Meet our February YogaDownload Teacher of the month, Jackie Casal Mahrou. Jackie is a passionate yoga instructor that has been teaching for YogaDownload for several years now. Her classes are a blend of enlightening inspiration, encouragement, alignment, and flow. Read on to find out more about Jackie.
When did you start practicing yoga?
My first practice was a Bikram Yoga class in 2004. I loved every second of it. I soon discovered Power Yoga and rocked not only my body, but my spirit.
What has yoga brought to your life?
Yoga has allowed me to come to know myself in a greater way. The practice has helped me to discover my own potential, the capacity of my heart, and how to find my center at any moment.
Why did you become a yoga instructor?
I never imagined that being a yoga instructor would become my career. Once I started practicing regularly, I began imagining myself as a teacher and my heart would get so full. I had to pursue it. Once I taught my first class I knew it was something I HAD to continue. It has been almost 9 years now and cannot imagine my life without teaching. It is my true passion.
I teach because I have to share what is within me. I teach because I truly believe that yoga can awaken something beautiful within each person. I teach because I believe in the power of yoga.
What impact can a regular yoga practice have on a person's life?
Yoga will change your body, and it can also change your life. A regular practice can help you become the best YOU that you can be.
What advice could you give to someone who is just starting yoga?
Don't judge yourself. Accept yourself where you are. Know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. Enjoy the process of physically opening, as well as spiritually blossoming. Have FUN!
What is special about the style of yoga that you teach?
I teach multiple styles of yoga because I believe that it's important to practice relaxing yoga as well as challenging yoga. I teach Gentle Hatha Yoga for the times when your body needs rejuvenation and your mind needs grounding. I teach Power Vinyasa Yoga for the times when you need to move energy and connect to your power. Regardless of style, I try to guide students into a place of deep presence and awareness.
What is your favorite posture to teach, and why?
My absolute favorite posture to teach is Urdhva Danurasana, Wheel Pose. I believe this pose can awaken our inner child and make us come alive. It is such an intense, yet rewarding posture.
Please share some words of wisdom or advice for yogadownload.com students.
Practice as much as possible. Don't get too obsessed with the physical part of the practice, or what you might look like in a pose. Let your inner beauty shine. Allow yoga be practice of presence, power, and peace.
What do you like to do "off the mat"?
I am a wife and a mother of a 7 month old boy, Vinny. Both my husband and my son are the greatest blessings in my life. We love to cook, eat, play, hike, create, and explore. Life is a joy!
For the past 8 years Jackie has been passionately teaching and practicing yoga in Denver, CO. Her styles of teaching include vinyasa yoga, hatha yoga, restorative yoga, kids yoga, and therapeutic yoga for those recovering from eating disorders. Jackie’s classes are an empowering combination of enlightening inspiration, encouragement, alignment, and flow. Her classes provide a supportive framework for each student to blossom into his or her greatest expression of each posture, and brightest self. Visit Jackie's blog at YogaDoesIt.com.
Download or stream one of Jackie's classes today:
Morning Motivation
HardCORE Yoga 2
