Bridget Gibbons

Yoga Teacher

Tell us, when did your mind-body first bend or move you to it's will?

As a kid, I was really involved in martial arts and hold a black belt in 2 styles of traditional Okinawan karate.  The discipline, the history, the meditation, physical/mental strength and flexibility all fascinated me.  I taught it and I competed.  I had knee surgery and eventually slowed down and finally gave it up.  Years later, trying to find my center I took a yoga class at a gym ... and fell in love with the practice and what it does for my life.  Yoga makes me happy.

Besides your obvious coolness, what makes you so qualified to teach?

My obvious coolness is enough of a qualification (ed. I feel the same way about myself).   But if you insist... I live, breathe, eat, read, walk, talk, sleep, and dream yoga.  And as a result, I’ve learned a little that I hope I can share so that other people can find their own little slice of peace and happiness in themselves, too.   

What other things are you qualified to do?

I coach soccer, write a little, take pictures, garden and love to cook.  I worked in homeless outreach prior to my current mom/yoga life.   I have two absolutely amazing daughters and with them and my husband, we explore the world, whether it be our own back yard or far off places (usually closer to our own backyard :-)   I have the skills of McGyver and I’m a ninja.

What can we expect to see, hear and do in your classes?

Yoga.  I know, I know, but what kind??  It's evolving but there is good music, a chance to relax and challenge yourself, kind of the Cheers of yoga at Blue.  Strong poses, some movement, some breathing, some chanting...maybe a little philosophy and meditation.  Come find out...

What pose/move do you dig the most and why?

I love Vrksasana (Tree Pose) because of the effort and ease- of floating and of being grounded at the same time.  I also love Sirsasana (headstand) because it took a long time to learn and the freedom and happiness I felt the first time I did it was amazing ... actually- it still feels like that ... and both poses totally make me smile every single time I do them.

If you could push a button and remove a pose/move from history, which one and why?

Oh I am not a fan of Virasana (hero pose).  Or Hanumanasana (the splits).  Hero pose hurts my knees no matter how I try to do it, and the splits- well, I am still trying to reconcile my tight hamstrings with this one.

Like, what's your sign man?  Virgo.

What are 3 things that make you smile real big and cheesy?

• Watching my girls do crazy funny stuff or listening to their stories
• A good book and a pool or beach to read it by

What is your favorite quote when you're in need of a little inspiration?

“Here’s to the crazy ones.  The misfits.  The rebels.  The trouble-makers.  The round heads in the square holes.  The ones who see things differently.  They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo.  You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them.  But the one thing you can’t do is ignore them.  Because they change things.  They push the human race forward.  And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.  Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who actually do.”  ~Jack Kerouac

If you could do anything to change the world, what would it be? 

Pay it forward.  Smile at strangers.  Clean up after myself.  I’m working on changing my corner, and if I could change one thing, it would be that everyone else got on board with that concept.  

Any other interesting information you would like to share with the nice people reading this here Bio?

I’m a recovering heroin addict.  Yoga helped heal my life.  I tend to be honest to a fault but really try to be nice about it.  Even when I’m having a bad day or week, I make light of things in the end.  When I quit searching for my own peace, I found it; so I try to bring peace to those around me, and I’m a sucker for stray animals.  (But don’t EVER bring me any, because my house over capacity- husband, 2 kids, 180 lb dog, 3 cats, one of whom is blind, and 2 parrots in 1500 sq ft.)  Namaste.