Yoga Tribe Blog

WHEN DID YOU START YOGA AND WHERE?
I began my yoga practice 7 years ago in Huntington beach when I wanted to change up my routine and try something new. My first class was a hot yoga flow and the rush I felt walking out of a 60 minute session was indescribable. The clarity you would feel after a class and the endurance you needed to continue was what began my obsession.
 
HOW OFTEN DO YOU PRACTICE YOGA?
My goal is to take class 5 times a week, but I try to practice my breathing and form daily. If I have time I like to take new classes or try different styles. At the very least I focus on stretching or the philosophy behind yoga.  
 
WHY DO YOU PRACTICE YOGA?
My Practice has continued through these years because yoga gives me something no other workout or practice has, it never gets easy and it is always different from day to day mentally and physically, I like that challenge.  
 
WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY BENEFITS YOU EXPERIENCE? 
The benefits of yoga, for me are endless. My practice has given me balance, mentally and physically. It has helped me separate the chaos of life with the ability to listen to what your body needs.  It has shown me a mental challenge Ive learned to embrace and has increased my flexibility and helped tone my shoulders back and arms. 
 
WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING POSTURE? WHY?
The hardest postures in yoga for me are those that combine balance and power. Its not a specific pose but the combination of having to clear your mind and use strength, balance, and flexibility. I can focus enough to drop into a balance pose or I can muscle through a pose to get to my deepest point, but the challenge in yoga is not about getting to a specific point but the prosses it takes to get there. That said, moving with ease and focus to get into a balance posture, holding that posture and then giving one more push of power when you don’t think you have enough strength is by far the most challenging part of any posture for me. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POSTURE?
My ALL-time favorite postures to practice in yoga are inversions and balance poses. Handstands, headstands, scorpion, side crane, peacock…. They are the most difficult for me to accomplish but have the most accomplishing, energetic and balancing satisfaction. They are creative and beautiful, but the challenge of body and mind is of no other. My biggest goal posture is a press handstand. It’s the combination of both inversion and balance, its taking the time to move slowly, listen to your body and challenging your mind to trust your strength and ability. 
 
HOW HAS YOUR HOT YOGA PRACTICE IMPACTED OR CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
Yoga has changed my intensions and given me more patience. Some people work towards gaining things in life, what can I get from doing this or how can something I do give me more. Practicing yoga has done the opposite for me, its taught me to need only what I can physically and mentally provide myself. To eliminate what I don’t need will get me to where I want to be in my practice and in life.