I have had the pleasure of knowing Lara for almost 7 years. In all of this time, she has always been kind, gracious and loving. It is apparent in her yoga classes too.
She shares her yoga experience with us...
1. How long have you been teaching?
I have been teaching for seven years.
2. What motivated you to start teaching and what have you learnt from teaching?
I have been practicing yoga since I was four years old (or perhaps since I could recognize conscious movement). I was my mom's "yoga baby" so to speak. She started doing yoga when she was pregnant with me, and she would have instructors and practitioners come to the house. I always loved yoga, and it has always been an integral part of my life. When I was 17, I worked at an orphanage in Brazil and decided to attempt to teach yoga. I found it incredible how yoga could be such a universal point of connection. In that moment, I knew that spreading yoga was something that I wanted to do.
3. What is something that you have learnt from a fellow teacher?
I have learned patience from my teachers for sure (well I'm still learning it) and how important the practice of slowing down is.
4. How many times a week do you practice?
I practice most days.
5. Who inspires your practice?
I am inspired to practice because I think there is always more to play with, more to notice, more to sense, things to learn. Yoga helps me move deeper in a way that resonates with me.
6. Why is it necessary for you to practice?
I learn a lot through practicing. But I also learn a lot when the meaning of practice changes for me- from a group class, to meditation, to hiking, to running, to swimming- what is that space within stillness and movement that feels grounded and yet fluid?
7. What message do you like to spread through teaching?
I like to spread awareness through teaching. I like to invite inquiry- what happens when it's not about the shape? What comes up when it's hard? When it feels too easy? What are the things that pop up in a yoga practice that must exist somewhere else too? I also like to spread the message that it can feel really really good to be kind to ourselves, to listen to ourselves like we are helpless children and perhaps be able to hone in on what it means to give ourselves what we need.
8. Where are you currently teaching?
I am currently teaching private lessons and at Yoga to the People
9. How has yoga helped your character develop?
Yoga has made me a more thoughtful person, greatened my threshold for tolerance or discomfort, and I think enlarged my ability to be compassionate to myself and to others.
9. What has kept you practicing all these years?
Honestly, I just love it. I am grateful for the practice and for my teachers. I truly don't know what my life would look like without the practice of yoga.
10. What is your Instagram, Twitter and Facebook name? @larasaget