1) What style of yoga do you teach? And, where are you located?

I am located in San Francisco. I teach Vinyasa and Bikram style yoga.

2) What is your intention behind teaching?

My intention behind teaching is to serve others. One of my favorite quotes is by George Eliot and it goes “What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?”. This quote really resonates with me & is the reason I teach.

3) Who are your Mentors in yoga?

My biggest mentor in yoga is Alena Wertalik. I did my first teaching training in New York City with Yoga to the People & she is the East Coast director over there.

4) What have they taught you?

She has taught me so many things - the biggest I can think of is to take life “moment by moment”. Spending so much of my life in cities, I often times find myself one step ahead & this idea of taking life as it comes without a “destination” in mind has been extremely grounding and has allowed for me to experience life more fully.

5) Please mention a book that you have read about yoga that has had an impact on you?

Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar - this books really speaks to the essence of yoga & is also extremely beginner friendly, which I appreciate. One idea that stands out to me from this book is how important softness & easiness are in a practice. I think we get so fixated on the doing & asana in yoga that we forget how healing the practice is.

6) What lesson are you currently learning in your Asana practice?

I am focusing on non-attachment in both my Asana and teaching practice. Not getting too attached to the highs and lows when I step into the studio. I am also trying to practice non-attachment off my mat as well as I go through highlights and lowlights in my life.

7) How often do you practice?

I practice everyday!

8) How do you implement the 7 other limbs of yoga into your life?

I mediate everyday and try to be present in every part of life like I strive for maximum presence on my mat. Every interaction & every experience I have is an opportunity to practice yoga.

9) Why is being present so important to you?

Being present is important because we never know how long we will be here - I try not to miss it or miss time with the beautiful people on this earth with me.

10) How can we keep up with you on social media?

Instagram is @stephkies and FB is Stephanie Kies :)