Kat Colla

Studios: Good Yoga, Greenhouse Hollistic, The Shala, Tangerine, and retreats

Website: www.katcollayoga.com,

Kat's classes encourage movement of the body to invigorate the breath and to maintain a present and attentive mind. She provides a unique and challenging sequence imbued with traditional asanas and attention to detail.

O/E: How long have you been teaching yoga?

6 years. I got certified at Yoga To The People and then again with Conquering Lion [both in NYC].

O/E: What were you doing before you were teaching?

Pre full time yoga, I was studying pre-med in college. After college I came to the city to explore myself, and started teaching SAT & ACT classes at a private school on the UES along with working at a cafe. I left the city for a bit and traveled, came back and worked at a restaurant in the west village and then I took some time off and got certified to teach yoga. After a breakup, I left the city for 4 months and taught yoga in Arizona and Hawaii then came back to NYC with literally no money left… worked at another restaurant and taught yoga. Finally about a year ago I was able to start teaching full time, it’s a hustle.

O/E: Why are you a yoga teacher?

I want to say because it comes naturally to me, i’m good at teaching, but I also feel like it’s a slight stepping stone in my life, just as anything is. This is absolutely where i’m supposed to be right now, there have been some moments where I haven’t always known. But this practice and my teaching is exactly what i’m supposed to be doing.

Also, I love the body and I respect the knowledge that it carries. The better relationship you have with your body, the better relationship you can have with your overall self-esteem and confidence.

O/E: What’s your favorite part of teaching or practicing?

I’m trying to think... there is just so much I like about it. Honestly, my favorite part of teaching is just saying hi to students when they come in…

O/E: I can totally see that, the moment I walked in the studio I could tell you just thrived off of greeting me.

That’s it, when I see someone walk in and I know they've made the choice to come in here, that first moment of connective energy is what pushes me to move forward with this.

My favorite part of my practice? Oh my god, I make love to myself. I love my body when i’m moving, it’s like i’m on a date with myself and that’s something everyone needs.

O/E: What do you do when you’re not teaching or practicing?

I see music shows as often as I can, I have dinner with friends, I drink wine.

I donno how to explain this...[pauses] Beach! Every opportunity I have to be at the beach, i'm there. I like to hike and then drink a beer, that’s my specialty. I love to drive. So funny, these are only things people in the city would say...

O/E: What’s you’re favorite pose right now or a pose that you’re challenging yourself to work on?

Handstand. Hands down, Handstand. I can get there and I can be there for a few breaths but I want to be able to chill out in a handstand and it’s not there yet.

A pose that I don’t ever get to because I have really tight outer hips is lotus, I can’t get there.

O/E: so is pigeon hard too?

No pigeon isn't hard because I keep my shin at a diagonal.

Hot or Cold?

cold

Fast or Slow?

slow

Loud or Silent?

silent

Black or White?

white

Mountain or Ocean?

ocean

Sky or Land?

land

Clothing or Nudity?

nudity

Kids or Adults?

kids

#instructor #nycyoga #brooklyn