Taura McMeekin

Yoga reminds me to breathe, to be fully present with my attention, feel strong, balanced & flexible. I love the chanting, singing, the supportive community, the philosophy & the different interpretations of the sutras-the layers of yoga.

I took my first yoga class in 1988 at the YMCA. I thought yoga was boring. I didn’t understand the nuanced layers. I was young, surface. Now-yoga invigorates me! The more I learn about yoga, the more I realize how little I know and the more curious I become. I am currently working on an E-RYT 500-hour yoga therapy certification & finishing up my training in India before the new year.

In 2006 I moved from Seattle to New York City to work with a team of professionals in developing & implementing programming for neurodiverse students integrating within NYC’s public schools. It was a busy time: I was writing a master’s thesis, taking evening courses on Autism, teaching full time, and trying to be the best mom I could be to two young children in a city that never sleeps. 

Every day-on the way to & from work, I biked by this yoga studio. It was the only time of the day where I slowed down enough to relish & engage all my senses. The smell of incense, gongs, harmonium and voices chanting, the Shiva statue with the brightly colored orange, yellow & red marigold necklace I’d touch as I rode by and the light from the eyes of the people coming out of that studio softened me. Their smiles slowed me down, dissolved my annoyance & worry. My curiosity was sparked, I took one class and was hooked!

In 2013 I became certified to teach yoga because yoga feels good and good feelings are worth sharing! I wanted to grow my understanding of anatomy & yoga philosophy. The multiple perspectives gained as a facilitator of yoga help to provide a new frame of reference for life experiences both on & off the mat. I continue to be humbled by this practice and don’t think I’ll ever stop learning and sharing the wisdom of yoga.