Flat on my back, I lie still, eyes closed and my face turned to the evening sky. I’m ready to turn inward. It’s not my first time having a session with Kim Quan—I took two one-on-one breathwork classes with the wellness instructor last summer, where she helped me finally understand diaphragmatic breathing.
I also knew the Belize native ran The Flow Body, a roving yoga practice, and was intrigued when I heard she had an outdoor class at Shangri-La Springs. Knowing the resort’s namesake waters were once thought to have healing powers intrigued me—could that presence still be here today?
Kim focuses mostly on flowing vinyasa yoga, but she deviates from the typical “one breath, one movement” rhythm, speeding or slowing certain movements to encourage students to pay attention to what they’re doing. In other classes, I’ve often been so focused on keeping up with the pace that I lose track of the meditative element.
The yogi is intentional in learning students’ names and forging relationships. She’ll connect ideas back to her life, sharing what’s been on her mind or how a stretch made her feel. Her vulnerability encourages me to search deeper within myself. On urdhva upavistha konasana—an upward-facing, seated position, with legs outstretched in the air—I make eye contact with the smiling teacher. Her affirming voice echoes across the courtyard as she compliments my execution: “Nice job, Addy!”
Pranayama (Sanskrit for ‘breath control’) techniques are interwoven throughout. At one point, during downward facing dog, she has us practice kapalabhati, or breath of fire (a rapid, heating and energizing breath). The intense breathing makes the pose more challenging, but it also clears my head, and the quick exhales help further engage my core.
As a trained breathwork coach, Kim is apt at helping students tap into mindfulness and controlled breathing—key restorative elements of yoga that are often lost in favor of the workout. In addition to her weekly vinyasa class at Shangri-La, Kim offers private classes and pop-up events, like the recent holiday meet-up with a fun-run followed by yoga and breakfast and her sessions at the SoulFLO Festival in Naples this month. “Yoga is much more than what you do on the mat,” Kim says. “It’s about connecting with people.”
At the end of class, any stress about work, life or the 40-minute drive home is gone. The waters at Shangri-La may not be magical, but healing lingers at the historic site tonight.
