Whitney Carver

RYT 200hr, TIY Trauma Informed Yoga 30hr, KAY kids yoga 15hr

WHERE WERE YOU BORN/RAISED?
I was born in LA and moved to Ventura County when I was a toddler. I was raised in Simi Valley and Camarillo. A southern Californian to the core. 

TELL US A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOUR PERSONAL PRACTICE
I started practicing yoga while I was a social worker in Oxnard in 2017. I was stressed out, chronically sick, had no energy, and felt completely separate from my body. I have never been particularly athletic or flexible, but felt drawn to yoga with one intention: “to become more connected to my body”. Slowly but surely I started noticing drastic changes in my physical and mental health. I was completely blown away by the results and felt stronger than ever before. After a year of practicing regularly I completed teacher training and transitioned my career to health and wellness. My practice continues to be deeply important to my overall wellbeing and has helped me feel empowered through life’s challenges. I am so grateful to the teachers that have guided me along the way! 

TELL US A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOUR TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I completed my 200hr vinyasa teacher training in March 2018 and have been teaching ever since! I primarily teach vinyasa or power flow but also have experience teaching yoga sculpt, senior yoga, kids’ yoga, and restorative/yin. I completed a 30hr Trauma Informed Yoga training in 2021 and am totally fascinated by yoga’s effects on the nervous system. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE YOGA POSE?
I’m a sucker for side body openers. Triangle and revolved janusirsasana are my current favorites. Absolute heaven. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE YOGA/SPIRITUALITY/SELF HELP BOOK?
Currently, it’s a tie between “Be Here Now” by Ram Dass and “The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer. I love that both of these authors convey powerful ideas about mindfulness in a simple, bite-sized, and artistic way. 

ANY ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS?
Keep your sense of humor. And keep coming back. It works.

WHAT DOES “COMMUNITY” MEAN TO YOU?
Community is a group of people that lift each other up while celebrating each other’s differences. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT VENTURA?
My favorite things about Ventura are its natural beauty and amazing community. The mountains, beaches, hillsides, sunny days, and beautiful people are what make this place feel like home. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION?
Paw Works