November 16, 2017

Meet Kyleen “Kai” Maciel of Kai Yoga in City Heights

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyleen “Kai” Maciel.

Kyleen “Kai”, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My yoga practice started in 2011 at Corepower Yoga in Point Loma. A friend of mine took me and I instantly fell for it. At first, I was focused on the physical benefits. After some time and lots of practice, I felt like I hit a plateau with the classes. I started searching for other types of yoga and found Ashtanga. By the silly Elephant Journal articles I read, it seemed hardcore as F.

Perfect! I needed next level.

I instantly fell head over heels. I began to pay attention to the subtle layers of practice, energetic dimensions.. All of a sudden. A genuine, clean foundation to start some major work. It took me a couple years to find my Teacher Aliya Weise. I dedicated myself to an early morning 6 day a week practice. I assisted him and Kathy King at Ashtanga San Diego. I had to make a major shift in my life. See, I was a full time exotic dancer for over 10 years, drank often and stayed up late and slept in and flirted with addiction in my early 20’s.

Now I find myself going to bed early AS F 6 days a week and up at 4:30am to practice then teach Ashtanga. I can say that the devotion to the practice has many benefits. It is good for you and for everyone around you. Another win for Love. I dedicated myself to the practice and everything came to fruition. I’m traveling and teaching with a home-base in trendy, City Heights at Kai Yoga. I have made several annual extended trips to Mysore, India to study with my Teacher Sharath Jois. Pattahbi Jois was his Grandfather. It is important to continue focus on your personal study especially if you are a Teacher. Practice daily on and off the fancy ass Manduka mat.

I am a mentor and help students develop into leadership roles if the desire and dedication is there within the Student. I support cannabis culture and next on the Kai Yoga list is CANNABIS yoga retreats. We don’t stop. Let the happiness and healing vibes continue! Do work now.

I love you.

I love teaching daily Mysore and intensives at Kai Yoga. Thank you for the continuous support!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am a strong believer. Nothing worth having comes easy. As an entrepreneur, I have opened and closed a yoga studio. To re-open 3 years later with a fresh vibe and 3 more years of experience. I lost money and gained valuable business lessons, made friendships, cultivated a team of resources.

A huge challenge for me was actually practice yoga. For a while when I was running the Gaslamp Studio I stopped practicing. My focus was off balance, being only on the students. I learned how to bounce back with more resiliency.

I actually learned how to not stop practicing and keep going everyday. Same discipline no matter what my business day looked like.

Kai Yoga – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I specialize in teaching Ashtanga yoga. Daily All Levels Yoga. Mysore style and Led Primary Series. I also teach Power Vinyasa on a one on one basis and at our retreats.

Private instruction and education/intensives are a strong focus as well. We embrace the #gangsteryogalife. Dedication, raw energy, communion with Self, and healthy habit cultivation. We aren’t going to burn incense or talk about chakras and set intentions out loud in class. We also don’t play music in class.

I am most proud of our Students, all of them. There are all a big part of this community. Students are the energetic pillar. We are extremely excited and proud to offer our next retreat in Africa and a California Cannabis Yoga Retreat.

Africa rooted in tradition and history holds an impeccable vibration and we are very excited to present this! It’s a no nonsense place to practice. #gangsteryogalife

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Proudest moment so far was being featured on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel for the yoga work with Veterans and Active Members and family with PTSD.

Pricing: