I lived in Los Angeles for 8 years—the mecca for slender, beautiful, “perfect” people. But take a closer look behind all the glitz, glamour, and designer sunglasses and you’ll find a lot of very beautiful, unhappy people. The cutthroat world of Hollywood is especially tough on women, which I experienced firsthand. I arrived in Los Angeles at the ripe age of 21, hoping to pursue my dreams of acting while teaching yoga on the side to keep me going from gig to gig. I remember my first meeting with a manager like it was yesterday. She took one look at my frame—all 5'2" and 108 pounds—and told me that I could be the funny best friend. If I ever wanted to play the ingenue I’d have to drop at least 10 pounds.
I went home feeling confused and hurt. Was I fat? I’m not attractive or slim enough to play a lead? I always thought I was in such good shape. Do I need to diet? Start drinking coffee and smoke cigarettes? Everything made me cringe. The uncomfortable questions went on and on, but my yoga practice answered all of my questions. My teachers kept reminding me that I was perfect exactly as I was—and I was fit and slim thanks to my daily practice. More importantly, yoga reminded me that life is about balance and not extremes. Life is meant to be enjoyed and embraced along with all of the discipline and challenges that it presents. Yoga showed me that self-acceptance and belief in myself was the key to strength and beauty.
In retrospect, that audition was a complete blessing because it guided me into an “accidental career” of teaching yoga full-time. I learned at a young age that the only way to experience happiness is by taking chances and following what makes my heart beat. Every minute I spend training and teaching is me at my best. It puts a smile on my face every single day. I hope to empower you through yoga to find what makes your heart beat. Practicing yoga allows you to connect to your untapped potential. Whether it’s mastering a handstand or allowing a simple savasana to chill you out at the end of the day, yoga offers unlimited potential to be your best self.
I teach yoga because it works. I practice yoga because it completes me. I’ve written this book with the hope that you’ll be tempted to do the same—live the life you’ve always wanted. Reclaim that strong, calm, powerful spirit within. Heal old injuries, whether physical or mental—and have an insanely fun time!
Enjoy your journey. Remember that it takes valleys to create peaks! These poses and sequences are here to make you feel fantastic, to challenge you to be the best version of yourself, and to keep you healthy, fit, and beautiful. Rock your practice, and make it yours. Often all it takes is a good group of Sun Salutations or a fabulous inversion to remind you how unique and strong you are. As one of my favorite men of all time put so well, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” —Oscar Wilde
Namaste, y’all.
xo Kathryn