1. In your words, what is yoga?

What is Yoga? What a question! Yoga is a spiritual philosophy that throughout millennia has offered practices for a way of life that realizes we are each of us just different expressions of the divine, not separate, yet different. The philosophy of Yoga has very likely influenced most spiritual philosophies around the world in some way or another. The deeper I dive into the study and practice of Yoga, the more I realize that Yoga has supported me through this roller coaster of life. Because Yoga is about realizing that life is not a ladder to climb or something to attain, it is about realizing that wholeness you seek is already who you are.

Abhinava Gupta, a 10th century philosopher and mystic, says, "... if you undertake the practice of yoga with the right view of self, that you are already a perfect and whole expression of the divine, and that you are only doing yoga to realize and then fully express what is already true, then you have empowered your practice to take you all the way."

I have held this idea close to me for several years now, and each time I re-visit it, whether for myself or sharing it with students, it deepends in meaning. This Self, that is already perfect and whole, that is you, the part of you that is changeless, regardless of circumstance.

And this knowing has helped me through some very difficult circumstances! As well as giving me deeper compassion and understanding and ability to be with others, because if I am that perfect whole divine Self, then so are they. We are different expressions, but there is no separation. And the circumstance or situation I am in is an opportunity for a learning how to hold that wholeness closer. And that is what we are here for, in this human existence, embodied, the body being the vehical for the spirit.

Through my classes, I offer my own understanding and integration of this to you. And, I hope that it helps you to connect with your inner resource, the familiar sense of being that is both localized and expansive, that guides your own life.

2. What inspires your teaching?

Yoga inspires my teaching. Each time I deepen my own understanding, I am excited to share it, in some small or big way. YOU inspire my teaching. You, being your own unique expression of the divine, and every interaction is an opportunity for all involved to learn and grow. To nourish what is already there.

3. How do you think can yoga help our world?

Yoga can help our world by teaching us that Yoga is, truly, all things. Yoga means union, and Atma is Brahma. The personal is the universal. Saying "namaste" to another means "I see within you the same that is within me," or that knowing that we are all just one of many faces of the universal principle, experiencing this existence together. That an offense to another is an offense to my Self. Once this concept is realized, it becomes more difficult to judge, to criticize, to put down any other, it becomes easier to be KIND, because you see your Self in the other. 
Through Yoga, the sense of separation that is inculturated into us and causes fear and anxiety begins to dissolve, and we are left with a sense of calm that is true and real. 

My wish for all beings is to continue to practice life until we can no longer see the separation. Honor our differences yes, of course, but no longer see separation. When we no longer see separation, we can be nothing other than kind to one another.

4. What are some other passions in your life that give you purpose and benefit your well-being?

My children are my passion. Everything I do is ultimately for them, because when I live my life to the best of my ability, they learn that way of being, which will carry them through their own journey through this life. This is my hope for all of humanity. It is through being the yoga for our children that the world will heal.

Enoy yoga with Kristen, right now, HERE!