Seattle Yoga News is on a mission to find and highlight all of the hidden, and maybe not so hidden, gems in our yoga community and beyond. We want you to learn about their experiences and perspectives, but also a bit more about their personalities, so we have a few fun questions for them. This week’s spotlight is turned towards Nina Hunt.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH YOGA?
I had surgery to repair a torn ACL in 2014, and started going to hot yoga classes to help recover. A year later, I got my 200 hr certification in Belize!
WHAT KIND OF TRAININGS HAVE YOU PURSUED?
A lot of inversion trainings/workshops – I love to be on my hands! But I’ve also taken a lot of anatomy courses, as it helps me understand the body & be more intentional with the movements & sequences I put together for classes/clients – I’ve taken a lot of courses with Tom Myers. I also became a personal trainer so I could understand the mechanics of the body better.
HOW HAS YOGA INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE AND WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON?
Yoga has brought me back to myself – to be curious not only about the mechanics of my body, but also of my mind. In turn, understanding myself better has helped me understand others better. Yoga has also helped open my mind & expand my consciousness through mindful movement & meditation.
WHAT DO YOU FIND REWARDING ABOUT BEING A YOGA INSTRUCTOR?
The knowledge & my students. What I teach is a big melting pot of everything I am curious about and have pursued knowledge on, so I’m grateful that I can share it with others. And my students, because they teach me so much – their increased strength, drive, and improvement over time is so empowering & an amazing process to be a part of.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR TEACHING METHOD?
Mindful, intuitive, adaptable, intentional. I like to create a space for people to feel comfortable wherever they are at in their practice, and to explore the connection between their mind & body.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED
That everyone is my teacher. I should never discount anyone based on my own personal judgements, because we are all here to guide each other. Also, being aware of my own judgements towards others is a lesson in itself 😛
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AND YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT?
My biggest challenge is my mind! It’s constantly busy, and I work hard everyday to be more of an observer (versus constantly engaging with it) through meditation & mindfulness.
My greatest personal accomplishment is starting my own business – The Atman Group. It’s challenged me in so many ways, and helped me gain confidence in myself professionally & personally. The entire journey has been very empowering!
WHAT YOGA RELATED BOOKS HAVE MOST INFLUENCED YOU?
A few of my favorites – any book by Ray Long or Tom Myers, 2,100 Asanas: The Complete Yoga Poses by Daniel Lacerda, and and Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System As a Path to the Self by Anodea Judith
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US SOME OF YOUR WELLNESS & SELF-CARE PRACTICES?
I wake up and meditate or do some sort of breathwork for 20 minutes & do 15-30 minutes of yoga every morning. It’s a gift to myself to get centered before the day even begins.
If I’m really busy and need a stress release – I’ll take a new yoga class or get an intense workout in – moving my body helps release contained energy. Playing the guitar, going to a float spa, getting a $25 massage at Imperial foot massage, buying something for myself, walking to Met Market for The Cookie, getting a pedicure, reading a new book, or just spending time alone – it’s so regenerative.
WHO IS THE YOGI WE SHOULD FEATURE NEXT & WHY?
Trent Nivala – he recently started teaching on at Urban Yoga Spa, and he teaches a powerful, kick-ass vinyasa class.
Nina Hunt’s Bio: Nina has over 20 years of experience in yoga and fitness, specializing in anatomy and body awareness. After struggling with a negative body image in college and recovering from knee surgery, she found yoga as a way to rebuild her strength, improve her self-perception, and alleviate anxiety. Over the years, the physical practice of yoga led to a deeper connection with her body, mind, and emotions, increasing her awareness of self and others. She has trained and worked with several teachers and medicines around the world to increase her knowledge and understanding of the mind-body connection. Her classes combine several modalities such as meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, and self-exploration of the body. She understands that everyone’s journey is unique and different, and her goal is to help others connect with themselves on a deeper level through yoga.
