Cynthia Gran MA, E-RYT 500. Cynthia’s teaching style is gentle and introspective, emphasizing self-awareness. She has studied yoga since 1978 and began her career in the natural foods and wellness retail world in 1979. She was a founding chef at the Chicago Diner in 1983 and later owned and operated the Annapurna Herb Shop in Evanston. Initiated into the Himalayan Yoga Tradition in 1985, she was a resident at the Himalayan Institute of Glenview for four years, serving in several capacities. She is certified in Ayurvedic Health Science and studied homeopathy, herbalism, and aromatherapy. She currently works and teaches for NorthShore Integrative Medicine Services in Glenview and she writes a column called “Yoga From My Experience” for Conscious Community Magazine (formerly The Monthly Aspectarian) and blogs at cynthiagran.wordpress.com. She lives with her kalyanamitra in Evanston where she cooks, gardens, sings a little, and endeavors to keep a balanced life.