Sharing who we are one teacher at a time.
We hope you are enjoying these blogs and that they help you feel more connected to us.
What has teaching yoga taught you about yourself?
There’s so much I could say in response to this question, but at the same time, I’m at a loss for words. I’m always happy to talk about yoga with my students. In short, my practice has been the lifeline through which I’ve processed trauma, managed anxiety, and accepted myself.
I make time to teach because I believe I have the ability to help others discover the power of the practice. Helping others experience yoga feels like a responsibility as well as an honor.
What are your favorite and least favorite yoga poses?
Some of my favorite poses are wheel, side angle, and pigeon. I am generally drawn to heart openers, hip openers, and balance poses.
As for my least favorite, it’s camel. Sorry camel! For the inversions, I’m not a huge fan of shoulderstand. I blame my anatomy, but I’m never fully comfortable in shoulderstand.
What are you doing when you're not teaching yoga?
When I’m not on my mat, I’m most often working my demanding full-time job, leading a team responsible for teaching Slack customers how to be successful with the software. If I’m not working or teaching (or practicing) yoga, you’ll probably find me being as active or creative as I can be, or traveling. When not in front of a computer or on my mat, I’m always on the go. I love to stand up paddleboard, bike, hike, and explore new places. Cooking, animal rescue, professional mentorship, music, and writing are some of my other passions. Life is so full of richness, and I aim to experience as much as I can.
What song do you never get sick of?
Anything by Radiohead, particularly from In Rainbows. Paul Simon’s album Graceland is up there too. Graceland reminds me of my father, who played a big role in making me who I am. I miss him and that album makes me feel close to him.
What advice would you give for someone just starting the practice?
If you’re drawn to yoga, there’s a reason why. Experiment. Try different teachers and styles. Remember that above all else, yoga is a breathing practice. I’ve been practicing for almost 20 years and nothing has influenced my life more than yoga has. That’s how powerful yoga is. Stick with it, stay open-minded, and keep breathing.
If you could teach any celebrity, living or dead, who would it be and why?
This is so hard! I don’t pay too much attention to celebrities, but what comes to mind with this question are the celebrities who have suffered from mental illness. I’m thinking of Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, and Elliott Smith. If I could have taught them to tune into the healing power of their breath, maybe they could have survived their pain. Also, Madonna, because she’s just fierce, and I’d like to see how many chaturangas she’s capable of.