HELLO
I AM KATSINA LOVE BHATIA
I AM DEDICATED TO BEING A FOREVER LEARNER UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF MY WISE MENTORS.
I was raised as a traditional artist in drawing and painting, though I was always drawn to the movement arts. At one point in my life, I lived as a full-time apprentice in my aikido dojo for 5 years. I spent my free time in dance, yoga, and Nia … all while building my career as an artist.
After having my son, I shifted my career to animation, graduating from CalArts Character Animation Department. My personal films – The Ride and Hiawatha – have been shown internationally at numerous film festivals.
I am dedicated to being a forever learner under the guidance of my wise mentors and self-study. I find inspiration in the ancient knowledge found in studies such as the Yoga Sutras and the Chakra System, and new-age research and wisdoms.
Through the last 20 years, I have taught all ages in drawing, painting, animation, partner dancing, aikido, Yoga, and ESD (Empowered Self Defense). Realizing how tremendously healing and transformational these practices have been in my own life, I feel an undeniable draw to give back by offering tools of empowerment to the larger community!
LIVE LIFE EMPOWERED
Offering tools of empowerment through Yoga Therapy, Empowered Self-Defense, and Tibetan Sound Healing. Within the lifestyle and biofield therapy realm, I work with clients one-on-one or in a small group setting, empowering individuals to meet their goals.
These goals may be physical, mental-emotional, lifestyle, and/or spiritual depending on your needs.
I am a 500-hour RYT Yoga Teacher certified through Yoga Alliance. My training and teaching are trauma-informed and driven by the desire to offer tools of self-empowerment to all.
I am currently in an 850-hour training program to become a certified IAYT Yoga Therapist through Alchemy at Be the Change Yoga.
In addition to my Yoga offerings, I am a Level 2 ESD (Empowered Self-Defense) Teacher. I am a certified ESD teacher through ESD Global and ASSERT.
A third-generation disciple to the founder of Aikido through my Uchi Deshi, I lived in my dojo for over 5 years as the apprentice to my sensei. At this dojo, I earned my Nidan (2nd degree Black Belt) and taught Aikido for over 18 years.
YOGA certifications
- Registered Yoga Teacher 500-hour Yoga Alliance
- 300-Hour Yoga Therapy Yoga Teacher Training – Be the Change
- 200-Hour Empowered Yoga Teacher Training – Yoga for Social Justice, Trauma-Informed Teaching – Jamie Hanson
Certifications In Process
- IAYT 850-hour Yoga Therapy Certification – AlcheMe
- Student – Tibetan Sound Healing School
EMPOWERED SELF DEFENSE certifications
- ESD Global – Trained Instructor, Level 2
- ASSERT – Trained Instructor
- Nidan (2nd degree Black Belt) and 3rd generation disciple to the founder of Aikido as Uchi Deshil for Gentil Pennewaert – Shin Do Kan Ai Ki Kai
REIKI certifications
- Level 1 Reiki Certification – Eric Bettencourt and Nichole Anne Ferro
ADVOCACY training
- 40-Hour Domestic Violence Advocacy Training – Laura’s House
EMERGENCY training
- CPR / AED / First-Aid (Adult / Child / Infant / Choking) AED / Injury & Universal Precautions in accordance with the ECC/ILCOR and AHA® guidelines. National CPR Foundation
CREDENTIALS
- BFA, Character Animation – CalArts
kind words…
Katsina is absolutely amazing at what she does. Her classes are always what I need and I leave feeling reinvigorated and happy. I love how she is able to offer suggestions or challenges for every level in the studio, so you never feel like you are falling behind or don’t belong. Thank you for all you do!
My name is Janet Pipitone and I am 72 years old. I have been a student in Katsina’s Tuesday community yoga class at YNG Studio in San Clemente for 7 + months. I have been so impressed with this young woman. She has increasingly made her classes unique and helpful (and delightful). I am there every week because it is a real pleasure. I highly recommend her to you. She truly cares about her practice and my practice, and your practice.
Katsina is a wonderful yoga instructor. I remember taking her first class and have had the opportunity over time to watch her develop her teaching style. Her classes embody the yoga experience from beginning to end. Starting her classes with a group chant and ending with the sound bowls makes her classes complete. Her teachings during class are different each week which makes it enjoyable.
I have taken yoga with Katsina over the past few years and enjoy our special weekly class. Now that I have seen her website, I look forward to taking some other classes such as Empowered Self Defense for myself and perhaps for my daughter as well. Thank you, Katsina! Peace love and light be with you.
Katsina does a wonderful job of making people feel comfortable, she helps to set goals for clients and tracks their progress. She is compassionate and caring. I look forward to every session with her.
Katsina is such an incredibly gifted teacher, yoga instructor, and yoga therapist. She effortlessly cultivated a non-judgemental, patient, and healing space for me to slow down and heal. I would (and do) recommend her to anyone interested. She is so knowledgeable and thoughtful. I always feel so taken care of when I’m in her company.
I enjoyed working with Katsina. She was very kind and patient with me. She was helping me in several areas. She developed a custom routine of several different exercises for me. She was excellent at demonstrating the proper technique which made it much easier. She encouraged me to keep a journal which helped me see progress. I highly recommend Katsina.
Katsina is a wonderfully gifted yoga therapist. I felt safe, supported, and seen during our sessions together and I immensely appreciated Katsina’s thoughtful and personalized home exercise plan that she designed for me. She took the time to understand my needs and offered me insightful suggestions to work towards my goals.
Katsina is nurturing and loving in her approach. She is a beautiful soul inside and out. Professional, compassionate, and respectful.
Katsina listens very well and responded to my needs. She demonstrated compassion with professionalism.
Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe to be great work. The only way to do great work is to love what you do.
-Steve Jobs
