 What brought you to yoga?
Initially the physical benefits, but this has evolved over time. I’ve come to appreciate the powerful connection to community and the tremendous emotional resilience that I have developed that I believe is a result of my continuous practice. What is your approach to teaching? I believe this will evolve over time, but to be genuine and authentic, to create a sense of community and to guide my students to cultivate the tools to live mindfully and with purpose - on and off the mat! Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I consider 5 Keys my “yoga home” and have a strong desire to give back to the community that has given so much to me over the years. What makes your soul sing? Connecting with nature and giving back to family, friends and the community at large through various ways.
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 Photo by Felipe Bastias on Unsplash " Calmness is the cradle of power." - Josiah Gilbert Holland This blog post is part of our Yoga Sutras series. Want to start at the beginning? Yoga Sutra 3.38 ते समाधावुपसर्गा व्युत्थाने सिद्धयः te samādhāvupasargā vyutthāne siddhayaḥ These accomplishments are obstacles to samadhi but powers in worldly life. Sutra 3.38 is so simple and easily missed among the great siddhis or powers listed in Pada Three of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, but is the most important Sutra in this set. As I referenced at the beginning of the year, Patanjali cautions us here that these siddhis can derail our spiritual progress.
When we get caught up in these “superphysical senses” (Satchidananda, 237) we are thrust back into the material world. We may become so enamored with our newfound abilities that we lose sight of the spiritual progress that exists beyond their attainment. Patanjali catalogues these potential accomplishments through samyama so that yoga practitioners can spot them and overcome them if and when they arise.  What brought you to yoga?
I was introduced to it by a cheerleading teammate in high school and would go to classes occasionally. Then, in college I found a studio close by and went nearly everyday. I struggled with a lot of anxiety and depression so finding not only the practice of yoga but a community helped me so much. What is your approach to teaching? I believe that I am simply there to offer guidance. The yoga practice is highly individual for each student and I respect and honor that. I want to hold space and create an environment that welcomes all. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I love how accessible the studio is. There are truly classes for everyone. The first class I went to also made me feel welcomed and that makes such a difference. What makes your soul sing? My soul sings when I volunteer at a cat rescue. I adopted my first pet in my 20s and through that opened up a love for animals especially cats. Going there feels my soul in ways words cannot describe.  Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash Success is balance. - Laila Ali This blog post is part of our Yoga Sutras series. Want to start at the beginning? Yoga Sutra 3.12 ततः पुनः शान्तोदितौ तुल्यप्रत्ययौ चित्तस्यैकाग्रतापरिणामः tataḥ punaḥ śāntoditau tulyapratyayau cittasyaikāgratāpariṇāmaḥ From that preceding state, when subsiding and arising thoughts are balanced in the mind, a flow of one-pointedness is manifested. In Sutra 3.12, Patanjali concludes his explanation of the stages of accomplishment in samyama.
To recap, in Yoga Sutra 3.10, Patanajali explains that first the practitioner achieves a state called nirodhah parinamah, wherein a steady flow of tranquility is developed in the meditator’s mind. In Yoga Sutra 3.11, Patanjali describes the rising state of absorption the practitioner achieves in their chosen object of meditation, which is called samadhi parinamah.  What brought you to your yoga practice?
I really missed yoga in a studio and wanted to find the right place. I decided to try five keys with little to no expectations and am so happy! What benefits did you notice once you started practicing consistently? I’m able to focus on clearing my mind more and increased mobility. What would you now tell yourself before you started practicing yoga? You can do hard things! It’s a practice and every day is a work in progress. I’m so grateful for every instructor at five keys who has helped me over the last 7 months. I feel so seen and heard in this studio and I love the “come as you are” feeling when I walk in!!  Photo by Lital Levy on Unsplash "I am so absorbed in the wonder of earth and the life upon it that I cannot think of heaven and angels." - Pearl S. Buck This blog post is part of our Yoga Sutras series. Want to start at the beginning? Yoga Sutra 3.11 सर्वार्थतैकाग्रतयोः क्षयोदयौ चित्तस्य समाधिपरिणामः sarvārthataikāgratayoḥ kṣayodayau cittasya samādhipariṇāmaḥ As distractedness declines and one-pointed focus arises in the mind, a flow of absorption in the object of meditation arises. Although Yoga Sutra 3.11 may seem quite esoteric at first, when we look at it from the basics, it actually makes quite a bit of sense. Let’s break this one down into pieces, since it is the only sutra we’ll cover this month and is central to understanding subsequent sutras in pada three.
Sutra 3.11 is made up of seven Sanskrit words (combined here into four). And when we look at them one by one, what Patanjali is trying to explain becomes quite clear.  What brought you to yoga?
My deep love for movement and flow led me to yoga, where I found a practice that beautifully blends both. What is your approach to teaching? I aim to create a safe and welcoming space for students to explore their own potential and discover the joy and playfulness that yoga offers. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I was drawn to Five Keys Yoga because of its commitment to “yoga for all abilities.” I truly appreciate their intentional approach to making yoga accessible to everyone. What makes your soul sing? I may sound repetitive, but nothing lights me up more than flow. When my breath and movement come together in perfect harmony, it brings me a sense of joy and clarity.  What brought you to your yoga practice?
I was searching for a mindful practice where I could be in the present moment without distractions like my phone or tv. I also love to stretch and was looking to tone my muscles - yoga was the perfect answer! What benefits did you notice once you started practicing consistently? I noticed my balance and flexibility improve significantly! Also found myself moving more freely and with more comfort, as well as feeling less anxiety in my daily life. What would you now tell yourself before you started practicing yoga? To give yourself grace, and not get discouraged when falling out of routine. It’s never too late to jump back in!  Photo by Davies Designs Studio on Unsplash "The real spiritual progress of the aspirant is measured by the extent to which he achieves inner tranquility." - Swami Sivananda This blog post is part of our Yoga Sutras series. Want to start at the beginning? Yoga Sutra 3.10 तस्य प्रशान्तवाहिता संस्कारात् tasya praśāntavāhitā saṃskārāt By habitually calming the movement of the mind, a tranquil flow of consciousness is developed. No matter our external goals, I think we are all looking for more tranquility in our lives. Whether our mind races with anger or anxiety, is heavy with despondency or worry or is generally peaceful, a feeling of calm is always welcome.
That is why yoga is so attractive - especially in the frenetic world we are in right now. We are all looking for ways to increase and maintain a sense of peace.  What brought you to yoga?
I first came to yoga looking for a way to move and connect with my body. I never felt comfortable participating in sports or large group activities, and yoga provided the quiet, expansive space I needed to move and grow. I quickly learned that yoga was much more than a physical practice. It helped me manage my stress and anxiety, and allowed me to explore my own inner landscape. Ultimately, yoga provided the foundation I needed to build a warm, welcoming place for my body, mind, and spirit, in turn, allowing me to come home to myself. What is your approach to teaching? While the process of coming to your mat can be an empowering and enlightening experience, the process itself can be difficult as it involves some vulnerability. I strive to create safe environments for people of all bodies and backgrounds to practice by providing options and modifications through props and verbal cues, ultimately giving practitioners choice along their yoga journey. I also aim to embody all aspects of yoga in my teaching, including but not limited to asana, pranayama, and meditation, so my students can explore everything yoga has to offer. My goal is to provide a warm, safe space for students to tune into their own inner landscape, and I hope they leave their mat feeling strong, grounded, and empowered. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? When I first came to 5KY, I admired the calm, warm, and inviting atmosphere of the practice space. I immediately felt comfortable and at home, and that was just from my very first class! Holding space for others is important to me, and making sure everyone has that right is imperative to me as well. I appreciate that 5KY is committed to accessibility and inclusivity through Yoga For All Abilities, and they strive to help the community by providing a place for practitioners to come relax, connect, and build their own yoga practice. What makes your soul sing? Travel! I love exploring new places, indulging in the food and culture, and learning new things along the way. I personally believe that the journey is worth celebrating just as much as the destination, and there is something so powerful about creating your own itinerary or vision board, manifesting and working it into reality, and then embarking on the wonderful adventure you made happen! In between travels, I love taking the time to slow down and lose myself in nature, reading, or video games. I love hanging out with friends and family, exploring bookshops, and trying new restaurants. |
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