YOGI OF THE MONTH

February 2025 - Aline Johnson

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

My mom brought me to yoga! I was probably about 10 when I first did yoga with her, but I was never really interested in having my own practice. Although, I do remember her cuing Savasana for me before bed sometimes when I was a little girl, which I really loved. It wasn’t until my second year of college when I had come home during the pandemic that I started regularly practicing outdoors with my mom. Having that consistency allowed me to see progress in my practice, which motivated me to continue after I moved away from home again.

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

My intentions are to create a space solely dedicated to caring for myself. It’s a time when I can challenge my body, as well as ease my sympathetic nervous system. It feels like such a rejuvenation when I practice, like I’m giving my body exactly what it’s been asking for.

What is your favorite pose and why?

I like Virabhadrasana C (Warrior 3) because it’s not very physically demanding, but I have to focus quite a bit. I feel aware of every part of my body in that pose. I also like the challenging transitions in and out of the pose that we do in class.

What is your favorite class at InsideOut Yoga?

Vinyasa Flow on Tuesdays and Thursdays

How has the practice of yoga influenced your life?

There was one specific time when I had just started practicing more consistently, when it finally clicked for me that if I was uncomfortable in a pose, I could focus on my breath and I would find the pose a lot easier. I remember when I told that to my mom, she was like, “exactly!” and I’ve totally taken that with me ever since. Whether it be in exercise or in times of stress in my life, I really value my awareness of how breathing affects my body. Breathwork, but also yoga’s intentional focus on the present, has helped me create the habit of reeling myself back in when I feel anxious about things that I can’t change.

In addition, I was lucky to be able to attend my mom’s yoga retreat in Costa Rica shortly after I had graduated from college. Being there made me realize how much I wanted to travel, which led me to ACE, WWOOF and my current work with the National Park Service.

What advice would you have for a beginning yoga student?

I would advise a beginner yoga student to try to be super conscious of their alignment so as not to form bad habits. I feel really lucky to have had a yoga teacher as a mom to help me optimize my alignment from the start.

What is your occupation?

I’m working seasonally as a Fire Effects Monitor in Rocky Mountain National Park.

What activities do you enjoy?

I love to hike, knit, play volleyball, run, and am just now getting into sewing.

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

Spending summers on the water! :)

Is there anything you want to add?

I love you, Mom!