YOGI OF THE MONTH

December 2021 - Lisa MacNair

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

I missed the precise instruction & strengthening I experienced in ballet classes decades earlier, but realized that my body & mind needed a different type of practice. I began learning yoga on DVDs in the early 2000s and took my first classes during lunch at work. I’ve been practicing ever since. 

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

To focus on my physical and mental health so I can enjoy every day. 

What is your favorite pose and why?

I like all the twisting poses. Although they’re challenging, I believe they wring toxins from our organs and create balanced strength on both sides.

What is your favorite class at InsideOut Yoga?

It’s difficult to choose, but the myofascial release classes give me more room in my own skin. 

How has the practice of yoga influenced your life?

The focus on the breath has taught me how to calm myself when I feel stressed or anxious. I practice yogic breathing before I go to sleep every night and it’s an effective sleep “aid.” 

What advice would you have for a beginning yoga student?

Find a yoga instructor who is credentialed and whose teaching style is engaging, and then just practice as often as possible. 

What is your occupation?

I’m retired, but I worked in Human Resource for 37 years. 

What activities do you enjoy?

Creative ones; I dabble in sewing, beading, knitting and would like to learn how to paint with watercolors. I also like to be outside doing almost anything. 

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

The rural landscapes, waterscapes and the quiet. 

Is there anything you want to add?

Being a part of InsideOut yoga has brought me joy; both the classes and the attendees.