YOGI OF THE MONTH

August 2015 - Pris Regan

(Pris is pictured (front left) with daughter, Mary (back left), and friends, Carolyn (back right) and Anna (front right))  

What first brought you to yoga and how long have you been practicing?

I’ve been practicing for about ten years.  I was going to a pilates class at my gym in Northern VA and the instructor started a yoga-pilates class, which I really liked. After that, I started trying just yoga classes and I haven’t been back to a pilates class in years!

What is/are your intention(s) for your yoga practice?

When Susan asks us to “set our intentions,” I usually think about my family or a friend who is going through a hard time.  Lately my intention is on keeping my son, Michael who is in the Navy and off somewhere on deployment, safe and strong.  I send him strength and balance – and tell him to breathe.

What is your favorite pose and why?

Picking a favorite pose is really hard.  I like the balance poses, eagle and tree, because they make me stand up straight (my father always reminded me to do this) and focus; I like triangle because I love feeling the angles and imagining I’m trying to get myself between two panes of glass; I like pigeon because it’s relaxing and can feel my hips opening – but mainly I like any vinyasa flow because I can get lost in just moving and feeling somewhat graceful.

What is your favorite class at InsideOut Yoga?

My favorite class is Steady Flow.  One of my goals for the summer is to get to a Power Flow class on a Wednesday.

How has the practice of yoga influenced your life?

I like to think yoga has made me calmer and more balanced – but I’m not sure everyone who knows me well would agree that it actually has! And yoga has definitely helped build my strength and flexibility.

What advice would you have for a beginning yoga student?

Be patient with yourself and don't worry about what anyone else is doing.  I always take my glasses off in class and can't really see anyone else - and I assume they can't see me.

What is your occupation?

I’m a faculty member at George Mason University; I teach political science courses. For the last several years, I’ve had administrative responsibilities as well but have finally shed those and am back to teaching and doing research.

What activities do you enjoy?

I love yoga, walking, kayaking, hanging out with family and friends, and reading escape fiction.

What is your favorite thing about living in the Northern Neck?

We don’t live full-time in the Northern Neck but relish being here on the weekends and hopefully more in the summer months.  Being surrounded by water is incredibly soothing to me and I love just watching how the water and light change over the course of the day. Easing into the slower pace and being part of a small town community is deeply satisfying and rejuvenating.  I’ve been surprised and pleased by how very much I’ve liked being here – it increasingly feels like home.

Is there anything you want to add?

My response to yoga classes has always depended on the instructor – and Susan is phenomenal.  She really gets me to focus on my alignment and breathing, but for me her greatest gift is the way she mentally and spiritually guides the practice.