A message to my YogaDownload students: I regularly imagine YDL students practicing yoga in their living rooms, hotel rooms, and on vacation and it immediately brings a sense of awe and gratitude to me. I have been so blessed to have yoga in my life and to know that all over the world people are opening their hearts, minds and bodies to the practice covers me in chills. I know that the quality of my life and everyone I come in contact with is made better because of my yoga work. Consequently I know that there are countless people making their lives better not only for themselves but for everyone they touch. I would call this a revolution and I am honored to even play a small part in it.
In your words, what is yoga?
My teacher says anything that makes you kinder is yoga. This resonates with me so much as I try and transfer the work I do in full splits, or down dog for that matter, into my life outside of the yoga room. In a world that may be teaching us to be fearful and self-loathing, yoga is revolutionary. We learn to be gentle with ourselves and with others. Often times, I need this reminder about yoga in chatarunga but even more often than that, I recall this definition as I live my practice in traffic, challenging emails, and in my valued personal relationships.
What teachers/teachings have impacted you the most?
It may be cliche but I see each interaction in my life as a teacher standing before me. I work on gratitude and considering the impact of each person. On a professional level, Rusty Wells taught me some of the most important lessons I have learned as a yoga teacher. He insisted that I do my work. He developed my voice and nurtured it as it was fragile. He also asked me to look for the unseen and the unheard. He told me to stand where I can be seen rather than hiding. He taught me to eat mindfully and to be kind to all. I will forever be grateful for his teachings. In addition to Rusty, my mom is my other greatest teacher. She teaches me daily about perseverance and strength and new beginnings. She reminds me to take responsibility and to let go of what no longer serves me. She is funny and generous and remembers to credit God (or Sprit, or the Universe) in each moment. Without these two my life would not be the same.
What inspires your teaching?
My life inspires my teaching. I teach what I am practicing. Yoga teaches that we are all connected and never alone, so if it is relevant to me, it may be relevant to you. I write sequences that I practice in my own living room and create themes from interactions with my barista, walks with my dogs and books that I am reading. It is just that simple.
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