At Radiant Hot Yoga, our teachers are the heart and soul of our community, guiding students with expertise, compassion, and inspiration. Each month, we recognize one exceptional instructor who goes above and beyond to create a transformative and supportive environment for our practitioners. Our Teacher of the Month section celebrates these dedicated professionals who bring passion, wisdom, and a personal touch to every class. Join us in honoring their contributions, learning about their unique teaching journeys, and appreciating the profound impact they have on our yoga family.
Meet Doug, our inspiring Teacher of the Month of November at Radiant Hot Yoga.
What inspired you to become a yoga teacher, and how did your journey begin?
Realizing in Teacher Training how difficult it was and you have to utilize so many different skills simultaneously to deliver a good class that the challenge to improve was very rewarding.
What do you find most rewarding about teaching yoga?
Being able to see with my own eyes students improve week to week and see them embrace the positive aspects of their lives and being part of a vital, energetic and growing community.
Can you share a memorable teaching experience at Radiant Hot Yoga?
My first time using crystal sound bowls during yin and feeling how united and aligned the energy in the room became and how much deeper yogis were getting into postures, it was magical and scientific at the same time.
How do you incorporate the principles of yoga into your daily life outside the studio?
Always trying to let go of judgments at every level-personal, global, political or whatever, and in the act of letting go working through the mechanics of whatever inspired the reaction in the first place and learning through that.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering beginning yoga?
Drink a lot of water! Don’t judge yourself harshly. Try and leave any preconceptions about what might happen at the door and be open to the Magic! You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.
How has the community at Radiant Hot Yoga influenced your teaching and your personal life?
It has brought me into contact with a much wider array of people than I have ever experienced before and to be able to interact and get so many different stories and perspectives it is so enriching and fulfilling in my own life.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of yoga?
Music, being outdoors, reading, working out, jewelry making, itching to start surfing again!
What do you feel is your soul’s calling, and how does teaching at Radiant Hot Yoga fulfill this?
To grow my heart, mind and perception, heal myself and in that journey try and be a light for others to feel safe and open themselves up to the transformative journey of yoga.
