Kelly A. Hurley realized the transformative power of yoga - in mind, body and spirit, after living nearly a year with chronic pain and disease so debilitating she was practically bedridden. It was at her lowest point mentally and physically that her doctor suggested yoga. With time and dedication to her daily yoga practice, healing began, as did the restoration of her spirit.
An Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance (YA), Kelly specializes in Adaptive, Accessible, Gentle and Yin Yoga for all bodies. She holds several certifications and accreditations that include her primary teaching focus of Adaptive Yoga, Accessible Yoga, and Yin Yoga. Currently, Kelly is in her third and final year of studies and practicum work to become a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) through Optimal State Yoga Therapy (of the Krishnamacharya lineage) founded by Dr. Amy Wheeler. Kelly is committed to her ongoing, long-term studies in anatomy and physiology and its application to Asana under the mentorship of Ann Swanson (MS, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500) and author of Science of Yoga. Additionally, Kelly continues to study with her teacher Matthew Sanford, preeminent teacher of Adaptive Yoga and founder of the non-profit Mind Body Solutions in Minnesota.
Always very open about her own health challenges, which include - six spinal surgeries, two spinal fusions, undefined connective tissue and autoimmune disease that resulted in severe and significant hearing loss, general anxiety disorder, ADHD, Fibromyalgia, and permanent neurological issues as a result of contracting West Nile Encephalitis (WNE) - Kelly shares her personal health struggles and and the realities that come with them in the spirit of transparency and building a bridge of empathy and understanding with her clients who live with physical and mental health challenges
“It is of the upmost importance to me to be able to establish equality in the student-teacher relationship. I am simply their guide supporting their exploration of self from the subtle to gross layers of their body, assisting them in building a daily practice that helps them realize their own power in achieving health and healing.”
Prior to her “second life” as a yoga teacher, Kelly graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, School of Journalism, with a Bachelor of Science in News Editorial Writing and Public Relations. Later, she worked for the Denver Art Museum as their spokeswoman, while also managing short and long-term media relations and advertising for exhibitions and collections, and the opening of the Museum’s $110 million dollar expansion project in 2006.
Today, in addition owning kahYoga, Kelly runs the non-profit Teddy’s Heart (a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation) that she founded to give companion animals their own fighting chance at life, as well as, access to palliative care, end-of-life support and cremation.
Kelly lives in Erie, Colorado, just on the cusp of Boulder, with her husband and their beloved rescued Chihuahuas - Zoe and Tohui - who each live with special needs and are official kahYoga mascots, attending every class she teaches, usually demonstrating Savasana for Kelly’s human students. In the quiet spaces of everyday life, Kelly finds JOY in gardening and simply being present with her pups, and she’s also has been know to indulge in listening to a true crime podcast or two.
Kelly is a Yoga Alliance Experienced Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 200) as well as an Accessible Yoga Ambassador, and a member of International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).