Maria Czechowski, AHC, RYT-500, YACEP, OT, owner of Lifepath Yoga Center LLC, has a professional background as an Occupational Therapist with 30+ years of clinical experience. Maria has been a lifelong practitioner of yoga. Upon sustaining spinal injuries in an accident, she committed to a daily yoga practice and experienced firsthand the profound healing benefits to mind, body, and spirit that yoga provides. Inspired, Maria became a Yoga Teacher, receiving her advanced 500-hr. yoga teacher certification through the Himalayan Institute, and registration through Yoga Alliance. Maria’s passion for learning natural healing practices led her to further her studies and receive certifications in the ancient self-healing life science of Ayurveda (Ayurvedic Health Counselor & Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist), as well as certifications in Qigong/Tai Chi & Yoga Nidra. Maria is currently enrolled at the California College of Ayurveda, furthering her studies in the Clinical Ayurvedic Practitioner Program.

Maria enjoys sharing her knowledge of the life-science of Ayurveda in such a way that the learner can gain valuable insight into themselves to enable self-healing. Her many years practicing as an Occupational Therapist has given her the ability to effectively assist and guide her Ayurvedic Health Counseling Patients on their journey toward optimal health, balance, and joyful, inspired living.

She brings warmth, compassion, and sensitivity to her Yoga, Ayurveda, and Qigong/Tai Chi teachings, and gains great joy in witnessing the multitude of benefits her students gain from the practices.

Maria is committed to living simply and authentically, incorporating Patanjali’s 8 Limbs of Yoga and the Principles of Ayurveda into her daily life. She lives in a small log home surrounded by 5 acres of forest, where she enjoys grooming and maintaining nature trails and mindful hiking. In her free time, Maria travels to the Adirondack Mountains with her husband and her Pomeranian Husky to climb mountains.

As a violinist with the Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra, Maria is passionate about beautiful music, which leads her to creating rejuvenating, inspiring, and relaxing instrumental playlists for her Yoga and Tai Chi classes.