Heidi Axelrod

RYT 200 Yoga Teacher

(working toward 500 hour RYT)

• Tell us, when did mind-body first bend you to its will?  My mother-in-law actually introduced me to Yoga. We were visiting and she invited me to join her at a Yoga class. I thought, an hour away from the kids, why not? I really enjoyed the movement and decided to try Yoga as a way to get in shape. I didn’t realize that it would become so much more.
• Besides your obvious coolness, what makes you qualified to teach? I will be completing my 200 hour RYT training as of November 2008 and continuing on to pursue my 500 hour training.
• What other things are you qualified to do (besides train dolphins ... we're all qualified to do that)? I received my B.A in English from Arizona State University. I spent 10 years of my professional life in customer service and operations management for Verizon Wireless. I wished I had found Yoga back then, I sure could have used it!
• What can we expect to see, hear and do in your classes? I aspire to create classes where people feel like they have been pampered when they leave. I like to adjust the body alot to help go deeper in a pose or to just feel good. I end my classes with a restorative posture in order to experience a deep savasana. You will hear an eclectic mix of music from new age to 80’s to current music, I don’t think any music is off limits in a yoga class.
• What pose/move do you dig the most and why? Ardha Chandrasana – Balancing Half Moon. It’s my favorite pose of the moment because my favorites always change. I like it because I am really working on feeling the “lightness” and opening up my heart. I find it challenging on many levels and I am always up for a challenge.
• If you could push a button and remove a pose/move from history, which one and why? Ustrasana or Camel, although I am starting to appreciate it more. It’s funny how those you poses you don’t like are the ones you need the most.
• Like, what's your sign man? Pisces
• What are 3 things that make you smile real big and cheesy? My three kids (a Tarot reader once assured me I have three children, I only have two, so we determined my husband was my third), Rick Springfield (very long story but if you are interested, just ask, I am happy to share), and the water.
• What is your favorite quote when you're in need of a little inspiration? Karma baby – What goes around, comes around. I know – not very inspirational – but I live by it.
• If you could do anything to change the world, what would it be? I would have everyone read the Four Agreements and try to live by them. They are simple but challenging to live up to. We are all so affected by others that if everyone was living by the same set of principles we would all be better off.
• Any other interesting information you would like to share with the nice people reading this here Bio? I once tried out for Survivor and would love to be on that show, it’s such a lesson on human nature. To those that find their way to my class, I hope they leave feeling refreshed and renewed – ready to take on another day!