As an athlete, student, teacher and outdoor enthusiast, Yoga came quite naturally to Colin… sort of.

After years of football, basketball, baseball, rock climbing, road cycling, mountain biking, surfing, skiing, wakeboarding, and “running through the woods,” Colin had more than a few injuries. However, it wasn’t until Colin’s discovery of Yoga that he began to become intimately aware of his misalignments and imbalances that were both the cause and result of his many bodily problems. The physical practice of Yoga proved quite challenging for Colin. His multiple surgeries, chronic asthma and active lifestyle left him tight and closed. However, with dedicated practice, Colin managed to wean himself off three different asthma medications, open his body to places he never thought possible and improve his performance in each and every aspect of his life. Yoga was to Colin what steroids were to Mark McGuire. (This is not a perfect analogy…)

Having diagnosed many of the misalignments of his body, Colin’s studies of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali inspired him to turn his attention to the “fluctuations of the mind” (e.g. ego, fear, attachment, hatred, chocolate chip cookies, etc.) With two Bachelor’s of Arts degrees in English Literature and Philosophy, Colin had extensively studied the philosophy of the mind, ethics and metaphysics. However, the personal nature of Yoga helped rein in the abstract tendencies of philosophy so as to apply it directly to himself. What he previously viewed as objective and intellectual became subjective and experiential. He began to discover the subtle power that ego, attachment and fear claimed over his own life as he began using the “Eight Limbs of Yoga” to calm the noise. His studies into Yoga continue to impress his philosophical mind with the concrete results they provide.

As Colin continued to witness the tremendously positive changes that Yoga produced, he began sharing his experience with others. This sharing quickly evolved into a desire to teach. Already a California certified school teacher, guitar instructor and certified waterski/wakeboard instructor, teaching Yoga came quite naturally. Beyond his inherent patience, understanding and respect for the learning process, Colin’s firm belief and ongoing study in the practice of Yoga make him an ideal instructor.

Colin now brings an understanding of nature, movement and healthful living to his yoga classes. His supportive teaching style links the Iyengar and Ashtanga methods so as to encourage comfort and stability, while still challenging students to progress in their practice. With an eye towards alignment and the breath, Colin’s classes aim to advance concentration, body awareness and bliss. Ultimately, Colin hopes to inspire curiosity and understanding of the self.

In addition to teaching yoga, Colin is also a school teacher, rock climbing guide, wakeboard/waterski instructor and professional musician. He attributes any and all success in these professional endeavors to his constantly evolving Yoga practice.

Colin is honored to have received his training from Olivia Barry and Tim Senesi. He is forever grateful for their teachings and inspiration.

Colin is a long-time supporter of Yoga in Big Bear and the Big Bear Yoga Festival. Thank you Colin for your love and support!

colinschouryoga.com