Kelly Mikler
RYT 200hr, Vajra Yoga Teacher Training 100hr, Yoga Nidra Teacher Training 30hr, Clear Light Yoga Nidra Teacher Training 100hr
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born and raised in a small suburb called Bloomfield Hills, just outside of Detroit, Michigan. But after college, I realized I need to see more amazing places. I moved to Chicago for 5 years and worked in corporate America. Then I heard the Rocky Mountains calling so I packed up and moved to Colorado where I lived for 11 years. There in the majestic mountains of Boulder, I found my husband, a home and a sense of connection to the earth and to people I have not felt before or since. I still consider Colorado my home. However, the pull of my life path guided me from Boulder to Orange County, California for 5 years, then to Portland, Oregon for 4 years and now Ventura for the last 7+ years. I have no idea what or where is next for me, but moving often has really taught me about letting go, detachment, impermanence and ultimately about embracing change. Plus it’s fun! You get to meet a lot of new people, see new things, and I’m a believer that you just can’t stay in one place forever.
TELL US A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOUR PERSONAL PRACTICE
My first yoga class was an ashtanga led primary series in Boulder, Colorado in 1997. I had no idea what yoga was or what ashtanga meant but I’ve been in love with that lineage ever since. I’ve since practiced and studied many other forms of yoga, but I always come back to the simple efficacy of this practice. I have not experienced another practice as grounding, balancing, healing, energizing or as humbling as this foundational order of poses. It seems to have more to teach each time I get on the mat. I was born and raised in a small suburb called Bloomfield Hills, just outside of Detroit, Michigan. But after college, I realized I need to see more amazing places. I moved to Chicago for 5 years and worked in corporate America. Then I heard the Rocky Mountains calling so I packed up and moved to Colorado where I lived for 11 years. There in the majestic mountains of Boulder, I found my husband, a home and a sense of connection to the earth and to people I have not felt before or since. I still consider Colorado my home. However, the pull of my life path guided me from Boulder to Orange County, California for 5 years, then to Portland, Oregon for 4 years and now Ventura for the last 7+ years. I have no idea what or where is next for me, but moving often has really taught me about letting go, detachment, impermanence and ultimately about embracing change. Plus it’s fun! You get to meet a lot of new people, see new things, and I’m a believer that you just can’t stay in one place forever.
TELL US A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOUR TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I received my 200-hour TT certificate in March of 2016 from Michele Loew of The Yoga Space in Portland, Oregon. Shortly after receiving it, I relocated to Ventura and met up with Sarah at one of her brewery classes. I started teaching community classes for Grassroots Yoga in the east side parks for the past two years and loved every minute of it. Being outside in nature and having the rest of the park around the classes, it created a beautiful connection with the people and the yoga. And, I’ve been teaching at Grassroots ever since!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE YOGA POSE?
My favorite pose Supta Kurmasana. This is one of the hardest poses I’ve ever done, but once in it (usually with my teacher’s help!), I find a release like no other pose. Like a turtle that brings in its head and legs, you can turn completely inward and be both completely present and active in the pose while also completely letting go. This pose to me is all about sitting with discomfort and finding the calm amidst it.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE YOGA/SPIRITUALITY/SELF HELP BOOK?
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay. This book changed my life. I went from being a victim of the happenings around my life to being in complete control of them. I also found a way to heal the past, heal my physical body and heal my limiting patterns and beliefs.
ANY ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS?
There is power in repetition. That any amount of the pose is the pose. Be at peace wherever you are in your practice, accept however deeply you got into the pose at any given time.
WHAT DOES “COMMUNITY” MEAN TO YOU?
The word alone to me is a version of “coming into unity”, so it means bringing souls, like and unlike minded people together in unity.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT VENTURA?
Being a newcomer here, I found Ventura welcoming, laid back and unlabeled. I feel it’s a great city to just be yourself.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION?
Ventura Land Trust. They are doing great things for the outdoor community including building a massive network of new and local trails for hiking, mountain biking and trail running in 2018.