As You Are Yoga Teacher of the Month
 – interview by Sybil Shelton-Ford –
(Feb 2008)

SSF:  How has the practice of yoga changed your life?

ts: I began to study and practice "teaching wisdoms" that encouraged qualities such as mindfulness and equanimity through meditation long before I discovered the asana of yoga.  But as a person with a tactile-kinesthetic learning style, I quickly realized that meditation was most effortless when I was walking outdoors. Walking became my refuge—with movement came clarity and calm. So I experience yoga as a living, breathing practice that helps me honor my natural rhythms.  Asana not only helps me release stagnant energy that shows up as tension or restlessness, but also inspires new ways of seeing, thinking and being in the world. 

SSF: What is your philosophy of teaching?

ts: I appreciate the artistry of asana. However, the complexity of some poses verges on outrageous, which is intimidating to many people! I like yoga to be accessible and relevant to the practitioners' lifestyles.  My priority is to teach the form of each pose (and as many variations or modifications that are necessary to accommodate individual needs), its function in balancing the body, and the ways to focus awareness and breath to enhance the mind-body connection.  It's important for practitioners to have fun and leave class feeling strong, nurtured or relaxed. I also hope they begin to integrate this "movement therapy" when they are off the mat!

SSF: What groups of people do you have a burning desire to teach yoga to?

ts: I've enjoyed teaching 8 to 12 year-old girls and would eventually like to include teens and teen athletes.  We all know that adolescence is a time of major transition, filled with new experiences and countless social, emotional, biological and interpersonal challenges.  Yoga offers wonderful tools that empower teens to discover their inner voice, to develop a personal practice of self-nurturing, and to build confidence and emotional resilience as well as physical strength.

SSF: Explain what your definition of Dharma is?

ts: For me, dharma is the path of skillful action. It is the commitment and ability to discern my purpose or duty at any given moment, in every situation and in my life journey.  As a student of the dharma, I see life as the ultimate teacher and endeavor to make skillful choices by living mindfully—being present, listening deeply, trusting my inner wisdom and personal rhythms and not being attached to outcome.

SSF:  What is your daily asana practice like?

ts: My practice is intuitive and predominately "functional," varying day-to-day based on what my body is telling me.  My sister laughs at me because I'll spontaneously incorporate asana no matter what I'm doing: lying in bed, I'll do poses like Sphinx, Jathara Parvrittasana or Apanasana. I'll sit on the floor in Deer Pose or Baddha Konasana to read or watch tv. Tadasana when waiting in line; twists and arm/shoulder movements at the computer. Rolling around with my nieces becomes yoga play.  I'm always aware of my alignment when driving or walking, especially in winter because we're inclined to hunch our shoulders against the chill. (Students who have taken class with me will attest that "roll your shoulders away from your ears & down your back" is my most frequently-repeated instruction!  Yes, I follow it too.)  When I'm able to come to the mat for a full practice, I enjoy balancing poses like Warrior III and Dancer's pose, hip openers like lunges, Pigeon, Reclining Hero, and Hanumasana.