Note from Lily Hou

My Personal Journey to Yoga

I started learning and practicing yoga fourteen years ago with the hope to reduce the rheumatoid arthritis pain I had suffered since I was a teenager. Over the years yoga has not only helped with RA, it has also brought me flexibility, strength, relaxation and peace to my life. I have found an exercise that tones, stretches and relaxes all at the same time, and a lifestyle that keeps me joyful and peaceful. Yoga also teaches me to share and enjoy the pleasure of sharing. I live and love yoga teaching. It gives me the greatest joy to share my yoga passion with others.

My Yoga Training

Over the years, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to travel extensively and receive training from some of the best yoga teachers around:

• Teacher training with Charles Maclnerney, Donna Belk and Ellen Smith.
• Teacher training with Manju Jois.
• Yoga Kids training through Marsha Wenig’s Yoga Kids Program. (author of Yoga Kids: Educating the Whole Child Through Yoga)
• Hands-on training at workshops and conferences with the following internationally known: Beryl Bender Birch on Power Yoga; Baron Baptiste on Power Vinyasa Yoga; Manju Jois (Astanga Yoga founder Pattabhi Jois’s son) on Astanga Yoga, Doug Swenson on Sadhana Yoga Chi,  Sharon Gannon and Divid Life on Jivamukti Yoga; Ana Forest and Steve Emmerman on Forest Yoga; Desiree Rumbaugh on Anusara Yoga; Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa and her husband Gurushabd Singh Khalsa on Kundalini Yoga; Rodney Yee and William Prottengeier on Iyengar Yoga, Shiva Rea on Vinyasa Yoga, , Judith Hanson Lasater on Restorative Yoga. She also had the privilege of attending classes and workshops taught by the following national and international known: Jonny Kest on Power Vinyasa, Scott Blossom on Aurveda, Paul Grilley Yin Yoga, Duncan Wong on Yogic Arts, Eddie Modestini and Nicki Doane on Maya Yoga and Aadil Palkhivala on Purna Yoga.

History of Green Yoga House and My Experience of Yoga Instruction

I started my home based studio, Yoga With Lily, in 2003. In the following year, my services expanded to other two locations: Clive Events Building and Downtown Skywalk. With the growing demand from my clients, particularly those from western suburbs, I relocated my studio in 2006 to 2204 Woodlands PKWY in Clive with a new name: Green Yoga House. The success in this location has led to the expansion in 2009 to a second studio in West Des Moines at 4800 Mills Civic PKWY, Suite 104, in Somerfield Village Center.

In addition to operating and teaching at my own studios, I have extensive yoga instruction experience at many health clubs including two of the local YMCAs, Fitness World West, 7 Flags, and Aspen Athletic Clubs. With a master degree in education and American Literature, and previous college teaching experience I feel I can connect well with people and enjoy guiding them through yoga’s journey of self-discovery.

My Favorate Quotes on Yoga

"If you are kind to your body, it will respond in incredible ways".
Well-known Italian yoga instructor Vanda Scaravelli

"In the asanas (poses), every cell of the body becomes full of life. This makes the body vibrant. Each part, from the toes to the fingers, is active. Each has its own job to do – lifting, turning, extending or pressing – is a complex interplay. If one part is not sensitive, the posture is not complete. This total action is yoga." BKS Iyengar