SOULDEGA: How long have you been practicing yoga and how did you get your start?
SARA: My sister introduced me to yoga back in the day and I now have been practicing yoga for 18 years. I fell in love with the practice after my first class. I was an athlete by way of tennis and track but yoga made me feel powerful beyond measure. I remember practicing yoga in my dorm room when my roommate wasn't there; she probably thought I was crazy. But I was hooked and haven't looked back!
SOULDEGA: How did you feel after teaching your first yoga class? How do you want students to feel after they practice with you?
SARA: I was terrified to teach! I never actually planned to become a yoga teacher but I knew that a yoga teacher training would provide me with lots of guidance. I felt stuck before my training. I was working at top cable networks in television post-production in NYC. Although I was in a creative space I was didn't feel fulfilled. I took a chance, left corporate, worked as a nanny and as a waitress and took a deep dive into the yoga world. So I was actually surprised that I loved teaching so much and decided to work incredibly hard to become a full time teacher. It took years and sacrifice but the journey has been beyond my wildest dreams. I love teaching so much. I feel as though I'm the student forever learning from those who practice with me. My intention as a teacher is to make sure everyone feels seen and heard; that they can show up exactly as is with no judgment. I always want my classes to remind people of their limitless potential while sharing tools to ease the stress of life and manifest their wildest dreams
SOULDEGA: Who were you before you began your practice? How have you changed, evolved and transformed since then?
SARA: I was a whole lot of things before I began my yoga practice! Anxiety was a big one for me. Being disconnected to my body was also a major issue. Self-hate was real. I didn't eat as well. I didn't know how to find my breath. The list goes on. Yoga cracked me open, it always does. Breath and movement and meditation have allowed me to better understand how this Universe actually works and how I show up in it. This practices continues to allow me to course-correct while stepping more into my power. And I truly believe that my power is my voice of intuition; it wants the very best for me. But I have to get still in order to hear it's guidance which has been leading me on the most deeply profound journey. Even with the complexities of being human, I will hold tight to this practice that has showed me how to live!
SOULDEGA: Who was your greatest mentor/teacher?
SARA: I was blessed with the teacher's who lead my 500-hr yoga teacher training at Kripalu Center years and years ago. They were all amazing and each seemed to walk the walk and talk the talk. I aspired to be just like them. Little did I know that the spiritual journey is not for the faint of heart! But it is rich with lessons and profound self discovery and for that I am grateful. I wouldn't trade this path for anything.
SOULDEGA: Why is yoga so important for the times we’re living in?
SARA: Yoga is so important for the times we are living in because our bodies absorb and hold on to so much in the form of information, energy and emotions. It is vital that we move our physical body so that it can digest all that it takes in from the fear and the worry to the joy and the pain. Learning how to self-soothe is crucial and yoga offers us the opportunity to be with ourselves in a compassionate, non- judgemental way. It creates space for us to breathe deeply, to calm our nervous system and to look within. Through yoga we can begin to realize that life is actually manageable and more beautiful than not, even when everything feels like it's falling a part.
SOULDEGA: Lastly, Do you have a favorite quote you can share with us?
SARA: "What you seek is seeking you." -Rumi