Why I practice
Why I practice: I practice yoga to stay normal — Ha ha! But really, yoga helps me stay closer to my optimal version of myself. My mat is the place where my mind quiets down and my body lets go of some of its tension. Life pulls us in many directions all the time. Yoga has always slowed me down and allowed me to stay with the moment, which i desperately need. On a deeper level, I practice to transform. That’s also why I teach. I’m constantly inspired by witnessing the transformation process of students, on however small or big a level.
What helps keep my teaching fresh:
Getting on my mat every day even if only for a little stint. Following a strong teacher devotedly. Re-reading my textbooks old training manuals. Sitting outside away from people and technology while I plan my classes.
On the popularity of vinyasa as a style
It can be very freeing and doesn’t often require students to hold the postures for as long. Many people don’t concentrate well or they feel uncomfortable being still. Also, I hear people say they’re drawn to the concept of being less rigid mentally and more flexible physically as path towards greater happiness. Society is slammed for time, and people will say they don’t have time to do both a quieting yoga practice and a strong physical workout. In my view, a great vinyasa flow session will offer opportunities for both of those elements. A lot of really strong movement, and a chunk of “pause button” time on both ends of the practice to sit with the mind.
Most transformative element of my yoga practice:
Breath work. Learning to breathe “properly” — or really just awareness of my breath/breathing — changed my life the most.
On the chakras:
I reference them in almost any class I teach. The chakras are how I think about the poses and exercises.
I go by some combo of the French Girl approach and the “don’t eat too much and mostly plants” idea. There’s no food category I don’t enjoy, but I use moderation. I love food and meals and foraging and preparation and sharing food. My Mom is Italian. After school as a kid I would most often have a bowl of marinara sauce and sliced mozzarella cheese. There was always something sweet, even after lunch. We ate salad every night as the final part of the dinner. As kids we chewed only Trident and ate non-sugary cereals, yet we had Lifesavers or a Dum-Dum if we were out doing errands. It was an era of contradictions, but it taught me not to be too rigid in my enjoyment of food and somewhat liberal in my indulging in outlandish ideas like a brownie for breakfast. While I am not vegetarian, I really limit red meat, and a plate of fish and greens is probably my favorite meal. The more spice the better.
On balanced eating:
Some people think they have to give up meat, sugar, coffee, alcohol, or other “bad things” to start practicing yoga. While being vegetarian is in fact seen as the ideal, we don’t have to be absolutist when we start. The idea is that over time, with regular practice, we begin to naturally gravitate to healthier ways of living. Junk food does not have to go away entirely, but you may naturally start craving things that grow in nature more. Your practice will in large part lead you to your lifestyle.
On purity:
Caffeine and alcohol are socially accepted and extremely powerful drugs. We as a society have a huge issue in pretending this is not the case.
On the poisons:
Eat together around the table whenever possible, without books or TV.
On family meals:
Practice at least twice a week as a beginning yogi, and more is always better. You can’t move forward without doing the work, yet sometimes we seem to be wishing for that to happen, or we are confused when it doesn’t. I keep going back to the popular quote from the Yoga Sutras: “Do your practice and all is coming” — Sri. K. Patthabhi Jois
On being disciplined:
I personally love a well placed “bad word” dropped by a teacher. That’s different than a teacher cursing throughout class. A yoga teacher friend and I once debated this. We talked about whether it might go against the practice’s goals of purity and using non-harming language. The question was left open :)
On colorful language:
I generally don’t chant the sound of aum to open class, but I love it and love chanting.
On OM-ing:
First I wasn’t, then I was, now I’m not.