About Nina

Nina Yau took her first yoga class in 2009, in the midst of a highly dedicated and disciplined practice in Shotokan Karate. As a certified 1st Degree Black Belt (Sho-Dan) by the American Shotokan Karate Federation and Illinois Shotokan Karatedo Association, the inward journey begun in 2006 with an intensive physical and meditative practice. Years of diligent training helped cultivate focus, concentration, and the will to never give up. She is a two-time Illinois State Champion, a two-time USA Karate Nationals medalist, the 2006 Champion of the American Shotokan Karate Championship and, in 2009, Nina was Gold Medalist in the Women's Kata Division at the USA Karate Open in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also holds a Green Belt in Kyokushin Karate. In 2015, she placed 2nd in the Adult Kata Division at the World So-Kyokushin Karate Budo Giant Challenge in Montreal, Canada. Nina most recently was Silver Medalist in the Adult Black Belt Women's Lightweight Division in Kumite at the 2018 AAU Karate Central District Championships. Nina trains regularly in Traditional Japanese Shotokan Karate at the Japan Karate Association of Chicago - Sugiyama Dojo.

As a complement to martial arts, Nina started practicing yoga regularly in 2011, unearthed a deep resonance with it, and soon made her way to South India where she received her teaching certification in Hatha Vinyasa. She is certified by the Yoga Alliance as E-RYT 200 and by The Yin Yoga Institute as a Yin and Yang Yoga Registered Teacher (YYYRT 300) under the founder of Yin Yoga, Master Teacher Paulie Zink. She is also a certified Stand-Up Paddle Board (SUP) Yoga instructor. Recently, Nina has completed advanced trainings in Yoga Nidra, Tantra, and subtle body sequencing with experienced yoga teacher Mia Park, an initiated teacher of the Sri Vidya spiritual lineage.

Nina believes that each of us is filled with unlimited potential and that nothing is lacking, for everything we should ever need or want, we already have within us and around us. Nina’s classes are a creative blend of philosophy, breath work and focus, and mindful movement to ease the body, lighten the heart, and strengthen the spirit.

Stay tuned for Yoga Retreats 2019! Locations and dates TBA.

Truth book, published 2012, available on Amazon.

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