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
Sunday, May 17, 2020 - 6-7pm $8 members / $10 day of
Register at www.natureyoga.com
Hips & Splits at Nature Yoga Sanctuary 2021 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
Fall 2020 - time TBD $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!
[This is a virtual class.]
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.
Intro to Budokon Yoga 1-Hour Class at Nature Yoga Sanctuary 2021 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
Sunday, April 5, 2020 - 6-7pm $8 members / $10 day of
Register at www.natureyoga.com
[This is a virtual class at Virtual Nature.]
Tap Room Yoga at Metropolitan Brewing 3057 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618
Select Sundays, dates TBD 10:30-11:30am
$15 includes yoga class and 0.5L beer or non-alcoholic beverage of choice
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Truth book, published 2012, available on Amazon.
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