Amanda Hawse

RYT 200hr, Children's Yoga Certified

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley

TELL US A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOUR PERSONAL PRACTICE
I started practicing about 15 years ago at a Hot Yoga studio. For the first eight years my practice ebbed and flowed- at times it would be consistent , at other times non-existent- and everything in between. After my youngest daughter was born I came back to my practice with consistency, and found my way back to heated studios from Vancouver to LA and finally ended up at Grassroots in 2018.

TELL US A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOUR TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I’m a brand new teacher with a lot to learn, but teacher training expanded my personal practice so much and my early teaching experiences have been humbling and gratifying. I am motivated and excited by this new challenge.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE YOGA POSE?
Right now I’m loving the transition from crow to tripod headstand...crow is fun and challenging, there’s still a lot of room for me to grow in that pose and this transition is one of those paths for growth...and I LOVE that core engagement on the way up! On any given day though warrior 2 is a fierce test of ease vs effort and I love that it looks like you aren’t doing much, but if you’re conscious in the asana there is A LOT going on. And eagle! Eagle is fun to transition in and out of, I love an eagle to warrior 3 transition!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE YOGA/SPIRITUALITY/SELF HELP BOOK?

The Surrender Experiment is a great story and I highly recommend it...the Alchemist is an eternal favorite as well. I also like to revisit the Four Agreements. I’m loving The Path of the Yoga Sutras...and just bought myself a copy after stealing glimpses of it at the studio for 6 months.

ANY ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS?
Let your fire burn away the fear! You can’t overcome those fears if you aren’t on your mat...so get on your mat and face the fear. Once you perceive that YOU are the only one that can give weight to the judgments of yourself or others you find freedom. Most yoga happens on the INSIDE. A beautifully aligned handstand doesn’t mean that yoga is happening. It also doesn’t mean it isn’t. So don’t limit yourself! You don’t need to achieve enlightenment in order to explore a pose, and a handstand doesn’t make you a guru! Have FUN! Set an intention to achieve an expression of a pose that you are drawn to. Trust that if you are seeking it step by step through your practice that on some level the yoga does you...you “think” you’re trying to do a headstand (or a vinyasa or crow or downward dog) and along the way you discover SO MUCH MORE.

WHAT DOES “COMMUNITY” MEAN TO YOU?
Supporting those around me AND being willing to receive support when needed (the second is harder than the first). Nothing brought more authenticity to my generosity then needing to receive.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT VENTURA?
Cliche, but it has to be the beach and the ocean. Being able to get in the water on a regular basis is a blessing...and locals summer #iykyk

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION?
School on Wheels serves the Ventura County area...more than just providing tutoring to homeless children, tutors become a lifeline, a connection and a regular point of contact for displaced children.