Tell me a little bit about your yoga journey from the beginning. I connected with yoga in college, introducing me to the concept of moving and breathing and getting to know your body. When I moved back to Atlanta, I developed a home practice doing free online videos and experimenting on my own. I used yoga and my time on the mat to heal my mind and my body, and to stay positive in a very challenging time in my life. What's it like to be a part of the RYL community? The space that Gretchen has created is so great, and I will always be SO thankful for giving me a chance. She creates such a nurturing environment for everyone at the studio; it is really special! I love the regular yoga students that come to my classes! I can get to know them and their goals in life and in practice. Everyone is very supportive and friendly, and it’s such a diverse group of yogis – it truly shows that yoga is for EVERYONE! Did you ever see yourself teaching yoga when you started practicing? When did you know that you were called to teach? I always had a strong connection to yoga from the start – an emotional and mental connection. Once I had started to develop a serious home practice, I learned a lot about myself and this connection to yoga was my lifeline. I then realized I wanted to be a teacher, because yoga is powerful. Yoga keeps you going and challenges you to change your perspective on a lot of things. I wanted to show others this! What does yoga mean to you? That’s a hard answer to put into words because yoga is more of a feeling for me. It’s spiritual yet physical, grounding yet transformative, nourishing yet challenging. It is so much more than a practice; it is a way of thinking and living at your highest potential. What is the most magical thing about yoga? The ability to lose yourself in the present moment and in your body. While you’re on the mat, connecting your breath and movement, everything else just melts away. You step into a different world. Why do people especially need yoga in their lives? It is the best way to start to understand yourself and make sense of the world. Yoga is a journey in many ways – a journey to a healthier self, a calmer mind, a physical attainment, and also a journey to greater understanding. You learn to challenge yourself and respect yourself at the same time, letting things and situations happen around you without strongly reacting to them. Things are not good or bad – they just are. Yoga constantly pushes us outside of our comfort zones, and we truly start to learn.This month we are setting intentions and preparing for the year ahead. Do you think yoga can support an intention setting practice in anyone’s life? Yoga helps people understand what it means to set an intention – it can be anything from a reason that they showed up, to a person that they're thinking of, or even a mantra. Once we visualize these intentions, bring our attention to them, think about them, and send our energy toward them, it helps manifest them into reality. What is your favorite music to practice to, and why? It depends on my mood! Most often I listen to house music (EDM) because it is easy to get lost in it. I also love soul music when I am feeling playful on a nice day. What 3 words would describe your life outside of your yoga practice? Travel, Creative, Animals. What is your greatest guilty pleasure? I love taking baths, lighting some candles and reading my favorite books. It’s fantastic! Anything your students ought to know about you? I’m actually kind of shy! I love teaching because it pushes me to make connections with people. I often times feel shy or awkward to strike up a conversation before or after class, so please say hi! I love getting to know you. |
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About the AuthorKayleighWriter, energy healer, astrologer, nerd, animal enthusiast, naturopath in training. Archives
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