My name is Cynthea and I am a Yoga Teacher. My unique history has led me to a deep commitment to yoga, which in turn brought me physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. My journey began after suffering many physical injuries due to sports, surviving cancer, and a general roller coaster of a life.
These challenges brought me to a balanced lifestyle, which combined holistic health, massage therapy, art, and yoga. I believe in an integrated system of wellness that uses massage, breathing techniques, postures and meditation to bring about total health.
Throughout every turn in life it always comes back to yoga. For me, yoga brings a sense of self, well being, peace, center and balance. Paradoxically practicing yoga also connects me to something bigger than myself. And with yoga I have community.
For these reasons I am committed to bringing yoga to as many people as I can and sharing the benefits I have received. Besides teaching and lecturing, I offer this website as a hub of information and inspiration.
I am registered with Yoga Alliance and received my first certification in 2004 through Cloud Nine Teacher Training Program. I did my yoga internship at California State University Fullerton. Since then I have been taking various teacher training's and the most recent in December of 2009 was a five-day intensive with Ana Forrest. I have received my 500-hour certification from Cloud Nine Yoga and am currently wrapping up my 1000 hour RYT (registered yoga teacher). I am also currently working on national certification for massage therapy.
I am able to communicate with grace, humor and genuine joy, teaching from the heart with a smile. I hold a safe space for my students to let go and open their hearts, to feel joy and love and to take some of that with them and then out into the world. My classes are challenging and you will work up a sweat, crack a smile, laugh and feel joy.
RYT (registered yoga teacher): I am available to teach private, corporate, small or large classes.
CMT (certified massage therapist): Massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your health care regimen. It is therapeutic, rejuvenating, pampering, a luxurious treat, stress relief, or pain management. I offer an integrated system of wellness that uses massage, deep tissue, yoga, aromatherapy and riki ("healing energy" through the palms).
What is UpDownDog108?
The name derives from two separate but connected ideas. UpDownDog references two postures: Upward Dog and Downward Dog which can be practiced individually or as part of the traditional Sun Salutation sequence.
The sacred number 108: 108 has been a sacred number in the Indian Subcontinent for a very long time. This number is explained in many different ways. Heart Chakra: The chakras are the intersections of energy lines, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra. One of them sushumna leads to the crown chakra and is said to be the path to self-realization.
Planets and Houses: In astrology there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals 108.
Powers of 1, 2, and 3 in math:
- 1 to the 1st power = 1
- 2 to the 2nd power = 4 (2 × 2)
- 3 to the 3rd power = 27 (3 × 3 × 3)
- 1 × 4 × 27 = 108
Just to state a few.
I am happy that you have found your way to updowndog108 and hope that this is an auspicious experience for you. I hope that you will find insight and inspiration here. That yoga will bring to your life the peace it has brought mine.
Namaste. The spirit in me respects the spirit in you.