LIAN MALINAO

MY MISSION

Yoga Therapist | Initiated Corean Mudang Apprentice

Through an evidence informed and socially inclusive lens, I empower individuals who are on their health and wellness journey to discover and cultivate resilience, inner resource, and wellness through holistic and integrative yoga therapy practices. Guided by the wisdom of the traditional yoga traditions and Mugyo (Korean shamanism) , Lian offers a platform through which clients can access and explore healing, resilience, and well-being for the purpose of navigating their biopsychosocial human experience with ease, freedom, and bliss.

Focus: trauma, ptsd

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Welcome to Yoga with Lian.

You are here because you have deep recognition of your personal power, and you are seeking a pathway towards manifesting your Truest Self. Through practices based Corean Shamanism, or Mugyo, and in the ancient Hindu practice of Yoga, I will guide you along your quest of self-inquiry, healing, and transformation. I recognize the unique strengths of each of you hold within, that each has their own way of finding and executing that purpose, or dharma.

In June 2024, I initiated into the Woncho lineage, a semi-traditional Corean shamanic spirit family where I will be apprenticing for 3-5 years before embarking on the journey of Mudang, or shaman-priestess. It is a practice that has been present in Corea since the beginning of their history, and their purpose has always been to guide their communities towards abundance and healing. Although shamanism has been a taboo in modern times, it is an indigenous practice which has been regaining appreciation and importance.

I received my clinical Masters of Science in Yoga Therapy from Maryland University of Integrative Health in summer 2021. I will continue to travel this path as a guide and healer. With my mission to empower you to discover your own unique individual pathway towards self-regulation, resilience, and transcendence, I am merely here as your pink guide in this journey of yoga. Yoga Therapy offers a platform through which we can access healing, resilience, and well-being for the purpose of navigating this biopsychosocial human experience with ease, freedom, and bliss. Clients will receive a comprehensive, holistic plan of care to address goals, current conditions, and opportunities for the purpose of offering a clear pathway towards wellness, and providing appropriate care for illness via a clinical lens. Finally, Yoga Therapy through its clinical lens, while able to be provided as a stand-alone practice, can also be provided as collaborative care with the client’s team of healthcare providers. I am passionate about helping you discover your best pathway towards wellness, health, and enjoyment!

With over 6000 hours of teaching group classes, private instruction, corporate wellness, lectures, podcasts, festivals, and events, my mission is to support your in your journey towards a sustainability and well-being, I approach each situation and each student from a trauma-informed, inclusive, and accessible lens. Through the gross and subtle body modalities of yoga, shamanic healing, and sound, I offer you a safe space to explore, discover, and transcend. I am based in the Greater New York Capital Region, but offer the option for virtual sessions in addition to travel.

I have always been connected to subtle energy, spirit work, chanting, and the natural world. I grew up with a consistent Buddhist practice, and thusly meditation, intention, and chanting were familiar practices from the start. As a young child, I spent much of my time tuning into the plants, animals, and natural environment connecting on a spiritual level even from a young age. Struggling with illness, I sought out a personal meditation practice at age 10 to help cope with some of the intense emotions I was experiencing as an early bloomer, in addition to exploring my growing spiritual journey towards self-recognition. I discovered the shift and support I needed and would continue to build practices around mindfulness, interoception, and chakras. Although I was introduced to asana at age 13, I would not truly pick up my practice until I began an exploration of astanga in 2007 at age 16, while visiting family in Seoul. My intrigue for the physical practices of yoga was ignited, and I would continue to practice yoga back home in Colorado. In Denver I would discover a Kundalini practice through 2009, when I returned to ashtanga vinyasa while attending university in DC. During this difficult and tumultuous time of my young adult life, I rediscovered my own strength and love of life that would eventually lead me to learn and share this yoga path. After moving to Boston in early 2014, I left corporate marketing/sales, and decided to take my personal experience and growth with yoga to a platform through which I could allow others to discover their own paths to health and well-being. I would receive my RYT-200 from JP Centre Yoga's first 200hr YTT with Daniel Max and Magi Eisenberg. I would later go on to explore the role of subtle body in the human experience and receive reiki training and certification in 2017 through Rev Jeremy Wood. As I developed my vibrational and sound practice, I also have sat with Lauralynn Jansen, Sumeda Madhuri Sharma, and for training in Korean pansori I have practiced with South Korean Nationally recognized Moon Oak Joo.

In 2016, I opened a small studio “Yoga with Lian” in Newport News, VA where I offered yoga classes, workshops, and events, collaborating with the community and local instructors to bring valuable offerings in the exploration of the yoga journey. I closed the space in 2023 to move to Saratoga Springs, NY to continue my work there.

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Be Well! Stay Connected.
With Love + Light.

Lian