How did you get started at Dragonfly?
A recommendation from my psychiatrist got me looking for a yoga studio near me, and I happened to be about halfway between the Verona and Fitchburg locations, so I gave it a go. I took Katie’s Yoga 101 class early on as well, maybe the first week or two, which helped alleviate many of the early anxieties I had about yoga and joining a class. That was almost 4 years ago now and I don’t think I’ve missed a week since!
What was your yoga or barre experience before joining us?
I had not ever taken a group fitness class before starting at Dragonfly! I’m used to solo early morning miles, so I had no idea what to expect in a group class environment.
What do you enjoy most about attending Dragonfly classes?
I love how welcoming the people and the spaces are. Everyone is there for a different reason, but on our mats those reasons don’t matter — we are all just showing up as ourselves, and that is all that’s required. I love that each class can be whatever I need to it be on the day — I might be exploring my edge if I’m feeling strong, in a more restorative place if that’s where I am that day, or anywhere in between.
Have you experienced any changes in your total well-being since taking classes?
Yoga has been a consistent, reliable, and effective way for me to feel more grounded, get out of my head, and reconnect with my body. I celebrate every time I am able to let myself linger in a pose or take an alternate pose altogether — those little ways in which I am honoring myself and listening to what I need have become the basis for acceptance and growth in all areas of my life.
How often do you attend classes, and do you have a favorite class?
I try to get to classes 2-5 times a week, but it really just depends on life/time of year. I found yin to be very challenging at the beginning (and many weeks I still do), but I look forward to the intentional presence and slowing of my mind that yin has helped teach me to allow over the years. Slow flow is also a favorite of mine — I exist at a slower pace and sometimes can feel rushed during a typical flow class, so slow flow feels perfect for me.
Please feel free to share any other thoughts about Dragonfly, hot yoga, or your life — we would love to know more about you!
I love being outdoors and on trails and I’m grateful to have helped create the Driftless Trail Collective where I get to put on trail races and community events in Madison and more broadly the Driftless region of southwest Wisconsin. My life completely changed when I found trail running and I love getting the chance to help others find their own meaning and path through trail running and endurance. I also have 2 wonderfully chaotic corgis that keep me busy in all the best ways.
