About
Far from her roots in the prairie grasses and quiet farms of South Dakota where she grew up, Crystal has found yoga to be her source of grace, providing balance to the hustle and bustle of life on the east coast with her family.
As an E-RYT 200 in Therapeutic Yoga, Crystal teaches a variety of classes that include Vinyasa, Yin and Yoga for Athletes. She weaves lessons from her training with fresh insights from ongoing study of different yoga styles into her varied classes, making them accessible to everyone.
Since 2011, Crystal has taught yoga at Powerflow Yoga, Revel Yoga, Crossfit Annex, gyms and other local studios in NJ.
Crystal taught the first yin classes at Powerflow's original studio in Chatham, NJ which provided balance for students seeking a less vigorous and hot practice typical of the power classes. Crystal's same Sunday yin class has been on the schedule since it started and is as popular as ever.
Understanding the desire and unfilled niche for softer forms of yoga, Crystal founded Yinside Yoga with fellow teacher Debra Donnally, in 2015. Together, they led yin yoga teacher trainings, meditation workshops and other yoga intensives.
Crystal continues to teach weekly classes and is excited to offer again a 30hr Yin Yoga Teacher Training coming this Fall. The training is based on her experience from over 10 years teaching yin yoga and guiding over 150 students through teacher trainings and workshops. Many students who received yin yoga certifications are now teaching for local studios and fitness centers. Crystal is grateful for her solid foundation in the study of therapeutic yoga and her personal study of yin yoga by Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers and Bernie Clark.
“If we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything.”
Crystal earned a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Grinnell College and a Master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs. During her career in public service, she served on the Capitol Hill staff of a U.S. Senator, advised the U.S. State Department on policy towards Africa and consulted for the U.S. Agency for International Development. She also worked as a Vice President for Citibank’s Corporate & Investment Bank.
If she’s not on her mat, you can find Crystal chauffeuring her kids around town, hiking, travel planning or baking cookies. Reach her at crystalpaoneyoga@gmail.com.
