september yogi of the month: laney w.
Name: Alana aka Laney Hild
What's your Yoga Story? My grandma always says “if you don’t use it, you lose it!” After I realized my youngest was almost two, I figured it was time to really dedicate time to just my health and use it. I’ve never left the studio feeling anything but thankful so I’m hooked!
Favorite thing about Santosha? Instructors who are your best friends immediately.
Fun Fact: My aunt Pam taught me how to knit on my 21st birthday and I have knit every single day since.
App you cannot live without? Libby!!!
Fav Yoga Pose? I could fall asleep in sleeping pigeon.
The first concert you ever attended? Britney Spears, obviously. Thanks Michelle Payette!
What song always gets you out on the dance floor? Hit me with the early 2000s playlist
What is your favorite book/movie of all time and why did it speak to you so much? I can’t think of an all time favorite but I just finished reading The Husbands and it was a sweet sentiment about learning to make the best of what you have.
What is something you think everyone should try at least once? I firmly believe everyone should knit. Or take a solo travel trip to a new city.
What song, or album, could you listen to on repeat? Anything John Mayer or Taylor swift.
If you could donate $1 million to any charity, what cause would you choose? St. Jude’s, anything child related.
What is one thing we would never guess about you? All of my sweaters/cardigans are hand knit by me. Did I mention I knit? 🤣
What was the worst haircut/hairstyle you have ever had? Does being bald until I was almost 5 count?
Who is your celebrity crush? Really into Jon Hamm right now…
The zombie apocalypse is coming, who are 3 people you want on your team? I have to take my 3 kids right…
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I think a pilot or Britney Spears.
What's your favorite place of all the places you've travelled? Iceland! I hate the snow/winter/being cold so it was an eye opener that colder climates are cool too.
What's something you're looking forward to and why? Squeezing in one last summer trip before school starts and planning our winter family vacation somewhere tropical. Looking forward to it because I’m already dreading winter & snow.
AUGUST YOGI OF THE MONTH: KIM B.
Name: Kimberly
What's your Yoga Story? I had done yoga off and on for many years. I won a free month at Santosha in a raffle at hockey fundraiser. After a week into the free month, I signed up for the full year and have never looked back!
Favorite thing about Santosha? Every single time you walk through the door, you can embrace who you are and where you are in that moment. Every single instructor focuses on this in every single class. It’s what drew me in and kept me here!
Fun Fact: I love Type 2 fun…the fun that is miserable while it’s happening but rewarding, memorable, and fun when you look back on it. Special note: this usually involves my sister and wilderness backpacking!
App you cannot live without? Spotify
Fav Yoga Pose? This is like picking a favorite kid. It depends on the day and honestly, they’re all my favorite!
Who you admire most? My parents. They taught me to always belief in myself and never ever let someone else bring me down including myself!
What song always gets you out on the dance floor? All of them! My Spotify addiction has me dancing all the time!
What is your favorite book/movie of all time and why did it speak to you so much? Do No Harm by Henry Marsh. It’s fascinating chronicle of a surgeon and the humanity, both his own and his patients, he deals with through out his career
What is something you think everyone should try at least once? Sports (and/or movement)—try it all (and maybe multiple times). You never know what you will love until you give it a chance or two!!!
If you could donate $1 million to any charity, what cause would you choose? I’d start my own!!! I’m passionate about girls sports & fitness and body image. We’ve come a long way but so far to go!
What is one thing we would never guess about you? I’m a farm girl…born and raised!
What was the worst haircut/hairstyle you have ever had? All of them—I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s
Who is your celebrity crush? Cole Hauser, Brook Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Reynolds, Josh Duhamel….oh wait, you only asked for one?!?!?!?
The zombie apocalypse is coming, who are 3 people you want on your team? My 3 kids! Any day they are under the same roof is basically a zombie apocalypse and they always manage to survive!
What's something you're looking forward to and why? Today! How lucky we are to be alive right now (thanks for that one Joya!!!)
1000 CLASSES: DAN PATCH
”Reaching 1,000 classes at the same time that I’m approaching one year clean and sober has hit me harder than I expected. It’s made me reflect on both journeys and how important they have become in my life.
As Nate has touched on, mental health is incredibly important, yet it is often hidden or overlooked, especially among men. Like we’ve heard so many times, you never truly know what the person on the mat next to you is going through.
I’ve rolled out my mat on some of the happiest days of my life, and I’ve rolled it out on some of my darkest days while battling the internal demons that try to tear you down and hurt the people you love most.
I’m deeply grateful to have Santosha in my life, and most importantly, Michelle and my family, who have always been there for me through both the good times and the bad.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Your support, encouragement, and presence have meant more than words can express.”
JUNE YOGI OF THE MONTH: KARI R.
Name: Kari Ray
Occupation: Executive Assistant
What's your Yoga Story? I was first introduced to yoga through my kids. They would go to Joya’s house and are part of the original Santosha group. I’ve always been active, mostly running and biking, so yoga wasn’t really on my radar. After a few years of them trying to convince me to join, I finally gave in and took a class with them, and I instantly fell in love.
The first concert you ever attended? Hootie & the Blowfish
What's your favorite place of all the places you've traveled? Bora Bora
Favorite thing about Santosha? I love the community, friendships, and that everyone is your biggest cheerleader!
Fav Yoga Pose? I’m working on mastering the crow pose and it’s quickly becoming my favorite.
Fun Fact (about you): I hate heights and escalators!
may yogi of the month: lissa s.
Name: Lissa Marie Schmitz
Occupation: I own a small cleaning service.
What's your Yoga Story? I started yoga while I was in rehab recovering from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Ive always enjoyed exercise- mostly high impact cardio classes- but my life had changed drastically after losing my husband to cancer and recovering from GBS I felt I needed to change my workouts. I needed something thoughtful, centering and calming.
Favorite thing about Santosha? In almost every class we find something to laugh about. We are comfortable enough with each other- as a community- that we don't have to take everything so seriously and we just giggle! Life too short to not laugh. Finding humor in life can be therapeutic.
App you cannot live without? All 3 of my weather Apps.. I'm a proud weather nerd.
Fav Yoga Pose? Airplane
Who you admire most? My children. Alyssa 24, Jack and Connor 18. They have experienced such devastating loss. They are resilient, smart, respectful, loving, and so damn funny.
The first concert you ever attended? I think it was George Michael many moons ago.
What song always gets you out on the dance floor? I'm not much of a dancer lol
What is your favorite book/movie of all time and why did it speak to
you so much? The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. It's about the complicated families and the bonds of friendship. I've been blessed to have the same best friends for 38 years. I don't tell them enough how much I love them.
What song, or album, could you listen to on repeat? Wicked
What is one thing we would never guess about you? I could easily become a shut-in. I love being home and am totally comfortable being there all the time.
What was the worst haircut/hairstyle you have ever had? I've had many pixies.. but one got VERY short.
The zombie apocalypse is coming, who are 3 people you want on your team? My besties Suzi Fani and Krista for comedic relief and my AH-MAZING boyfriend Tom who without a doubt would get us to safety.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be Aileen Quinn- who was the actress that played Annie. I used to pray every day to be able to sing like she did.
What's something you're looking forward to and why? Everything in my future. I can't wait to see what my amazing children do! And I can't wait to see what the future holds for Tom and I. He is extraordinary in every way, and I am truly blessed to have met him and have him by my side.
February: LAURA’s current obsessions
Join in with Laura’s current obsessions! Find any of them linked below:
January: joya’s current obsessions
Join in with Joya's current obsessions! Find any of them linked below: