Yoga has become a lifestyle for me. It’s so much more than the physical practice of asana. It’s about living an integrated existence- heart, soul, mind and strength. If the matters of my heart and soul are in disfunction, that manifests into my mental and physical health. Yoga Sutra I.14 says, “To achieve a strong foundation in our practice, we must practice over a long time, without interruption, believing in it and looking forward to it, with an attitude of service.” My practice shifts from a more vigorous power class at the studio to Yin and restorative postures at home- depending on the day or season of life. I’ve practiced consistently for years and I’m grateful for a modality that centers me and allows me to deepen and authenticate my spiritual-walk. I believe in and look forward to daily breath-work, prayer, movement and stillness. They are essential to how I can serve in my many roles: wife, mother, teacher, etc...
In your words, what is yoga?
Yoga means “yoke” and when a person really understands who they are, it frees them to love and appreciate who others are as well. The practice can unify people from all cultures and faiths. You can practice yoga with children, via chair in a nursing home with older adults suffering from loneliness, as a vehicle for healing for trauma victims, and in the park raising awareness for a beautiful humanitarian cause. I’ve experienced teaching yoga on vacation at resorts, for Holy Yoga retreats, and my greatest “get-to” is inspiring teachers to walk out their passions and bring light and love to a dark and hurting world.
What inspires your teaching?
Anais Nin wrote, “We don’t see the world as it is, we see the world as we are.” The world can feel like a spinning top and often we become reactive. We are easily offended and can operate more out of fear than love. What if we took responsibility for the condition of our hearts and minds and looked beyond our circumstances? Getting still helps me take a posture of humility, forgiveness and love. Yoga practice helps me stretch, strengthen and surrender to most important and difficult posture of all: savasana. I feel connected to God and to a higher frequency of living than my small-minded focus just moments before when I rested my head in child’s pose. My first yoga teacher would suggest that the world would be a better place if we all practice yoga. I agree.
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