Yumi Kobayashi YogaSole's Very First Student of the Month

     This month YogaSole was lucky enough to have a volunteer for our first student of the month and we couldn't think of a better ray of light to shine on all of you brighter than Yumi Kobayashi.  I first met Yumi on a Monday morning at YogaSole when I was first beginning my spiritual journey; she was smiling and peaceful and ready to start her morning with some serious yoga practice. We asked her a few questions about her yoga practice and how she came to incorporate yoga into her life. 

* How and when and why did you first discover yoga?

I have been a runner since moving to Brooklyn in 2007. After my knee injury last year, I changed my exercise regimen to incorporate yoga. After trying numerous yoga studios in NYC, I fell in love with Yoga Sole, and I have been a happy yogini every since :)

* What do you take off the mat and into the world from your yoga practice?

Thanks to yoga, I now know how to breath and try to calm myself down even during stressful situations, from braving the morning rush hour to presentations at work. 

* What's your favorite pose? What does it mean to you?

Half moon pose! I like feeling open and balanced at the same time.

* What's your favorite book?

Anything by Haruki Murakami. Growing up in Japan, I have been a big fan of his novels and essays since middle school. I love his sense of humor and surreal Murakami world.

* What's your favorite food?

That is such a hard question since I love to eat! I love everything from Indian food to sushi to Ethiopian. I also like to cook, so the farmer's market across the street from Yoga Sole is my "must stop" after my Sunday morning class with Merav.

* What's your favorite hobby besides yoga?

I love taking photographs with my Canon. Also my husband and I love traveling to explore history, cultures, nature, and local foods of places we have never been. Now that yoga is part of my everyday life, I try to continue my practice at each destination that I visit.  Last summer, my best friend and I drove cross country and we took a yoga class at every city we stayed in! 

* Why do you practice at Yoga Sole?

Great teachers + beautiful studio + community of amazing people = happy student