Student Spotlight
Lindsay Haas
What advice would you give someone who is new to yoga or considering starting a practice?
As the saying goes – the hardest part is showing up. Once you step onto your mat, you’ve already done something amazing for yourself. Everything after that is just sprinkles on the cake.
In what ways do you see yoga continuing to play a role in your future?
I think yoga will always be something that I practice. It would be so cool to end up a weird, 80+ year-old woman that smells like patchouli, meditates in the park & still goes to yoga. That’s the ultimate goal!
Can you share a memorable "aha" moment or breakthrough experience you have had through yoga?
I think my biggest breakthrough was the realization that yoga wasn’t about how “well” I was doing poses but just that I was doing them. I think it really shifted the way I approach not just the physical practice but all aspects of yoga. Some days I’m going to rock a tree pose & some days I’m going to sway & fall; instead of seeing that as a point of frustration, I just remember it's all a part of the practice. We’re just meant to sway & fall sometimes.
What initially drew you to yoga and how has your practice evolved since then?
I started practicing a little over 14 years ago; I was pregnant with my youngest and having a lot of discomfort, so my midwife suggested yoga to help. I’ve been hooked ever since! My practice has evolved over the years from an occasional practice to a daily asana practice and exploration into the other limbs of yoga.
Are there any specific yoga poses or practices that have been particularly transformative for you?
I think pranayama (breath work) is probably the most transformative aspect of yoga for me. I feel like it helps to cultivate a sense of trust in yourself – that at any moment, no matter what is happening, you have the ability to channel your own energy through your breath. I think that’s really empowering. .