About Silna (Larisa Kats)
I started to practice yoga about 40 years ago, by myself, learning from a book (still have this book). The pictures of the yoga asanas in the book were very impressive and I gave myself a word that I will do them all. Some of the asanas took me more than a year of regular morning practices to learn, but I was able to perform them all.
At this time I was not concerned much with the spiritual aspects of yoga and used it mostly for my physical strength and flexibility. Yoga did play its role in my strenuous and stressful life as a professional skydiver in the Army, USSR and helped me to stay in good physical shape for decades.
I started to teach yoga in 2009 after receiving 200-hr certification from the Community College. I was trained in teaching Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Power Yoga, Core Yoga, Pranayamas, Yoga during and after Pregnancy, Yoga for Elderly, Yoga for "Big Bodies", Yoga for Athletes, Yoga for Kids, Relaxation and Meditation Techniques (including Chakra Meditation).
I also received certification in Thai Yoga Massage and Advanced Thai Yoga Massage from Wat Pho Monastery in Thiland.
In addition to Yoga certifications I also have certification in Vedic Astrology and Ayurveda from American Vedic Institute. I consider myself lucky to have all this knowledge because Yoga, Vedic Astrology and Ayurveda are closely connected and cannot be understood and practiced without each other.
I am Licensed Massage Therapist and Su Jok Acupuncturist as well.
What is my goal as a teacher? To make you feel better in every class-physically, emotionally and mentally. Create peace and harmony in the body by equalizing all the energies, reducing stress, pain and tension. It doesn´t matter how perfect your yoga positions are. It is important that you do them mindfully. You go into position, you open new energy channels, you breath through them and you feel better afterwards. After doing yoga regularly you will start enjoying being in these strange positions. Your flexibility and strength will increase naturally. You will want this practice.
Long experience in yoga will ensure that you receive safe instructions during the class. My experience in massage therapy and Thai Yoga Massage will greatly enhance your level of flexibility and heal the problems with you spine and muscles.
Education
- Radio Engeneer from Politechnical Institut, Voronez, Russia, 1975.
- Teacher of Physical Culture from Institute of Physical Culture, Tbilisi, Georgia, 1980.
- Scientific Dissertation: "Aerodynamic of Free Fall" from Military Academy of Physical Culutre, Leningrad, Russia, 1994.
- Licenced Massage Therapist from UTAH College of Massage Therapy, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 1995.
- Computer Programmer from Community College, Salt Lake City, UTAH, USA, 2000.
- Vedic Astrologer from Institute of Vedic Stadies, USA, 2007.
- Ayurvedic Practitioner from Institute of Vedic Stadies, USA, 2008.
- Yoga Instructor from Community College, Salt Lake City, UTAH, USA, 2009.
- Thai Yoga Massage Therapist from Babnkog, Thailand
Work
- Professional Skydiver, Scientist USSR Army, 1975-1994. Retired.
- Licenced Massage Therapist, USA from 1995
- Yoga Teacher, USA from 2009
- Vedic Astrologer, USA from 2007