Regina

Tell us something about yourself.

In my early twenties I was sick and tired of being shy, so I took an acting class at ACT (American Conservatory Theater) in San Francisco and I did some improvisational exercises with my class in the theater district in SF. Changed my life.

When did you start doing yoga?

I went to a cross-country skiing and yoga retreat in Lake Tahoe when I was 26. David Swenson was the yoga teacher who was leading the retreat. His brother Doug was the more famous one, but Doug was not there. David even cooked all the meals for us. The reason I went to that retreat was that my sister Kathleen and a mutual friend Judy saw a great deal…only $60 for yoga, cross-country skiing and meals, all inclusive for the whole weekend. There were eight or nine people at the retreat, located in a townhouse. The weekend inspired me to do more than what I was already doing. I was running a lot (at least five miles a day) and stretching some. I was also inspired by seeing a woman fold over completely while she was sitting in a chair and tying her shoes. After I saw that, I asked the woman, “How is that so easy for you; to fold yourself in half while tying your shoes?” She replied to Regina that she was a yoga teacher and had been practicing yoga for many years. I knew that it would take me some time to fold in half like her, but a light bulb went off that day for me.

What do you love about Yoga Health Center?

The people, the community, the excitement of so many people meeting and greeting and staying fit.