KIA MONET
Yoga |Stretch Therapy| Pilates| Breathwork| Meditation| Soundhealing| Mindfulness| Wellness| Dentistry
When I decided to take yoga, wellness, and daily life changes to improve myself seriously in 2013, it was because I had almost passed away in my 20s. My body had completely shut down one night from an autoimmune disease I didn't even know I had. I did yoga because, after weeks in the hospital, I could not walk due to severe muscle atrophy and even had to wear adult diapers. Doctors also emphasized to me that I needed to find effective ways to manage my incredibly stressful life. I was a single mom of 2 at the time, with a full-time and 2 part-time jobs in dentistry. I was mentally, physically, and spiritually beyond capacity, so I had no idea how I was supposed to manage the stress in my life, even though I needed to do something immediately for myself and my 2 young children.
Because I was physically so weak, some friends and fitness trainers I tried to hire told me to start with nourishing my body, and just doing yoga. and other mindfulness techniques to build myself up mentally and physically, which has since enabled me to reach the point I am today, living daily with Crohn's Disease as a mom of four, having had no surgeries or daily medications to manage my once deadly symptoms. Due to my life journey and physical disABILITY, I genuinely empathize with how to relate to all physical fitness levels, mental challenges, and life journeys.
I utilize my past struggles as a personal strength to create spaces that truly feel safe and inclusive for everyone. I believe we can all accomplish anything with an open, positive mindset, an open heart, and the proper support.
I am happy to be here to provide you with The Aligned Exhale!
Teaching Experience
With no exaggeration, I have had the pleasure of teaching thousands of classes to thousands of people of all ages, physical capabilities, and backgrounds about yoga, flexibility, strength, mobility, meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, and wellness over the past decade.
I have had the opportunity to lead the Washington Commanders Football Team, professional and student-athletes, senior citizens, students with prior injuries, minor-severe, doctors, infants, children, teens, those with physical disabilities, minor-severe, neurodivergent children and adults with special needs, and beginner to advanced yoga practitioners of all races, ages, backgrounds, and body types.
My Teaching Style
In my classes, you can expect to feel comfortable, welcome, and safe while gaining confidence, strength, flexibility, peace, relaxation, and good energy. I am skilled at providing students with endless modifications, advanced yoga postures, and workout variations. I love to drop little gems during classes that you can use to help you mentally, spiritually, and physically in your everyday life journey. I love to show students the balance of flexibility and strength within their minds and bodies.
Yoga & Meditation Trainings
I have accumulated over 500 hours of advanced Yoga Alliance teacher training credit hours to become a certified yoga and meditation instructor. I have also obtained several Continuing Education credit hours approved by the Yoga Alliance over the years. I completed a 200-hour Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher Training Program in March 2015 and a 300-hour Advanced Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher Training Program in September 2017.
By the summer of 2023, I completed another 200-hour yoga teacher training and a 200-hour Meditation training. I also enrolled in a 200-hour Kundalini yoga teacher training. I have had the opportunity to study under instructors such as Guru Sri Dharma Mitra (@dharmayoganyc), Kino MacGregor (@kinoyoga), and Irene Pappas (@fitqueenirene), among many other respected and talented yoga, contortion, and meditation instructors.
In the summer of 2025, I enrolled in an 800-hour Yoga Therapist Training to further my knowledge in neurodivergent yoga therapy techniques and more.
Stretch Therapy
I began taking classes and workshops about acro yoga, partner stretching techniques, and Thai Yoga Massage in 2016. With over 20 years of experience in cosmetology and working in day spas on and off since the age of 14, I have gained knowledge of massage techniques, Acupressure pressure points, and reflexology techniques that I incorporate into my stretch therapy sessions and yoga classes today.
In the fall of 2023, I completed a 60-hour online course with multiple quizzes and a 90 min final exam, as well as a 2 day in person training program with hands-on training, a 60 minute hands-on stretching exam with a master trainer chosen by corporate judging your every word and move, and stretching 12 hours of practice clients, to complete their "Flexologist Training Program" with Stretchlab, enabling me to begin working with the public as a "Certified Flexologist" (the corporation's name for their stretch therapists).
Zumba
I have always spent long periods visiting Latin and Caribbean countries from a very young age, with my grandfather even living in Barbados my whole life. I developed a love and appreciation for Latin and Caribbean food, culture, music, and dancing at an early age. In November 2018, I decided to take my love of Caribbean and Latin dance a step further by attending a Level 1 ZIN teacher training to become a Certified Zumba Instructor. After 12 hours of dancing and learning a lot of choreography, I became a Zumba instructor.