We are thrilled to introduce you to this month’s inspiring human, Meg Coyle! Meg first joined us in April 2018 when a day of skiing left her sore and in need of some rest and recovery. We’re grateful to say she’s been sweating with us several times a week ever since! Her dedication to self-care so she can remain active and in full enjoyment of life is a thing to behold. Meg won’t let anything hold her back and we’re sure you’ll find her story an inspiration for keeping you ready for anything an active lifestyle may dish out.

So Meg, what do you remember about the first time you tried yoga?

I was living in California when I first tried yoga.  I was an avid runner at the time and wasn’t sure I would have the patience or concentration to “stretch” for a whole class.  I had no idea it would become an integral part of my long distance training for its strengthening and mind altering benefits.

How has your practice influenced your life?

My recent practice through Modo Yoga has helped to remind me how important it is to take care of myself and how when I care for myself and listen to my body I am better able to care for all the people in my life.  This practice has helped me feel strong in body and spirit, and honestly it has slowed my mind down and helped me to approach my life in a more calm and thoughtful way. Every time I step in the hot room I am inspired by the teachers and the community – the hot room feels like a very safe place.

Could you share some words of wisdom that you have gained from your practice?

I’m not best with words of wisdom, but for me surrendering and committing to the practice by concentrating on allowing the 60 minutes in the hot room to be time for me (this is still difficult), listening to my body, listening to my inner self, and believing in the medicine of the poses has proved to be more therapeutic (for both mind and body) than anything else.

The Yoga Sutras teach us that yoga makes the impossible possible. Would you share an experience from your life that you feel yoga helped support?

My most important job for the last 21 years has been that of mom.  Sometimes in this role we are faced with challenges for which we have absolutely no training, and while we are completely compromised by love and adoration we are ultimately in charge.  Through the practice of yoga we are reminded of our strengths, our weaknesses and how to breathe our way through the hard parts.

Upheld in the Modo Live to Learn Pillar, Svadyaya is the yoga practice of self-study. We flex our curiosity to learn about ourselves and learn about our world. Have you read or watched anything recently that you think we should all checkout?

Hmm…I read a lot of fiction, but I really enjoyed a series on Netflix called Losers which “profiles athletes who have turned the agony of defeat into human triumph.”   I loved learning about the flexibility and resilience of the human spirit through the stories of seemingly insurmountable failures transformed into brand new lives.