If you’ve taken a yoga class at Brandeis, then you may have had Shayna as your instructor. Shayna loves hot yoga, which means doing yoga in a humid room where the heat can make muscles more flexible. Read on to learn more about how this flexible collegiette found her passion for yoga.
HC: How did you first become interested in yoga?
SP: I was always an athlete growing up, so you couldn’t get me into the yoga room even if you tried your hardest. Having that athlete mentality, I always thought yoga was just people stretching and contorting their bodies into strange positions. I injured my back pretty badly and was in physical therapy for months. Walking was difficult for a while. Nothing was helping, so I decided to give yoga a try – hot yoga to be more exact. Needless to say, I got hooked and started taking classes everyday, even twice a day. From that day forward, yoga became an integral part of my life and has shaped who I am today. After a couple years, I decided to go through a teacher training program in hopes of sharing the gift of yoga with as many people as possible to show others the profound effects it has on the body, mind and life.
HC: That’s quite a turn around! How did you get a teaching position on campus?
SP: I teach hot yoga regularly at a studio back at home in Florida, so prior to coming to Brandeis, I contacted the school and asked if I could continue teaching on campus and they agreed.
HC: What’s the most rewarding part of teaching yoga?
SP: The most rewarding part of teaching yoga is sharing this gift with as many people as possible. When people come to class, it is an opportunity for them to just forget about all of the other things they have to do and to explore their bodies. The yoga mat is this playground of infinite possibilities to heal, stretch and breathe. It is really an honor to guide people through their practice and inspire them, just as I have been inspired over the years.
HC: Sounds like a great experience! But there must be some down sides. What’s the most difficult part of teaching?
SP: One of the hardest parts about teaching yoga is convincing people to leave judgments at the door and just be in the moment for however long the class is. Sometimes it’s hard for people to concentrate given how many thoughts go through our minds every minute.
HC: I can relate to that. I tried yoga before, and I got very discouraged because I’m so inflexible. What would you suggest to beginners like me?
SP: One of the most important things to remember before you enter any yoga class is to leave all expectations and judgments about your practice outside of the door. If you have tried yoga before and were discouraged because you may not be as flexible as you’d like, then that’s perfectly okay. Everyday is different when you unroll your mat. Always remember that yoga is a process, not a result. Just give it some time.
HC: That’s good advice. Now for the yoga buffs out there, tell us your favorite pose.
SP: I love creating challenging and dynamic flows for my classes, including a lot of arm balances and sometimes, inversions. It’s too hard to pick a favorite pose. I love them all!
HC: You really love yoga; I bet you’re an enthusiastic teacher! One last question though, what other activities do you like to do to relax and have fun?
SP: Aside from yoga, I love to work out and travel.
So there you have it. To see the schedule of Shayna’s classes (no sign up necessary!) check out http://www.brandeisjudges.com/recreation/group-fitness#vinyasa
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Brandeis chapter.