Nicole Ghedini

I first became curious about yoga in 2015 when a change to my work commute brought me past a studio every day. A little light went on in my head and I started wondering what went on in there. The timing was serendipitous: A physical therapist had told me I needed to build core strength after throwing my back out a few times, and I was suffering from unexplained anxiety that was taking over my life.

I was hooked after my first class. I progressed from slower-paced, Iyengar-style practices to warm practices to power vinyasa practices. The anxiety lessened and I slept like a baby. As my practice deepened, so did the itch to become an instructor so I could share the gifts of yoga with my community. In 2017, I enrolled in and completed a 10-month, 200-hour yoga teacher training (YTT) program. 

During this time, I had found my second home at SWEAT Power Yoga and attended several power vinyasa classes each week. I was overjoyed when given the opportunity to lead a community class at the end of 2017. By January 2018, I was SWEAT’s newest instructor. 

In my daily life, I try to adhere to the yamas and niyamas, the first two of the eight limbs of yoga. I’m only human, but I always keep these ethical tenets about how to treat others and ourselves at the back of my mind. And anytime I feel overwhelmed or challenged in life, I slow down and recite a gratitude list to remind myself things aren’t that bad.

When you practice with me, expect to be encouraged to go at your own pace and honor your body and breath as they feel in the moment. I like to remind students that there is no such thing as being “good” at yoga—as long as you’re linking your breath with your movements, you’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. I also encourage you to not overthink your practice. The ancient yoga sutra yoga citta vrtti nirodhah teaches us that the very definition of yoga is to still the fluctuations of the mind. The physical poses (asana) and ujjayi breath (pranayama) will get you there. Being able to do a headstand or an arm balance isn’t going to change your life, but a steady yoga practice will change HOW you deal with life.

Outside the studio, I’m a marketing consultant for an IT firm and spend my days writing about enterprise resource planning and technology for growing businesses. I’m a bookworm and can get through a couple books a week (psychological thrillers are my favorite). I cherish time with my family, boyfriend, and friends, and love to spend that time over good food and wine. And in the summer, you can find me with my toes in the sand in Rhode Island.