Mindful Movement interview with Shaina & Abby

Do you ever wish you could go and sit with your yoga teacher and ask them a million questions? Something about the practice of yoga is so calming, and we want to know more about the people who instruct this magnificent art form. Below are two interviews with two yoga instructors.

Abby Farley:

I am a yoga instructor. I teach at a local studio by my house called Y6. I also am into sharing basically all things health and wellness. I love to do that through Instagram. It’s where I get to express my creativity while sharing those things. I also teach some online classes as well through my own website yogabyabby.com.

Favorite Rom-Com:

How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. I love the humor and I love the duo of Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. The way that their characters mesh together in that movie makes me so happy and it’s just so fun and romantic. That one is one I can watch over and over again.

What does mindful movement meant to you?

Being thoughtful and intentional about how you are caring for your body, not just with movement, but with things that compliment your movement as well. Your entire wellbeing. I think mindful movement also means going into a workout or an exercise with intentions and with a purpose—why am I doing this, what am I doing it for, and how do I want to feel after. And that gives you more meaning behind every exercise, every pose, or workout that you do and I think that makes it more enjoyable and even more effective on your body if you are putting your mind into it too.

Ways to practice mindfulness:

It can be as simple as just thinking more mindfully about how you are going about your day. Maybe you are around people you care about and all it means is putting down your phone for a few minutes and giving them your full attention. Or maybe it means being more present with your daily tasks like making the bed or making your favorite drink. Maybe stop and slow down as you’re doing those things, and notice every action as you do them. I think that will help you appreciate everything about life a bit more. That is kind of what I like to start with, because it can be overwhelming to jump into it head first with the bigger things like meditation and those deeper practices. I think those come with time. It’s kind of nice to start with, “what can I do a bit more mindfully in my daily life?” Focusing your awareness and your intention on each little action throughout your day.

What helps you stay present?

For me, I think what helps me stay present is those routines that kind of keep me sane in the morning and night. I have a few different things I like to do consistently each day if I am able to: make my bed, maybe make my favorite drink like a matcha, or of course practicing any form of movement that brings me joy. When I do those things consistently and I start and end my day with those little rituals it helps the rest of my day to be more mindful, which helps me to be more present. Honestly, coming back to mindfulness with everything. For me, putting my phone down when I am around people is a big one. Otherwise, I can’t fully focus my attention and I don’t want to miss an important moment or conversation with someone.

What inspires you?

I get inspiration from people on Instagram. I know Instagram can have its ups and downs when it comes to finding inspiration, because it is easy to compare yourself on there as well. I try to follow a lot of people who are a bit more authentic with what they share and a bit more real. That gives me inspiration. I love to follow other people in the wellness and fitness industry. It’s just fun to see how other people are sharing that. I enjoy connecting with people in that industry and space. It’s fun to learn from them how whatever they specialize in can compliment what I am working on. It’s fun to learn from each other and bounce ideas off each other.

What does a typical day as a yoga teacher look like?

For me, usually if I have a class in the evening I will spend my morning doing my own routine. That’s usually my own movement routine. I actually enjoy doing pilates at home and then I get my yoga practice in when I am teaching it. I enjoy making fun, somewhat healthy meals if I can. Still learning some recipes on that. Reels and TikToks are where I am looking at recipes right now. Also because it is satisfying to watch them. Usually I prepare for my class by running through it myself in real time alone. I will take notes as I go, write out certain poses that I want to include, some days include making playlists for my classes. I try to fit those to the flow of the class so that it builds in heat as the poses do and it winds down in the end. Some of the playlists have words. It depends on the style of class. If it is something more restorative and slow and meditative, I prefer to keep that instrumental. Some lo-fi music or some piano music. Calming stuff. If it is more of an upbeat vinyasa class or hot yoga, I usually start it with instrumental and then the upbeat sections will include music with lyrics, some more recognizable pop songs, and then I’ll move back into instrumental for the ending. Favorite track includes: Birdsong by Elderbrook. That one is my favorite for a vinyasa hot yoga class. That one I have been playing a lot in my classes recently usually about fifteen minutes in when you’re starting to pick up the pace and build heat because it has a beat to it that gets me so excited.

Favorite smoothie recipe:

I love a pb&j smoothie. I think it is a popular favorite for most people. I usually do some frozen banana, frozen blueberries, sometimes I’ll do strawberries too, but usually blueberry and banana. You can throw any supplements you want on top of that. I like to do a coconut collagen powder or some flax seeds for added fiber. It also helps you feel full and satiated. I do almond milk or oat milk. And then peanut butter, but you can also do almond butter.

Favorite yoga poses:

I love some of the more beginner poses because sometimes it feels good and satisfying to go back to the basics, to do something you know you are capable of that is pretty easy. I really enjoy threelegged dog. You’re in downward dog, but you’re kind of doing a split. I also enjoy dancer pose. That one can be a bit more of a challenging balance pose, but pretty much anyone can do it. It is more about balance than flexibility. You’re holding your foot behind your head almost—like a bow and arrow kind of shape. It can help if your hips are opened and your back is loosened.

Most of the pose takes balance and focus. I enjoy puppy pose too because it gives a good stretch on your shoulders, chest, and upper arms.

Favorite part of class:

I think it depends on the class. My favorite class to teach is hot yoga. When the beat starts to pick up and the heat is building, usually twelve or so minutes into class. You start moving into a warrior flow and you repeat that flow a few times. I love the repetitiveness of that. It is satisfying to know what comes next and having a good beat that goes with it makes it really fun.

If you could be any rom-com character for a day, who would you choose and why?

That’s a hard one. Does Breakfast at Tiffany’s count as a rom-com? Because I would love to live as her for a day. Holly Golightly. That would be the character of my choice. I think she is so classy and elegant and I love how she makes do with the smallest things. She looks so nice and put together, but lives so minimally at the same time.

Shaina Hecht:

I’m a yogi living in Brooklyn. I’ve been practicing yoga for 15 years and taught for over a decade before transitioning to tech. I now work for an awesome tech company in the corporate wellness space and help companies integrate wellbeing into their workplace.

Favorite Rom-Com?

My favorite rom-com is Clueless.

Things that bring me joy:

So many things. Cooking, reading, spending time with loved ones, being in nature, moving my body, helping others, sharing experiences, music, a good movie/ show, etc.

My inspiration:

Mother nature. Awesome humans. Feeling connected.

Knowledge from my health and wellness journey that has been the most impactful/relevant:

It’s all about balance. Discipline and routine are just as important as flexibility, openness, and curiosity. Health and wellness is a never-ending journey of constant evolution to become the greatest version of yourself.

Favorite ritual: At the moment, it’s making celery juice every morning!

Favorite health and wellness tip: Being kind to yourself.

What does this mean to me:

Balance and growth.

Closing thoughts:

Everyone’s journey is unique! Learn from others, but don’t compare your journey to theirs. The goal is inner peace. Do whatever brings you closest to that. Honor your body and discipline your mind. Speak kindly towards yourself, be accepting of others, and express gratitude for every single thing life brings you.