What is in a name could take more than a page of explaining.  Thea, pronounced as “Tia”, is the familiar part of the wholeness and complexity of who I am.  It’s meant to be that OumYoga came into realization in 2011 and continues to shine from my heart.

 

I’m a Khmer American offering a personalized Hatha Yoga and iRest® Meditation in the East Bay of San Francisco.  I have worked with a wide range of age groups from elementary, high school, to elderly folks traumatized by war.  I also take my yoga journey to Siem Reap, Cambodia, on an annual basis and am currently working to provide more yoga and meditation in Khmer language.    

 

Drawn to yoga since 1999 as a mean to destress from my job; I started teaching in 2009. In 2011, I completed the Svastha Yoga Certification with the Mohan Family while living in Singapore.  In October 2018, I completed another in depth study with iRest to provide Yoga Nidra Meditation.  

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OumYoga’s secular and non-dual approach for each session is best described  as ”Yoga… for You."  A comprehensive combination of warm-up with deep stretches, followed by moving meditation with appropriate asanas suggested.  Pranayama and/or chanting meditation may be added depending on the needs of the moment.  Breath awareness and body scanning are interwoven throughout the vinyasa krama. In completing the whole experience, practitioners are lovingly guided through nidra meditation with heartfelt intention into welcoming safely the entire content of one's being.  The core of iRest meditation is being with what arises and being aware of the constant flow of thoughts, images, emotions and sensations.  As the practitioner becomes aware of these changes, she recognizes that she is the constant Being without needs or defined limitation. The entire experience is integrated into each practitioner’s everyday life with a sense of peace, equanimity, and wholeness despite life circumstances. 

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I’m a mother of two teenagers, who are taking flight from the nest.  Like any parent, I’m in the process of re-discovering myself and make commitment to what is important in my heart.  One commitment is to continue to being an advocate for women’s rights, especially girl’s education in Cambodia.  I have been engaged with several NGOs to see it through, such as Caring for Cambodia, Tabitha, and Opportunities of Development thru Art. 

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I’m fortunate to be supported by friends and families who believe in my work.  I’m grateful to have the guidance from so many souls who have crossed my path: Sensei Auge and Sensei Sugiyama for their wisdom and infinite patience with my study of Aikido and the Budo, Kirsten Guest who lovingly held my hand and guided me through the iRest® Certification, Richard C. Miller for lighting the way,  Nitya Mohan and her family who held up the mirror to me and allowed me to see who I really was during the a dark period of life, David Moreno for lighting the spark and inviting me to make time for an in depth yoga study- I’m grateful for douses of his wits and laughter. 

 

Aside from yoga, I enjoy traveling, photography, cooking, gardening, and writing poetry when inspired. Won’t you join me in re-discovering yourself.