February 19th, 2018
Interview with a Meraki Yogi | Kat Jaeger
“One of the important lessons that I have learned is not to think about what the fullest expression of the pose is supposed to look like, but to focus on the step you’re on now.”
When and why did you start practicing yoga?
I only started practicing yoga a few months ago, around the beginning of November/end of October. I am a first-year teacher this year and I gave up all of my commitments and hobbies to focus 100% of my energy on my classroom and my students. Around that time, however, I was feeling so stressed out and feeling so much anxiety that my body was showing physical manifestations of my stress and I was having a hard time enjoying my students and I just wasn’t taking care of myself. I knew I needed to make a change because giving my entire life to my classroom was backfiring in a way that impacted my ability to serve my students. I have always struggled with migraines but my skin became incredibly dehydrated, I wasn’t sleeping and I didn’t have an appetite or any energy.
Who has been a great mentor/teacher or inspiration to you and your practice?
Rachael Butts, one of the founders/owners of Meraki, has been a personal friend for several years. After hearing that I was struggling to balance the stress in my life, she urged me to come to Meraki, long before I finally made it in the doors. I was incredibly intimidated by the idea of yoga. I grew up dancing, but I haven’t actually worked out or been to a gym in pretty much my entire life. I have never found joy out of being active unless I’m outside on a hike or something. Knowing Rachael personally definitely helped get me in the door, but once I got to the studio, it was really a combination of everyone. I immediately felt that I didn’t need to worry about what others thought of me. Every teacher I took class with allowed me to feel comfortable in who I am and the place I’m at in my practice. I love taking Sasha Woodard’s class because she had helped me find the joy in yoga! Her Power class has taught me how to play as an adult! Libby always makes me feel empowered in my journey as a yogi and proud of each tiny accomplishment that I make even though I have a long way to go. Even the other students comfort me. My very first class at Meraki, I came into the room and had my mat upside down! Someone kindly came over and told me that I might want to turn the mat over but didn’t make me feel belittled. That small interaction had a huge impact on making me feel at home.
How many classes do you take per week?
I almost always make it at least 3 days a week, but I’ve also been adamant about forgiving myself when life takes over and I don’t make it in. Yoga is supposed to be a stress relief, not a burden. Some days I don’t make it in as often and I am my own biggest champion when I make it in more!
How does yoga help your daily life?
Mostly, yoga has helped spice up and bring some “me” time into my life! I was falling into a rut that consisted of going to school for 12 hours, coming home exhausted, and passing out in bed before ever having a real conversation with another adult or paying attention to my own needs.
If any, what obstacles has the practice of yoga help you overcome?
The first thing that I noticed was that I was able to sleep more soundly and sleep through the night! Almost immediately after starting to regularly practice yoga I noticed that my overall lifestyle started to feel healthier and more balanced. It wasn’t until a little over a month or so after I began practicing yoga that I realized just how much it helped me. I am normally awaiting my next opportunity to get my migraine medicine refilled at the pharmacist each month in agony as I only get 9 pills per month. In December, when I got a notification that I had a refill ready, I still had 7 of of my pills left! I was in shock, that had never happened. I had been so content with my new routine that I almost didn’t notice that I wasn’t feeling debilitated on a regular basis. I still get the occasional migraine, but they have easily decreased by 70%!
Do you have any advice for your fellow yogi’s new to the practice?
All I can say, is come and try. I was unnecessarily afraid for too long. I had fears of not being good enough and feeling silly, not liking it and wasting my time, or even of going and then giving up and feeling like a quitter. In yoga, one of the important lessons that I have learned is not to think about what the fullest expression of the pose is supposed to look like, but to focus on the step your on now. Think of all of the ways in which you can make micro adjustments to make that step better, even if it’s just taking a deep breath in and out. That’s how yoga is as a practice. Don’t think about how often you’ll be able to make it into the studio or any of the logistics yet. Just come in, take the first step of going to class, and focus on that. All we can expect ourselves to do is take one step at a time.
Do you have a favorite mantra or quote?
This year of change in my life has been all about giving grace to myself and others. Michelle Obama said, “You’re not supposed to this perfectly. You don’t do life perfectly. No one does.”
Why is Meraki the studio for you?
I love that the girls at the front desk remember and greet me by my name. I love that whenever I take a class from someone new, they make a point to make sure they know me before class starts. I love that in the locker room other students celebrate me when I am excited about trying something new. And mostly, I love that even though I have only been practicing yoga for 3 and a half months, my experience is being given the same weight and my voice feels just as valued as those that have been practicing for 10 years.
Is there anything else you would like to add about your experience at Meraki?
I am so grateful for everything that the studio has given to me and excited for what comes next!