Katya Hayes has been practicing yoga since 1996. She began doing yoga at a local YMCA while living in Victoria BC (her birthplace). After dabbling with the practice she moved to Korea with her partner to teach English and travel. Shortly after moving to Seoul, she serendipitously found a yoga studio (Hongik Yoga Institute) and began studying yoga daily. This was the start of a deep and loving relationship with her Guru, Lee Seung Yong.

She abandoned teaching English and whole-heartedly fell into yoga, under the loving and tender care of many teachers at the institute. She also studied Zen meditation at Hwa Ge Sa Temple. After one year of intense study at Hongik Yoga Institute she became the first foreigner to become certified by the International Korean Yoga Association

Since that time she and her husband have moved to Queens Bay, a small rural community just outside of Nelson, British Columbia. Katya continues to update her training, and just completed her Maya Yoga level one training. She has been influenced by teachers such as Nicki Doane, Eddie Modestini, Angela Farmer, Adya Shanti and Lee Seng Young. She is the owner of Open Heart Yoga Studio, a beautiful space in the upstairs of her farmhouse. She runs classes both there, as well as in Nelson, Harrop, Proctor and at the world class Mountain Trek fitness Retreat and Health Spa. Katya teaches public, private and corporate yoga, tailoring each class mindfully and lovingly to individual needs. She also leads workshops and retreats around the province.

Katya created a wonderful yoga DVD that speaks to the truth of her gentle and nurturing style of teaching yoga. It was filmed on location at her studio and features scenes from around her homestead as well as interviews with her about her life in yoga, poetry, a pose study guide, and a soft approachable yoga practice.

She is the mother of three fabulous children, Blue, Tsupporah, and Felix.