Shabnam Masoumi is a yoga teacher and student, as well as a teacher, student, and performer of Indian classical dance. She has been practicing Hatha Yoga for more than 10 years. Her journey began with personal practice and evolved into teaching, studying yoga, and exploring body-based experiences through the ritual arts of South India. Her approach to yoga combines body awareness, breath, precision in movement, and presence in the moment.
What do we do during this one-hour session?
Her classes begin with the name of God. This is followed by a few moments of silence and relaxation. A moment is dedicated to connecting with the breath and bringing awareness and the mind into the body, to the place where the body is present. From this point of stillness, we gradually enter the flow of practice.
We begin with gentle Sukshma Vyayama exercises, such as wrist, neck, and shoulder rotations.
This is followed by Sun Salutations.
Benefits of Sukshma Vyayama:
• Opening the joints and reducing stiffness in the body
• Improving circulation and the flow of energy throughout the body
• Preparing the body for deeper movements
• Calming fluctuations of the mind and improving concentration
• Reducing tension in the neck, shoulders, and lower back
• Suitable for all ages and levels
The primary yoga style she teaches is a combination of classical Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa, and the Iyengar Yoga method, with an emphasis on precise alignment and awareness in even the smallest areas of the body.
Because of her background in Indian classical dance, her classes have a mindful, precise, and body-centered quality.
As the class progresses, the practices gradually move from gentle exercises toward more endurance-based and deeper movements.
At the end, the practice always concludes with breathing exercises and a return to complete stillness.
Throughout the practice, her primary commitment is to remain present in the truth of the moment: allowing every movement and every breath to be in harmony with what is present in the body and mind now.
🌿 Specialized Training:
– Completed a course at Rtambhara Institute in Chennai under Master Ranjit Chourakad
– Received a Yoga Teacher Training Certificate from Sivananda Meenakshi Ashram (TTC) in Madurai, South India
– Received the YCB Global Yoga Certification from the Government of India
– Completed yoga workshops at Isha Foundation
– Advanced studies in the techniques of the Bihar Yoga School under Master Yogendra Singh
– Practicing ritual arts for the past year
– Currently studying Ayurveda under Ms. Setareh Kiomarthi
🌿 Skills :
– Teaching Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa, and body-endurance-based practices
– Specialized practices focused on the digestive system, breathing, and nervous system relaxation
– Pranayama, meditation, and mindfulness practices
– Familiarity with therapeutic and body-centered approaches to yoga
– Experience integrating yoga with movement and body awareness
– Knowledge of Ayurveda and its application to yoga practice
🌿 Professional Experience:
– Yoga teacher at Rtambhara Institute, Chennai, India
– Ananda Project
– Conducting yoga sessions and practices for private students
– Working in the field of South Indian ritual performance
– Bharatanatyam teacher and performer in various performances, cultural events, and events at the Embassy of India
– Participated in Isha Foundation workshops during her recent trip to India.
Email: Shb.masoumi@icloud.com
Personal Instagram: @shabnammasoumi