Meet Lindsey: JoeLo BeFit 2019 podcast. 
Airfare: November 15th, 2017

Yoga has been a big part of Lindsey’s life for a long time, and she strongly believes that having a consistent practice creates impactful changes in both body and mind. Her unique vinyasa style draws various influences from Ashtanga, Power Yoga, and all the master teachers she has studied with over the years. So who is Lindsey and what turned her life’s path into teaching yoga?

Let’s find out: 

So Lindsey, let’s start by asking you the basics: how long have you been teaching yoga?

Well, teaching came into my life after I’d been practicing for about four years off and on I suppose. I’ve been teaching for 12 years now, just had my anniversary in fact! To be honest, I never would have imagined that it would end up being my vocation, I went to college hoping to go into politics of all things, but life had other plans. 

What drew you to yoga?

That’s a multifaceted question for me frankly. When I think back there are many tiny little things that slowly came together, or fell apart, depending on how you look at it and it somewhat naturally fostered my love of the lifestyle and practice of yoga. 

After a little bit of time in the politics game, I realized my heart wasn’t meant for it, too big and too soft, but I loved working to create change. Not knowing quite how to navigate that, I dropped into Americorps and did two terms of service. At that point I wanted to do something that I knew would have a positive impact on our world and support people. In one of my crews this girl practiced yoga and I started asking her questions and remember buying my first book on yoga. That was really the starting point for me.

I kept picking up more books and became fascinated by the world view and the approach to life. It was a lot more theoretical at first. I am a book nerd at heart. It was quite a few years from there before I actually took my first postural yoga class believe it or not.

That’s very cool, so what made you take that step? Into the postures?

From all the study that I had done up unto that point, I believed overall the postures were just a small fraction of all that yoga really is - so I pushed them aside. I’d kept coming across mentions of asanas and find myself reading bits and pieces about them, but didn’t believe they were necessary as long as I was reading and meditating. The day I was inspired to move though was a day I’ll never forget.

One morning, I was laying in my bed one morning and staring out the window. It was raining - like seriously every detail about this moment is crystallized in my mind - I remember I felt heavy. Maybe stagnant would be a good word. There was just this internal sense that something was missing. Then something in me sort of whispered “do yoga”.... but I had no clue how. I spent the rest of the afternoon looking for someone who would come to my house and low key teach me yoga. I was mortified to go into a public class. I ended up working with this amazing Buddhist nun for about eight weeks before I took the larger leap into a public class setting. 

What style of yoga did you first start with? 

Power yoga. I mean my classes with the nun were super beginner but then I took a huge swan dive intoPower when I signed on for my first YTT… in Power Yoga. I didn’t even know what that meant at the time, or I probably wouldn’t have done it.’

I’d always been athletic and active so when I found this somewhat radically difficult class I fell in love. I’m a certain type A, if there is such a thing but I guess you could say I love a challenge and I love challenging myself, so power yoga really grabbed me. 

What do you primarily teach now?

It’s a mix! I have gone through a lot of different teacher trainings and learned a lot of different styles. I’d say my secret favorite/s to teach would be Power Yoga and Hatha yoga; but I teach many styles, yin, vinyasa, yoga nidra…. there’s a time, place and audience for everything. In truth I love them all, but I have a lot of fun turning up the music and getting a crew flowing.

What’s it like to teach yoga? 

That question definitely depends on the person you ask. I can say that most any senior or master instructor would tell you it’s not an easy path to take. Teaching itself for me is incredibly rewarding. I live for the moments when I see students progress beyond their fears or accomplish something they never thought they would. Those moments don’t even have words for me. 

But then there’s also the side of it where you’re teaching the 26+ classes a week and schlepping all over town just to pay the bills. If you’re teaching and have been for a while, there is absolutely a “for the love of the game mentality” present because it takes a lot of time energy and effort to teach yoga for a living sustainably. I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t absolutely love it, so I guess that’s the answer to your question, teaching yoga is … teaching, giving and embodying love. Is that too corny??? Hahaha.

What’s your favorite thing to do as a teacher? Classes, retreats??? What do you enjoy teaching the most? 

Teacher trainings hands down. I’ve always loved holding leadership roles and without going to far into this wormhole of a question, leading trainings is just IT for me. I absolutely love it, and I think that’s an obvious thing when anyone is working with me through a teacher training. From getting to know knew people to dropping into a rigorous schedule to exploring new areas of the world, leading trainings affords me immense joy.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their own yoga practice?

Oh man, that’s a great question. I’d start by saying, love yourself. If you’re just stepping into a class, it can be intimidating. There are so many false pre-conceptions of what it means to do yoga, so I truly get why stepping into a class would be nerve wrecking. If that’s the starting point though, just hold compassion and humility in your heart - don’t compare yourself to anyone. Where you point your mind, and whatever you focus your energy on is going to increase in prominence in your life. Point it at yoga, and I promise you will start to understand why yoga isn’t a fad. It’s the real thing and it proves itself one bit at a time but assuredly. Trust the process. What else, let’s see: Don’t settle on a teacher or class solely because of timing or ease, finding a good teacher who you connect with is so important. Get yourself a good mat (jade yoga!) and make the commitment to do it. Like with anything, it takes time to build a habit, so give yourself time to practice and grow. That’s my advice in a randomized nutshell. 

Awesome okay, why don’t we end with you telling us five things people wouldn’t know about you!

Five?!? Okay. 

I’ve love traveling. Especially seeing new cultures and really immersing myself into them. To date, I have lived on four continents.

I have three brothers. Two older one younger. I’m the only girl. 

I am a total fish, I love love live water. From baths to pools to ocean, get me near water and I’m good. 

Coffee is a way of life.

I’m totally and completely nuts about dental hygiene. 

What is your favorite food?

Ha! That’s hilarious. I eat most anything… but if I’ve been away from home for a while it seems I always end up craving pizza. It’s also great to see different variations of pizza according to different countries. But I love pizza. Plain, just dough, light sauce and cheese.

Do you have any pet peeves?

I’m human, of course I have pet peeves, but I will say I try to be aware of them and not let them have power over me. The one that comes to mind most readily is when people tell me “I can’t do yoga, I’m not flexible” - That’s a total pet peeve. To me it’s sort of like saying “I can’t go to the gym, I’m overweight”. You don’t go to yoga because you’re flexible, this isn’t a competition, you go to gain that very flexibility you’re lacking and end up learning a lot more than that in the process. I guess in a way I love when people say that to me because I have a quick whip response, but I hear it more often than I’d like. My more down to earth pet peeve would be loud chewing! Hahaha. I have a really difficult time with loud chewers.

Alright, last question: Why should anyone practice yoga?

We all come to our mats for different reasons. I actually don’t really believe in convincing anyone to practice yoga - I believe that it’s an endeavor that is sparked within an individual for their own personal reasons. What ever they wish to gain out of it will certainly come as long as they show up consistently, practice with depth, and commit to a steady duration.

Practicing yoga is not just doing poses. It’s expanding open yourself and your mind to a new way of looking at life. It’s being present for your own health, wellness and sanity. It’s a way to stay healthy and fostering community. There are so many reason TO practice yoga, I almost think a better question would be why not practice!- because I can’t think of a reason why someone shouldn’t give it a try.

Thank you Lindsey. We really appreciate you and your candor.


JoeLo BeFit 2019 podcast. 
Airfare: November 15th.