After 20 years of running, I started to sustain injuries here and there. I was always moving; one task to another, mind and body in "yang" mode. My Ayurvedic doctor told me I was burning myself out and that I needed to start practicing yoga. He gave me the number of a Bikram studio in Kirkland. (I always wondered if he knew it was a hot studio)..My body and my soul immediately loved the practice and I became a devoted fan of yoga. I still love how I feel during my practice, as well as how great I feel afterward.

Ten years later, I made the decision to go to Baptist teacher training and have been teaching in various studios and fitness centers since then. As I continued to teach and gain more experience, I also learned more about myself and had more questions to later be answered by more teacher training. I have currently logged 420 hours of actual training. I stopped counting the number of classes a few years ago. I have been teaching for 5 years and since I started teaching at Hot Yoga of Laurelhurst, I have considered it my "home"studio.

I believe that yoga offers us the opportunity to be our authentic selves. Through movement and breath and community as well, we learn to take care of ourselves, share and be there for others. We find space to surrender that which does not serve us any more, and to find our power at the same time.

I am blessed. I love what I do. I practice consistently so am filled enough that I may give to others.

Training
Baptist (Baron Baptist) Level 1 2007
Yin Yoga (Paul Grilley)            2008
CorePower Yoga  Level1         2008
CorePower Yoga level 2          2009
Silver Age Yoga                     2009
Trained with: Shiva Rae, Brian Kest, Lisa Black, Baron Baptist, Paul Grilley  

Margot promises a picture soon - this is how you'll look after taking her class!

Eight years ago I stepped on a yoga mat in a studio on Seattle’s Capitol Hill and thought to myself, “I want to become a yoga teacher!” I had never even taken a yoga class before in my life, what was I thinking?! It was an inexplicable thought, but the feeling I felt that day in that yoga studio can only described as one of coming home. Fast forward seven years and I finally bit the bullet and signed up for a yoga teacher training with YogaWorks in Los Angeles under Annie Carpenter. Now that I'm back in Seattle I am teaching a full schedule of classes all over Seattle and the Eastside. I have been inspired by many of the incredible teachers I have had the joy of studying with: Annie Carpenter, Seane Corne, Kathryn Budig, Max Strom, Bryan Kest, Vinnie Marino and many more. My style of teaching is challenging and strong, coupled with a sense of play and exploration. There is always lots of laughter and fun, no one should ever take themselves too seriously in one of my classes. Check your ego at the door and let go! 

Heidi is our only instructor that has the unique distinction of having climbed the Seven Summits; the world’s highest mountain on each continent.  Yes, that means Mt. Everest!   After spending a decade climbing these peaks with her husband, she quickly learned that practicing yoga is the only exercise she does that is in the same league as climbing. Heidi’s physical strength, and mental focus are two skills she utilizes in her daily yoga practice that prepared her for the big peaks.       Heidi received her yoga teacher training with David and Katrine Garrigues at the Ashtanga yoga school in Seattle, and has furthered her yoga teacher education by studying with Baron Baptiste, Seane Corn, and Ana Forrest.  In addition to loving mountain climbing and yoga, her family, especially Ruby, provide inspiration for daily living; and like all great Northwest natives she loves to travel with her family, ski anywhere, and cherishes moments captured on a sunny beach….anywhere!     

Yoga began practicing me around the same time I moved to Texas 5 years ago(way closer than India). I was a physically and emotionally closed “techie” who only started practicing because the teacher came to the high school in which I worked. WHAT A TRIP! After five years of practice I have gone through a huge physical transformation and emotional/mental awakening. Power Vinyasa has shown me a practice of great freedom through staying light, playful, and aware in the presence of challenge. I am now a Registered Yoga Teacher, finishing my Personal Trainer Certification, and have found the strength to leave a draining career to focus fully on helping others find the same transformation I have. 

Come Play!

Lisa began her yoga exploration at HYL in 2003 and like many of us fell in love with the HYL community.  Most students come to yoga initially for exercise, but as her  practice became more regular, she became intrigued with not only physical changes, but the meditative quality to the practice. This moving meditation became more fully woven into other areas of her life. Lisa found the benefits of yoga outside the studio, awareness and a presence that is difficult to find during these busy times.   Building awareness and community at HYL lead Lisa to purchase HYL  when Krista,  HYL's founder moved away from Seattle.    Lisa stepped in to carry her legacy forward.  After making many positive changes to the studio, including new heaters and new floors, she found she wanted to do so much more for the studio.  With young kids at home she decided it was time to transition the ownership to Pam & Marka.  We are thrilled to have Lisa continue on as an active member of our community and a passionate teacher at HYL.