Raising Self-Esteem Through Yoga: Rekara Gage, Joy of Fitness Instructor

Rekara in supported bound ankle pose during
her Joy of Fitness restorative yoga class.

Why did you become a yoga instructor? 

I fell in love with the practice. Before doing yoga, I never would have expected that my body could move in the way that it can nor that I was as stressed and wound-up as I was. You’d be surprised by what that awareness can do for self-esteem and overall wellness (spiritual, emotional, physical, mental, etc.). I became a yoga instructor to help people appreciate themselves and realize their potential.

What are the traits you look for in an excellent instructor and how does that influence your teaching style? 

Someone who is helpful, patient, prepared, clear and creative has what it takes to be an excellent yoga teacher. I like to create a safe space for my students; one where they are reminded that we’re all students who are learning and progressing together. My classes are created to challenge students and let them play around; engaging their bodies and minds in ways that aren’t usually seen during the daily grind. 

 Rekara in supported revolved twist during her
Joy of Fitness restorative yoga class.

What motivates you? 

The feeling. My body feels so much better, my mood is so much better when I practice. Fitness in general is a pick-me-up. I can’t go too long without some kind of physical outlet to keep me balanced and centered. Luckily, yoga goes beyond just a physical release. 

What's your favorite yoga pose? 

I can’t say that I have just one favorite pose,

but I can say that I love poses like bridge. There’s so much growth and exploration in this pose because of its variations. With yoga, there’s really no such thing as “mastering” a pose. Students of yoga are always searching for ways to express poses differently such as feeling a pose more deeply or in new ways. This is a pose that you can really do that in.

Rekara in supported child pose during her
Joy of Fitness restorative yoga class.

Inspirational Quote: 

You don’t get better by doing nothing; you don’t get things done unless you give yourself to it, whole-heartedly.

What's Your Motivation To Get Moving?

With busy lives juggling work, kids and home life it's hard to find time and energy to exercise. I totally get it! The funny thing is the very thing we feel we do not have the energy for is oftentimes the VERY thing we should be doing that will actually help us be more productive and enjoy the things we already have going on in our lives. At least that's what I think and is part of my motivational drive to keep moving, exercise, in order to live longer and enjoy an active, mobile lifestyle with my friends and family. The more we move, exercise, the more energy we have to do what we want. My other motivation is the fact that heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's all run in my family, affecting especially hard the women in my family. Also, I was recently diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome a chronic autoimmune disease in which a person’s white blood cells attack their moisture-producing glands. I experience fatigue, joint pain, dry eyes and other symptoms often. What helps me most- exercise. Consistent, regular exercise is one of the few things that has been proven to help ward off Alzheimer's, heart disease and diabetes, as well as keep those joints lubricated and functional, along with eating a healthy diet. That's what keeps me going. Honestly, I want to be around for awhile. What's your motivation and how will it help you get moving and/or stay moving? Yours in exercise, Shannon

Photo of me that my daughter took during one of my outdoor
exercise classes a couple of years ago.
I love being outside and moving!