"Todd Norian is one of those rare teachers that you truly feel seen by. His empathy, compassion and devotion to his students and to the practice of Yoga is unparalleled."

In 1980, when I was 20 years old, I took my first yoga class in Miami, FL at the Miami Institute of Iyengar Yoga. My teachers were Bobbi Golden and Sam Dworkis. I'll never forget my first class. I was so stiff I couldn't touch my toes. I hurt all over. But during the relaxation at the end of what seemed like a torture session, I relaxed as if for the first time in my life. Tears began flowing from my eyes and formed little pools of water in my ears. I felt deeply moved by something much bigger and more powerful than anything I had ever experienced before. It felt like a blanket of grace was draped over my hurting body. All pain was released and I felt open and spacious. I felt free inside and everything was okay. I practiced at this studio for the next 3 years and slowly began teaching classes there. 

I started playing piano at age 8 and played in bands from age 11 on. In my high school and college years, I remember practicing 6-8 hours a day. I studied jazz piano performance and composition at the University of Miami. Music was definitely a preparation for yoga and meditation since I developed discipline, focus, and the sensitivity to listen. I loved music and I still do. After a few months of yoga practice I started to become more limber. I found myself more calm and relaxed in life situations and was experiencing a heightened awareness of everything around me. In 1982 I graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies, and the following year moved up to Kripalu Center. I lived there for 13 years and I taught yoga classes, workshops, and directed the yoga teacher training. These years at Kripalu, deepened my spiritual practice and opened my heart to the transformational power of yoga. In 1992 I met my wife, Ann Greene, and in 1994 we got married.

In 1998 I took my first class with John Friend (founder of Anusara Yoga)  which took my practice of yoga to a new level. The alignment principles of Anusara Yoga were so powerful that my body opened up even more and I was able to get into advanced postures. In addition, my heart opened and I found a deeper connection to spirit. It seemed as though I was a beginner all over again. I became certified in Anusara Yoga in June 2002 and I offer a 200-hour teacher training certification program based on the Anusara System.