What a long, strange trip it's been.

My second teacher was Gayna Uransky, an Iyengar teacher in Garberville, Humboldt County, NorCal.  She was beautiful and strong and down to earth.  It was in her class that I first saw Ashtanga Yoga and it was love at first sight. I was entranced by the flow and grace and bizarre shapes of the poses.  

I arrived in Seattle in 1995, and soon after, I found the Ashtanga Yoga School with David Garrigues and his wife, Catherine.  I studied there for over 10 years.  David and Catherine's enthusiasm and expertise inspired and infused my practice immensely and I am forever grateful for their guidance.  

I went to Mysore India in 1999 for three months to study firsthand with the teacher of my teachers, the great Ashtanga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath.  It was so amazing to go to the source of this teaching and experience it firsthand. 

India has to be seen to be believed.  What a crazy and beautiful place!   It was humbling and inspiring to practice yoga with this joyful old man in this ancient setting, surrounded by incredible yogis from all over the planet.  I had the opportunity to study again with Guruji in New York City in September 2001 (days before 9/11!!!) and in Seattle when he came to visit us in August 2002.     

It was David and Catherine that got me mixed up in Yoga teaching.  One day back in 1997 they mentioned that there was a studio opening in Ballard that was looking for teachers and maybe I should go check it out.  I had never even considered teaching Yoga!  I was sure I didn't know very much (it was true).  But I told myself "If they think I can do it, maybe I can???"  I asked Catherine if she had any advice for me as a new teacher, and she said, in her characteristically no nonsense way "Tracy, just teach what you know." 

That was my first teacher training.  Six years later I officially took the Ashtanga Yoga School Teacher Training.  I also assisted with several of the trainings that followed. 

Other influences that have formed and continue to refine my ongoing Yoga education are my "students" who are really my teachers, my yoga practice, and of course, life itself.  My thanks to all of you.         

Namaste!