Where are you from?
I grew up on a farm in Ohio. I now live in Santa Monica, California.
How did yoga come into your life?
I was in my early 20’s and I found that yoga offered a wonderful and loving glimpse into a body that was in need of healing and rest from the life it had been living. To be specific, a friend dragged me into my first class and I dragged her back there every damn day until we both became teachers!
What is yoga to you, right now?
Yoga to me now is showing up to my life with complete presence. With intention behind everything I do. It’s checking in with my breath in those moments where I’m due for reflection. It’s staying disciplined and steadfast when I want to throw in the towel. It’s finding those little moments of compassion for myself and the beings around me. It’s finding joy in the littlest things.
Why do you practice?
I practice to remember. To remember my place in my body. My place on this earth. My purpose for being here and serving humanity. It helps me ground and come into the best version of myself.
Why do you teach?
I teach yoga because I understand the potency for it to heal and repair people on a deep level – physically, emotionally and spiritually. I teach because at one point yoga changed my life. Without it I would be a completely different person. My hope is that I can help reach people on some level. To help make their day better and affect positive change in this world – even if that’s just bringing a smile to someone’s face.
What do you offer to your community, through yoga?
A chance to shift and reset your energy. To change your perspective if need be. To get to know yourself on a deep intimate level.
Favourite yoga pose?
Savasana.
Advice to new yogis? Don’t compare yourself to anybody else, remember you’re doing this for you… There is no being good or not being good at yoga. Show up to it and you’ve already won.
Advice to new yogis?
It’s about so much more than touching your toes. Don’t compare yourself to anybody else. Remember you’re doing this for you. Everybody has to start somewhere. There is no being good or not good at yoga. It’s just yoga either way. Show up to it and you’ve already won.
Recommended reading (yoga or not)?
The Four Desires, by Rod Stryker. The Bhagavad Gita. Right now I’m listening to Green Lights, by Matthew McConaughey.
Favourite meal?
Pizza all the way!
What do you do for fun?
I love to listen to music. I love to hike and be in nature. I go to the beach as often as possible and I make it a point to swim in the cold ocean everytime I’m there. I like dancing and I enjoy a good meal.
Stranded on an island — what 3 things would you bring?
A hot date, a tempurpedic mattress and maybe some mushrooms.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A scientist. Now I’m a yoga scientist 😉
Surprising or little known fact about you?
I’m a pretty decent cook.
Current projects?
I am currently scoping out breathtaking locations for my next yoga retreat!
Closing words?
I am very grateful to be sharing my yoga content online with the EkhartYoga community. It’s always been a dream of mine to share yoga online and it never felt right until now. Looking forward to many awesome, sweaty virtual classes!
Practice Mark’s first class with EkhartYoga!
A quick and sweet energising flow: 20 minutes to workout! After a brief grounding we get right to the point with some heat building Sun Salutations. A bit of hamstring and lunge work with a peak in Dancer’s pose for some balance. We even have time for a bit of hip opening and grounding before we wind down in Savasana. Energising, fun, and sure to get you ready for your day!
