CHRIS CHEN
started to study yoga over a decade ago at the age of 12 with Nevine Michaan, founder of Katonah Yoga. A powerful combination of Hatha Yoga and Taoist Esoteric Philosophy, Katonah yoga incorporates elements of form flow and intellect to enable the student to become more powerful and aware in both yoga practice and in life. The Taoist philosophy behind Katonah Yoga encourages the use of universal principles of structure and alignment to teach yoga. This allows students to develop their practice both intellectually and physically as the principles and theory behind each pose are incorporated into the practice. Chris’s goal in practice is to encourage students to engage in dialogue with their physical, emotional, and intellectual selves. Chris writes, “Originally, my study of yoga was an adjunct to competitive swimming. My practice blossomed during my undergraduate years at the University of Colorado. Between skiing, climbing, and building houses, my yoga practice became the cornerstone of maintaining a healthy body throughout the seasons. I did not really consider dedicating myself to yoga until I moved New York in the fall of 2005. After a brief stint at a hedge fund and teaching yoga on the side, I found myself drawn to teaching yoga and the healing arts. I left the corporate world in June of last year and haven't looked back. Right now, apart from teaching yoga, I am studying to become an acupuncturist. Each day, I am more fascinated by the infinite energy and wisdom that bodies contain and I become more respectful of the power to heal through yoga and bodywork.”