April Teacher of the Month

Meet Heather!

What is your favorite yoga pose?

Low Lunge. Anything that opens up my hips these days is magical!

What is something your Mighty community may not know about you?

My husband and I met when we were both coaching the rowing team at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh. I had only taken a single yoga class at the time, but he suggested I try a studio that he’d been going to. We went to a class together (our first date!). I was hooked after that class, and my regular practice there played a key part in helping me finish my PhD program. After I graduated, I signed up for their Yoga Teacher Training (again, Sean was the one who first suggested it!) - and less than a year later, Mighty was born. So, the history of Mighty can be traced back to my first date with my husband!

Share your favorite mindfulness practice.

Here's a variation of the Lovingkindness meditation you may already know. I've been practicing this one lately — offering lovingkindness towards myself as I move through some challenging things. You can direct this toward yourself, or anyone or anything you feel called to: a loved one, a pet, a part of the world that needs it, Mother Earth, wherever your heart wants to go.

Step 1: Set up an LED candle next to a photo of something that makes you happy (or of the person, place, etc that you wish to send lovingkindness to.)

Step 2: “Light” it when you are home and each time you see the candle, say:

May I be free from suffering. 

May I be free from pain. 

May I be happy. 

May I have peace.