1. What is your biggest challenge as a teacher?

My biggest challenge is the projections that I sometimes experience from students. When someone opens, it is natural to look to the source of that opening—the teacher—and project onto that person qualities or perceptions that are idealistic. I manage projection by trying to be as honest as I can about my own humanity, and I work hard not buy into any hype that might be projected onto me by others—otherwise it is difficult to stay grounded and centered in my message.

2. Have you ever lost connection with your practice? If so, how did you reconnect?

There have certainly been some ebbs and flows in my practice during my 28 years on the mat. When I use my practice to pray, when I dedicate every movement and breath to something bigger than myself, I can usually tap into something deeper than the physical and reinspire my practice as a result.

3. How does your practice inform your activism?

When I practice yoga and release physical and emotional tension, it allows me to experience myself, each being, and this planet as interdependent and connected. It gives me the tools to recognize the privileges I have, and empowers me to serve my community from a place of wisdom, confidence, and compassion. I can be a conscious activist, because yoga keeps me grounded and lets me deal with conflict with clarity and an open heart.

4. Are there particular asanas that have been challenging for you? How do you work with them?

Twisting triangle continues to be the most challenging pose for me. There are a lot of nuances to that pose and because I have a slight scoliosis, I find it difficult to access specific parts of my spine when I do it correctly. It can be frustrating and feel limiting in my body. Therefore, I include it in every one of my practices. I tend to move toward that which I resist so I can learn and grow from it.

5. How do you see yoga as a catalyst for personal and global transformation?

The more work I do on myself and understand the challenges of the human experience, the more it prepares me to engage with all aspects of humanity with compassion and grace. If we want to change the world and create a happy and healthy planet for all, then the true revolution will begin within.