5Q Interview @SaraMartinThomas

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

My yoga journey began in 2005. I was a personal trainer needing more physically and spiritually. A friend introduced me to Bikram Yoga. I fell in love w/ how the practice made me feel physically and emotionally. I wanted more. Then my same friend introduced me to Core Power Yoga. I fell in love w/ the style of breath w/ movement, MUSIC, & the community. Teaching and taking yoga is my therapy, my church, my physical workout, my time w/ community.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I signed up for a Power Vinyasa 200hr teacher training at CPY PL in 2006. I was hired to teach after. I loved it so much I wanted to be a part of everything. I was asked to assist in Teacher Trainings in 2007 which lead to Co-leading the Vinyasa trainings at CPY in PL until 2008. I helped put together and have Co-Lead the 200hr Vinyasa Training at Sculpt Fusion Yoga since 2009.

3. What makes your classes unique?

I am very passionate about all aspects of my classes. Depending on the time of day the lighting is important. MUSIC, I love playing DJ. I love making playlists. I have a degree in Kinesiology. I am aware of alignment and always conscious of balance and flow in class w/ counter poses. I keep it light and fun. I like to make people laugh. I always end class w/ a quote or two that resonates w/ me knowing it will resonate w/ others because we are all the same at the core!

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

Music is everything in class! I put as much time into thinking about the sequence of my class as I do the playlist. The right music can make or break a class. I try to put a little bit of every genre on a playlist. Paying attention to who’s feeling what in class from their movements and facial expressions. Asking my students what they want to hear. Sometimes I will literally add a song to my playlist in the middle of class!

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

I teach mainly at Sculpt Fusion Yoga, two classes a week at Yoga Six in 4S Ranch, ResMed, for the Del Mar WaterPolo Club Team and the Cathedral Catholic HS Boys Varsity WaterPolo Team.

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview? Fill out your unique responses here.

5Q Interview @VinyasaArts

5Q Interview @VinyasaArts Yoga Studio – Andy & Tamara Totman

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

Andy and Tamara Totman have been teaching yoga in North County San Diego, CA. for over 17 years. It’s our love of this kind and compassionate practice that gives us our desire to spread yoga to as many people as we can. It fills our hearts to see people as they become healthier, stronger, more open and calmer.

Our long lasting friendship turned into love. We married in Aug. 2013, opened Vinyasa Arts Yoga Studio in Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas, Ca. in 2014.

Our style of yoga is challenging yet always light hearted. We believe yoga is to challenge the mind through the body, creating both strength and calmness in the body and mind.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

Andy Totman, co-creator and owner of Vinyasa Arts with his wife Tamara Lafferty-Totman, first fell in love with yoga in 2005. Since then he has combined his personal yoga practice with his commitment to the Martial Arts. He has been practicing Wushu (KungFu), TiChi and Chi Gong since 2007. With his commitment to excellence, high standards, belief in his students, and great sense of humor, Andy guides his students in a challenging, yet accessible, Vinyasa flow. His classes maximizes every minute building the strength needed to reach your goals. He actively works the room providing adjustments, ensuring safety, and proper alignment. His Vinyasa flow includes fun transitions, arm balances, handstands, flexibility, and mindful meditation. Andy’s teaching makes the seemingly “impossible” possible as you’ll leave his classes with a strong body and a clear mind.

Tamara Lafferty-Totman, (ERYT 500), Co-creator and owner of Vinyasa Arts with her husband Andy Totman, has taught yoga in San Diego County for nearly 16 years. Her style of teaching is lighthearted, versatile and creative. Her background is in Ashtanga Yoga and the style she teaches now is Vinyasa Flow yoga level 2/3 and 3/4 (a vinyasa flow that includes arm balances and handstands). Tamara’s classes are a great fusion of powerful Vinyasa Flow with an entrancing mix of contemporary music. Her classes are physically challenging; however, proper alignment, modifications and plenty of hands-on adjustments are essential in her classes. The focal point is exclusively on alignment, movement with breath, core, strength and balance…. and of course a sense of humor!

3. What makes your classes unique?

Finding creativity, uniqueness is all about our style! We Believe yoga is an art form and should be expressed uniquely! individually and with compassion and passion!

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

Conducting classes with live music is by far the best! Plus an added benefit is when you can do it outside in the beautiful San Diego weather! But either way, music has played an extremely vital role in all of our classes. We will spend hours upon hours creating the perfect playlist for each class based on what is the mood/vibe/intent that we want to create for a specific class.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

Celebrating our grand opening three years ago! We also have our 300 hour yoga teacher training beginning in August! However, one of the biggest hurdles we’ve ever had to accomplish is getting through Andy being diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time in the last three years. We really believe that the love of the yoga community in San Diego, our passion for yoga, and a yoga lifestyle is the reason why Andy still here on this planet! We will continue to teach, run the studio and spread the love of yoga while fighting cancer! We strongly believe that yoga AND community is a Healer of Mind Body and Soul.

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview? Fill out your unique responses here.

5Q Interview @Om-anda

5Q Interview @Om-anda!

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

Amanda is a motivated yogi who found her way on her mat in an effort to stay fit and strong but stayed for the boundless transformational powers of yoga. Growing up as a competitive dancer, she loved being challenged and active but didn’t love the competitive nature of the dance community. After trying a Sculpt class upon moving to San Diego in 2013 she was instantly hooked. The combination of the powerful mental acuity and the physical challenge of yoga, created the perfect balance allowing her to still her mind, breath, and spirit. Amanda has since completed the RYT-200 as well as Yoga Sculpt training programs. She believes the beauty of yoga is in the journey and motivates her students to always appreciate wherever they are, not only in their practice, but in all aspects of life.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I first began teaching yoga in November of 2013. I made the transition into teaching because I was inspired to share the countless benefits that I had experienced in my own personal practice with others. I wanted to create an experience for fellow yogis that left them feeling not only empowered and strong, but inspired to seek more on a spiritual level. I teach not only in hopes that my student’s build physical strength, but with the main hope that they tap into the connection to the divine, their oneness.

3. What makes your classes unique?

I feel that my classes attract people that are music and energy driven. My class stands out as not only a challenging workout, but as an electric experience where my student’s feed off strong music and intense energy. There is something to be said about being able to combine the rush of hitting your peak moment and pushing yourself beyond your perceived limitations and I feel that my class gives my students the opportunity to do that.

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

Music is a huge drive for my class. Strong beat work with a medium to high BPM is what sets the tone for the real “work” in my class.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

In addition to my 4 weekly classes at Corepower Yoga. I also host a monthly “Burns and Brunch” event class with a live DJ and option for my students to join me for brunch afterward to connect.

https://www.facebook.com/events/598868566982108

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview? Fill out your unique responses here.

5Q Interview @GeliPaz

5Q Interview @GeliPaz!

1.) Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

I cried after taking my first yoga class. It was so hard and I wanted to be so much further along on my spiritual path than I was! Since day one yoga has been a mirror for me. It always shows me where I am and invites me to love and embrace exactly where that is. The practice is so sacred and empowering to me – it feels so good to spend time steeping in my own body and listening to what it needs. It resets my mind, heals my body and opens my heart. So much beauty!

2.) When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I’ve spent most of my life Listening to the life that wants to live through me and surrendering to where I’m guided. After backpacking around South America for 10+ months I came back to San Diego to figure out my next steps in December 2012. Teaching yoga was a dream I had that I thought of as something I’d do off into the future, later in life. Universe made it clear to me it wasn’t for later, it was for Now. I got my 200 hour with Mosaic starting in January 2013 and haven’t looked back since. Teaching has been one of the biggest gifts life has given me. Teaching at Hapa Yoga, in particular, has been absolutely transformative in the building block foundations it has given me and the community it’s expanded me into. Hapa is home and I am so grateful to all of the opportunities I’ve had along the way to share this practice. I’ve taught yoga in the U.S.A, Indonesia, Cambodia and Japan.

3.) What makes your classes unique?

I’m often told how safe and comfortable I make people feel in class. This always makes me happy to hear as I truly welcome all bodies and beings to the mat. I ask students to tune into their own body and follow their intuition with curiosity and empowerment; if what they need to do looks different than what my voice is saying or different from what their neighbor is doing I always invite them to do it! It is so beautiful to hold space for students to explore, discover and express themselves organically. I am such an advocate of authentic self-expression in all forms. I welcome smiles, tears and everything in between both on and off the mat <3

#YouInspireMe: @gelipaz! ☀️ If you can't tell from my last post, this yogini is amazing!! She is so inspirational, and today she inspires me to follow my passion, be my best self, and be courageous enough to adventure! 🙏🏼 SONG: Infinite Light by @DTOmusic ft. Zoe Sol. Stream or download today on iTunes or Spotify! 🌿 "Raising the vibrations of the planet through art and music." ~ @BuddhaMusicGroup 🎶 🎉 10% of CD sales benefit nutrition & yoga for kids. -@PlantPoweredKids 🌻

A post shared by DTO – Dave Kemp (@dtomusic) on Apr 3, 2017 at 4:12pm PDT

Another unique element I offer is that I oftentimes incorporate healing energy work into my gentle and yin classes! I am a reiki and thetahealing practitioner and love to merge all of these powerful modalities.

4.) How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

Music is a key element to the tone that is set in class! I spend time each week preparing music to weave into class. I think music can help us tap into our practice on an even deeper level.

5.) Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

I am sharing some spoken word poetry on April 7th at The Point from 7-9pm! The event is being put on by Sojourn Grace Collective who will be raising money for YALLA, a San Diego non profit organization that helps remove the social and economic barriers that face refugee and immigrant youth! The Sojourn Grace Collective is a beautiful community and I’m so excited to be a part of this evening of poetry, music, community and art. You can learn more about this even via their FB invite – simply search Sojo Slam benefitting YALLA and it should pop up as a public event!

CONNECT WITH ANGELICA:

You can follow me on IG @Gelipaz.

Feel free to connect via Facebook as well!
https://www.facebook.com/angelica.barrera.75
(you can also search my first and last name)

E-mail address: angelica.p.barrera@gmail.com)

I love to write and share some of my work on my blog — journeywithangelica.wordpress.com.

6. BONUS QUESTION: What else does the world need to know about you?

I am a reiki practitioner and thetahealing practitioner! I am also a doula and have had the pleasure of assisting 12 laboring mama’s bring their beautiful babies into the world. I love holding space for others and helping facilitate growth and healing. Writing was and is one of my first loves, as is travel. I’ve visited over 20+ countries so far and have plans to continue trotting the globe for the rest of my life 🙂 I think one of my biggest missions here on this earth is to LOVE. Love, love and more love. Everybody. All of it.

My first time teaching: I was heading to a 6am class to take it, but showed up to a note on the door that it had been canceled! I hadn’t noticed the sign until I was already at the door unlocking the studio — I worked there and thought the instructor just hasn’t showed up yet so I figured I’d open the doors and get it all rolling. When I realized no one was coming and saw all the students waiting in the parking lot I knew I really didn’t have a choice, the time was now and there was no excuse other than my own fear and hesitation. I taught the class and dove in! We probably held downward facing dog way longer than desirable but hey, you gotta start somewhere! lol

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview? Fill out your unique responses here.

5Q Interview @YogaBranch

5Q interview with Lisette, Owner of @YogaBranch

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

Yoga has made my life better on every level… physically healing my neck injury & making my body feel great to spiritually filling me with compassion.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I started teaching yoga in 1999 with the encouragement of very special teachers.

3. What makes your classes unique?

The hands-on adjustments I give & my attentiveness to the students.

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

Having live music being played by someone who is tuned into the ebb & flow of energy in the poses uplifts the intense moments and softens the relaxing ones and makes the whole experience more special and memorable.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

It is an honor to and serve as the Owner of Yoga Branch. I am devoted to the well-being and vibrant health of our community of students. I teach several public yoga classes per week and am currently training promising student teachers in my Annual Yoga Teacher Training Program, ‘Roots and Wings’ which is a nationally registered school with Yoga Alliance.

JOIN US: Saturday March 25th 1-3 pm at Yoga Branch Studio

1241 East Vista Way
Vista CA 92084With DTO!!

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview? Fill out your unique responses here.

5Q Interview @Gypsy_Yogini

5Q Interview @Gypsy_Yogini!

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

Yoga has always been special to me for it’s ability to help you connect with the deeper parts of your being. Yoga helps you to unify with all levels of yourself, then helping you to unify with all that surrounds you.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I actually began teaching when I began practicing. I’ve always had a passion to help others, along with a passion for spirituality. So teaching yoga was my opportunity to combine the two.

3. What makes your classes unique?

I use my classes as an outlet for my passion to help heal each other. I work to help my students find the same self-awareness that I have found so that they can begin to make positive shift to change their lives.

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

Music helps to bring a specific energy and emotion into each section of the class; music makes the class an experience.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

I currently coach in Hot Yoga Healthy You’s 200RYT trainings. Come join us in our next session this fall! You can follow me on instagram @gypsy_yogini

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview? Fill out your unique responses here.

5Q Interview @Heatybug

5Q Interview @Heatybug

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

I have been a fitness instructor for 18 years and am passionate about helping my students change their life. I believe in balance, I am the first to get in your face as a spin instructor, get down beside you in bootcamp to push you to finish those last 5 push-ups, and as your yoga instructor I will hold a safe space for you to let your guard down breath and honor your body within the 4 corners of your mat. Yoga is important to ME because YOU are important to me. It is the best gift I can think of to give to my students.

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I began teaching yoga 13 years ago when I completed the first level of YogaFit training with Beth Shaw the creator of YogaFit. It is a fitness based yoga that is easily encorporated into a gym setting which was perfect for the path I was on as a fitness instructor. I knew I wanted to dive in deeper and complete my 200 RYT so I could teach in a studio. Fast forward to spring of 2016 when I finally accomplished this goal and have been teaching at my home studio Hot Yoga Healthy You for almost a year now!

3. What makes your classes unique?

I deeply want to create an experience for you to be able to escape for an hour, and then return to your day feeling a sense of calm, connection and confidence. Know that you are important and you deserve an hour to reconnect with YOU! And yes I also want you to build strength sweat a ton smile and have fun!

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

I am CRAZY about my music!! It sets the tone of your class, it inspires me as a teacher and hopefully inspires my students as well. I’ve been know to dance a little in class,

yoga does not always have to be so serious invite in a little fun and have an open mind sometimes you just have to turn the music UP and just “LET GO”.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

You can follow me on instragram @heatybug or Facebook Heather Young-Burleson

Check out my teaching schedule on Mindbody: Hot Yoga Healthy You and My Garage

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview? Fill out your unique responses here.

5Q Interview @Ambez_MotoYogi

5Q Interview @Ambez_MotoYogi!

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

I came to yoga about 7 years ago. It was initially a social workout with my colleagues at lunch time. It soon became much more than that and transformed into a lifestyle. I enjoyed learning the intentions and nuggets our teacher would share during class that would spark a movement within to be better and stronger as an individual. It gave me a drive to be the best version of myself. Now as a teacher I try to give my students those same “aha” moments and give them new motivation to evolve and grow as an individual.

Having a blast in Turks soaking up all this beauty. Can’t get enough! “Be shore of yourself. Come out of your shell. Take time to coast. Avoid pier pressure. Sea life’s beauty. Don’t get tide down. Make waves! #livepositive #turksandcaicos #beachesturksandcaicos #MrandMrsOrmando2015 #vrkasana #treepose #nofilter

A post shared by Amber Schmidt (@ambez_motoyogi) on Nov 13, 2015 at 3:43pm PST

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I began teaching almost 2 years ago. I embarked on the teacher training journey more so for myself than to teach, but quickly began to enjoy the role of teacher. It not only holds me accountable to maintain my practice, but also gives me so much satisfaction to see and hear the progress in my students.

Take me back!!! #negril #jamaica #justmarried #wifey #hubs

A post shared by Amber Schmidt (@ambez_motoyogi) on Feb 5, 2017 at 8:54am PST

3. What makes your classes unique?

I am fully invested and present in the space with my students and feel the energy I bring really connects to them. The environment in the studio is most important to me. Giving them a safe place to practice, themed with well thought intensions and music to coordinate and tell the story each class.

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

I’ve always been guided by music. I love the sounds and beats and how they take over inside. I spend a lot of time on my playlists crafting them to have the energy that I’m looking for in each class. Whether it be slow and mellow, earthy and grounding, meditative, etc. I feel the music sets the tone and pace and completes the class.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online.

No events scheduled at the moment, but you can visit me every Wednesday at HYHY for a candlelight HPF at 7:30pm.

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview? Fill out your unique responses here.

3Q Interview @PiYogaPants

DTO 3 Question Interview @PiYogaPants

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. What is it important to you?

My journey with yoga began when I was a sophomore in college, 6 years ago. I grew up playing many sports growing up. I played varsity basketball and volleyball for three years in high school so sports and fitness have always played an important part of my growing process. I always remember I was the one who would always make sure we stretched before practice and games. It was Coach Mello in high school who really got me addicted to deep stretching before volleyball. Before practice every day we would do 30 minutes of stretching, core strengthening, and warm ups to get up physically and mentally prepared. Volleyball was the first season, and basketball was the second season, and by the third season we were back playing outdoor club volleyball. It was amazing! The sports high and being in tune with your body with coordination, flexibility, and confidence was amazing, but when college came and I wasn’t playing sports anymore it was much harder to maintain. To be honest I got a little depressed for a while. I missed the full body and mind involvement. I tried forming a volleyball team in college but with all the studying and partying I couldn’t find a consistent team like what I had in high school. People had other things on their agenda and I realized that not many women played sports! It was fun to play with the guys, but there’s nothing like playing with your group of girls. I ended up just going to the gym and lifting weights, when one day my friend asked me if I wanted to go with her to yoga after the gym. I went to SDSU so I would work out at the ARC gym and there was a fitness classroom area in the gym. It was convenient so I agreed, even though I had never tried it before! I figured, how hard can it be? “It’s just stretching” I thought. We went into the class and joined the back row so no one could watch us.

Are you ladies ready for our next Yoga Challenge? 🎉🎉🎉 Details will be released tomorrow! 😉😄 Double tap if you would like to participate! 🌛 Hair by @theroxyexperience 💁 #piyogapants

A post shared by 🌴Pi Yoga Pants ૐ (@piyogapants) on Nov 7, 2016 at 10:25pm PST

Everything was going fine and dandy until we got to side plank. It was then that my arm started shaking and wobbling, I couldn’t control it! I was determined from that moment on to get the strength I would need to hold side plank. I hardly ever turn down a challenge and the fact that there were some things in class that I couldn’t do, made me want to practice until I could do them flawlessly. Also, during that yoga class I really was surprised by the idea of shavasana. I really knew nothing about yoga and was confused when we were told to just lay there, to let our thoughts come in, recognize them as thoughts and nothing more, and then to let them pass by. I realized at this point I never really stopped. I was always go-go-go growing up. Running around, making friends, playing sports. It was only in my journal that I really took me time, but this new idea of shavasana introduced stillness to my life. It was a weird things to comprehend. You would think that after alive for 20 years you would take a break to meditate. You don’t know until you try, and since then my world started to change. My yoga practice picked up from there. I finally got a yoga mat and slowly transitioned my work out clothes to yoga clothes. I found that I was meeting the same group of girls that I so longed for, and missed from playing sports, to be the girls who showed up on their mat. Yoga started to fill the hole in my heart that was missing since high school. Since then, I feel like I have used my company, Pi Yoga Pants, to leverage this friendship, and give me more excuses to attend yogi social events and to meet more and more like minded people in the community. Whereas before, I would feel somewhat intimidated, I started to feel more and more included, and to be honest like I was the one bringing friends together! I love everything that yoga has brought into my life. The physical strength, the courage to try my first handstand (yes- at age 25!), the mental clarity that I knowingly longed for, the friendship of motivated women, and the community embodying love, acceptance, and personal freedom to be the best version of you.

✨Giveaway Alert! ✨ To ⋙WIN⋘ follow @piyogapants & tag 2 friends in the comments below! ▾▾▾▾▾↓↓↓▾▾▾▾▾▾ We will be Giving Away a pair of Pi Yoga Pants ⋆⋇FREE⋇⋆ This is the final week as we countdown to our Kickstarter Launch on ⋆🌺March 14, 2017⋆ a.k.a. National Pi Day! Winner will be announced on Tuesday! #piyogapants Photo: @blackarmstudio

A post shared by 🌴Pi Yoga Pants ૐ (@piyogapants) on Mar 12, 2017 at 6:10pm PDT

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I made my transition into a leadership very young. I am the oldest child and always took leadership with my brother and made sure to protect him from anyone that even thought about giving him a hard time. While in high school, I loved being the person on the team to encourage everyone on the court and to take the situation into my own hands. When I turned 19 I started managing my own promotional team of 10 people for SD Social Presents. This was the first real opportunity I had where someone financially entrusted in me to be a leader which gave me confidence that I was on the right path. I loved creating a team, making sure everyone was happy, and getting the job done. When I turned 22 I started managing marketing events for two major nationwide companies, BARetc and GMR Marketing. I was managing up to 5,000 employees nationwide and executed over 3,000 events in less than a year. The leadership role came naturally with empathy and ability to quickly make executive decisions calmly with the most efficient form of action. By the time I turned 25, I began to feel overwhelmed with the corporate world. I thought I could do it all, but in the meantime my personal life and health were quickly getting pushed to the perimeter. I decided to take a breather and departed December of 2015 to travel the world for a year.

🌈A new year is all about new beginnings, a new perspective, a blank slate. It’s up to us to decide what to put in it, to make the most of every moment, create intention and follow through. 🕉 What is something you are looking forward to achieving in 2017❔ 🌟Our goal for the year is to be in 100 yoga studios internationally! 🌏🌞🌘 ❤️ Double tap if you think we can do it!! ❤️ We are already in 9 yoga studios across the United States! ✈️ If you have any recommendations of great yoga studios anywhere in the world for us to collaborate with, let us know in the comments! ✨ We love working together with amazing people to make magic happen. ✨ Cheers to a year full of growth for us all! #piyogapants

A post shared by 🌴Pi Yoga Pants ૐ (@piyogapants) on Jan 3, 2017 at 11:41pm PST

After 4 months into my journey my mind was finally still. Bubbles of creativity began to fill the hole that was once was occupied by my corporate life style. I grew this deep desire to finally put my efforts towards something for the greater good and I really wanted to create something that would creative a positive and healthy lifestyle for myself to the point where, when asked what I would do when I retire, I would say, “I’m already doing it”. Similarly, I wanted to bring my friends and family along with me on this journey. I wanted to prove to them that they too, could break free of this corporate world to the point where they wouldn’t dread waking up on Monday, but rather wake up every day excited to put their ideas into action. I wanted them to know that if they have an idea it may actually be a good idea! I wanted to encourage them to put their ideas into action, because believe it or not an idea they, or even you, may have can be successful! A lot of people that I have worked with face this impending fear that if they are the ones to make the decision, it will not be a good outcome. The first decisions in business are the hardest, not because you don’t know which direction to go, but because you are afraid that no matter which direction you go, you are afraid you will fail. I’ve seen it over and over again, and I give these friends patience and encouragement to break this ceiling they have created for themselves. Everyone has ideas and the odds are that if you objectively evaluate your ideas and check the competition you can narrow it down to one idea that really has potential! Trust your instinct! I dare you to try it.

After all that I have learned and experienced, I am humbled to have acquired leadership qualities and am grateful that I can lead by example. I am so proud of all my friends who have started pursuing or better developing their business ideas since I started Pi Yoga Pants. The best part about collaborating and being a team player is helping each other succeed. When we help each other along the way we can ultimately help the community flourish into a better and more successful place for everyone.

Join us today and all this week at Kundalini Wind & Sea for some Kundalini yoga! @kundalini_windansea carries Pi Yoga Pants in store now! Stop by today and your first class is FREE! 7405 La Jolla Blvd, San Diego, California #piyogapants #kundaliniwindansea

A post shared by 🌴Pi Yoga Pants ૐ (@piyogapants) on Nov 19, 2016 at 3:10pm PST

I decided to incorporate this very crucial phenomenon into the mission of Pi Yoga Pants. Like the mathematical symbol pi, that continues forever, the mission of Pi Yoga Pants is to “Continue infinitely in the direction of your dreams”. At the end of the day, the faster we fail, and learn, the quicker we grow and succeed. Take action and motivate others along the way. You will never be disappointed.

“Do something today that you’ve never done before” 🌴 Never stop learning. 💕Featuring our beloved @namastekyrie 💕 Featuring ‘I Dream of Coachella” available online at www.piyogapants.com #piyogapants

A post shared by 🌴Pi Yoga Pants ૐ (@piyogapants) on Sep 24, 2016 at 10:07am PDT

3. Tell me more about your next event and where we can follow you online.

Every Tuesday I have events at EVE Encinitas for Inner Temple Tuesday from 10am-6pm. It is a free community event with vendors and wellness practitioners alike to add a little something extra to your Tuesday afternoon vegan lunch.

However, the next BIG event for Pi Yoga Pants is at the San Diego Yoga Festival coming up Friday, January 27 to Monday, January 30, 2017. We will be there all 4 days, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday on the grassy lawn in Ocean Beach right out front of Wonderland and the Ocean Beach Hotel facing the ocean. Even if you do not have a ticket to the San Diego Yoga Festival you can still stop by our booth! This area is FREE and open to the public!

https://www.piyogapants.com/

https://www.facebook.com/events/701395186701674/

http://www.bit.ly/fund_piyogapants

Pi Yoga Pants Kickstarter Launch Party is THIS TUESDAY!!

We will have an epic launch party and I would love for you all to attend!!!!!!!! ♥

Day:
This Tuesday

Date:
March 14, a.k.a 3.14 a.k.a. National Pi Day

When:
6:30pm-9:30pm

Where:
Elka Wellness (in Point Loma)
4166 Voltaire St,
San Diego, CA 92107

What:
We will have lots of fun activites!

What to bring: A smile and your yoga mat

5Q Interview @Buterflisoldier

5Q Interview @Buterflisoldier, aka Andrea Hanson

1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

My yoga journey started when I could no longer run from the feelings I refused to deal with after returning from Baghdad, Iraq. First, I found meditation and then I found yoga as a moving meditation. Yoga allows me to marry my gratitude for movement with my need to let my thoughts escape me. Yoga is important to me because it allows me to find peace in movement. There was a time when I couldn’t move and when I found yoga, I found my ability to calm my anxiety and depression. I literally find peace in each breath.

Surrendering to the Will of the Universe #FlowIntoTruth hosted by @sattvasteff @gorjusshan @nick_visanka @anniebanannie13 Sponsored by @maxhaguephotography @themoonlifeclothing @nativehearts @abilitybyalyssa @jazz_iesha @intrinsicjourneys_yoga and @chris.hague #yoga #yogamom #yogalove #yogastrong #yogaofcolor #yogaismytherapy #blackgirlsdoyoga #blackwomendoyoga

A post shared by ButerfliSoldier (@buterflisoldier) on Dec 14, 2014 at 8:50am PST

2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I am fairly new to teaching yoga. I began teaching in November of 2016 almost 2 weeks after receiving my 200 hour YTT certificate from Hot Yoga Healthy You. When I decided to enter into Yoga Teacher Training, I did it to deepen my practice. I did not go into YTT thinking I would come out teaching classes, but towards the end of training, I knew teaching was something I really wanted to do in some capacity. I came to a place of understanding exactly what yoga means and does for me. My goal is to share what I get out of my own practice with other people. I find joy in the connections I make with the people who allow me to guide them in their practice.

To know me is to know I do not like my feet off of the ground. I consciously know that I cannot grow unless I push myself. I plan to start breathing through my fears and try new things both on and off my mat. Fear is just excitement with no breath…all I have to do is breathe. —————— #yearofvulnerability #yogalessons #yogamakesmehappy #yogalove #yogamom #inversionsmakemeanxious. #ilovethatwall #thewalllovesme #vinyasa #hotyogahealthyyou

A post shared by ButerfliSoldier (@buterflisoldier) on Jan 25, 2017 at 5:02pm PST

3. What makes your classes unique?

My classes are unique because of the intention that I bring to each class. I thoroughly bring myself into my classes. I bring my journey, my compassion, my understanding, and my heart into the studio. As I speak to each person, I am also speaking to myself and what is on my heart in those moments in time. I also believe my classes are unique because I am thoroughly aware of the gift in each breath, step, and move that every person takes.

When he turned around to help me… #TBT #throwbackthursday

A post shared by ButerfliSoldier (@buterflisoldier) on Apr 30, 2015 at 7:53am PDT

4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

Music plays an important role in my classes. I begin my classes with jazz or some type of instrumental music. The sound of saxophones and pianos reminds me of my grandfather and immediately puts me at ease and connects me to who I am outside of the hustle and bustle of the world. Music, the tempo and sometimes the words benefit my guidance in the flow of the class and allow my energy to meet in the right moments during class.

5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online:

You can find me teaching Beginner’s Vinyasa at Hot Yoga Healthy You on Fridays at noon and Sundays at 4:30 p.m.

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview? Fill out your unique responses here.

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5Q Interview @Buterflisoldier

Music. Meditation. Mentorship.

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