Leia Lynch Williams is the founder and owner of Nirvana Yoga and the mother
of two active teenagers. Before coming to Memphis, Leia accumulated
over a decade of experience working for IBM and The Dow Chemical Company in research, technical sales and marketing. Locally she has worked
as an independent contractor for various mid-south firms including GRACE Magazine where she was the Editor-at-Large
for over two years.
With an athletic background
in more traditional areas like swimming, running, tennis and scuba diving, Leia didn’t discover yoga until
later in life.
Over the years various health professionals had made recommendations
to Leia about exploring yoga to help manage stress. Each time these suggestions were dismissed without even superficial consideration.
Years later, in the depths of depression and despair, fate
led Leia to stumble into a group yoga class at the local gym. Despondent and emotionally drained, she decided to stay
for the hour…
That class, taught by a YogaFit certified instructor, was
the beginning of better days for Leia. Each class was challenging and, although she didn’t understand why, Leia always
left feeling better - emotionally and physically - than when she had arrived. Over the next year, she progressed
from one to two, then three yoga classes per week. At the same time, her depression
began to subside, improving her general disposition and outlook on life.
Eventually, her instructor invited her to a local YogaFit
Level 1 teacher training workshop, suggesting that Leia might apreciate the chance to deepen her personal practice. She
entered the two day training with intentions of merely learning how to practice on her own. By the time it was over Leia
knew that she needed to share the benefits of yoga with others. Leia went on to
earn her YogaFit 200-RYT Certification in January 2008. She also registered with Yoga Alliance at that same time.
Since then Leia has focused her attention on
her fitness career, teaching yoga and private swimming lessons at health clubs, schools and other locations throughout
the Memphis area.
In the time since acquiring her 200-RYT, Leia has documented
teaching well over 1000 hours of yoga classes, earning her the distinction of E-RYT which is an advanced certification recognized
by Yoga Alliance and reserved for only the top tier of instructors.
Inspired by her personal life changing experiences through
yoga, Leia is dedicated to sharing this gift with others. With compassion and understanding she guides each student on his
or her personal journey towards bringing balance, harmony, and inner peace, to their lives as well.
Leia teaches in an unintimidating manner that encourages every student to listen to the body, letting go
of competition, judgment and expectations. Options are offered in all classes so that students learn to modify poses to fit
their bodies instead of trying to force themselves into uncomfortable, potentially harmful positions. Each class emphasizes
safety, alignment and mindfulness. Students are drawn to Leia's soothing voice, easy going manner and athletic teaching
style.
What is unique about Nirvana is that we teach you to bring
yoga into your life,wherever it fits - making it more accessible, personal and enjoyable. There is something for everyone.
Nirvana truly offers yoga for every body.
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