100 Club: Alexis

Alexis L.

What drew you to the Shala and why did you stick around?

What drew me to the Shala was it’s commitment to teaching not only the physical aspect of yoga, but also the history and roots of the practice.  I’ve always been drawn to anything where I can feel like a “forever student”… where there is always more to learn, and room to grow.  I knew absolutely NOTHING about Ashtanga or the 8 Limbs of Yoga before stepping into my first class at the Shala, but the wealth of knowledge Bibi and the other instructors brought to each practice, made me feel that I had found a space where I could continue to learn and grow as a human being. I stuck around for the incredible teachers, the community of people the Shala was bringing together and ultimately, the way I felt after stepping out of every class.

What's one piece of advice you'd give someone new to yoga?

Yoga is whatever you need it to be… There have been days I go to class just needing to decompress, breathe and find a sense of mental clarity. Sometimes my body feels tight/tense after a long week at work, and I need more of the stretching aspects of the practice. I’ve also shown up to the Shala with the sole intention of just saying hello to one new person in class.  (Side Note: If you’re looking to make new friends, yoga is a really wonderful way to meet other kind and compassionate human beings.)

But if I had to settle on one piece of advice to give to someone new to yoga… it would be to just keep showing up.  As cliché as it may sound, if you lean into nothing other than consistently showing up on your mat, yoga really has the ability to  change your life.

What's a fun random fact about you?

Before settling into #MomLife, I spent my early 20’s as a Dance Captain/Company Manager for Royal Caribbean International.  While I was BEYOND thrilled to travel and actually utilize my college degree, spending 5 years living and working on a “boat” was definitely not as glamorous as it may seem. 

Join us for practice!