Guest Profile

Natalie Smith

Natalie Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Washington where she worked as a psychology researcher before becoming a yoga teacher in 2006. Her involvement with Yoga Behind Bars began in its first stages of infancy and continues to evolve. As a volunteer, she has taught over 250 classes to incarcerated youth and adults and trained over 50 yoga teachers. As Program Coordinator, she helped triple the number of classes, beginning programs at five of the seven facilities currently served. She became Executive Director in June of 2010.


Natalie is a true believer in the power of yoga to foster physical, mental and spiritual growth for individuals and is especially enthusiastic about expanding its accessibility to all parts of our community. In her precious free time, Natalie enjoys meditating in her garden and turning off all electronic devices. "Men are born soft and supple; dead they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail." Lao Tzu