Heather Young founded Yoga Big Island after falling in love with teaching yoga outside on the beaches of Hawaii. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, California, she began practicing yoga over 20 years ago as a freshman in college. She was drawn to yoga for athletic purposes, however was deeply transformed through the spiritual practice yoga offered. Yoga was the only practice that was able to calm her mind and anxiety. 

Heather has a bachelors degree in psychology and a masters degree in special education. She held a career for over ten years as a behavior analyst and working with children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum. It was here that her ability to hold space for people really blossomed, not only for her clients but with their families, and especially mothers. She began to listen, witness, sit with, and hear mothers, and the range of their experiences that comes with parenting a child with a disability. Heather felt this type of support was needed, just as much as the support of the child with autism.  

Seven years ago Heather became a mom to two beautiful girls, now five and seven, but through the process  experienced postpartum anxiety and insomnia. Once again, yoga created peace and grounding in her life. She was drawn to women’s circles. She was reminded and felt held by other women, just as she had done with mothers in the past. With the help of holistic medicine, therapy, yoga, and sisterhood she found a way to manage her anxiety and sleep again. Through the support of other women, breaking old patterning, deep reflection, and learning to listen and trust her inner knowing, she transitioned careers from a behavior analyst and was led to teaching yoga, facilitating women’s circles and retreats, and growing community.

Heather received her 200 hour yoga teacher certification in vinyasa yoga at Core Power and is currently in her 300 hour teacher training with Janet Stone. She moved to the Big Island in Fall of 2021, and started teaching yoga on the beach and holding space for women.  Being grounded on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii was life changing. She instantly connected with teaching outside, connecting deeply with nature, and building community.