STACEY CHAVIS
OWNER, THE YOGA ROOM
My journey towards becoming a yoga teacher started in 1994, with gentle hatha yoga and meditation. From then I practiced a variety of yoga and movement styles, and stumbled upon Ashtanga yoga in 2003.
I credit a variety of great teachers who have influenced both my personal practice and my teaching. Firstly, Rowena Morris, Authorised Ashtanga teacher and previous owner of the Edinburgh Yoga Room, for giving me the opportunity to mentor her and teach at the studio. Krista Shirley, second series authorised Ashtanga yoga teacher, who has deepened my understanding of the asana practice. Lastly, my current teacher, Stephanie Snyder, based in San Francisco, who encourages me to find my own voice and share the rich yoga philosophy that inspires and supports my practice on and off the mat on a daily basis.
I am also a Yoga therapist. Yoga therapy adapts the practice, principles, and techniques of Yoga to the needs of people with specific or persistent health problems, which fits very well with my history of working in hospitals for years an as Occupational Therapist. Thus influencing my teaching style allowing me to seamlessly modify students practice within a group setting to fit their specific needs, keeping them safe and included within a class setting.
I studied at Colorado State University, and worked in hospital based settings from 1998-2011. My education included a comprehensive study of anatomy including gross anatomy and neuro-anatomy, physiology, pathology, and kinesiology.
As they say, “you teach what you need to learn yourself. Discipline, patience, acceptance and love for self and others”.
qualifications.
YOGA.
300 hour – Jason Crandell Vinyasa Yoga – 2020/21
Space and freedom in the Hips & Legs
Integrity and stability in the Spine & Core
Strength and Movement in the Shoulders & Neck & Upper Back
220 hour – Kundalini Yoga, Edinburgh – 2019/20
200 hour – Stephanie Snyder, Vinyasa Flow, San Francisco – 2015
300 hour (qualifying with 500 hours RYT) – Yoga Therapy qualification, Santa Rosa California – 2014
Yoga therapy for: cardiac & stroke, addiction, asthma and allergies, metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, and grief.
Yoga Nidra/iRest – taught by Richard Miller the founder of iRest,
Yoga for cancer – taught by Jnani Chapman, yoga therapy specialist in cancer
Structural yoga – taught by Shar Lee, a RYT 500, specialist in structural yoga
200 hour – It's Yoga San Francisco – 2011 Ashtanga Yoga and the Rocket power vinyasa sequence
50 hour – It's Yoga San Francisco – 2014 Rocket Viyasa Flow Training
Holistic Therapies.
Massage Therapy – East West College of the Healing Arts, Portland Oregon – 2001
Relevant courses: anatomy & physiology, human disease, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, acupressure (Tui Na), sports injuries.
Certificate in hot stone massage – UK 2010
Certificate in chavuitti thermal (Indian rope massage) – UK 2010
Certificate in pregnancy massage – UK 2011
Academic.
Bachelor's of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy – Colorado State University. Graduated 1997
Relevant courses: gross anatomy, anatomy & physiology, neuro-anatomy, human disease, human development, psychology & abnormal psychology, various rehabilitation trainings, assessment skills and treatment skills for adults and children with various developmental disabilities, physical and emotional trauma, addiction, neurological disorders, head injuries, stroke, elective surgery, hand therapy and out patients, various medical diagnosis, and work station ergonomic assessment/return to work.