About Yogi Parks

Park's’ journey began while traveling through Asia where he found himself experiencing Hatha Yoga overlooking rice fields in Thailand. His first meditation practice was led by Tibetan monks in Tashi Jong, a small Tibetan refugee village in India.  Shortly thereafter, he moved to Los Angeles, California where he found Dancing Shiva Yoga and Ayurveda, an Ayurvedic healing center dedicated to the world-renowned Guruji, Paramahansa Yogananda. His participation in the Dancing Shiva community cemented dedication to his practice, fully immersing him in the sciences of both Yoga and Ayurveda, India’s traditional holistic medicinal practice. He decided to become a full-time yoga teacher, and immediately after finishing his teacher certification, he began offering weekly classes. He quickly established his own unique blend of teaching, giving his students a strong yoga practice with breathing exercises and meditation based on the Ayurvedic guidelines of customizing the practices according to each individual’s constitution, the time of day, and the seasons.

Additionally, (also in Los Angeles) Yogi Parks was certified in Reiki Level 2 (Japanese alternative medicine, energy healing), with Reiki Master Patti Penn, at her healing center, Pause in Joy. He then also began teaching weekly Yoga and meditation classes there, incorporating chanting and singing-bowl-sound-baths into his sessions.

While his years of teaching at Dancing Shiva and Pause in Joy were incredible, he knew that something was missing: the ability to be 100% his authentic self in all its fullness. After years of trying hard to hide in the closet, it was time for him to come out as a gay man, and begin openly and freely leading his full life. This desire to connect led him to Inspire Spiritual Communities, an LGBT non-profit, church/meditation center. Soon he was teaching yoga there and working in their administration. That’s where he met his partner.

Together they soon traveled to Asia, where Parks volunteered at the Naz Foundation in India, an orphanage for children living with HIV, and then taught English in Thailand and Vietnam. He continued his practice, absorbing and learning from the world in which we all live.

2020 found the couple returning to the States where Parks began teaching from South Orange, New Jersey, blending the myriad things he’d learned in his travels (and through his practice) to hone his skill and expand his unique classes.

Yogi Parks draws from his years of diverse experiences, travels, and learning opportunities - on the road to realizing his dream of growing a fully fledged international yoga community of like-minded spirits. He is excited to step into his role as a vessel, a conduit through which students may share and spread LOVE, while always honoring their true selves.

He hopes that you’ll join him on this exciting journey of growth and energy, on the mat and out in the world.