Join us in giving a big warm welcome to our new manager, Laura Crowe! She has been a part of our community for a few years as a student and more recently as an Energy Exchange Ambassador. We are so excited for her to take on this new role and join our big sweaty yoga family!
As our Modo Voices feature this month, we asked Laura a few questions so that we can all get to know her better.
Can you tell us a bit about your role in the Modo Vancouver community? What about your responsibilities brings you joy?
I fell in love with Modo Yoga Downtown in Toronto. When I moved to Vancouver in August 2017, I searched for a sister location to continue my practice and was happy to find MYV. While I have been practicing at MYV for a few years, I feel like I truly joined the Modo family when I began Energy Exchanging in August 2019. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the teachers and staff, and over the past months have found comfort in becoming a larger part of the community, and giving back to the studio. I’ve also gained a much deeper relationship with my yoga practice. I am so excited and honoured to become the new manager of MYV. I can’t wait to get started, meet everyone, and take care of the studio and community that has taken care of me for so many years!
How has your practice, and your relationship to your body, community, and the world, transformed since practicing at Modo Yoga?
Since practicing Modo Yoga I have become much more connected to my breath, and have learned to relax and meditate at home, which has greatly helped my ability to shut my mind off when trying to fall asleep. As well, since becoming a part of the Modo community I feel more understanding and compassionate; they say that energies are contagious and that you should surround yourself with people that reflect who you want to be and how you want to feel. I can confidently say that the Modo community has inspired me to live a happier and healthier life.
How has the Modo community supported you through your yoga practise and health journey?
I remember when I first entered a Modo studio in Toronto. The warm environment (both the people and the room) and the feeling of genuine kindness and support – everyone was so friendly, welcoming and encouraging.
When I moved to Vancouver the Modo community provided me with familiarity in a new city. Since then I’ve gone through phases where I’ve let stress take over, and have lost sight of my yoga practice. Even after time away from the studio, the Modo community has always remembered and greeted me with open arms, and the teachers have always given me attention to help improve my practice. Now, the positive, boosting atmosphere of MYV is like a daily medicine that cures me when I’m feeling down or stressed.
What is your favourite yoga class to take at Modo Yoga and why? Do you have any tips or advice for those who are new to hot yoga?
It’s difficult to pick a favourite class. Modo and Modo/Yin have been my choice classes for a long time, but now that I’m stronger and have more control over my breathing, I really enjoy Modo Flow classes. I like the challenge and the way I feel after class, mind and body. I’ve also recently grown to love Live Music classes. I’m able to close my eyes, focus on me, and lead myself through the practice. It’s been very gratifying.
For someone who is new to hot yoga, I suggest focusing on yourself in the hot room and asking for help from that teacher when you’re uncomfortable or not sure about a posture. Do not compare yourself to others, and do not “compete” with others. It’s so easy to be influenced by those around you. Not only will every pose sit with you differently, but your left side will also be different than your right side. Drink lots of water, look yourself in the eyes, and breathe. Yoga is not about them, it’s about you.
What is your favourite yoga pose and why?
There are a number of yoga poses that I have grown to favour over the years. These poses are not the same as they were when I first began, and I am sure they will change in the future. These days my body craves hip openers. Whenever I enter the hot room, I make sure to spend extended time in Reclined Butterfly or Reclined Cobblers, Pigeon on both sides, and Reclined Hero. Each of these poses allow me to relax and sink into my practice while stretching in all the right places. They give me feelings of content and total repose.
Can you think of a time where practising yoga helped you navigate a particular stage in your life?
After I finished my undergraduate degree, I was looking for work and trying to navigate an unstructured life. Coming out of school and out of a daily routine was difficult. I had never had so much freedom! So, when my life was a blank slate of disarray, my regular hot yoga practice gave me stability and reminded me of who I was in a time of flux. When everything else in my life was changing, yoga kept me grounded.