Meet today’s interview with Caroline Klebl, Yoga Instructor at Source of Yoga in Los Angeles, California
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do professionally.
I live in Los Angeles and teach a dynamic style of yoga practice, which includes hundreds of traditional yoga postures. Practicing yoga postures improves health, reduces stress and awakens spiritual insight. I’ve been practicing and teaching yoga for over 20 years and developed 200 and 500 hour yoga teacher training programs, which I teach in Los Angeles and at beautiful retreat destinations around the world. Additionally, I’ve produced an instructional yoga dvd and written a book on ashtanga yoga, which includes over a hundred yoga postures.
What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company?
My profession is especially rewarding, since it has a positive effect on other people’s lives. The practice of yoga is a timeless inspiration, which eliminates disease, improves strength and flexibility and promotes longevity. Yoga is a wonderful form of exercise, which stills the mind and draws the awareness towards pure consciousness.
Tell us about any new projects you have coming up (or recently completed).
I’m presently in development on a feature length documentary about yoga and meditation in pop culture. This documentary will explore the history of yoga, how yoga came to the west, the benefits of yoga and the method of yoga practice. Inspiring interviews will infuse the documentary with multiple perspectives on the practice of yoga and meditation and reveal the extraordinary impact yoga has on the life of the practitioner.
What is a typical day like for you?
I wake up to the sun and practice yoga in the morning. It is best to practice yoga postures on an empty stomach prior to having breakfast. The sun salutations, a series of yoga postures, which warm up the body in preparation for more difficult postures, are meant to be practiced facing the rising sun to the east. My day continues with teaching yoga and preparing delicious vegetarian meals. Additionally, I like to read, go for a walks, visit art galleries or attend interesting events in LA.
Tell us about your community involvement – what you are passionate about outside of work and home and why/how you participate?
I’ve contributed to tree planting organizations numerous times. The earths forests have been severely diminished since the beginning of human civilization. I consider replanting forests and planting trees an important measure to offset emissions and reduce the negative effects of global warming.
What is the biggest risk you ever took professionally and/or the biggest obstacle you have overcome?
In 2008, I scheduled my first 200 hour yoga teacher training in Bali. I had taught a yoga retreat on Bali previously and week long yoga teacher trainings at yoga centers around the world, but this was the first 200 hour certification retreat. I registered my yoga certification course with the Yoga alliance, booked the course at the Zen Resort Bali and started promoting the program six months in advance. The course was a great success. 25 people joined the training. The Zen resort in Bali has a beautiful open air yoga space and wonderful cottages with open air showers. An Ayurvedic doctor from India provided Indian and Balinese massages. The food was delicious and the weather of course, perfect. Students from all over the world attended the training. Their practice and teaching skills quickly improved and many of these students now teach yoga all over the world.
From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc?
One of my main inspirations has been my guru Sri K Pattabhi Jois, who developed the ashtanga vinyasa system of yoga and taught yoga at his yoga shala in Mysore, India into his 90’s. Every day he woke up early in the morning to recite mantras and teach yoga asana for four to eight hours a day. He popularized his very effective method of vinyasa yoga practice around the world. Vinyasa are the movements between postures, which deepen the breath and maintain heat in the body throughout yoga posture practice. The ashtanga vinyasa method quickly improves strength and flexibility and develops cardiovascular fitness. By practicing ashtanga yoga, yoga postures are quickly improved and mastered.
What do you do to keep yourself sharp? What one thing have you done in the past year that has made a significant difference in your life/your business?
I practice yoga regularly. I also maintain a healthy vegetarian diet. Ancient texts on yoga recommend a vegetarian diet, which is considered to be sattvic or pure, since it enhances and purifies consciousness.
What one thing would you like to learn this year?
I’m currently practicing an interesting set of advanced yoga postures, which includes deep backbends and inverted postures. I’d like to continue to improve these postures this year.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years, I see myself practicing and teaching yoga. I’ve been teaching yoga for almost 20 years and continue to enjoy instructing yoga as well as meditation and yoga philosophy. I’d also like to see my documentary on yoga reach and inspire a large audience.
What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment?
I enjoy listening to music, going to concerts, watching films, hiking and traveling. I also like reading books on yoga and contemplating philosophical concepts.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
I conduct 200 and 500 hour yoga teacher training programs in the US and in beautiful tropical retreat destinations around the world. Anyone who is interested in improving their yoga practice or would like to become a yoga instructor is welcome to attend my training programs.
What’s the best way for the readers of WE Magazine for Women to connect with you?
The best way to connect with me is through my website
www.sourceofyoga.com
or social media
www.instagram.com/caroline_ klebl
www.twitter.com/sourceofyoga
www.facebook.com/kleblcaroline
