In this week’s episode of the Peaceful Power Podcast, I’m honored to welcome Kathy Páez a yoga teacher with over two decades of experience, a published author, and longtime assistant to Functional Yin Yoga founder Paul Grilley.
Kathy’s wisdom comes not just from years of study, but from her lived embodiment of yoga’s quieter side the one that invites us to pause, to listen, and to trust what the body reveals when we no longer try to control it.
In our conversation, Kathy unpacks the foundations of Functional Yin Yoga, clarifying misconceptions about the practice, and sharing how understanding our unique anatomy can transform both how we move and how we rest. We also explore the deep relationship between anatomy, the nervous system, and true restoration and how rest itself has become a radical act in modern life.
Kathy speaks beautifully about her own evolution as a teacher, her time studying and assisting Paul Grilley, her love of Sanskrit and yoga philosophy, and the reflections that emerged while writing her book. This episode is an invitation to slow down, honor individuality, and return to yoga’s essence awareness, compassion, and truth.
Meet Kathy Paez
Connect with Kathy
Topics
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How her relationship with yoga has evolved over two decades of teaching
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What first drew her to Yin Yoga and her path to studying with Paul Grilley
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What makes Functional Yin Yoga distinct from other approaches
Functional Yin Yoga & Anatomy
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Common misconceptions about Yin — especially around “pushing past the edge”
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How understanding individual anatomy reshapes the way we practice
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The connection between functional anatomy, the nervous system, and deep rest
The Power of Rest
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Why rest is a radical practice in our productivity-driven world
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How her relationship with rest has evolved through years of teaching
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Why Yin is such a potent antidote to burnout and overstimulation
Writing Her Book
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The inspiration behind her book and the lessons she hopes readers carry
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Stories and teachings that shaped her writing journey
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How the writing process deepened her own practice and perspective
Sanskrit & Yoga Philosophy
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The sacred power of Sanskrit as part of yoga’s lineage
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Kathy’s favorite Sanskrit words and phrases that express the heart of Yin
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Ways teachers and students can honor yoga’s roots in authentic, embodied ways
Paul Grilley & Mentorship
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Lessons learned from assisting and studying with Paul Grilley
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How mentorship has influenced her own teaching and view of Yin
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Advice for new teachers stepping into the world of Functional Yin Yoga
Closing Reflections
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How Kathy integrates Yin and rest into her daily life
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The essence of Yin she hopes every listener remembers
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A simple weekly challenge to bring functional awareness and stillness into your own practice
Listen to the Podcast Episode
Weekly Challenge
To sit with yourself more often. In whatever way that is, maybe it's in a yin yoga pose but it doesn't have to be.
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