Sylvia has practiced Iyengar yoga since 2001 and has been a certified Iyengar yoga teacher (CIYT) since 2022. Sylvia’s classes focus on sequential learning and proper alignment of the body in asana.

“I was drawn into Iyengar yoga by the clear, precise instruction and have come to value the bodily intelligence that develops with a sustained Iyengar practice. I love sharing my yoga practice with others who want to develop alignment, strength, balance, flexibility, and mindfulness.”

Off the mat, Sylvia has a PhD in biological anthropology and teaches courses at UA Little Rock. She currently serves as a member of the Iyengar Yoga National Association Research Committee. Sylvia brings her scientific background into her teaching, building in her students an awareness of body mechanics and emphasizing the myriad documented benefits of yoga for physical and mental well-being.

In Iyengar yoga, mindfulness and wellbeing begin with the physical body. In Sylvia's classes (appropriate for all levels) we will work on the actions needed to produce proper alignment in yoga poses. Simple props are used to support the body, teach muscular actions, encourage extension, and create alignment. At the physical level, good alignment allows us to build strength, stability, and flexibility in a safe and effective way while avoiding strain and injury. But yoga is also a mental practice; when focusing on the muscular actions required to align the body properly, the mind becomes absorbed in the practice, allowing detachment from the stress of everyday life. A thoughtful alignment-based approach turns the attention inward, leading to enhanced awareness and sensitivity. The mental and physical benefits of alignment extend beyond the mat and into how you move through the world. You’ll find yourself sitting straighter, standing in a more balanced way, opening your chest, and facing life’s challenges with equanimity.