Meet Katie! Our long time community member and friend in Abu Dhabi. Katie is a good friend of our community members Emma, Laura, and Leigh. She first joined us when she was quarantining for the first time from traveling due to Covid-19. She also joined the team briefly last season with her Mindful Sweat (HIIT) class. I get the chance to interview her for our community blog, enjoy this interview and all the amazing photos of Katie practicing yoga all over...
Who is Katie? Katie: Mum of Fred and Felix and Hero the puppy. My family are my world. I’m originally from Manchester in the UK and I have lived in London for 10 years and spent the last 15 years living in Abu Dhabi. Marketing Director by day, keen runner and fitness enthusiast. I love the gym, playing squash, swimming and triathlons. I also love travelling and good food. How did you meet Alex? Katie: I saw an insta story (via Laura) about Zoom yoga in the first lockdown so I signed up to give it a try,
What inspired you to start practicing yoga?
Katie: I’ve had lots of challenges with my sleep and anxiety so I started to try it. I didn’t really “get it” at first as I found it a bit slow but I met so many wonderful people on Zoom and also in real life (I know count Emma as one of my closest friends). I actually like taking a class just to check in and see warm and friendly faces.
Have you ever had any experience with yoga before joining the MLPC? Katie: The occasional class here and there. It wasn’t really something that I’d choose to do but would take part in every now and then
What’s your connection to the MLPC?
Katie: Safe, friendly community with wellbeing at the heart of the conversation. I like that it’s there and I can check in as I need to – either for a good stretch or to check in with myself.
How did you end up being so committed to yoga?
Katie: I got stuck in a quarantine hotel for 22 days. Leigh was doing her teacher training and I became her Guinee pig. It was the first time I felt it clicked and I was pushing myself more, getting more out of the postures and using the moves to enhance my running and overall fitness.
"I actually like taking a class just to check in and see warm and friendly faces."
Katie
Did you face any challenges during the month of June? Katie: I struggle with anxiety and insomnia. I have to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t get out of control. For me this means eating really clean, limiting wine to 2 glasses a week, running and gym and taking time out on the mat to check in with myself.
What are the biggest benefits you’ve reaped from your yoga practice? Katie: Friends – I have met some really inspirational people who have come into my life for a reason. Yoga breathing – it's helped me everywhere – on my long runs, at the dentist and when I’m about to flip out at my kids.
What’s your favorite posture? Katie: There’s a few. I love childs pose it is comforting. I love pigeon to stretch my tired running legs, cobra I get a real release from and mountain pose because I can do it at long last so it gives me a sense of achievement.
What’s your most difficult posture?
Katie: I have tight hamstrings so I don’t like forward fold!
What is your favorite type(s) of yoga? And why?
Katie: Flow – I like to move and I like to stretch.
Any words of wisdom to those just starting out?
Katie: Do what makes you happy. I remember my first yoga class it was in London in the early 2000’s, I turned up in athletic shorts and trainers and I couldn’t sit still. The instructor shouted – “girl at the back, don’t try this one.” I remember thinking “this is not for me.”
What I love about the MLPC and modern yoga is the acceptance. If your poses are limited who cares? If you’re like me and you have lots of energy and you need to get up and more around or jiggle your leg – who cares? Be completely accepting of who you are and what you want to do and make that your practice. That is yoga.
Thank you Katie for your amazing answers!! I hope you all enjoyed learning more about one of our original community members. Make sure to leave a comment if you liked this interview.
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Until next time, may you all be safe, happy, healthy, and free.
Yasir
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