TEACHER SPOTLIGHT - CELINE SMITH

I quickly learned that Celine and I were kindred spirits. Each person that is part of this studio makes it a better place and that is certainly true of Celine. I spent 6 months of my life in Nepal, and that experience played a big role in sculpting me into who I am. Celine spent 2 years as a Peace Core Volunteer in Nepal and I know much of who she is was also born out of that experience. Celine's classes are full of authenticity and love.

We are so blessed to have Celine teach frequently at the studio and I hope you can join her for a class soon.

Fun get to know Celine Questions

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?

I have found that the most meaningful travel has come from places where I know someone who is living there. Considering that and that I am SUPER partial to mountains, I will always be going back to Nepal and Alaska for the rest of my life.

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

I am passionate about all issues of privilege and marginalization around social identities, particularly race, nationality, and ability status. I have found deep meaning in how all oppressions are interconnected and can be reflected in our relationship with how we treat the rest of nature and mother earth. I believe uprooting all beliefs of supremacy is integral to working on any of these issues. This is one of the reasons I have so deeply connected with yoga. The practice slows me down and brings me back to the moment. It teaches me to truly love myself and the bodies we all come in as just different, not as better than or deficient, but all having our own unique experiences and purpose on this earth. I believe this is the beginning of letting hierarchical beliefs go. Yoga also challenges us to stay in the hard places and grow the edge of our comfort zone. This has helped me to stay in hard conversations. My experience in yoga has shown me that I can stay in discomfort and come out stronger; such as in topics where I am privileged, recognizing that as I practice I may fall as I wobble, but that I will get up and try again and again, developing the practice of showing up, being vulnerable and connecting.

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

I go for a walk almost every day, have a hot beverage, and most days I have at least some form of chocolate ;)

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

Most days I start off with a warm glass of water with half a lemon and then transition to a special black tea or decaf.

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

Skandasana- side lunge

Any and all twists

Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana- Revolved head to knee pose

Supported Bridge on a block

More from Celine:

"Yoga brought me back to my body. About 9 years ago I was introduced to the practice and it transformed my relationship with myself; changing my focus from my body's limitations, to its possibilities. From there, it helped me practice turning self-criticism into self-love and compassion. Through my practice, I am learning to listen to my body and it's reactions, taking them seriously and tending to them. I was astounded to realize that this brought me to deeper levels of understanding myself as a whole.

As my love and appreciation for this practice grew, I knew that I wanted to learn how to share this with others in my own way. After I completed my Peace Corps Service in Nepal in 2017, I traveled to India and completed my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Shiva Shakti Yoga. I returned to my hometown and have been teaching yoga in the Lansing area for the past 2+ years. Since then, I have completed Yin, Aerial, and Trauma-Informed Yoga training.

Outside of yoga, I love traveling, mountains, and spending time with my dog and loved ones."