When did you start practicing yoga? 
I actually grew up surrounded by the practice. My grandma taught at a yoga studio in Grand Junction, CO and I remember sitting in cow face when I was very young. The ladies all “oohed” because I could grab my fingers behind my back. As I age, my goal is to maintain a youthful flexibility both of body and of mind.

What has yoga brought to your life?
Yoga has provided me a deeper understanding of the human experience. It is a liberation teaching. It teaches us that we are unlimited, free, and that we have not yet tapped into our true potential. Yoga encourages us to identify what is not serving us in life, in love, and to find the courage to let it go. It is the gateway to tune in to what is real and tune everything else out.

Why did you become a yoga instructor?
I initially became a yoga instructor to uplift the community of young women that surrounded me. I began teaching at a small studio next to a very large college campus and I found a passion for cultivating a community that uplifts one another. I know how impactful the words “you are beautiful” can be and I made it my mission to not only tell my students this but to repeat it enough times that they began to believe it. I repeated it until it began to replace whatever was there before. Now I focus on yoga outreach, victims of sexual assault, eating disorders, and maintaining a healthy body image.

What impact can a regular yoga practice have on a person's life?
Everyone will experience yoga in their own way but whether you seek the practice for fitness and health or for self-transformation, you will gain benefit from a regular yoga practice. It will reveal your true nature, your strength, and your limitless ability to transform yourself from the inside out.

What advice would you give to someone that is just starting yoga?
Stick with it. I walked out of my first two yoga classes because I told myself I couldn’t do it. The truth is, few people come to yoga able to touch their toes. Your level of flexibility does not determine the level of your practice in yoga. It is your capacity for patience, dedication, and concentration. Start slow and listen to the alignment cues. Don’t hesitate to put aside your pride in favor of keeping your body safe. If you feel like you have gone too far or too deep in a pose, you are probably right. Nothing in yoga should be painful so let your breath be your guide. If you start to hold your breath, back out. This is your body’s way of telling you that you have exceeded your edge. Most importantly, have fun! Don’t take yourself too seriously, there’s no such thing as looking silly in yoga.

What is special about the style of yoga you teach?
I teach a variety of yoga styles but what makes them special is that I keep each deeply rooted in traditional yoga teachings. They are centered around a sound moral life and dharma. Each class speaks to elements of compassion, truth, non-violence, purity, contentment, discipline, self-study, and devotion. I strive to deliver these teachings in a way that will uplift my students and challenge them to seek beyond their present understanding of who they are.

What is your favorite yoga posture to teach, and why?
Virabhadrasana II because it is a beautiful dance between balance and strength. It takes a sense of personal power to remain steadfast in the face of opposition. This pose challenges us to feel our imbalances and establish a deeper sense of focus. In the studio or in front of a mirror I ask my students to gaze into their own two eyes and to remind themselves of their power. In warrior, we stand for all of those that cannot stand on their own. It is an ideal pose to cultivate strength and confidence in times of conflict.

Please share some words of wisdom or advice for your yogadownload.com yoga students.
This is a lifetime practice. No matter how much or how little effort you put into it today, no effort is ever wasted.

Do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share?
“You are what you want to become. Why search anymore? You are a wonderful manifestation. The whole universe has come together to make your existence possible” –Thich Nhat Hanh

What do you like to do "off the mat"?
Gardening because like yoga, plants make people happier, healthier, and more vibrant. They are sunshine food and medicine for the soul.

A life-long athlete, Cicily was introduced to the practice of yoga at a very young age. When she was eight years old, her grandmother began teaching at a small yoga studio in Grand Junction, Colorado. She practiced yoga and varsity dance in high school but did not begin to experience the power of a consistent practice until she left the nest and became a daily practitioner. She has been an avid student of yoga for over 10 years. 

Download one of Cicily's inspiring yoga classes on YogaDownload today!