Hi! I’m Stef Layton, RYT-500, teaching yoga in Colorado. Specifically, south Denver Suburbs.
I grew up a gymnast in upstate NY (Cornwall) and never considered teaching yoga. I practiced yoga for 18yrs before taking an online yoga teacher training through the Online Yoga School. I was only taking it to enhance my personal practice.
I enrolled during Covid to pass the time of not going to the studio. Quarantine was not great for my kids. They missed activities and their friends. So I offered to teach yoga classes outside in the park for high school students. It was the most teaching I ever thought I’d do.
It was another year before my favorite yoga teacher asked me to come teach Yin at the studio she was opening in Aurora. I was thrilled to teach Yin. Yin Yoga helped rehab a knee injury and I became focused on learning as much as I could.
I eventually worked my way into more Flow and Gentle classes. Sharing my heart, knowledge, and finishing 300 hr Teacher Training.
835 Classes later … I teach many studio classes (Gentle, Yin, & Flow), Park Yoga in the summer, monthly Library Pop Up classes, and offer Yin & Restorative Workshops. I love teaching yoga, but I really love encouraging yoga teachers! My goal is to reach 1,000 hrs and become a YACEP to offer Yin certification and other training courses in 2027.
Certifications: RYT-500, 125 Yin Training Hours, & 50 Restorative Training Hours
When I’m not teaching yoga or writing to encourage teachers, I enjoy dispersed camping with my husband. We have a Sprinter Van and enjoy trips between our work schedules. As my boys have gotten older and left home – I’m looking forward to taking my Yin Workshop on the road!
10 non-yoga fun facts about me …
1. I lived in Florida for 30 years. The summer of 2019 we spent 6 weeks in Frisco, CO & fell in love. We drove home to pack up all of our things in 30 days and returned to Colorado.
2. I was a competitive gymnast and high school cheerleader. My husband took me to my first yoga class because he thought I’d be “good” at it.
3. I learned ASL in high school and my youngest son is attending RIT for ASL Interpreting.
4. I homeschooled my boys up until they entered high school. I don’t regret a moment of the time we had together and truly my second education.
5. Because I was a hands-on learning advocate, I was a columnist for a homeschool magazine – sharing how I taught my tactile oldest.
6. I have hosted a women’s conference of 100 attendees. I’ve also lead break out sessions on social media and blogging.
7. I love to read. Kate Quinn is my favorite historical fiction writer! But I also went crazy for ACOTAR. My friend Cheryl & I have been in a 2-person book club for a few years now reading about 14 books every year.
8. I enjoyed stand-up paddle boarding in Thailand. We took the boys in 2018. We first wanted to go to Hawaii, but a 5 day stay cost as much as 2 weeks in Thailand. So we chose Thailand!
9. 2016 I walked the Phoenician Steps in Italy. My entire life I wanted to visit Italy so my husband planned a 17 day trip. We only brought back packs and traveled from Milan to Capri. The best food I have ever eaten!!
10. In July 2025 we spent 30 days touring the castles in England. I can’t say my youngest was thrilled but my history loving heart couldn’t get enough. Thankfully we did catch Six in the West End so he wasn’t completely bored.
Now I plan to help bridge the gap from certified yoga teacher to confident yoga teacher. I want to share what I’ve learned and fill in the missing pieces a traditional yoga training does not cover. Plus offer encouragement to teachers who feel a little burnt out.
Yoga teachers have so much more to offer than a Steal My Flow IG following! I hope you find a nugget here that strengthens your teaching.
from my mat to yours ~
Stef
