When I first moved to Charleston a couple of years ago I was thrilled that my apartment was only a few miles from Holy Cow Yoga Center (little did I know that a “few miles” could take up to 30 minutes in Charleston traffic–but that’s a different topic). The first yoga class I went to here was led by Trace Bonner. From the first Downward Dog, I knew I’d found a teacher I’d be able to connect with—this lady says what she means and means what she says. She’s direct, relatable, and funny in a way that comes so naturally I don’t think she even thinks about it—it’s just who she is. This is a quality that, for me, is the difference between a good yoga teacher and a great one. So I wanted to talk more to her about her approach to the yoga practice and find out what makes her tick.
Here’s what she had to say:
What’s one thing you wish you had known about yoga when you first started practicing?
That it is not about becoming flexible. I think in the beginning years of taking yoga I strived toward attaining the perfect posture. However, after some time I realized that it was more about being more flexible in my mind. I slowly let go of the rigidity of things in my life being a certain way. I let go of pacifying my ego’s wants and desires without deeper contemplation. And so, I think yoga has the ability to slowly transform one’s mental suffering.
What’s your favorite pose at the moment? What are you learning from it?
I have always loved Downward Facing Dog. It remains the most evolving posture I do daily. Something about being tipped upside down and feeling the power of my arms and legs working in unison. I consistently find a deep and prayerful space to watch the breath and mind at play while hanging in there viewing the world from a completely different perspective.
What’s the best advice someone ever gave you?
Truth is one, paths are many. This is the famous teaching from my teacher, Swami Satchidananda. When I was younger I grew up believing that there was one way to connect to my highest spiritual self (God).. And yet, during those years I never bought into that way of thinking. It felt so exclusive, and I didn’t feel God could ever be that way. So, when I met my teacher you can imagine my joy of discovering that it was OK to have varying beliefs, and each one held a valid way of experiencing the divinity of God. I felt a wave of relief that we could each find our own path and they were all equally going to get us to the same place. I continue to share that teaching.
At Holy Cow you offer a lot of workshops and immersions about the philosophy behind yoga. Why is this important?
While Hatha Yoga (the physical aspect of yoga) offers a deeper connection with our body it can only take us so far toward understanding our truest self. At some point we must dive into the nature of our mind and how to deal with and evolve the mind. So at Holy Cow Center we explore these concepts of yoga philosophy and how they can ease our mental suffering, deal with our ego, and find peace beyond the mental patterns of the mind. The best way to tackle this information is through a workshop or an immersion study.
Being a business owner has to be tough right now–as there’s still lots of uncertainty in the economy. How does your yoga practice help you to stay grounded? Does it inform the choices you make as a business owner?
Ah, the business of yoga! Well, all things have a beginning, a middle, and an end. With that in mind, the business of yoga has its moments of me wondering if yoga will fade, or whether the economy will support another yoga studio. However, in the back of my mind I try to stay open to the infinite possibilities. The real practice is staying present to the ebb and flow, and ultimately non-attached to this business defining me as a person. Now, with that said, it is not easy… but that is the practice.
What do you love about the yoga community in Charleston?
That we love yoga! There are so many dedicated practitioners that have connected to a teacher, a space, a lifestyle… and at times we come together to support an activity, a cause, or each other.
What inspires you? Tell us so we can be inspired, too!
My two main teachers… Swami Satchidanadaji and Richard Freeman. Both of these men have been very influential over the later part of my life. Swami Satchidananda is my guru (meaning the remover of darkness). He gave wonderful and yet simple teachings that have affected the course and direction over the last 15 years. Picking up his commentary on the Yoga Sutras or reading his book to know yourself are just a few ways his words can be inspiring. I am still very much involved with the ashram in Virginia called Yogaville; visiting several times a year. Sadly, my guru left the body in 2002. Since then my source of inspiration has been Richard Freeman. I connected with this Boulder, CO based Ashtanga Yoga teacher at a yoga conference in late 2001. Although not a direct teacher (I once mentioned to him that I had secretly been stalking him for nine years), I adore Richard’s teachings from several intensives and conferences I have taken as well as his audio series, The Yoga Matrix. I try to take some kind of program with him every couple of years. Both men have been inspiring me, and maybe others can find their words inspiring, too.
Learn more about Trace and Holy Cow Yoga Center here.
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Truth is one, paths are many … I simply love that line. Its something I wish I heard alot earlier.
Erica another top notch interview, keep this up and you will be ready for 60 Minutes.
Thank you, dear Frenzy. 🙂 I am surrounded by amazingly wise yogis both near and far.. so very lucky.
you have cleared all the basic questions by answering them..