The focus of the Yoga Youth Movements is bringing together the teachings of Yoga with facing the challenges of daily teenager life. The YYM presents the principles and techniques of yoga as an effective means for supporting teenagers in navigating the challenges of this tumultuous and transformational time in their lives. In addition, a regular yoga practice from a young age acts as a preventative medicine - We must start to rely on yoga versus medication as a means to perfect health.
Through the practice of yoga teenagers are able to stabilize their mental and emotional state allowing them to develop personal worth, efficiency and regulation. With a gained sense of personal responsibility teenagers are able to increase personal qualities in their life such as Determination, Self-Control, Concentration, Patience, and Faith. These gained qualities will assist teenagers in embracing the world with a clear, confident, and calm sense of global peace.
Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that focuses on the unification of body, mind and breath while practicing a variety of physical postures and movement sequences. Yoga methodology provides proven tools for deepening and enhancing self-awareness, health, achievement, and well-being. As students learn how to move gracefully, breathe smoothly and deeply, and sustain their concentration, they simultaneously develop strength, flexibility, balance, mental clarity and emotional stability. The yoga process of linking or unifying thought, breath, and movement develops focus and an awareness of the fundamental interconnectedness of intention, action, and consequence. The cultivation of this kind of personal integration deepens one’s relationship to and respect for oneself, others, and life on all levels.
ABOUT US
BOARD MEMBERS
Joseph Encinia
Founder & Director
Yoga Youth Movement
Born and raised in Dallas, TX. Joseph started practicing Yoga in May 2005. Practicing Yoga is one the best things he has ever done for himself. It has truly changed his life. Mentally, it has given Joseph more peace with himself and the world around him; physically, it has taught him how his body could do things he never dreamed it could do.
Joseph hasn't always been very healthy. Diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at a young age (which affected the majority of the left side of his body), Joseph spent years in and out of the hospital trying to rehabilitate and strengthen his joints and muscles. After a major knee surgery, Joseph taught himself how to deal with the discomfort and move on. As a result, his physical activities were limited and he was consistently taking pain medication. Then, at the age of thirteen, quite unexpectedly, Joseph had a heart attack. The causes are unknown, but most likely a side effect of arthritis medication; regardless, it made a tremendous impact.
One day Joseph decided to explore forms of exercise to regain control of my health. After a long journey, he discovered Yoga. Joseph simply expected a physical workout-he found much more than that. Joseph has transformed. He no longer suffers from constant pain. He has lost 50 pounds and developed lean muscle mass. He can contort his body into positions he never thought possible. He has gained a peace of mind he previously never knew existed. Joseph has transcended many limitations within himself – mentally, physically and emotionally. He is accomplishing things he once thought impossible.
Taking his practice to the next level, Joseph began to compete in the Asana Championships. After four years of hard work, in 2009 he placed first in the US and second in the world - now current 3 time National Champion and 2011 Male International Asana Champion. Joseph has learned to focus on the tasks at hand and live in peace with himself and the world around him. To Joseph this is the gift of yoga. The gift which he has the responsibility to share for the rest of his life.
Joseph teaches full time and enjoys travel, philosophy, and playing flamenco guitar. He is now heavily involved with the non-profit organizations USA Yoga Sports Federation and the Yoga Youth Movement. Joseph has toured to over numerous Yoga studios in the U.S. and toured to over 20 countries, taught for a year at Bikram’s first Indian school in Mumbai and has served as a full-time staff member of Teacher Training. He now lives and teaches Bikram & Youth yoga full-time in NYC.
