Meet Emily. One of Alex’s BFFs. Emily and Alex met in Kuwait when Alex began her journey as an expat first grade teacher. When Alex left Kuwait for holiday two years later, she didn’t know that she wouldn’t return leaving all of her stuff behind. Fortunately, Emily being the great friend that she is, helped Alex pack up and ship it all to her.
Emily was a great support to Alex when she started the MLPC back in March 2020. When the business took off in May, she began leading the MLPC book club as well as being a great help with social media.
Emily was not a big fan of yoga before she met Alex. Though, she was committed to the 30 day challenge in June. She enjoys classes like Vin & Yin, Yin / Meditation, Yoga Nidra, & Guided Meditation. So here’s what the All-Star of June had to say about it...
Hi Emily! Tell us a little bit about yourself! Who is Emily?
Emily: Hello! Well, let’s see. I’m an international teacher from a small town in Northern Ontario, Canada called Wawa. I have taught in Egypt, Vietnam and I now live in Kuwait and have been there for 9 school years now, which is crazy! Time certainly flies! I am an Elementary School librarian and I love that the focus of my job is to create a reading culture. I am also a cat mom and a yoga newbie!
What inspired you to start practicing yoga?
Emily: I like to say “the pandemic made me do it”. I have really never enjoyed yoga before but with the extra time on my hands and needing to do something for myself and for my mental health, I decided to give it a try! And here we are, four months later!
Have you ever had any experience with yoga before joining the MLPC?
Emily: I had done a bit here and there but couldn’t get into it. I’ve always struggled with “getting out of my own head” and found that the slower types of yoga gave me too much time in my head and the faster paced styles were very intimidating.
What’s your connection to the MLPC?
Emily: Alex and I taught together in Kuwait for two years. We had a mutual friend who put us in touch before she arrived and we became great friends. When Alex left for Abu Dhabi, we were still connected on social media but had lost touch a bit. When the pandemic started, I reached out and asked about the MLPC and have been doing yoga ever since!
How did you end up being so committed to yoga?
Emily: After slowly getting into it, I decided that I would give the 30 day challenge a try in June. I was seeing changes in my strength and in my body and I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. And I DID IT!
Did you face any challenges during the month of June?
Emily: The challenges were the same as with any commitment. There are days that you just don’t feel like doing it! But almost every single time, you feel better after you do it! Moving your body, even in the slower forms of yoga, is SO good for your body and your mind.
What are the biggest benefits you’ve reaped from your yoga practice?
Emily: When I first started, I was doing it mostly for the stretches if I’m being honest. I had a hard time getting out of my head. But doing the June challenge really helped me with the mental part of yoga and I love that.
What’s your favorite posture?
Emily: The first thing that came to mind was child’s pose. I love the hip stretch and that calming nature of it. However, I also really love legs up the wall! If you’ve been in classes with Alex, you might have heard her talk about the first time I saw her do this pose and how crazy I thought she was! If you haven’t heard the story, definitely ask her about it!
What’s your most difficult posture?
Emily: Lots of them! HA!
What is your favorite type(s) of yoga? And why?
Emily: My favourite style is definitely Yin. I love the deep stretches and the opportunity to work on my focus. I also love the Vin & Yin classes on the MLPC because as Alex says, “It gives you some of what you need and some of what you want”. Oh, and I’ve recently discovered a serious love for Yoga Nidra
Highly recommended!
Any words of wisdom to those just starting out?
Emily: It sounds so cliche, but I want people to know that yoga really IS for EVERY body type.
Being plus-size, I really struggled in the beginning and I think that’s why I’ve never enjoyed yoga in person. I wasn’t confident. And there are definitely things I can’t do, but I modify and I do what I CAN. Which is better than nothing. You don’t have to be super skinny or athletic to do yoga. There is something for everyone! With the MLPC, you can say hi, turn off your camera, and DO YOGA. For you. Not for anyone else! It’s been a game changer for me!
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Thank you Emily for the interview. Leave a comment below letting me know if you enjoyed this interview! Make sure to join the MLPC book club here for free!
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Until next time, may you all be safe, happy, healthy, and free.
Yasir