April Kieburtz

April came to yoga in 1995 seeking therapy for knees that had been traumatized by many years of aerobics and running. She soon was smitten with the practice not just for the physical benefits but also for the overall sense of well-being she felt after a class. In her own classes now, April loves to hear the difference as her students chant the opening and closing “OM”s – a testimony to the transformations that can happen in even one hour of practice.

April’s sequences are imaginative and fun – she’s been known to weave Hindu legends into her instructions, or lead a workshop exploring the surprising variety of ways you might use a chair to enhance your practice (in case you thought chairs were just for sitting in). She combines fluid movement with a detailed understanding of precise alignment and focused preparation to build up to deeper postures in a way that feels seamless, creative and safe. Along with her strong physical skill and knowledge, April is a dedicated student of Sanskrit, chanting, sutras, pranayama, and meditation. She approaches the practice as a whole, creating a class that will awaken your curiosity, expand your wisdom and satisfy your urge to move.

Although she might be too humble to mention it, April is also a bit of a Seattle yoga superstar. She was featured in the calendar “Many Flowers One Heart” demonstrating an impressive arm balance, and also in yoga performance pieces around the city. Her proudest accomplishments, however, are the human connections in her life -- being happily married for 33 years and raising two powerful daughters. She draws inspiration from the practice of self-reflection and the understanding of interconnection that she has gained from yoga.