Presented by Embellish
Kari Pollard finds peace on her yoga mat and works to inspire other women to do the same. Here, she shares some insight on the ways this Zen workout shapes her life.
Q: What inspired you to be a yoga instructor?
A: My first introduction to yoga was in a fitness/yoga class that I took in college. I was immediately attracted to the physical challenge that it presented to me. A few years later I started practicing full time and really made yoga my main source of exercise. When North Shore Yoga opened in 2008, I became hooked. In a few short months I had fallen in love with all of the teachers and the yoga community, and in June of 2009, I moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, for a month to study with Jimmy Barkan. That’s when I earned my first 200 hours in The Barkan Method of Hot Yoga.
Q: What’s your everyday exercise routine?
A: I practice power yoga six days a week, and some of those days I teach a power yoga class also. I incorporate jogging a few times a week, too – I love jogging over the bridges downtown.
Q: What benefits do you, and others, gain from yoga?
A: The physical benefits of a power yoga class are obvious from the start – it’s really hard! But that is by far the easiest concept of yoga to overcome. It was when I started feeling the breath of yoga that I saw and felt a new strength and power behind the practice. I find so much peace on my yoga mat and feel so much clarity after yoga practice. I strive to find balance in my life, and as life’s challenging obstacles come my way, I step onto my yoga mat, close my eyes, and breathe. Yoga helps me to find peace within the present moment.
Q: What advice do you have for women who are hoping to become more active and healthy?
A: Take your time, and be patient – remember that results from hard work take time. And know that your diet is 75 to 85% of your physical physique.