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 2nd Degree Black Belt (Ni-Dan) by the Japan Karate Association of Chicago, 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 Gold Medalist in Adult Women's Advanced Kata at the 2019 Fonseca Spring Challenge and Bronze Medalist in Adult Advanced Team Kata at the 2019 Windy City Traditional Karate Championship. Nina trains regularly in Traditional Japanese Shotokan Karate at the Japan Karate Association of Chicago - Sugiyama Dojo and is a member athlete of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and International Traditional Budo Alliance (ITBA).
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 500) under the founder of Yin Yoga, Master Teacher Paulie Zink. She is a 50-hour Budokon Yoga Certified Teacher under founder Cameron Shayne, and continues her training as a mixed movement athlete. She is also a certified Stand-Up Paddle Board (SUP) Yoga instructor. Nina has also 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.
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Upcoming Events:
Yin & Yoga Nidra at Nature Yoga Sanctuary 2021 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
Select Sundays at 6-7pm, dates for 2020 TBA $8 members / $10 day of
Register at www.natureyoga.com
Tap Room Yoga at Metropolitan Brewing 3057 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618
Sunday, February 23, 2020 - 10:30-11:30am
Sunday, March 22, 2020 - 10-11am
$15 includes yoga class and 0.5L beer or non-alcoholic beverage of choice
Hips & Splits at Nature Yoga Sanctuary 2021 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
Sunday, February 16, 2020 - 3:30-5:30pm $25 members / $30 day of
Register at www.natureyoga.com
Intro to Budokon Yoga 6-Week Workshop Series at The Movement Guild 1659 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60622
Wednesday, March 18 - April 22, 2020 - 6-7pm $120 for all 6 sessions
Register here!
Budokon Yoga is a complete system of yoga and martial arts movements to promote optimal mobility, strength, flexibility, and focus. Over the course of 6 weeks, we will learn and build upon the foundations of movement, postures, and transitions inherent in the Budokon Primary Series. Learn how to move with fluidity and grace and expand your practice beyond the traditional yoga constructs.
5-Day Isla Mujeres Yoga & Wellness Retreat at Coco B Wellness, Isla Mujeres, Mexico - March 6-10, 2020
Strengthen your yoga practice and connect with yourself while immersed in the soothing sounds of the Caribbean Sea on a 5-day exotic island getaway. Restore your energies without the weary hassle of faraway travel, Isla Mujeres is an island off the Yucatan Peninsula coast, a short trip from Cancun. Experience a unique yoga retreat aimed to help you break through barriers, stagnation, and feelings of being stuck in your practice or in your life. With daily yoga classes on the expansive rooftop yoga palapa offering a 360-degree view of the Caribbean Sea, the practice will focus on balancing the Yin and Yang energies through a creative flow of vinyasa, yin, yoga nidra, Chinese elemental meditation, and the Japanese martial arts principles of focus, concentration, power, and internal energy cultivation. Soak in nature's gifts by exploring surrounding marine life through snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding, and enjoy freshly cooked healthful meals based in traditional Mexican and Mayan cuisine as well as a Euro fusion inspired menu.
What's Included:
4-night, 5-day luxury accommodation at the beautiful ocean front Casa Coco Retreat Center
4 Gourmet Breakfasts, 2 Gourmet Lunches, 2 Gourmet Dinners all prepared by private, professional chefs of the Coco B culinary team
Transportation to and from Isla Mujeres from Cancun International Airport
2 daily yoga classes led by Nina Yau
Unlimited access to resort paddle boards and kayaks
Access to the roof top palapa, yoga mats, yoga props
2 full days with golf cart access to explore and experience the island
AC/Wifi
Taxes and gratuities
What's Not Included:
Flights
Trip Insurance
Alcohol
Offsite Meals
Spa and wellness services
Excursions
Sample Itinerary:
7:30-9am - Morning Yoga Session
9am - Breakfast
2pm - Lunch
5:00-6:30pm - Evening Yoga Session
7pm - Dinner
A total of 8 yoga classes offered, a combined 12 hours of yoga over the course of 5 days. Yoga styles to be learned and experienced will include, but is not limited to, yin, yoga nidra, slow flow, power vinyasa, Japanese Zen meditation, Chinese elemental qualities of yin and yang, applying martial techniques to your yoga, Budokon yoga, etc.
Retreat Package Options (per person):
Quad occupancy: $1360
Triple occupancy: $1575
Double occupancy: $1750
Single occupancy: $2160
Payment Plans Available!
For full details, please visit: Booking Page.
Final payment due February 4, 2020.
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Truth book, published 2012, available on Amazon.
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