Nick Beem

Group Classes

I believe that while yoga postures can and will create vibrant health, they are ultimately vehicles for growth and self-discovery that go far beyond gymnastic accomplishment. I hope students will leave my classes feeling more awake, more alive, and more empowered to meet the challenges of life with skill and grace.

I begin with breathing practices and thorough warm-ups, both to prepare the body and also help the mind transition to a more internal focus. I teach postures both as flowing series and individually with longer holds. The fundamental practices are alignment and breathing: training the body to move efficiently, pleasurably, powerfully. I encourage students to adapt the postures to work in their bodies, rather than try to do it "perfectly".

I believe the benefits of the postures extend beyond the physical. They connect us to the wordless language of the body, open the door to healing, and encourage positive mental qualities such as concentration, equanimity and self-love.

Deep relaxation is an essential part of a balanced yoga practice, and I always leave time for a generous rest at the end of class. In deep stillness, the body is renewed and the mind refreshed.

My classes end with 5-10 minutes of seated or walking meditation. Meditation is like a yoga pose for the mind. I teach simple techniques that help develop the full potential of the mind: focus, surrender, insight, cultivation of positive emotions, creative visualization.

I like to plan my classes around a theme: a principle of alignment, a metaphor from Nature, a poem, a philosophical teaching. I strive to make the elements of my class blend together into a unified, meaningful experience, rather than just a random assortment of poses. I have been a student of Buddhism for many years, and I incorporate teachings on mindfulness and compassion into my classes.

Training

I am a certified Kripalu yoga instructor at the 200-hour level. I draw inspiration from the teachings of Tom Gillette, Rod Stryker, Ana Forrest, Paul Grilley, the Tao Te Jing, Ram Das, Rumi, and Lake Michigan. I am in the final stages of training to be a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist, which is a body-centered therapy that blends supported, passive yoga stretches with present moment awareness and simple, non-directive dialogue.

Other influences include qi gong, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, improv theater, West African dance, whole foods nutrition, and a love of brain science and technology. I graduated from Brown University with a degree in, of all things, computer science.

Contact

To read more about me or to contact me directly with questions, please visit my personal website www.gratefulyoga.com or email me at nick@gratefulyoga.com. I keep a blog at inwardfacingdog.blogspot.com.