I honestly don't even remember how Chris was referred here. It's also hard to remember how long he has been here (2 years?) It seems like he's been here from the beginning since he so seamlessly integrated into our community and so quickly became a student favorite. I really don't remember him NOT being here....
I do remember that when I first met him, I knew he would make a great addition to the TULA team. He had arrived to his audition about 20 minutes early and was sitting on the sidewalk outside the studio, book in hand. He was just lovely. Kind, enthusiastic and I could tell right away that he had that perfect mix of practical sensibility and strong work ethic mixed with the free-spirit, bohemian vibe that every good yoga teacher needs.
His classes are well-thought out, well-paced and have a good mixture of challenge and ease and genuinely come from the heart. We are very lucky to have him at TULA.
Here's some more about Chris:
Hometown: Seneca, Missouri
Favorite Color: Depends on the day?
Favorite Yoga Pose: I don’t think I have a favorite… if I do, it changes often. Maybe handstands?
Least Favorite: (Why) I have a love/hate relationship with Hanumanasana. Some days I can get into the posture with hardly any prep, other days it’s just a big no. It is just one of those shapes where I really have to rely on the breathe to be there for any period time.
Sign: Leo (roar)
Favorite Place: Home, where my dog children are.
Favorite Movie: Hocus Pocus
Why do you teach Yoga? I teach yoga for the same reasons I practice… to connect people to something deeper whether that be a physical feeling, or a breakthrough mentally or emotionally. In our society, we are conditioned to numb ourselves to certain thoughts or feelings. We put up these armors or build layers when we are confronted with an uncomfortable feeling or thought because we are told it is not okay to be sad, or angry, or uncomfortable. When people come to my class I want them to observe and be present with all of their thoughts and feelings, to truly feel it, experience what is there, to have a conversation with it… so that, maybe, in the future we step away from holding things in and can begin learning from the information that is being shared.
How do you define Yoga? My practice is constantly evolving and shifting, and yoga is such a broad term that I feel there could be so many different ways to answer this. For me, it is a deep intimate conversation with myself, a way for me to stay connected to the universe or nature. I do not move to certain dogma or “style” I move the way my body is being called to move in that moment.
What would your last meal be? Hmmm idk… I’m still dying to try one of Pie, Pie My Darlings' cakes, but I refuse to just buy a slice -- I want the whole thing!
The band you can't live without? Waaaaayyy too many options
Most empowering moment? I’m not sure if this is really an empowering moment but maybe very humbling? When I was in college at the University of Arkansas, I was a part of the equine program. We had our own breeding facility and as student employees we were lucky enough to head this program under two women that I have so much respect for, Dr. Nancy Jack and Kathy Jogan. Anyways, my first year I was able to witness my first birth which happened to be twins, a rarity in horses. The mare had minor complications and we had to step in and assist the birth, it was so incredible to see such a powerful being to trust us to bring her babies into this world.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now where would it be and what would you do? I’m not for sure… Bali?
When you aren't teaching yoga, what can you be found doing?
Being lazy with my pups :)
Three fun facts we don't know about you?
1.) I bit my tongue off when I was 2
2.) I was Pre-Vet in college but working as a vet tech changed my mind :)
3.) I have worked in a variety of fields in my short life but my favorite was training Arabian horses
You can find Chris at TULA on Tuesdays at 10am, Wednesdays at 6:30am and Saturdays at 8am.
You can also follow him on Instagram @chrismoreyoga
