Meet our August Teacher of the Month, Kylie Larson! Kylie is an empowering and encouraging instructor who believes that yoga has the power to change our perspective and soften us. Read on to learn more about Kylie, and to become inspired by her perspective on yoga.
1. When did you start practicing yoga?
I started occasionally practicing yoga to some VHS tapes at home while I was in college. Back then I would stop the tape when it was time for savasana. I then regularly started practicing yoga in 2002 after dealing with a stress fracture in my femur that was the result of over training and abusing my body.
2. What has yoga brought to your life?
Yoga has brought balance to my life.
3. Why did you become a yoga instructor?
I found myself thinking about yoga all the time and realized that if it was on my mind all the time, I needed to make it a bigger part of my life. I wanted to share the benefits of yoga that I had experienced.
4. What impact can a regular yoga practice have on a person's life?
The impact is tremendous! I think it starts as a physical impact. First you start to gain more flexibility, then strength, maybe you start to see some new muscles or loose a little weight. But then you realize that you're feeling different, in a good way, looking at the world in a more positive and hopeful light. It will teach you to listen, it will teach you to soften, it will open you up and before you know it you're addicted!
5. What advice would you give to someone that is just starting yoga?
Don't worry about what you can or can't do. Just get on your mat, do what you can and breathe. Let go of comparisons and expectations and if you don't like your first class, try another one. I firmly believe there is a style of yoga/teacher out there for everyone.
6. What is special about the style of yoga you teach?
The style of yoga I teach, Qi Yoga, is all encompassing. It draws on aspects of all other types of yoga to help individuals get into poses the way that feels best in their bodies.
My particular style of teaching is good for all levels of practitioners. While not every class I teach is labeled as "all-levels," I believe that my classes are do-able for everyone. I use lots of verbal cues to guide students in to the postures. Just because you are a beginner, it doesn't mean that you can't do some of the more challenging poses. You just need to be taught!
7. What is your favorite yoga posture to teach, and why?
Eka Pada Galavasana. It's fun to say.
8. Please share some words of wisdom or advice for your yogadownload.com yoga students.
Listen to yourself. Whether it's you're heart or your body, listen. Also
9. Do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share?
"Everything is alright in the end and if it's not alright, it's not the end." - Unknown
"At the moment of commitment, the universe conspires to assist you."- Goethe
10. What do you like to do "off the mat"?
I enjoy spending time with my family which includes my husband, my baby boy and my two Australian Shepherds. I also watch way too much TV and avoid housework as much as possible!
Kylie Larson, RYT began practicing yoga eight years ago in an effort to give back to her body for all the work it had done for her in previous athletic endeavors. Somewhere along the line she began to see the benefits of practicing yoga far surpassed the physical and helped to deal with the day to day stress that life throws at you. It soon became a passion of hers. Kylie completed the Green Mountain School of Yoga's 200+ hour training and she is now a registered yoga teacher. Her teaching style is upbeat and energetic, sprinkled with bits of yoga philosophy. She likes her students to have fun during class and get a workout, but also wants them to realize it's not just about the asana.
Download or stream one of Kylie's empowering classes today!
Qi Yoga for Beginners
Qi Yoga
Qi Balancing Flow
