In the midst of my endless Instagram scrolling I came across the Instagram account @cuchira and was immediately obsessed with the colorful, spunky yogi behind the account, Tamara Levinson Campos. Her passion for yoga and individuality radiates to every one of her 57,000 followers whether she’s in a split, headstand or reverse warrior. Over spring break I took her YOGANCE class in New York and it was such a transformative experience. Her class was an exploration of movement in a way that was intricate and challenging, but at the same time very free flowing and not taken too seriously, it was SO FUN. I nearly died when Tamara agreed to let me ask her some questions for Her Campus! Before I get to the questions here’s a little background on Tamara…
Tamara was born in Buenos, Aires, Argentina, grew up in New York City and is currently based in L.A. Her love of movement stems from being a US Olympian as Rhythmic Gymnast, starting at the age of fifteen! She then retired at age 19, and pursued a career in dance. She has performed in many Broadway shows and movies including Step Up 3D, Footloose, and The Princess Diaries. She has danced alongside artists including Madonna, Usher, Gwen Stefani, and Rihanna and has choreographed various performances for David Guetta, Ricky Martin, and Paramore. Throughout her dance career, Tamara has found yoga essential to keeping healthy, flexible, strong, and sane. Her Instagram shows off the style of yoga and dance fusion she created which she calls YOGANCE.
How did you get started in yoga?
I took my first yoga class 20 years ago and I just didn’t get it. It definitely wasn’t love at first sight. Then maybe ten years later I tried another class. I didn’t necessarily fall in love with yoga the second time around either but I loved the teacher. His spirit and joy attracted me to his class. I started taking more yoga classes and searching deeper. That brought greater understanding and excitement about the limitless possibilities that yoga brings.
How does your Olympic background affect your yoga practice?
I was able to learn very quickly because obviously my body was already inclined to take on this movement. Mind-wise, to be an Olympian you have to be highly disciplined, willful, consistent, determined, and passionate. Those qualities allowed me to learn quickly and effectively. But what I love about yoga is that it’s limitless. There is always more to learn, because yoga isn’t just the physical practice. It’s truly a life practice. Being a professional dancer and Olympic rhythmic gymnast also contributed greatly to the creation of YOGANCE, a style I created fusing YOGA + DANCE. Once I understood the foundation of yoga I started moving through sequences in my own way. I added more rhythm, flow, play and dance into the traditionally yogic structured practice. I started posting my Yogance evolution on Instagram under @cuchira and people started responding positively to it. So I began to evolve it and teach it. I post my teaching schedule on my Instagram page @cuchira if anyone out there is interested in learning more about it. I can also be contacted at pochestyle@gmail.com for questions, class schedules, workshops, retreats, collaborations, etc…
What does yoga mean to you?
Yoga is everywhere. Yoga is everything. Yoga is a state of consciousness. A state of mindfulness. It means that I chose to live my life mindfully aware. My motto for YOGANCE is: “If yoga is of the mind and dance is of the soul, then YOGANCE is a soulful mind and a mindful soul.”
Do you have a favorite pose?
Nope. I don’t think of them as separate poses. I think of all movement as a whole. That’s why YOGANCE is about the transitions. I believe our truths lie in the in-betweens, not necessarily only in the postures themselves.
What would you recommend for people who want to get started with yoga?
Yoga is so broad. The spectrum is huge! Yoga has evolved greatly and continues to evolve. Do your research. Try everything! See what suits you best and start there. If you have will, the answers will come, just do the work mindfully and patiently.
New York or LA?
I’ll always be a New Yorker.
How has social media affected your career and your life overall?
Social media is a beautiful thing when used with love. I have met beautiful people through social media and I’ve been able to share my gifts with others. I have learned a lot from social media and I’m grateful for the people that share through this incredible medium. I don’t know anyone who has not been affected in every way by social media. The world has now shifted and this is how our world moves. I am @cuchira on Instagram and I also have a YouTube channel under my non-superhero name Tamara Levinson.
What is your favorite social media platform?
I love Instagram. I love taking pictures and video. It’s a very creative and easy outlet to use to connect with others on the daily.
How many tattoos do you have? Do you have a favorite?
(Laughs) I have no clue. I have many, I want many more. They are all my favorites because they all represent different peak moments in my life.
You wear some pretty outrageous athletic clothes. Do you have a favorite brand?
No favorite brand. I love supporting independent artists and anybody who works passionately and consistently.
Are you a healthy eater?
I think I’m a healthy eater because I eat whatever my body asks for. When I was a professional athlete I was “forced” to starve myself for the sport. So now I don’t limit myself. I do as I wish. I eat what I want.
What do you wish you could tell your 16-year-old self?
Good job. Keep living bold. Love life to the fullest and enjoy every moment just like you are. Reach high, dream big, never hold yourself back for anyone or anything. Continue to be unapologetically you!
Tamara and her husband, Daniel Cloud Campos, wrote the story for the music video “SALT” by Bad Suns. He directed it and she played the lead role of a man transitioning into a woman. The video was nominated for the MTV Best Video Woodie Award!
What did being in the music video mean to you?
When I heard the lead singer of the band share his story about how he wrote this song for his friend going through a gender transition, I very much identified with these similar feeling of not fitting in. I personally have never had this exact struggle, but I can very much understand what it feels like to not fit in, to feel different, to not be accepted for simply being who you are. These are the things I speak of everyday. These are my teaching and my past struggles. I believe in people. I believe we should all have the right to live our lives the way we choose. I believe we all deserve to feel comfortable in our skin and love ourselves unapologetically.
What message were you hoping to accomplish with this video?
I want to spread awareness. I want people to understand that we are all the same. We all go through the same struggles in life. We all feel pain, lost, sadness, frustration, confusion, hurt, love, happiness, and hope. These are all natural human emotions we all feel. Who is one person to judge someone else? We are all just trying to do our best with what we got. Let’s love, understand, and support each other rather than separate. We are stronger together. Love is invincible. With love and understanding we can heal the world. I truly believe that.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing gender, sexuality and equality?
Judgement. Self judgment, social judgment. If we all stopped judging each other and just let people be BEYOUTIFULLY themselves, we wouldn’t have to fight for equal rights. It actually still blows my mind that in 2015 we are still fighting for equal rights. What makes one human being more important than another? That is just absolutely ludicrous to me. I will never understand it.
What’s your favorite sex position?
SEX.