Practice for a Purpose

I began my yoga journey 15 years ago as a great way to stretch my body after a long run. My friends and I would run on Saturday mornings and go to a local store that offered free yoga with rotating teachers from various studios. Over the years I had the opportunity to experience many different styles of yoga, which I later realized was a gift. I noticed some styles resonated with me and others not so much.  

When I decided to become a yoga instructor, it was to deepen my own practice rather than to teach. With so many great local studios offering yoga teacher training, I spent many months exploring my options. I chose Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health because it resonated with my body, mind, and heart. 

"Kripalu" means Compassion.  It embodies radical joy, compassion, self-acceptance, mindfulness, connection, and empowerment. It can be practiced on and off the mat. The more I learned about this yoga tradition, the more I realized I wanted to share it with everybody and every body. 

While completing yoga teacher training, we were asked to spend time envisioning how we would use our certification for the greater good. I knew I could teach yoga on the mat through my church. But how could I also take yoga off the mat?  

In those moments of silence and contemplation, I realized my dedication to loving others as myself could be put into practice by passing class contributions on to those who really need it.  The idea began to take shape and my heart was filled with gratitude as I made a commitment to pass 100% of my yoga community's donations to a monthly-designated beneficiary.  

And, from there, Practice for a Purpose was born.