TEACHER SPOTLIGHT - LOIS HOPKINS

We are so happy to have Lois on our teaching staff. I hear so many wonderful things about her classes and they keep growing and growing. Lois has a lovely way of inspiring so many to keep moving.

We are so blessed to have Lois teach this frequently and I hope you can join her for a class soon.

Fun get to know Lois Questions:

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?

I am really a homebody at heart and enjoy home, hearth, and community. However, I would love to visit my children who both live out-of-state. That aside, there are many beautiful places throughout the world that I would certainly enjoy.

What social/environmental issues are you most passionate about? What are ways yoga can help us make positive change?

With the current state of the world, it is imperative we control, reverse and restore our environment. Otherwise, I fear we will destroy ourselves and this planet. This is also a time of great turmoil, some of which have been increased by the pandemic. People are hungry and/or homeless, often through no fault of their own. We should strive for social justice and equality for all races and genders.

Name something that you do daily (other than yoga) to care for yourself.

I make it a point to get outside for a run or walk at least six days a week. I am also working on the practice of non-violent communication with myself.

Do you drink a morning beverage and if so what is it?

I start each morning with eight ounces of filtered tap water with freshly squeezed lemon. Then no one comes between me and my coffee. I usually put a chunk of peeled ginger root in the bottom of my coffee mug.

Favorite 3 or 4 postures/movements/preps for postures.

Supported Salamba Sarvangasana/shoulder stand just because it’s fun; Ardha Hanumanasana/Half Money Pose or Half Splits Pose – with a point and flex of the front foot; as well as Eka Pada Rajakopotasana/Pigeon Pose seated on a block. As a runner, the latter two feel great.

More from Lois:

I have been active in some manner or another all my life. Over ten years ago I joined the local walking/running community as part of my fitness program. During this time frame, I also practiced yoga on a hit or miss basis often feeling frustrated due to muscle tightness and imbalances created or accentuated by the constant forward motion of running and walking. As I began my 200-hour teacher training with Peoples Yoga, I began to understand that there is so much more to yoga than I previously had any idea. I am Yoga Alliance 200 hour certified (almost 500-hour ERYT) and want to share my love of yoga with others as I continue learning and enhancing my own practice.