Meet Kyan Rios | Yoga Instructor & FRC Mobility Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kyan Rios and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kyan, what principle do you value most?
The value or principle that matters most to me is authenticity. Authenticity isn’t a value or lesson usually taught/passed down from our parent or guardian- at least not directly. Authenticity is a trait that is gained, usually out of practicality or necessity, due to being inauthentic with ourselves or amongst others. It is very common, but less commonly discussed that most of our personal decisions and choices are made for another person or persons or with thought of them in mind. Within our society, we have a lot of pressure to conform and agree to one another which creates hesitation around being authentic in our responses and in our personal doings. We are so afraid to be “different” or stick out somehow, that we begin to dull or lessen the value of our own experience and the way we outwardly uphold that through our own voice and action. The act of living authentically may pose its challenges, although it outweighs the action of inauthenticity. If we begin to live out of a place of truth, our lives then become our own. We make decisions- the right decisions for ourselves and not out of the fear and thought of others. Authenticity is power, uniqueness and purpose to ones being and life.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
As a child I was curios, observant, creative and helpful. With a deep connection to nature, I was truly my happiest (and still am) outside in the beautiful outdoors. Most importantly, I was an artist; everything I did had a creative aspect or intention to it. It was the way I learned and perceived the world around me- which many times got me in some trouble. At school I was often interrupted drawing or caught “spacing off” in my own thoughts of something much farther out than the containment of my classroom. Later, I would come home to be scolded by my farther for drawing on myself or my bedroom walls. The older I became, the less I believed in myself as an artist. I tried to deter myself with sports in middle school with hopes of becoming better or more interested in something else. That didn’t last long, in the tenth grade I met an amazing human and Art Instructor whom I was fortunate to call my teacher. I entered college with the intention to get a degree in Graphic design, although I quickly changed my major when I took my first Environmental Science class. This was when I realized I was here on earth to help others and make my own individual impact. Some years and a few stories later- I got rid of everything, packed a backpack and left to travel for a year. The pressure of going to school to “make a difference” seemed so far away when I could have been making change in that particular moment itself. I joined WWOOF, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms and first traveled to live in Arizona and New Mexico, where my heart lead me to Maui where I spent most of my time, about 6 months traveling about the island. During this extended educational experience, I learned about different types of farms and farmers. My connection and love for the earth expanded immeasurably as I was given the knowledge and tools to live in harmony with the land. This opportunity facilitated a huge portion of my growth and changed the way I interacted with the world around me; I came back feeling filled but also empty. I didn’t know what was next for me, I had more questions than when I had left. I stumbled upon a new practice, slightly disconnected and uninterested, Yoga. As my intention and understanding started to deepen, I too learned myself at a deeper level through this practice and became apart of a community in the process. I was encouraged to enroll into teacher training since my second home was the yoga studio by that point in time. Of course I made up 101 reasons why I couldn’t join, but really it was a pile of excuses- I was scared. Two weeks into my 200hr certification, I knew I was supposed to be a teacher. Fast forward a year and a half into being an instructor, I was introduced to mobility work and my curiosity was instantly peaked; I enrolled in Kinstretch to become a certified FRC, mobility specialist. At this intersection of yoga and the application of mobility work, I have come to my passion and profession. On so many different levels and aspects, I get to share my interests and knowledge with practitioners and with those who are seeking healing and help through diverse movement, breath and connection. I am beyond fortunate to be a guide and a helping hand, to make a living from what feels like a gift that was given to me. The most important aspect of me being a teacher, is holding space for others to show up, be who they are without judgement, attachment or expectation. I have learned that being a facilitator isn’t always about providing answers, its creating a clear foundation for one to find their own. For my career, the pandemic changed the availability and opportunity to teach real humans in a physical space, I transitioned to teaching private clients and although that is still mainly my focus, I have recently started to integrate back into teaching group classes, as I continue going to school for my 300hr yoga certification. Each day is a new lesson and opportunity, I feel grateful for all aspects of my life that got me to where I stand proud today. Looking back I see a windy, twisted road with a couple of bumps, but also a few smooth patches- it couldn’t have been any other way. During times of uncertainty and challenge, my greatest lesson was to trust in the process of my own path. If there’s something I can share with others, its that- it never matters which road you take, because all roads lead to the same place; it all comes down to when you will arrive. We are always where we are supposed to be, regardless of how we feel or the story we tell ourselves when no one else is around.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was in town and needed a showing around, I’d take them to the following places for food, drinks, coffee, activities, hiking, community, sight seeing and more…

Aroma Coffee and Tea- Studio City
Pedalers Fork- Calabasas
The Stonehaus- Westlake
Pacos Tacos- Los Angeles
Firefly- Studio City
Inn of the Seventh Ray- Old Topanga
Sage Bistro- Silver Lake
The Salt Cave- Woodland Hills
Psychic Eye Book Store- Sherman Oaks
The DEN Meditation- Studio City
Liberate Yourself- Sherman Oaks
Long Beach Museum of Art- Long Beach
The Art District- Los Angeles
Any exhibits relating to art/music/fashion that are open at the time
Flea markets/Farmers markets- San Fernando Valley + Los Angeles
Santee Alleys- Los Angeles
Laguna Beach/Malibu/Santa Barbara beaches
Griffith Park- Los Angeles
Big Sur- CA
Yosemite- Yosemite Valley
The Redwoods + Sequoia National Park- CA

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A good friend of mine, Justin, encouraged me to step into the seat of a teacher. I most certainly would not be where I am today if it was not for his push of encouragement and unwavering friendship.

Website: Www.Mindfuldhyana.com

Instagram: Mindfuldhyana

Yelp: Mindful Dhyana

Other: Link tree: https://linktr.ee/Catchkyan

Image Credits
Dimyana Marie Sergio Avalos