Santa Monica native Kyle Miller stumbled into her first yoga class looking for a killer workout, and what she got surpassed expectations: a new found passion. After years of immersing herself in the mental, spiritual and emotional aspects of all varieties of yoga practice, she now views yoga as a means of rejuvination for her entire spirit. Trained in Jivamukti yoga in NYC and Ayurveda in India, Kyle’s teaching has taken her all over the world. Her newest endeavor is Yoga Dream, a collaborative book with illustrator Mike Gigliotti that speaks to anyone who has ever held back giggle fits in the middle of a Sun Salutation. This whimsical yet unconventional book reinterprets what it means to be a yogi in the 21st century: no one rigid idea is right for everyone! Read on about Kyle’s inspirations, tips and must-haves, then enter to win a copy of Yoga Dream for yourself…
Name:
Kyle Miller of Yoga Vida in NYC
Biggest Inspiration:
I have so many and I think having inspirations is essential to being on the path of yoga, on any path moving forward. I am inspired by Sharon Gannon co-founder of Jivamukti, my mentor Rima Rabbath, Nevine Michaan of Katonah Yoga, Colleen Saidman Yee of Yoga Shanti, Heather Lilleston of Yoga for Bad People, Gwyneth Paltrow, Martha Stewart, Beyonce and all strong women everywhere!
When I'm not on the mat, I'm...
On the couch, in the kitchen, appreciating the natural world, looking at cute pics of animals on Instagram and hanging with my friends.
Favorite pose:
Right now, Marichyasana A…nothing will open your shoulders and clean out the digestive system like this one. I love sirsasana (headstand), too. It’s amazing how steady you can feel standing on your head.
I wish that more people realized that yoga…
…can help you work through your past and create the future you want.
Project or cause I am most passionate about:
My old roommate works for Every Mother Counts, Christy Turlington’s crusade to end maternal mortality around the globe. I really believe in their campaign to raise awareness and all of the outreach they do. The community classes at yoga vida are by donation and the proceeds got to EMC. I also donate to their team members who run marathons around the country to raise funds. I even have the privledge of teaching the NYC ING Marathon team their pre-race yoga class!
Biggest lesson yoga has taught me:
That all people are the same at the core, desiring to experience more happiness and less suffering.
Biggest lesson I hope to teach through yoga:
That how you treat others matters.
Most rewarding yoga-related experience:
Leading teacher trainings at Yoga Vida and then having the pleasure of taking those students’ classes. I feel so proud of them as they assume the seat of the teacher and I can hear my own teaching and my teachers’ teachings coming through in their voices.
5 things on my Bucket List:
Grow my own lemons.
Swim in every ocean.
Raise a beautiful family.
Have a daily meditation practice.
Enlightenment
Advice I would give my 16 year-old self:
Your perception will change. What you believe creates happiness today will evolve…don’t be judgmental or rigid. And everything will work out perfectly.
Personal mantra:
So many! I am grace embodied. I have an infinite well of kindeness within. I am capable and calm. I am Mother Teresa!
Win A Copy Of Yoga Dreams!
In the spirit of all things yoga, simply leave a comment below with your favorite mantra. We’ll choose one lucky reader to win a copy of Kyle’s book. Good luck (and namaste)!
