Meet Hollie. Our friend and community member in Canada. Hollie joined us for our Summer Season and we had the pleasure of celebrating her birthday in the first week. Kind of kicked off our season to a good start :) Hollie and Alex met in Kingston, Canada in the Studio where Alex taught her first yoga class. Although they never properly met in person, the two connected when they followed each other on Instagram about a year ago. Hollie also wanted to try the sober curious journey. Fun fact, Hollie is a yoga teacher too. She enjoys classes like Mindful Sweat, Mindful Flow, Mindful Flow and Let Go and Mindful Let Go.
With how busy life has been around her, Hollie was able to find her mat every morning and flow with us. Thankfully she was able to find the time and answer our blog questions...
Hi Hollie! Tell us a little bit about yourself! Who is Hollie?
Hollie: I am a journalist, yoga teacher and mom from Kingston, Ontario, Canada. In my spare time I enjoy reading, baking, spinning, travelling, and of course yoga!
What inspired you to start practicing yoga?
Hollie: I started practicing yoga in first year university, almost 19 years ago (ahhhh!!!). The gym I went to offered them and I was curious.
Have you ever had any experience with yoga before joining the MLPC?
Hollie: Yes! (See above). Yoga is a huge part of my life. I practice at least once a day and teach 2-3 times a week.
What’s your connection to the MLPC?
Hollie: I reached out to Alex because I'm trying to give up alcohol, and wanted to find a community of like-minded people to support me along the way.
How did you end up being so committed to yoga?
Hollie: Yoga is an important part of my mental and physical health management. If I go a day or two without practicing, I feel it.
Did you face any challenges during the month of July?
Hollie: Summer is always a busy time, and my family took a road trip near the end of the month, which made it hard to practice for a couple of days.
What are the biggest benefits you’ve reaped from your yoga practice?
Hollie: I live with depression and anxiety, and my practice is one tool (an important one) I use to manage these conditions.
“I reached out to Alex because I'm trying to give up alcohol, and wanted to find a community of like-minded people to support me along the way.”
Hollie
What’s your favorite posture?
Hollie: Hmmmm...it's so hard to pick just one! It really depends on the day, and the time of year. When I'm feeling anxious or overwhelmed, I love to rest in crocodile pose and feel myself breathing. I also love all still, restorative poses in the wintertime. I also love pigeon for releasing mental and physical tension. When I'm feeling more energetic and confident, I love a good dancer's pose and tree.
What’s your most difficult posture?
Hollie: Definitely camel. I have a really deep backbend and can go far into this posture, but it always freaks me out - I feel so exposed and vulnerable.
What is your favorite type(s) of yoga? And why?
Hollie: Again, it's hard to pick just one because it depends so much on my mood! I used to be all about vinyasa flow, and still am some days, but during the pandemic I've really fallen in love with yin and restorative too.
Any words of wisdom to those just starting out?
Hollie: Don't worry about how the poses look - focus on how they feel in your own body and being present on your mat.
Thank you so much for sharing and your amazing presence Hollie! Appreciate you joining our community. Join Hollie in one of our awesome classes.
Thank you all for your continued support. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comment section below.
Till next time, may you all be safe, happy, healthy, and free.
Yasir
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