Our Instructors

Connie Chouinard

In addition to providing inspirational instruction at Niyama Yoga, Connie Chouinard is a yoga instructor for children at the Dallas International School. Her innovative approach to yoga for children incorporates animal-named asanas and other poses, such as a volcano pose, to add elements of fun to children's practice. Parents often remark that their children benefit from Connie's yoga instruction because they become more calm and are more attentive in school.

The school is sponsored by the French Ministry of Education and provides students with a multicultural education. Originally established to address the needs of children of employees relocated to the Dallas area with international companies, the student body is now approximately 40 percent American, 40 percent French and Canadian, and 20 percent from other countries. Connie has lived in the Dallas area for more than twenty years.

Christiana Stich

Christiana Stich has been a yoga practitioner since 1995, when she enrolled in her first class in Tokyo, Japan. She noticed the calm, ease and reduced stress that she began to find in her body and mind as a result of practicing asanas (postures/body movements), pranayama (breath work) and meditation. Since then she has expanded her practice through personal self-study and has studied under master instructors including Rod Stryker, Donna Farhi, Shiva Rea, Ramanand Patel, Rodney Yee and Judith Lasater.

Christiana incorporates a practical, fun approach to yoga instruction, focusing on proper posture and alignment for increased flexibility, strength and endurance. She encourages students of all ages and abilities to allow the practice of yoga to unfold and reveal its beauty and peace in their own way. Christiana's goal for students revolves around developing greater strength, flexibility and a calmer, more peaceful mind. She places an important emphasis on moving with the breath as well as an awareness of physical alignment that incorporates a body/mind/spirit connection.