April Ponikvar

It was quite by accident that I stumbled upon my first yoga class. I had been taking belly dancing lessons with a friend in downtown Spokane. Needing to use the restroom, I entered a hallway shared with a yoga studio. I could not believe my eyes. A group of several people where practicing yoga together in the candlelight. I was mesmerized by the synchronized movement of their bodies. The studio was comfortably warm and the sweet smell of incense was in the air. Up until that night I had been practicing yoga, alone, in the small space between my couch and TV. My whole life changed that night.

That was in the year 2000, and yoga has been a daily part of my life ever since. Every day I am challenged and sustained by this practice. Sometimes the challenge lies in just finding the time to practice, sometimes, in the postures themselves. And yet, sometimes I am challenged and sustained by what this practice uncovers within my spirit.

What began as merely a physical practice, started to unravel something inside of me. Practicing for the past decade has given me strength, stamina, and vitality. But on a different level, I feel yoga has allowed me to become a more patient mother, loving wife, and understanding friend.

I began teaching in 2005 with a desire to help people enrich their lives with yoga. My goal as a teacher is to meet each student where they are physically and mentally. It gives me great joy to provide assistance and support so that each person can meet the challenges and joys of his or her unique life.