Therapeutic Yoga for Every Body
Katie's Story
Katie Hay, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, discovered yoga on the bow of a cruise ship. She continued taking classes in her hometown Rochester, NY as a way to process grief and manage anxiety, and it transformed her life.
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She knew yoga would be part of her life's path and pursued deeper studies.
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Katie never intended to become a teacher but after completing a 200 hour teacher certification in Washington, DC she found her teaching voice.
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Students started coming to her with injury or conditions beyond her basic yoga training.
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She felt pulled to help them so she continued her studies with a 500 hour advanced studies in Yoga Therapy certification in Asheville, NC.
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Katie has been teaching regularly for 12+ years and seeing Yoga Therapy clients 7+ years
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She currently works 1-on-1 with Yoga Therapy clients, teaches public and private group classes, hosts workshops, and leads corporate therapeutic yoga classes, both in-person and virtually.
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Katie's path of yoga deepens through her personal practice and ongoing studies of related fields such as biomechanics, neuromuscular aging, Yoga for Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress, and Therapeutic Yoga for Chronic Conditions.
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Her current focus is on positive psychology through the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.
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Katie combines her knowledge of anatomy & physiology, psychology & yogic philosophy in her unique and authentic teaching and therapy style.
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She is adept at creating a unique practice tailored for each person, empowering clients to heal themselves. And at tailoring a group practice to meet the varying needs of her students.
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Katie's yoga teaching has been described as supportive and inspiring, with clear and knowledgeable instruction.
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She encourages students to build their inner awareness, develop a mind-body connection, and to move through their practice with intention.
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Before becoming a Yoga Therapist, Katie received her BA in Cultural Anthropology, volunteered through WWOOF on farm-mediation centers, and worked in communications for a global health non-profit.
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She lives in Black Mountain, North Carolina with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys growing food and flowers, reading, hiking and nature baths, community, and listening to records while dancing with her kiddos.
Testimonials
The flow of Katie's class is excellent and movements progress logically from one to the next. By the end of the hour, we can do movements we couldn’t do at the beginning. I have noticed an improvement in my strength and flexibility.
She is very adept at multi-level teaching. She is knowledgeable and encouraging about alternate positions and has a calm and relaxing demeanor. I highly recommend her as a yoga teacher.
Alexandra S, Yoga Student
Katie Hay is one of the finest yoga therapists I have ever known. I am a caregiver for my husband with dementia and Katie created a personal yoga practice for me that I do daily. Her calm, focused instruction and expert knowledge of the body, mind and spirit connection helped me learn how to relax, find inner peace, breathe correctly, listen to my body and correctly position my yoga postures for optimum outcome.
Jane W, Yoga Therapy Client
Katie is one of those teachers who walks into a room and immediately puts you at ease. It's clear that she cares about her students' physical and emotional well-being, and her supportive, nonjudgmental approach creates a safe environment that instills personal confidence. I always leave her class encouraged and excited for the next challenge!
Hope R, Yoga Student
Somehow, Katie has helped me see this old body with new eyes that now appreciate it so that when I notice difficulties, I want to heal them rather than avoid them.
The best part is that there is a marked difference in my flexibility, strength and general well being — without exception, every time I leave the studio, I am smiling, happy and have a most optimistic outlook. Thank you, Katie, for caring and inspiring me to care.
Caroline B, Yoga Student
