A few months ago I overslept and woke up late for my usual 07:30 am Pilates class at the gym. I’m so glad I decided to still go and try out the yoga class that was straight after the Pilates. That is when I discovered Megan’s  yoga class and I was hooked ever since. She has made me fall in love with yoga again and I was so excited when she agreed to feature on my blog. I hope you will enjoy getting to know a little more about my yoga instructor as much as I did.

Tell me about yourself? 

I grew up on a farm in Umlali and then moved to Thompsons Bay to the beach when I was 11 years old. I went to Umhlali Primary School and was head girl in grade 7, and then went onto Crawford North Coast for high school. I am so grateful and proud to have gone to both of those schools, where I hold so many happy memories close to my heart, and where I made friends for life. I started dancing from the age of four years old and it quickly became my passion. This passion led me into finding yoga and falling absolutely in love with the practice. I then went to Cape Town for 2 years and came back home and did a creative communications degree, specializing in copywriting at Vega School of Design. I couldn’t recommend this college more! I then fulfilled all my dreams and went and did a ski season in Aspen, Colorado for 6 months and backpacked through 4 different countries in central America, where I completed my open water diving course – the highlight of my trip! I am a happy, content person that loves life and strives for a balanced life!

How did your passion for “yoga” originate?

It originated from my passion for dancing. I stopped dancing when I was 20 years old and then found yoga immediately after. It was the most natural transition from one passion to the next. They both share so many similar qualities.

What motivates you to keep working/following your passion?

Moving and flowing through my body is a part of who I am. For as long as I can remember I have used the art of movement as a way to enter my own, personal happy bubble. Therefore, it doesn’t need any motivation – it’s simply who I am.

Tell us a little more about Yoga and your specific discipline?

Yoga is a practice for the mind, body, and soul. I always compare it to traveling – If you get bitten by the travel bug, you simply have to travel. It is the same with yoga, if you get bitten by the yoga bug, you will more than likely practice it for the rest of your life. I practice a vinyasa flow which is flowing from one pose to the next. I believe I love this style as much as I do because it is the most similar to dancing, like dancing through a beautiful contemporary/ ballet piece.

Is it possible to burn calories from doing yoga?

There are many different yoga styles and some can be very cardio focused. Therefore, yes – you can most definitely burn calories from doing yoga.

The best way to prepare for yoga class and any favorite post-yoga snacks?

It is important to not eat before yoga as it stimulates the digestive system. I generally eat a wholesome meal after my practice as it is often before breakfast/dinner times.

What are your three favorite yoga poses? Describe how each pose makes you feel or any special memories you associate with these moves.

I love Savasana after an extremely challenging class – my body and mind instantly goes into a peaceful space. I am currently practicing Pincha Mayurasana, and it is an advanced pose, I’m loving it so much because it is challenging me. Noticing the progress when trying to practice advanced poses is part of the reason why we continue to practice and push as much as we do. I love  Natarajasana as it makes me feel strong, flexible and balanced at the same time – like a warrior!

The most random question you have been asked as a yoga instructor?

This is the most random question I have been asked as a yoga teacher, haha

If you were stranded in a desert, what three items would you want to have with you?

Water to drink, a blow-up pool, and a warm blanket (it can get cold at night in deserts).

Your absolute worst habit?

I mostly choose to scroll the T.V or my social media accounts, over reading or writing, and that is a bad habit.

If you could be in the movie of your choice, what movie would you choose and what character would you play?

There are too many options. Julia Roberts from Pretty Women or Notting Hill. Julia Roberts was definitely my dream actress growing up.

Current favorite mantra?

I like to repeat to myself, “I am grateful” when using a mantra in meditation. I believe gratitude is possibly the most important quality, and yoga has taught me this discipline and continues to do so every single time I step on my mat.

What would be your advice or parting thoughts be to Yogis /Yoga instructors/ entrepreneurs?

My advice to all yogis is to be open to the entire journey and the changes it may make to your life along the way. I am still such a novice teacher with only 6 months under my belt, but if I could give any advice to any aspiring teachers – it would be to listen to your body and rest as much as you need too in the beginning stages of your teaching, because it can be emotionally draining as well as physically draining. Once you push through the initial stage of teaching and begin to see and hear how it is changing your student’s life, it gives you all that energy straight back and quickly becomes a very rewarding job to do.

Where can we find you?

Email: megsrobert@gmail.com

Facebook: Megs Robert

Instagram: megsrobert

xoxo