Having taught in New York, San Diego and Colorado, held training in Thailand and Malaysia and, since living in Brazil, hosted classes in São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, Californian yoga instructor Kimberly Ann Johnson’s global experience has helped her get to the bottom of what it is that her students need. The ‘boutique’ classes she now runs in Santa Teresa are small and intimate, and the students largely arrive via word of mouth and recommendations from friends of friends, especially the during- and post-pregnancy sessions rarely offered elsewhere.

The boutique classes rarely hold more than 12 people, meaning individual standards are more easily mixed together (although private classes are offered to total novices before integrating in the group). Mostly teaching out of her Santa Teresa studio, Johnson also hosts one class a week at Blyss, as well as two popular yoga retreats in Paraty (four days) and Ilha Grande (one week) every year. Last year she released a CD of yoga chants Saudades de India, and appeared on the cover of Brazil’s Yoga Journal magazine. No wonder she is considered one of the best-kept secrets in the city.