Instructor of the Month - Samantha Babbitt

What brought you to yoga?
I came to yoga searching for peace of mind. As a former athlete, I was hesitant to begin a yoga practice because I was concerned that it wouldn’t be challenging or fast-paced enough for me. At the same time, I recognized I was at a point in my life where I had too many external factors clouding my ability to listen to my inner voice, and I decided to give it a go. All of my concerns were immediately dispelled. Through the practice of yoga, I was able to move my body in a way that challenged me physically as well as mentally and spiritually. Yoga provided me a safe space to tune inward, to become aware of my movements and more importantly to consider how those movements are informed by my emotional state. By diving into a practice that made everything an invitation, that encouraged mindfulness and breath work, I was able to meet myself more deeply and feel empowered. I also got plenty of sweat and strengthening out of the deal! I am now four years in to a dedicated yoga practice and each session on the mat brings me closer to a calm and balanced state of mind, which reinforces the power of gratitude and keeps me focused on what’s important to me as the unique individual I am.

What is your approach to teaching?
My approach to teaching is to encourage that same feeling of empowerment that means so much to me. My hope is that each of my students will feel comfortable enough in class to do whatever is right for their bodies and leave feeling a little more at ease, both mentally and physically. I also want people to have fun! A yoga practice can feel very serious when you first begin, but with time and patience with yourself, there can be humor and grace in the moments when things don’t go as planned. By keeping things light and pressure-free, I aim to serve my students the way many teachers I have learned from have served me: with humility, kindness and permission to be themselves.

Why do you choose to teach at 5KY?
I consider myself incredibly lucky to have found 5 Keys Yoga. First of all, Erin and Rita are the most compassionate and friendly studio owners you could ever hope to meet. Their mission of service and inclusivity resonates with me greatly, and I feel inspired by their energy to be present every time I walk in to teach a class. They lead by example in the most beautiful way, and it was an easy decision when they offered me the opportunity to teach in their space. And speaking of space, the studio itself is just so lovely. The positive energy of the space is tangible, and I like the intimacy of a smaller studio. And the students make it such a joy. Every person I have had in class has been so warm and open to receiving that it makes the teacher/student relationship feel safe and joyful

What makes your soul sing?
In addition to feeling uplifted by all manner of yoga practices (Hatha, Restorative, Yin, Vinyasa, you name it, I love it!), I feel most at ease when I am in my kitchen baking. I love the challenge of putting together a bunch of ingredients and making something beautiful and delicious - which in fact is very similar to how I try to structure my classes. I love to read and write; I keep a pretty colorful bullet journal and try to make time for creative writing when I can. I am also very close to my family, who mostly live in the Chicagoland area, and of all the many gifts in my life that make my soul sing, spending time with my son is number one on my list.