113 Cyndi Lee: Strength For Sustainable Yoga

Cyndi Lee is the first female Western yoga teacher to fully integrate yoga asana and Tibetan Buddhism in her practice and teaching. In 1998, she founded the OM yoga Center in NYC, which became a mecca for yogis worldwide. One of the most influential teachers in the U.S., Cyndi’s teaching work is now focussed on yoga and meditation, and the resiliency that arises when we practice these methods in a sustainable manner. Cyndi is a formally trained Lay Buddhist Chaplain under the guidance of Roshi Joan Halifax of Upaya Zen Center. Her root guru is the Tibetan master, Gelek Rimpoche. She has been teaching yoga for 40 years and meditation for nearly 30 years. Cyndi is also the author of five books and a leading voice in the yoga community.

This was such a special and candid conversation between Cyndi and Kathryn. Cyndi begins with how she got into yoga and meditation, and what it was like combining the two in a time when this was not the norm. She speaks about the yoga, dance and art scene in NYC and how joyful the early days of her practice and studio were. Cyndi also speaks about her recent hip surgeries and how challenging the recovery process was. Together they talk about the benefits of basic strength training, and Cyndi speaks openly about how much her practice has changed post surgery and why she now considers strength to be one of the most important elements to a sustainable practice.