MARY SUE HAYWARD | YOGA TEACHER
I’m Mary Sue, a yoga teacher in Dallas, Texas. I discovered yoga in mid-life and understand what it is like to be a beginner. With a Master’s degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from SMU, E-RYT 500, and YACEP registered yoga teacher certifications and a HeavyWeight Yoga certification, I work with new or returning students, students with physical limitations, overweight students, and even experienced yoga practitioners. Beyond the mat, I mentor new yoga teachers who want a behind-the-scenes support team as they establish their yoga teaching practice.
You are not too old, too young, too big, too small,
or too weak to try.
You can do this!
TAKE GENTLE YOGA WITH ME ONLINE!
Three days a week, every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:30 am to 10:30 am through Zoom.
Download the Zoom app, then register for the class through email. I can’t wait to see you!
One day it will safe to practice together in person. Until then, I hope you join me on the mat right from your living room!

THINGS TO KNOW
What to Expect in Class
Helpful Yoga Props

DONATIONS
Rather than sell you a membership or subscription, I provide the best of what I know and believe to be true about the practice of yoga, and trust you to support my efforts as you are able. If you find what I offer to be of benefit, please support my work by donation. Keep reading to see what others have asked:
How much should I donate?
The donation amount is up to you. Really. You choose the amount. Seriously.
How often should I donate?
Some students donate on a class by class basis. Others donate by the week or month. Some students donate a lump sum, and then keep track of how many classes they attend, and donate a new lump when they feel it is warranted. For convenience, some students set up a monthly automated payment from their bank.
How do I send a donation?
1. You can use Zelle to donate. My user ID is my phone number. Please let me know if you want to use Zelle.
2. You can send a check to my business address:
Mary Sue Hayward Yoga Teacher
P.O. Box 180213
Dallas Texas 75218
3. You may use Venmo to donate to my account: @MarySue-Hayward. Please let me know if you want to use Venmo.
Can I talk to you about this?
Yes! Call me, text me, email me, whatever works best for you. I’m more than happy to discuss donations or anything else related to our practice.
WORKSHOPS
YOGA, FASCIA, AND THE BACK
- Learn the anatomy of the back that contributes to comfort and healthy movement
- Use balls, noodles, straps, & blocks to create a supple and supportive fascia structure
- Practice yoga sequences to create freedom of movement in the back surfaces
- Benefit from hands-on assists (if desired.)
- Receive a take-home illustrated Practice Card with a back friendly asana sequence
YOGA, FASCIA, AND THE SHOULDERS
- Learn the anatomy of the shoulders that contributes to comfort and healthy movement
- Use balls, noodles, straps, & blocks to create a supple and supportive fascia structure
- Practice yoga sequences to create freedom of movement in the shoulders
- Benefit from hands-on assists (if desired.)
- Receive a take-home illustrated Practice Card with a shoulder friendly asana sequence
YOGA, FASCIA, AND THE HIPS
- Learn the anatomy of the hips that contributes to comfort and healthy movement
- Use balls, noodles, straps, & blocks to create a supple and supportive fascia structure
- Practice yoga sequences to open the hips and create freedom of movement
- Benefit from hands-on assists (if desired.)
- Receive a take-home illustrated Practice Card with a hip friendly asana sequence
No previous yoga experience is needed. All bodies and ages are welcome.
YOGA FOR A BETTER BACK
- Learn about the causes of back pain and ways to prevent it
- Learn about the anatomy of the back and pelvis
- Recognize your biomechanical pattern in walking, standing, and yoga
- Understand more about torque, pelvic tilt, and tension
- Practice movement and yoga to release and prevent back pain
- Receive a handout with back-friendly yoga sequences to practice at home
PERSONALIZE YOUR PRACTICE: EXPLORING MODIFICATIONS AND VARIATIONS
- Learn safe, effective modifications for yoga poses you practice in class
- Practice with props to adapt challenging poses & keep the benefit of the action
- Receive an illustrated notebook with how-to instructions
- Have an opportunity for Q & A to address your specific challenges
YOGA AND FASCIA WORKSHOP
- Review the anatomy that can contribute to tightness
- Practice myofascial release techniques using a variety of yoga tools
- Experience a short yoga practice that explores myofascial release
- Get a handout with at-home yoga exercises
- Receive a noodle-ball to take home
YOGA FOR THE ABSOLUTE BEGINNER
In this workshop, you will learn yoga basics and practice accessible poses. Try a slow yoga practice with both seated and standing poses, along with modifications and supportive props under the guidance of an experienced teacher. Mats are available or you may bring your own.
You will learn:
· What to expect in a yoga class
· How find the right teacher and class
· About the different styles of yoga
· How to practice yoga poses
· What to wear
· How to use yoga props
· The importance of breath in yoga
· The names of key yoga poses
There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and answers. No previous yoga experience is necessary. All bodies and ages are welcome.*
PLEASE NOTE: * We will sit on the floor or move on our mat during class. Wear comfortable clothes that move with you. Participants must be able to get up and down from the yoga mat unassisted. Please check with your health care provider if you are being treated for any condition that impacts movement or physical activity. No shoes are allowed in the yoga room. Most students prefer to practice in bare feet, but you are welcome to wear socks if preferred. This workshop will not include chair yoga modifications.
PRIVATE YOGA INSTRUCTION
For time that really is all about you, a private yoga session is just the thing! Private yoga sessions vary depending on your goals. You can explore individual poses, learn how to modify your practice, or simply enjoy an uninterrupted conversation to address yoga questions. The best private yoga sessions are a meeting of the minds between the student and teacher. Private yoga is available in one-on-one online instruction.

MENTORING
After you complete yoga teacher training and begin your teaching practice, invariably big questions arise. Through one-on-one mentoring with an experienced teacher, discover your unique voice and vision. Create a library of asana sequences, practice fundamental teaching skills, and learn how to address difficult situations. Mentoring provides a safe, confidential, and supportive environment in which you can develop into an effective yoga teacher.
Every mentor relationship is unique, depending on your goals and questions. If we work together, you will:
- Receive honest and constructive feedback.
- Establish clear goals & action steps for an effective teaching practice.
- Create a balanced approach to teaching that allows you to maintain healthy energy.
- Recognize barriers that interfere with teaching and develop a plan to work through them.
We will start with a conversation to explore how I can best support your teaching endeavors. After discussing your goals, we will establish regularly scheduled meet-ups (via Zoom or by phone). While some new teachers want to meet just a few times before moving forward, other teachers enjoy a deeper study over a longer period of time. It is up to you!
To begin, reach out by sending me an email here.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Kind words from students and colleaguesFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Am I too old/fat/inflexible/weak to practice yoga?
What about my injuries and limitations?
What should I expect in a yoga class?
What if I can’t do what the rest of the class is doing?
Will yoga help me lose weight?
What will yoga do for me?
The physical and emotional benefits of a regular yoga practice are well documented. Through yoga, you can discover the relationship between flexibility, strength, breath, and movement. You do not need to be flexible or strong before starting a yoga practice, but these traits will develop over time. Yoga will help you develop an inner awareness of the physical body, especially a sense of midline, or center, and the perception of balance.
In addition to the physical benefits, regular practitioners have noted that yoga settles the mind and promotes calm thoughts and emotions. It reduces the temptation to be distracted and builds your ability to focus on the moment at hand. Challenges on the mat, such as frustration or over-striving, often reflect real world situations. By developing patience and kindness toward yourself in yoga, it is easier to be kind to yourself (and others!) off the mat.
New students sometimes think yoga is limited to an asana practice – the physical poses and shapes we make with the body. But yoga is considered an eight-limb path, and asana (the poses) is just one limb. The ancient teachers taught that the point of yoga is to prepare the body for meditation and mindfulness. It doesn’t require physical mastery to be ready to meditate, however the focus, calming, and breath work within the physical practice will make it easier!
Do I need special equipment?
No special equipment is absolutely required for yoga, although you can make your practice safer and more accessible with a few yoga props. Most students will want to practice on a yoga mat to provide cushion for tender hips and knees as well as provide ‘grip’ for standing poses. Many students use a pair of yoga blocks to make the floor a bit closer for standing folds, and to give support in certain balance poses. A long yoga strap is also quite helpful, especially for certain stretches. Yoga props are optional, but there are props for almost every situation. New students might consider starting simple and adding props as you explore your practice. For more information, please watch the short video, Helpful Yoga Props, at the top of this website, or reach out to me to discuss your specific concerns.
I’m still not sure. Can I talk to you about my questions?
QUESTIONS & COMMENTS?
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST
Contact Mary Sue at: marysue@marysuehayward.com
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