I practice Hot Baptiste yoga at a studio several times a week and when I can't make it there, I practice at home. Yoga has had such a positive influence on my life. A once very high strung, easily stressed "Type A", became a more centered, peaceful and aware "Type A. It's also become an integral part of my work. To any singer, a warm up is one of the most crucial steps in preparation for performance. When my body is warm, my vocal chords are warm. And in addition to being stretched and awakened, it helps me center my mind. I feel so incredibly opened after a practice, especially in a creative sense. I feel like there are facets of my mind that are un locked after a good practice- which makes for excellent song writing. It's put me so in tune with my body and made me aware of stress that was manifested through habitual actions I made to cope with whatever I was dealing with. As a Singer/Songwriter/Recording artist who's trying to carve a fruitful path for herself, you're mind can get crowded and chaotic. Yoga taught me how to calm my mind, slow down the noise and find a way to handle an abundance of work in a proactive way.
Many people view yoga as a form of exercise to get thin and fit, but it's so much more than that. Yogais peace to the soul: it's cleansing and kind, and it's a way of life. Yoga doesn't tell you you need to look a certain way. It's goal is to heighten your awareness of your surroundings and yourself. It' s so important that young girls and women view their bodies as a temple. That they accept their bodies for what they are and exercise in a positive, healthy way. My ultimate goal is to create a positive image for women. Yoga makes you ask "what can I do to make myself better?". I pray that my music always communicates a similar message.