Alison Dishinger

Location: Lawrence, KS

Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. I started learning yoga from a fabulous Iyengar teacher in Gainesville, FL in 1994. Then about 11 years ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and had some other pretty awful things happening in my life. It took me years of determination to return to my roots of healthy movement, and yoga, along with dance, became an integral part of my recovery of myself and my relationship with my body.

Having gone from a fairly fit, strong person to a person who could not move at all without pain (in addition to recovering from a broken leg), I feel as though I now understand what it’s like to feel I don’t fit in to a “regular” yoga class of athletic or flexible people. That’s why I am interested in “yoga for everyone else” – people like me who have had or still have some challenges with their bodies.

I feel lucky to have encountered my next teacher, Gopi Sandal, in 2009, and impulsively signed up for her teacher training class. I hadn’t even thought about teaching yoga, though I love teaching, until I met her. We had a diversity of people in the class, all ages, sizes, and abilities, and her gentle approach readied me to reach deeper and develop my passion for teaching yoga for every body. Working with Anna in the Curvy Yoga Certification was like the graduate course of the direction I was already headed.

Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community?  I want to bring Curvy Yoga to my hometown because I feel there is a place for everyone in yoga, regardless of ability. Yoga is more than just physical asana; it’s a way of approaching our lives with more curiosity, flexibility, openness and groundedness. I feel yoga practice can benefit every aspect of our relationships with ourselves and other people if we’re willing to try it.

What can folks expect when they take a class from you? The one thing I most hope I can pass on to my students regardless of what we’re doing in class is living the joy of embodiment and movement, exactly as we are in the moment. If I am doing something on the mat, it’s usually because I dig it or find something worth exploring in it. I encourage other people to find the movement they like to do, the challenges they like to bring themselves, and the kindness within themselves to know that this changes day to day.

What has been your favorite part of the certification process? My favorite part of this process has been connecting with other people who want to bring yoga to the masses, and who truly embody humble and humorous service to others and to the word. This is a great group of people! I am proud to be among their ranks.

How can people get in touch with you?  They can find me at alisondishinger.com.

Tami Hackbarth

Location: Sacramento, CA

Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. My practice has evolved over the years. I started yoga my taking super active classes  that revved up my already revved up personality and burned me out. Heated yoga was like gasoline on my fire. No bueno. Once I found a studio and teachers who value a gentle way in the world, my classes turned into a practice and my life got a whole lot calmer and peaceful.

I found restorative yoga in 2009 and I haven’t looked back.

I am committed to teaching restorative yoga until everyone on the planet who needs to chill the eff out finds a restorative practice and sticks with it. I am convinced so many of life’s problems can be fixed by us laying over bolsters being quiet for a little bit each day.

Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community?  I want to bring Curvy Yoga to my community because I think there is still a misconception out there that people have to look a certain way in order to practice yoga. I also think people believe there are flexibility requirements and that yoga just isn’t for them because they hated PE and every gym they’ve ever tried.

My kind of yoga is about making yourself super comfortable and allowing your body to fully relax so hopefully your mind can rest. I like to think of it as a mini vacation.

What can folks expect when they take a class from you? People can expect to relax and to make themselves really comfortable and to use lots of props – the more the merrier! I give lots of permission in my classes: permission to do what feels good, permission to do something different than your neighbor or the teacher, permission to take a nap if you’re tired. I teach restorative and let’s be honest, even if I didn’t, you could still take a nap in class if you are tired.

What has been your favorite part of the certification process? My favorite part of the certification process was getting more comfortable talking about The Three B’s: Bellies, Boobs and Buns. Specifically talking about how they come with us wherever we are and we may need to move some of our pieces in order to feel better in poses. Ain’t no shame in working with what you’ve got.

Also, Anna is a rockstar. Who wouldn’t want to hang with her?

How can people get in touch with you?  The best way to stay in touch is to sign up for my newsletter. Folks can also check out my newest offering, The Healthy, Happy, Sane Teacher: Sustainable Self-Care for a Successful School Year, visit my website and hang with me on Twitter @TGBTS.

Chris LaClair

Location: Somerville, MA

Tell us a little about your relationship with yoga — both your practice and your teaching. Yoga was and has been an integral part of my recovery from substance abuse, depression, and trauma issues. I began taking yoga classes after being clean and sober for almost 10 years. Yoga remains a very important part of my recovery today, and I strive to impart those feelings of hope and well-being in my teaching.

Why do you want to bring Curvy Yoga to your community?  I know how yoga can change a person, from the inside out. I also know how it feels to be afraid to try something new. I want to bring Curvy Yoga to people in the Boston area who are curvy and want to experience yoga, whether it be private or in a classroom setting.

What can folks expect when they take a class from you? I am an experienced Kripalu Yoga Instructor, and have been teaching since 1999. People can expect a non-judgmental, safe space to start. Expect to move a little, laugh a little, and learn some yoga!

What has been your favorite part of the certification process?  I loved connecting with Anna and the others in my class. I am very happy to learn Curvy Yoga and to finally find a place to talk with people like me!

How can people get in touch with you?  People can find more about me and my classes on my Facebook page and on Twitter @CurvyYogaBoston.