Tell us about yourself:
I live in a little 5 acre slice of heaven, overlooking the woods and three ponds, with my love Jim, and two furkids, Ash (canine) and Gracie (feline) in Youngsville, North Carolina. I work from home for a health insurance company and I love my job. I was born in Washington state and lived in Arkansas and California for a short time. Mostly, I grew up overseas in Germany, where my mother was a teacher at the American schools. I came back to the states in my 20’s. I lived in Arizona for many years, Kentucky and Michigan for just a couple, and then came to North Carolina in 2010.
Tell us about your yoga journey:
I tried to start a yoga practice several times in my life but had a challenging time finding a yoga studio that felt welcoming and accepting. I wish I had the discipline to do home yoga, but I really enjoy and prefer the positive, gentle, and uplifting energy I find when practicing with a group. The first time I walked through the door at Piper Moon, I knew I had found my yoga home.
What has yoga done for you? What benefits have you seen?
Yoga has changed my life. I have become much stronger, mentally and physically. I am more present, more peaceful in my head and more in tune with my body. I can really feel my body’s strength when I can hold a plank or chair without counting the seconds until the next forward fold. I have defined muscles in my arms and legs now, just from yoga! I’ve learned that I can be a warrior, and still be peaceful and humble. Yoga teaches me to slow down and be in the moment, not regretting a past I can’t change or worrying about a future I can’t control. For me, practicing yoga makes my body, mind, and soul feel better, and is the best gift of love I can give myself.
In this life, I’ve learned well that the only true constant is constant change. No one is promised the next moment. Find as much joy as you can in every day. Be kind to others as you want them to be kind to you. Most of all, be kind to yourself.
What’s your favorite pose?
I really enjoy hip openers and heart openers. I love eagle arms, half pigeon, supported side plank, gate pose, happy baby and, of course, child’s pose.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I have taken many of the Kim-isms learned at Piper Moon Yoga and apply them in my day-to-day life. Not only are they gentle suggestions of ways you can move through your yoga practice, they are great life lessons. These are some of my favorites:
- You get stronger every time you try.
- It’s not about the final pose, it’s about the strength you build getting there.
- Let your body lead the way, it will tell you what it needs.
- The journey is the destination.
- Let your energy stabilize.
- Take a moment of gratitude for yourself.
- Trust that you are exactly where you need to be.
- Pay attention to the transitions.
- You are worthy of self love and self care.
And my most favorite…
- It’s just yoga (life)… you can’t do it wrong and don’t take it too seriously.
