Tiiu Gennert

Get to Know Tiiu

What brought you to Yoga/Pilates?
I know it's a "pat" answer, but by the grace of the Gurus, I found Yoga.  An Indian friend and study partner in law school suggested we should start practicing Yoga to ease the stress of our academic pressures.  After a few years of "gym" Yoga classes and several "coincidences" of connections to those affiliated with Swami Vishnudevananda and the Sivananda Yoga Organization, I took my first Sivananda Yoga class, fell in love with the practice and was hooked.
 
Where did you get your training and what style do you teach/practice?  List your certifications.
200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center (Bahamas)
500 hour Yoga Teacher Certification from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center (Quebec) - Yoga Acharya
Lotus Palm School of Thai Yoga Massage - Senior Teacher/Practitioner of Thai Yoga Massage (Studied under Kam Thye Chow)
Yoga of the Heart: Adapting Yoga for Heart Disease, Cancer and Other Life Threatening Diseases Certification (Nischala Joy Devi)
Usui Shiki Ryoho (1st & 2nd Degree), Usui/Tibetan System of Reiki Healing
Mat Certified and System Level 1 Equipment Certified Pilates Instructor, Power Pilates (New York)
miniyogis: Yoga for Kids (foundation/kids & teen/tween) (Shana Meyerson)
 
What inspired you to teach Yoga/Pilates?
Once I took my first Sivananda Yoga class, I wanted to know more and learn how to teach it and inspire others to practice as I had been inspired.  Studying and teaching the Pilates method was a natural progression for me in my desire to help others gain balance, strength and health in their Yoga practice and daily life.
 
What can a student/practitioner expect in your class(es)?
I strive to provide high quality and individualized instruction, and create a safe and positive environment in which my students are comfortable learning, exploring and challenging themselves.  I hope to facilitate classes that combines strength, flexibility and mental poise for a healthier and more fulfilling life both inside and outside of class.
 
What is your favorite Yoga pose (or Pilates move) to practice and why?
I love the headstand (Sirsasana) - aligning head to toe from the ground up with a fresh perspective on life each time I practice it.
 
What teachings from Yoga/Pilates do you incorporate into your daily life?
I try daily to incorporate breath awareness, mental poise, balance, strength, flexibility, positivity, and nonjudgement for a healthier and happier life.  I might not be successful in many moments, but at least I'm trying to grow and cultivate those practices - it's an ongoing arduous and often painful process that promises to bear much physical, mental and spiritual fulfillment and abundance.