2004 and was blessed to be able to receive my 500 in 2007. I believe that anyone can practice yoga, and everyone should. You just have to find the style that's right for you. I love vinyasa flow, a practice that's light hearted and challenging, so that's how I teach. I lead fun, high-energy classes that strike a balance between fast paced vinyasa flow and strong posture alignment. Don't worry if you're a beginner, or afraid you won't be able to do it, everyone has to start somewhere, right? Although my classes are physically challenging, I invite any student with a sense of humor and an awareness of his or her own limitations to come play with me. I strive to create a joyful and safe atmosphere, offering modifications to suit many levels of practice. I teach yoga because I hope to share the peace and bliss that I've found through my personal practice with as many people as I can. I also teach children’s yoga, am an inter-disciplinary theatre artist, vocalist, and a mother.
Leeah - Sweaty Yoga, Power Yoga, Vinyasa
"I was first drawn to yoga in 2004 when I was earning my BFA in Dance Performance at SMU in Dallas. Initially practicing for the physical benefits, I quickly realized yoga has far more to offer and goes much deeper than the physicality. After graduating and moving to Chicago to pursue a career in dance, I grew tired of the constant judgement and negativity. I knew in my heart that I was meant to do more, for myself and for others. It was then that I came back to Dallas and received my certification with American Power Yoga in 2008. I returned to Chicago and began teaching as much as possible. In the spring of 2010 I found my way back to Texas and quickly made Black Swan Yoga my new home. It is my intention to share the knowledge I have and learn from my students. By utilizing this positive exchange of energy, I hope to increase awareness and ignite the joy and light within each of us.
"You are all geniuses, and you are all beautiful. You don't need anyone to tell you who you are. You are what you are. Get out there and get peace, think peace, live peace, and breathe peace, and you'll get it as soon as you like.” -John Lennon"
Courtney - Prana Flow, Power Yoga, Sweaty Yoga -
The practice of yoga has opened my life to amazing experiences. I have found courageto live my truth, strength to overcome habitual patterns, vision to inspire dreams, and bliss to dance freely. I have taught yoga in Austin and Costa Rica, and love connecting with people as they find their own joys of transformation on this journey. My practice is based in the Vinyasa Krama tradition and principles of 'conscious evolution' as taught by Shiva Rea. I also have roots in Iyengar and Anusara yoga traditions, massage therapy, yogic philosophy, and cultural anthropology. Classes flow in rhythmic and challenging sequences and incorporate themes to harness the attention of the mind.
Jai! Namaste!