Meet Soozie Kinstler | Yoga Instructor, Energy mover, Essential Oil Lover, Bodyworker, and Biodynamic Craniosacral therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Soozie Kinstler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Soozie, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?

Self-care is crucial to maintaining a balanced, productive, and inspired life. My self-care practices change intuitively with the season or at different times in my life, depending on my busyness. Meditation happens every day, but it takes many shapes like yoga nidra, sleep hypnosis, or seated meditation. I am currently obsessed with playing my harmonium. I attend Naropa and take Indian classic singing how to chant Sanskrit mantras in a kirtan style in my last three years.

My work and my life are easily consumed with giving to others. I receive many benefits in giving; however, it can drain me if I am not conscious of how much I am doing. Knowing when to say no, do less, and give back to me daily is a lesson I practice.

Balance is finding the things in my life that take away the stress that builds up from all the busyness. Nature is a great balancer, especially the beauty of Colorado. If you want to feel balanced in your life, try anything I mentioned or hug something furry like a dog. Heck, even a human will do, hug a human.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have been teaching Yoga and meditation for eighteen years and doing bodywork for twenty-one. I have a genuine interest to connect, share, relate and help others, but I want to teach others how to help themselves. What makes my approach unique is that I believe I am a conduit and the modalities by themselves hold healing and power. I become the vehicle for the energy of the traditions to move. My passion and compassion come from my journey and healing. I know it is possible, healing and transformation.

I live in Congress Park in Denver and work out of my home. I practice deep tissue by listening to the muscle tissue and feeling the what the client’s body needs. . My primary goal is that the client relaxes. Nature is a powerful force, so I use essential oils to promote wellness in my sessions. There are oil treatment protocols for various ailments and imbalances. I drip anywhere from eight-sixteen oils on the spine and feet. Finally, I practice biodynamic craniosacral therapy, a gentle, non-invasive approach to assisting the Central nervous system restore balance, rest, and ease. It can feel like meditating together or for the person receiving “being held.” I begin and end my sessions with a blessing and a Sanskrit offering.

I have lived all over and dreamed of creating an online forum to integrate the communities I taught. Bringing my work online will help me expand my reach and impact. The pandemic pushed me to focus on growing my online business. My business name is Jaiyoflow. Jai is a Sanskrit word for praise; it means praise your flow, the flow of your heart, Spirit, life, and allow the flow to guide you. I teach three different styles of classes a week (an intermediate flow, a beginner flow, and a restorative), to meet you where you are from moment to moment. I use different modalities and traditions that access all the layers of you: contemplative philosophy for the mind, breath/energy movement for emotions/nervous system, chanting for the heart and surrendering, and movement to make the body feel good. Finally, I include a monthly focus or intention to promote the experience of living Yoga off of the mat.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A bike ride through Denver to Golden and hop in the river. Dinner at Root down or Linger in Highlands. A drive to Salida to Cottonwood and or M.Princeon hot springs. A hike in Chautauqua in Boulder with the pup and lunch in Nederland at Busey Brews. Dancing at bar standard or La Rumba. A yoga class at Samadhi Yoga Sangha (where I teach live classes). Paddleboarding at Bear or Soda Lake. Get tattooed at my friend’s shop Landmark. Just to name a few!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would thank all the people who assist my growth, health, and becoming my best self.

I appreciate the faculty at Naropa University that has assisted in my growth over the last two years, but especially my Indian classical singing teacher Sheela Bringi. Sheela has helped me develop my artistic self through music and mantra. She has taught me how to play an instrument (the harmonium) that I never thought was possible. To date, it is my favorite practice by far.

My development in energy dynamics and my studies in biodynamic craniosacral therapy has been such a gift in my life with my teacher Roger Gilchrest. Lee Holden has helped me develop my knowledge of qigong and my acupuncturist John Delvin who has helped me find consistent balance and healing with my autoimmune.

Website: www.jaiyoflow.com

Instagram: @jaiyoflow, @soozieak

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soozie-kinstler-15b01b7/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaiyoflow, https://www.facebook.com/soozie.kinstler/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUUAQWQ3dcM0PLjUX6kMyJA

Other: Insight Timer: https://teacher.insighttimer.com/profile

Image Credits
Brian Keyes (Brian Anthony Photography) Ig handle @retrogrouch