My passion for yoga began when I participated in the Kripalu Yoga in the Schools program at my high school in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. I loved knowing there was a time during the day when I would get to decompress and move my body before returning to the hectic environment that is high school. I maintained my yoga practice throughout college in Boston, including during my study abroad. 

It is in my nature to share my positive energy, ideas, and knowledge with others. I figured a wonderful way to do that was to become a teacher of yoga. A year after I graduated from college, I was at Kripalu for yoga teacher training.

Now that I’m a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher, I’ve come full circle—I’ve been assisting in Kripalu Yoga in the Schools classes back at my old high school. I find it fascinating to see the transformation in the students as they become increasingly comfortable with themselves and with each other.

One of my goals as a yoga teacher is to make yoga more accessible for all kinds of people. I’ve been exploring offering a class through a local youth project, and I’m also teaching a donation-based community class. It’s so inspiring to see people find ease in their bodies and minds. Every time I prepare for and teach a class, I learn more about the yoga tradition and about myself.

—Sandra H., Great Barrington, Massachusetts