Kim Koopman's yogic journey began in 2001 when she took classes at a local health club mainly out of a sense of curiosity and the need to heal an exercise-induced upper back/shoulder injury.  She was quickly hooked and moved her practice into the studio at Yogafusions w/ Kathryn Templeton.  Kim was inspired to take part in the  YogaSpirit teacher training and received her first 200hr certification in 2006.  She has studied Sanskrit level 1 with Manorama, Restorative yoga with Judith Hanson Lasater, Ayurveda with Kathryn Templeton, and Parayoga with Rod Stryker and his senior certified teachers, Lauren Toolin, Kathryn Templeton and Sue Neufeld.  In addition, she has studied yoga and meditation at the Himalayan Institute.

Kim discovered meditation when she began practicing yoga in 2002. Her meditation practice has deepened over the years, especially while completing her 200 hour teacher training with YOGASpirit Studios. She has also studied meditation with Yogarupa Rod Stryker and at the Himalayan Institute, where she has learned yoga and meditation methods brought to the US by Swami Rama. Through local workshops Kim has gained experience in Buddhist mindful meditation. Kim’s main focus is on creating a sense of comfort and ease for the meditator by using guided relaxation and visualization techniques to help in establishing a clear, calm and peaceful mind and a means to connect with the true self.

Kim feels that yoga should be accessible to students of all shapes, sizes, and physical abilities, and was therefore drawn into the study of Viniyoga.  She received her 200-hr certification from the Viniyoga New England Teacher Training program in January 2010.  Kim continues to study Viniyoga and Parayoga with a focus on completing 500-hour and Yoga Therapy programs.

For more about Chair Yoga classes with Kim, click here.