Nicolette Downs

Teaching since:

2012
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Why I practice and teach yoga:
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1. The feeling when you figure out a pose you've been working on
2. The feeling of helping someone else figure out a pose for the first time
3. The mental space and clarity during/after practicing
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What to expect from Nicolette’s class:

‍A challenging sequence that focuses heavily on warming up, the opportunity to try something new, lots of hands-on adjustments and assists, and probably some laughter.

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Favorite place to eat after yoga:

Aya bakery! I'm a sucker for baked goods.

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Accreditations:

Yoga Alliance Certified, E-RYT 200hr

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Nicolette's full bio:

Nicolette Downs is the owner of Big Shoulders Yoga.After completing her 200hr YTT in a style of Hatha yoga called, 'cYoga' in 2012, she jumped right in and began teaching multiple group and private classes each week - however, it wasn't until years later that she actually began to truly love and feel passionate about teaching yoga. Nicolette believes that your YTT is just the first step in your journey as a yoga instructor and that the vast majority of your education takes place once you begin to teach. For her it was the connections with her students and learning how to help and empower each individual that pushed her to develop her teaching into what it is today.


Over the last 8 years Nicolette has taught students of all levels, abilities, ages, and backgrounds, learning from each and every person and class. She is equally enthusiastic helping a first-time student understand the alignment of Down Dog and spotting a seasoned practitioner as they gain confidence jumping into Forearm Balance.

In 2019, Nicolette opened Big Shoulders Yoga with the goal of creating an inclusive and accepting yoga community in which she could share her love of yoga and empower other teachers to do the same. Plus, there were no other Hatha yoga studios and she refuses to practice and teach anything else.

When Nicolette isn't running BSY, prepping for the YTT, or teaching, she is working her full-time gig as a marketing manager for a tech company.

Additionally, Nicolette has had a consistent yoga practice for over 10 years and has drawn inspiration for her practice from a number of styles including cYoga, Baptiste, and Power Hatha. She believes that every yoga instructor should be a practitioner first and a teacher second. Teach what you know.