About Linda Smith
Linda’s fascination with yoga began in the early 80’s when she began taking classes at Orbis under the guidance of teacher Helen McMahan. “I was drawn to yoga for the physical benefits, but it did not take me long to discover that I had embarked upon a personal spiritual journey. The asanas were the point of entry,” said Linda. In 1995-96 Linda completed the Kripalu Yoga Basic Teacher Certification and began teaching classes at Orbis and at the Louisville Downtown YMCA. An interest in hatha yoga led Linda to study Kundalini yoga, vipassana meditation and massage therapy training.
Over the years Linda has studied yoga consistently with Helen McMahan, Amanda McMaine Smith, and Thomas Fortel. Genevieve Paulson has been a source of inspiration in Kundalini yoga.. Most recently in the spring of 2004, Linda spent three weeks in India with Ramanand Patel and Mukesh Desai following the "Yoga and Sound" curriculum..
In January of 2003, Linda completed a 1000-hour yoga certification program with John Charping and Betty Larson, Directors of the Southern Institute of Yoga Instructors. Additional teacher training has been with Rodney Yee, Patricia Sullivan, Roger Cole and Gary Kraftsow. Orbis co-owner, Ruth Allen, has provided continual guidance and mentorship.
Linda is a registered yoga teacher (RYT 500 hour level) through the Yoga Alliance. .
Linda took an early retirement from the Kentucky School for the Blind in August of 2002, where she worked as Outreach Director and State Coordinator for Services to Students with Visual Impairments. “I retired from a job I loved to do something I love even more…. studying and teaching yoga”.
Linda draws upon the collective wisdom of all of her teachers to inspire her personal teaching. She keeps her teaching fresh through her personal practice and by continually attending workshops in yoga and related areas.