My guided yoga practice began in 1997. I quickly realized how life changing yoga was for my mind, body and spirit and found the Himalayan Institute in 1999. With the guidance of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D., Sandra Anderson, Shari Friedrichsen, Rolf Sovik, Psy.D. and all the wonderful HI faculty, I became a certified yoga teacher in 2001, began my meditation practice, and was initiated into the Himalayan Tradition. I continue my daily study of yoga under the guidance of these teachers.

Love for Yoga brought me to teaching. To share even a touch of the joy and strength yoga has brought me continues to motivate me to teach. Teaching in the Himalayan tradition, I work it variety of practices encouraging students to be relentlessly optimistic and enjoy life each day.
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Visit my Yoga Alliance page or visit my IAYT page to learn more about my teaching.

Andrea Bleck-Smith

Teaching Experience
I have taught over 4300 hours of classes and seminars. 

Director of 200 hour Teacher Training
Heart of Yoga 200 hour Teacher Certification Program 2015 to 2018
Synergy Yoga 200 hour Teacher Certification Program 2014-15
Associate Director 2010-14

Group, Specialty, and Private Classes
Chair
Gentle
Yoga for Healing: Restorative yoga
Continuing classes for students new to yoga
Continuing classes for students who have been with me for over 15 years
Private therapeutic classes for those with injury and illness
Pranayama and Meditation
Yoga Philosophy Study Group

Seminars
Beginning breathing
Beginning meditation
For more, see Recent presentations, programs, and retreats below

Teacher Seminars
Meditation
Cuing and Assisting 

Highlighted Associations, Certifications, and Training

From 2000 to the present, I have accrued over 1000 hours of teacher training and continuing education.

Himalayan Institute        

• 200 hour Teacher Certified: 2001
• 500 hour Teacher Certified: 2014
• Member: 1999 – present
• Living Tantra workshop series: 2009 – 2012

International Association of Yoga Therapists

• Certified Yoga Therapist IAYT: 2016
• International Association for Yoga Therapists, Member: 2015 to present

Yoga Alliance Registration and Certification

• Registered Yoga Alliance: 2002-present
• Experienced 200 hour yoga teacher: 2010
• Experienced 500 hour yoga teacher: 2015 to present
• YACEP – Continuing Education Provider: 2016 to present
• Pilot program – Arthritis Foundation and Integral Yoga  

Arthritis Foundation, Arthritis Yoga Teacher Trained: 2002  

Recent presentations, programs, and retreats

Reset, Rest, Renew, Himalayan Institute, Sept 2023

Rest and Renew, private retreat 2019

Relax and Meditate, Heart of Yoga, January 2020
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Yoga as a Spiritual Practice, Nov 2018
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Yoga and Christianity adult forum, Feb.  2016
Breath, Rest, Release Retreat, Himalayan Institute, June  2016
Meditation, Heart of Yoga – June 2017
Yoga as Pilgrimage, Shrine Mont, Sept. 2017
Also see Past Programs