Member of the Month
Sophia Beydoun – Sept. 2024
Name & Hometown:
Sophia Beydoun, Plymouth MI
Who or What inspired you to be a Yoga Instructor ? I was inspired by yoga teacher by the name of Chris Noles who taught yoga at the studio where I currently practice. I was intrigued by her grace and yoga teaching style. She taught with passion and from her heart. She told me that I would be a yoga teacher someday and my reply to her was “No way!” That was 3 years ago!
Describe your style of yoga:
Ashtanga Vinyasa
What’s your favorite yoga pose ?
Warrior 2
What brings you to the mat ?
I take time for myself to come to my mat so I can decompress from everyday life stress. I do it for my mind, body, and spirit.
If you teach, where ?
I am a very new yoga teacher since May 11, 2024. I am currently teaching at Wayne County Community College District Van Buren Township. I teach Ashtanga Vinyasa.
Has being a member of YAGD helped you in your yoga career ?
Most definitely! I am grateful to Kristi Warrington who connected me with the individuals in charge of the community non-credit programs Wayne Community College District. If it were not for her, I would not be teaching yoga! She was my biggest supporter at the spring yoga day where I volunteered to teach Ashtanga. It was wonderful having her take my class.
Do you have a favorite yoga story from your teaching experience ? In my second-class teaching Ashtanga, I forgot the balancing series. The students reminded me at the end of class, and I told them I knew I forgot, and this is why I added more seated postures at the end so I could finish in the allotted time of 60 minutes. Students often chuckle after every class and say could you not have missed boats today!!!
Is there anything else you would like to add, like family… hobbies… karma yoga… or other professions ?
I have been married to my husband Khaled Beydoun, for 40 years, who is also my yoga student. We have 2 grown sons who are married with families of their own. We have a total of 6 grandchildren, 1 boy and 5 girls.
I recently retired after teaching full time at Henry Ford College where I taught nursing. I currently teach in various nursing programs as a part time clinical nursing instructor.
I also volunteer for Metropolitan Animals of Detroit Animal shelter in Dearborn MI since 2012. Plus I volunteer for the Detroit River Front Conservancy. I have 4 cats of my own!