Hilary Nihlen (she/her/hers) is a yoga teacher and librarian in Ontario, Canada.

She believes that yoga is for every body. 

My classes incorporate poses (asana), breathwork (pranayama), and meditation. I see yoga as a practice of self-discovery and has the potential to help heal trauma. Teaching combines my two passions: education and yoga. Check out my yoga videos here.

I believe that everyone has the ability to do yoga. All you need is the willingness to try new things and the desire to learn more about yourself. LEARN MORE

Featured
Shifts

Sometimes the greatest shifts in yourself or in a relationship happen when we are not attached to the outcome of a realization. What do I mean? Miracles are never expected.

Why I teach kids yoga

Yoga is the study of the self. I do not have the answers but I can give you ways to learn them. And like when I taught children art analysis, in yoga class I find them so open and unafraid. They don’t just cross their arms and expect you to “yoga” them. They come in with curiosity and excitement and keep it up for the whole class. Kids love to show you what they know. They love to tell you what they have learned. This makes them fabulous students. Yoga is the study of the self. Children don’t need to learn who they are but they need to learn how to keep being curious about who they are. 

You are the shrine

Our very existence in the space was part of what made it sacred. How about that? That is another lovely thought I took home with me, the thought that I will always have a piece of the holy shrine with me. 

Yoga for all

Yoga is about getting on the road to self-acceptance. This is hindered by limiting the concept of what a “yogi” is. Yoga is about wellness, not beauty, and is something that everyone can participate in. 

My Dad

My dad taught me a lot of things. He taught me to throw spaghetti at the fridge door to see if it’s done. He taught me to go to a museum whenever you have free time in a city. He taught me to appreciate craftsmanship. He taught me to not take a picture with too much headroom. He taught me to appreciate good cinema. He tried to teach me to drive but it made him too nervous.

 

It's all the same

What is amazing is that I had forgotten that it’s all the same, the yoga self and the art self. There is no separation. It is all human behavior, the universe, the Divine Mother, consciousness, whatever you want to name it, it’s all the same.

Practice is hard

It’s only a few minutes so why is it so hard?

Practice and Patterns

During the holidays it becomes even more challenging to keep up with our self-care. We have almost every loved one asking something of us on top of normal life stuff. 

De-harvest

It’s fall! Time to gather. Or maybe not. Can you recall a time when you were present?  When you were focused on the task at hand? In other words, when you were your pure authentic self?

Birthdays

Birthdays make me think of fresh starts and new chances. Every day and every moment we are new. Our physical body changes. Our spirit changes. We get to start over! 

 
Getting started

Getting started

The purpose of Hatha yoga is to get to the mind through the body. Becoming fully aware of your physical environment assists the practitioner in knowing their Self. LEARN MORE

Kids yoga

Kids yoga

Kids can benefit from yoga in many ways. Yoga increases body awareness and teaches self-soothing skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. LEARN MORE

Private lessons

Private lessons

Public yoga class is not a one-size-fits-all experience so private classes are a great way to develop your practice and learn more about yourself. LEARN MORE

Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

Master of Library and Information Science, San Jose State University, 2022

Master of Arts, Art History, University of New Mexico, 2012 

Bachelor of Arts, Art History, University of California Los Angeles, 2007 

CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAININGS 

500 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher Training, Himalayan Institute, 2019 

Accessible Yoga Teacher Training, 2018 

Yoga For All Teacher Training, 2016

Singing and Music Courses, Thyme to Sing and Mountain Music School, 2016-2020     

          

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Library Assistant - Mississauga Library, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, 2024-Present

Digital Services Coordinator - West Grey Public Library, Durham, Ontario, Canada, 2022 - 2023

Assistant Librarian - Hanover Public Library, Hanover, Ontario, Canada, 2021 - 2022

Volunteer - West Grey Public Library, Durham, Ontario, Canada, 2021 - 2022

Radio DJ - KFJC 89.7FM, Foothill College, California, 2013-2019 

Gallery Teacher - San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, California, 2017-2018

Program Teacher - Boys and Girls Club, San Mateo, California, 2016-2017 

Volunteer - Scotts Valley Library, Scotts Valley, California, 2015-2016

Education Intern - Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco, California, 2012-2013

Curator - Framing the Imaginary, National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2011

Education Intern - SITE Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2009 

Graduate Assistant - University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2008-2012

Volunteer Exhibition Installer - 516 ARTS, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2011 

Vice President - Graduate Art Association, UNM, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2009 -2010  

Editorial Committee - Hemisphere: Visual Cultures of the Americas, UNM, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2009-2011 

Administration - Collectors Editions and Disney Fine Art, Los Angeles, California, 2008 

Curator - Art History Undergraduate Student Association Fine Art Exhibition, UCLA,  2007 

Educator - Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, California, 2006-2007 

Intern - Center for the Study of Political Graphics, Los Angeles, California, 2006 

Intern - Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California, 2005 

PUBLICATIONS 

Diego Rivera at the San Francisco Art Institute, Masters Thesis, 2012 

The Role of Alain Badiou’s Inaesthetics in Visual Culture: An Interview with Adrian Johnston, Ph.D., Hemisphere: Visual Cultures of the Americas, Volume III, 2010. 

New View, Graduate Art Association, UNM 17th Annual Juried Graduate Exhibition Catalog, 2011 

Monday Afternoon, Graduate Art Association, UNM, 16th Annual Juried Graduate Exhibition Catalog, 2010 

Bitter Sweet, Graduate Art Association, UNM 15th Annual Juried Graduate Exhibition Catalog, 2009 

Matte Painting in Art History, Senior Thesis for Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, UCLA, 2007 

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS 

Diego Rivera at the San Francisco Art Institute, PRISM Conference, University of Zilina, Slovakia, 2012 

Diego Rivera at the San Francisco Art Institute, National Popular Culture and American Culture Association Conference, San Antonio, Texas, 2011 

Diego Rivera: Contesting the State From Within, 100 Years of The Mexican Revolution Conference, University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, 2010

Diego Rivera: Contesting the State From Within, Graduate Student Association for Visual Culture Symposium, Pennsylvania State University, 2010 

I’d love to hear from you. Email me or visit the social media links below.