October 2025 Yogi of the Month Yogi of the Month

Renee

Q: How long have you practiced yoga and what other forms of exercise do you like to do? Back in the 90s when I was a high impact aerobics fanatic living in NYC someone gave me 10 classes at a yoga studio in my neighborhood. After the first class I knew it was what I had been missing. I’ve been practicing yoga ever since with varying degrees of regularity. Those early classes were 90 minutes not heated (nothing back then was), 15 minutes of Pranayama to start and always ending with an inversion before Shavasana. I also love walking/hiking, biking and skiing.

Q: What brought you to YogaSpark? I was a member of Balance in Larchmont which was a wonderful studio that I loved. When they closed their doors, I used Class Pass to try different studios in the area. I found myself returning to YogaSpark for the amazing teachers and the class schedule so I decided to get a membership and am very happy I did.

Q: What do you love about practicing hot power yoga? I love the challenge – it is always challenging and there’s always something to strive towards – better form or taking the pose to the next level. I also love leaving everything outside the studio – being in the heat and the moment clears and calms my mind.

Q: Can you give a word or phrase that describes yoga to you? “So this is how you swim inward. So this is how you flow outwards. So this is how you pray.” - Mary Oliver

Q: What's your current favorite song to flow to? That is the toughest question yet! I like to practice to a variety of music. The playlists are one of the things that I love about the teachers at YogaSpark. From traditional yoga music to new music and everything in between… no favorite song comes to mind. I am a big fan of covers and I’ve heard some great covers at the studio.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote?

Q: What yoga pose do you love practicing right now? Half moon – I love extending every limb in a different direction and adding balance… then binding into sugarcane for the great arching stretch that it offers.

Q: Tell us one non yoga factoid about you: Two of my favorite pastimes are skiing and seeing live music.