Natalie has been with Tula for about 4 years. She started off as a sub. I knew that she was special because whenever she would sub, I would hear "who is that teacher?" "what classes does she teach?" "She's so great!!". As soon as we had an opening, I knew I had to get her in.
Her classes are the embodiment of warmth, heart, and replenishment. She leads each yoga class as an special event, offering you a sometimes rare opportunity to fully embrace yoga and truly experience how good it can make your body and mind feel. She leads with confidence, but is soft. She leads with sensitivity, but is strong. Taking her class is like giving yourself a gift and I always leave her classes feeling at ease, content and peaceful. It really is a treat.
Everyday that I see Natalie, she brings me joy, she brings the students at Tula joy and I'm so very grateful that this beautiful person chose Tula as her 'home' studio.
Here's a bit more about Nat:
Hometown: There are a few, but the first placed I lived was Lemont, Il
Favorite Color: anything earthy, or red
Favorite Yoga Pose: Half Moon B and Savasana. It's a toss up.
Least Favorite: (Why) Kurmasana (tortoise) It feels terrible on my elbows and makes me feel claustrophobic
Sign: Aries
Favorite Place: Anywhere wrapped in blankets with a good book or movie
Movie: I love movies a lot, so this is very difficult for me...I will say Harold and Maude since I have loved it since I was a teenager and I named one of my cats after it. Besides that I love anything made well and will heart.
Why do you teach Yoga? Lot's of reasons. First because yoga is life changing, healing and powerful. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to share it with others. Also, it is fun. I never get bored with it, and I feel like I am the best version of myself when I teach. Like magic, no matter how I feel when I go in to teach, I leave happy and nourished.
How do you define Yoga? Short and sweet: union of body, mind and spirit.
What would your last meal be? A slice of NY style cheese pizza, 1 sushi roll (probably something with eel and avocado), a really good bagel, chocolate, just lots of chocolate, a giant bottle of kombucha and someone I love to share it with.
The band you can't live without? This question kills me, it is more difficult than picking a movie! How about 5 bands/musicians I have loved for a very long time: 1. The Smiths 2. Kate Bush 3. The Kinks 4. David Bowie 5. Roxy Music
Most empowering moment? Every time I remember that even though I cannot control most of what happens in this life and world, I can control my reaction to it.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now where would it be and what would you do? Right now I am thinking about Morocco. When I travel to new places I like to spend time in their biggest cities, eating all their food and walking/exploring as much as possible.
When you aren't teaching yoga, what can you be found doing? I spend a lot of time getting coffee with friends, reading, cuddling cats, cooking food...the usual stuff.
Three fun facts we don't know about you?
1. The first time I did any solo traveling I went straight to Thailand.
2. My maternal grandparents met in the circus (she was a dancer and he was a wrestler), so I'm part circus folk.
3. I know a little bit about a lot of things.
Natalie is at Tula on Tuesdays at 5pm, Thursdays at 6:30am & 8:30am, and Sundays at 9am (Restorative Yoga). She is also leading a few sections of our first Teacher Training this year. Finally, she will be co-leading (with Rhiannon) Tula's first retreat to BALI in September 2017!
You can see what else she's up to at nataliemcgreal.com
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