Joan Hyman’s grounded teaching style seamlessly supports her students as they emerge from their practice with the rich and bright energy that yoga has to offer. Joan’s teachings come from an organic and intuitive place, as she draws upon the combined studies of the Ashtanga and Iyengar methods, as well as Ayurveda and meditation. An authentic modern-day yogi, Joan’s love and devotion show up in her practice and throughout her teaching. You will leave her class feeling transformed and deeply aligned.
Originally from Philadelphia, Joan earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Temple University. Shortly after finishing college, she moved to New York City to pursue a professional dance career, and it was there that she discovered yoga. Soon after, she relocated to Santa Monica, California, where she completed the YogaWorks Teacher Training with Maty Ezraty and Lisa Walford in 2002, followed by further study with Annie Carpenter, who is known for her SmartFlow® system of highly intelligent sequencing.
Joan received her YogaWorks Certification in 2006, and took her first trip to Mysore, India, to study with the beloved Sri K. Pattihbi Jois and his grandson Sharath Rangaswamy. Since then, she has traveled extensively throughout India and has been blessed to study with several world-renowned teachers in far-off places where she has enjoyed unplugging from the Western way of living, fully embracing the yogic lifestyle and immersing herself in her practices.
Joan spent fifteen years as a distinguished YogaWorks Senior Teacher before bringing her expertise to Wanderlust as the Director of Teacher Trainings in 2016. Now, with over twenty years experience leading retreats, trainings, and international workshops, Joan continues to travel the globe leading her own signature trainings. In addition, Joan partners with yoga schools in various corners of the world on developing their teacher training programs. She has created the Schoolof.yoga™, which is a professional teacher training program helping students work towards their 500-Hour Yoga Alliance Certification and enhance their continuing education. She offers trainings virtually and lives within her worldwide community. Her teacher training modules range from a fundamental 200-Hour to advanced 300 hundred hour trainings. The team of senior teachers at The School of Yoga, are experts in their field of study and include Annie Carpenter, Marla Apt, Jeanne Heileman, and Cristina Holopainen. For more information visit the Schoolof.yoga™
A leader in the yoga community, Joan’s open-hearted approach to teaching yoga keeps both her inner spirit and her students continuously evolving. Joan has contributed to popular blogs such as Yoga International, Yoga Journal, Wanderlust, and Elephant Journal to name a few, offering her advice on health and wellness.
Practicing with Joan is an experience; her instruction is intelligent and light, infused with a strong sense of insight that stems from years of focused study. She has the rare combination of a calm, sweet and loyal demeanor mixed with her wild adventurous spirit. Studying with Joan is both fun and freeing while remaining safe and focused.