My yoga journey

My yoga journey was long and twisting.

I have been doing yoga on and off for over 15 years.  I started taking my practice more seriously after a wise friend pushed me to start again during my very messy divorce.  I resisted because it was so uncomfortable to sit still with my churning emotions, but once I made myself sit on the mat I have never looked back.  I credit yoga with helping me move through a very difficult time in my life and allowing me to come out stronger, healthier, and happier on the other end.

Yoga to me is the combination of movement, breath, and grounding.  In the beginning I treated it like exercise and expected to break a sweat and work all my muscles.  This type of yoga does have a place of course, but I believe there is so much more to the practice.

Ashram

For several years prior to Covid, I made a yearly visit to Yogaville or Ashram Satchidananda.  This has become my peaceful and happy place.  The past several visits have been alone and mostly silent.  Yoga and meditation are practiced several times a day, food is healthy, and vegan, and I spend hours hiking and meditating in nature.  I come home refreshed and mentally and spiritually rejuvenated.

Yoga training

The Covid-19 pandemic pushed me to move forward with my thoughts of becoming a certified instructor mainly because I could take advantage of on-line training.  I selected a yoga studio in Hawaii and California and I began the 200-hour training in Therapeutic yoga.  I knew I would learn a great deal, but I didn’t realize that the training would also change the way I thought.  I find myself feeling lighter and calmer for the practice.

Teaching

I have been lucky to teach a wonderful group of ladies at my work for some time now, as well as being given a class of my own at the gym where I teach cycling.  My style of teaching is athletic with a heavy emphasis on form and breath. It is appropriate for all levels.  I greatly enjoy sharing my love for yoga with others and hope to continue growing my practice and teaching.

Amy Hott 200 CYT - Yoga Alliance certified instructor