HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICING YOGA?
I’ve been practicing yoga for 14 years. I started with a yoga class in college for PE credit, and I hated it. I thought it was very granola. I just didn’t get it, didn’t appreciate it.
WHEN DID YOU FIND A NEWFOUND APPRECIATION FOR YOGA?
When I moved to Texas and I was a stay-at-home mom. I was just trying to find some time for myself and work out a little bit, so I went to a local gym, did a yoga class and fell in love with it.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOGA?
The ability to slow down and really pause your life to what’s present in the moment. We’re very much of ‘what’s next?’ in our lives. This was like, I can pause and just kind of sit here, be still and find gratitude in the moment.
WHAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT YOGA?
That it’s just stretching or you have to be flexible to do yoga. You don’t need to be able to do any of those things — you just need to be able to breathe. If you can breathe, you’re practicing yoga.
WHAT TYPES OF YOGA DO YOU OFFER AT INSPIRE YOGA? We stick predominantly with three forms of yoga: Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU LOVE ABOUT TEACHING YOUR OWN CLASS? The ability to be able to provide people the same wonderful feeling that I had when I first got on my mat is super rewarding. Just knowing that you’re giving somebody the experience that you have been given so many times.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE PRACTICE YOGA? It’s learning how to live your life. Everything that happens on the mat during your practice — learning to be mindful of breathing and stay present in your body and in the moment, the ability to not react when things get uncomfortable or difficult but to stay with it — those are some of the things we practice so that when we leave, you know have those tools to be able to apply to your everyday life.