Suzi began her yoga journey at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz, California in 1976. As a dancer, she found yoga to be helpful in her movement art., Her first class with a well known local yoga and dance teacher, Roberta Bristol, changed her path and sent her on a quest to learn more about the ancient art of yoga. After graduating from UCSC, she traveled the world studying and exploring a variety of styles of yoga. Decades later, Suzi had the privilege of attending a retreat with Roberta and during this yoga retreat Roberta said, “Suzi, you must teach yoga.” Suzi took it to heart and adapted a unique style of Vinyasa yoga based on a chair. Forever a student, Suzi pulls tidbits of information from years of study of Asian healing traditions and shares with students her knowledge of functional movement, meditation, mantra, breath awareness, anatomy, and nutrition. She studied with Korean Master Yu in the ancient tradition of a Shiatsu-like style of healing and began practicing functional body therapy in downtown Santa Cruz for over 20 years.

What is Chair Yoga?

Suzi transformed asanas (yoga poses) for the chair to accommodate any person’s age or ability without having to get on the floor. She developed a unique style that flows gently into a pose with awareness of the breath and the body in space. Each class begins with pranayama, (breath work), then movement, targeting the joints to increase range of motion. Standing poses are always optional, but work on balance is key to building strength and stability. Suzi is passionate about spreading the joy of yoga to inspire healing in all of us.