momo (any/all)

Sun, moon, and rising? 

Aquarius Sun, Libra Rising, Pisces Moon

What's your class like?

I teach breath-centered power classes that focus on expression, freedom, and fun. I play loud music and encourage everyone to dance, sing, and take whatever pose they need in any moment. I want students to sweat, laugh, cry if they need to, and tap into their inner fire with the cultivation of Ujjayi Pranayama. As an artist, I see my yoga classes as a way to express myself in experimental ways. I like to play music that gets us moving, whether it’s J-Pop, club hits from the 2010’s, spacey 80’s tunes, or ethereal indie beats. We will cultivate openness and flexibility in both the body and the mind!

How long have you practiced yoga?

I have practiced yoga for eight years, starting when I took my first yoga class at Rubber Soul Yoga here in Athens, Georgia. I completed two teacher trainings there in 2016 and 2018. Before coming to Shakti, I had a long stay in Miami where I started practicing power yoga in the mornings almost daily. My high-energy teacher, Cat, inspired me to come back again and again and develop a daily yoga practice. I love the fact that she pushed me to places I didn’t know I could go. I hope to emulate her and all the other radically yogic teachers I’ve gotten to practice with.

What's your greatest takeaway from the practice?

The practice has brought me to a realization that the goal of a yoga class is to be able to concentrate only on the breath and the movement of our bodies. It is necessary to purposefully breathe deeply into the abdomen, and to make the breath audible and powerful, so that we can anchor into the breath and the present moment. We will build a fire that gives us power with our breath. It doesn’t matter what pose you are doing. Are you united in body and mind? Are you present to your body and this experience? The breath is the great bridge that will take you there. This practice will help us give the gift of presence to ourselves and those around us in our daily lives. I have listened to hours of Thich Nhat Hanh explain this simple yet powerful idea. Here he says it beautifully:

“Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment.”