Bio

My Yoga History...

After my first yoga class, at age 15, I thought "Well that was awkward and weird. Never again". Little did I know it would become one of the most enjoyable and prominent aspects of my life a few years later.

Being highly-energetic, highly motivated, and an excessively high-striving personality type, "slowing down" was never a concept in my life. "Keep going", "give more", "not good enough", "push harder" - these were the concepts that directed my life. Because of these mantras, stress was, in all honesty, my most faithful companion since as far back as I could remember. It had weaseled its way so deep into my soul that it was part of my identity. It had spread throughout me like an addictive poison.

Eventually, these self-set expectations sent my life spinning out of control at top speed. Due to a mixture of genetics, stress, and the unknown, my body started to protest, dishing out a highly creative range of health issues. I needed to slow down, I needed to calm down, and I needed to do it now. That is when yoga entered my life.

Hearing of all the physical and mental benefits of yoga from both friends and the many healthcare workers I encountered, I realized it was time I gave this "bizarre exercise for eccentric seniors" another go. I will admit, it did take me a couple of months to get comfortable with chanting "om", but once I had a taste of what my life was like with yoga, there was no turning back. It was all it was cracked up to be, and more. After the first few yoga classes, I felt like I was on a high - full of energy and pumped about my increasing bendy-ness and strength. Then, once it became a more regular practice, I could truly feel the healing happening from the inside out. I felt more centered - calmer, more grateful, and overflowing with compassion. I felt like I could take on and combat some of my health issues, and those out of my control I could learn to cope with in a more peaceful and healthy manner. Certain symptoms slowly began to disappear, while others improved or became more bearable. And for once, I was happy with the way things were and the incessant need to do more, more, more began to slip away. I felt like I could give myself a pat on the back for my accomplishments and finally say "It's perfect enough".

But then a busy life happened. As much as I would vow to commit to yoga, there would always be excuses to skip it. Homework, money, work, social life...Life was busy! A week would slip by without doing yoga, 2 weeks, a month. Years passed as I fell in and out of yoga. Every time I was "in" it I would think "YESSS! This feels right! I feel amazing!". But then busyness would take over and I'd fall back out of habit. Finally, last year, I decided enough was enough. I knew how much yoga helped my life and how happy it made me, so it was time I made it a key factor in my daily life.

In February 2013, I traveled to an ashram in Kajuraho, India and completed a RYS200 Yoga Teacher Training Course. It was one of the most physically and mentally demanding times of my life, and also one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had. I am now beyond ready for a life full of yoga - a life full of healing, peace, and happiness. And I am beyond happy and honored to be able to guide others in this lifestyle.

Shanti
-Shawna