I recently got featured on Sangha Yoga Shala's Teacher Spotlight! I'm pretty excited about it, taking another step forward as a yogi and yoga teacher. I've attached the short Q&A below, check out the original article there: Sangha Yoga Shala
MEET HARPER
Harper is a one of a kind lovely soul! She brings a warm energy to all of her classes at Sangha be it sweaty vinyasa or pre/post natal .
What is your favorite style of yoga to teach and practice?
My education and teaching background is in Vinyasa Yoga. While I do enjoy taking Vinyasa classes, I love any class with a good flow. For me a good flow starts with a suitable warm-up, moving on to more strenuous poses, then good lengthy amount of stretching, and finally cooling down before Savasana. I believe an adequate amount of time in Savasana is so important, it allows us to integrate all of the movement and connect with our body, mind, spirit, and brain. When I plan my classes, I focus on the flow and arch of the class to give the students the most well rounded experience. I also believe bringing in different aspects of yoga such as meditation and pranayama (breathwork) is so significant to the experience and students’ yoga education.
What do you love about teaching at Sangha Yoga Shala?
I love teaching at Sangha Yoga Shala because of the community feel to the studio. Sangha Yoga Shala is not a studio where people come in, take classes, and not interact with each other. I enjoy talking and connecting with students about what is going on in their lives, it allows me to provide a better service and understanding. I love seeing students build friendships through their interactions in the studio. I feel accomplished as a teacher when I see students week after week build progress in yoga class and in different aspects of their lives.
What are your favorite ways to nourish your Mind and Body?
Apart from a daily practice, one of the ways for me to nourish my Mind and Body is through really listening to what my body needs. Your body is giving you clues as to what your mind and body needs to be at the most optimized operating state. If your body is telling you to slow down, it’s not helpful to force external influences just to keep going. Long term damage can accumulate through continuous ignorance and abuse. To keep our bodies healthy and provide longevity, we must be aware of what our mind and body is reflecting. Another thing I do to nourish my Mind and Body is through small practices. I do this while walking to the train or making breakfast in the morning, really anytime. Small practices can be saying or writing down ten things of gratitude, text/email/call a friend you haven’t talk with in a while, letting a loved one know how much you love and appreciate them, etc. These practices are what keeps me grounded and humble as I go through my every day life.
If anyone visited NYC, where would you take them?
When anyone visits NYC I take them to all of the great places for food, especially Chinese food. As a first generation immigrant from Taiwan, I’ve always searched for good solid Chinese or Taiwanese food anywhere I’ve ever lived. So far I’ve been really pleased with the selection in New York. Dim Sum is always my favorite go to selection to bring people to, it’s a traditional pastime and everyone is able to try everything. And of course, I always encourage them to take a class I’m teaching or any class at my studio.
Green Juice or Green Smoothie? Coffee or Tea ?
I prefer green juice to green smoothie, however, I only have a blender at the moment. Keeping my fingers crossed for a juicer on Christmas! I love drinking tea, especially Earl Gray. There are so many health benefits to drinking tea, however, somedays there is just nothing better than a good ol’ cup of joe in the morning.
MEET HARPER
Harper is a one of a kind lovely soul! She brings a warm energy to all of her classes at Sangha be it sweaty vinyasa or pre/post natal .
What is your favorite style of yoga to teach and practice?
My education and teaching background is in Vinyasa Yoga. While I do enjoy taking Vinyasa classes, I love any class with a good flow. For me a good flow starts with a suitable warm-up, moving on to more strenuous poses, then good lengthy amount of stretching, and finally cooling down before Savasana. I believe an adequate amount of time in Savasana is so important, it allows us to integrate all of the movement and connect with our body, mind, spirit, and brain. When I plan my classes, I focus on the flow and arch of the class to give the students the most well rounded experience. I also believe bringing in different aspects of yoga such as meditation and pranayama (breathwork) is so significant to the experience and students’ yoga education.
What do you love about teaching at Sangha Yoga Shala?
I love teaching at Sangha Yoga Shala because of the community feel to the studio. Sangha Yoga Shala is not a studio where people come in, take classes, and not interact with each other. I enjoy talking and connecting with students about what is going on in their lives, it allows me to provide a better service and understanding. I love seeing students build friendships through their interactions in the studio. I feel accomplished as a teacher when I see students week after week build progress in yoga class and in different aspects of their lives.
What are your favorite ways to nourish your Mind and Body?
Apart from a daily practice, one of the ways for me to nourish my Mind and Body is through really listening to what my body needs. Your body is giving you clues as to what your mind and body needs to be at the most optimized operating state. If your body is telling you to slow down, it’s not helpful to force external influences just to keep going. Long term damage can accumulate through continuous ignorance and abuse. To keep our bodies healthy and provide longevity, we must be aware of what our mind and body is reflecting. Another thing I do to nourish my Mind and Body is through small practices. I do this while walking to the train or making breakfast in the morning, really anytime. Small practices can be saying or writing down ten things of gratitude, text/email/call a friend you haven’t talk with in a while, letting a loved one know how much you love and appreciate them, etc. These practices are what keeps me grounded and humble as I go through my every day life.
If anyone visited NYC, where would you take them?
When anyone visits NYC I take them to all of the great places for food, especially Chinese food. As a first generation immigrant from Taiwan, I’ve always searched for good solid Chinese or Taiwanese food anywhere I’ve ever lived. So far I’ve been really pleased with the selection in New York. Dim Sum is always my favorite go to selection to bring people to, it’s a traditional pastime and everyone is able to try everything. And of course, I always encourage them to take a class I’m teaching or any class at my studio.
Green Juice or Green Smoothie? Coffee or Tea ?
I prefer green juice to green smoothie, however, I only have a blender at the moment. Keeping my fingers crossed for a juicer on Christmas! I love drinking tea, especially Earl Gray. There are so many health benefits to drinking tea, however, somedays there is just nothing better than a good ol’ cup of joe in the morning.
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