12 Questions for Yoga Teacher Marissa Harris

Our recent interview with new Yoga Sanctuary teacher Marissa Harris provided plenty of "wow moments." First she tells us she grew up in Kahalu'u, Hawaii. (Wow!) Then after attending college in New Hampshire, she tells us she lived in places like Argentina, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Alaska. (Wow, Wow!) In the interview which follows, Marissa also shares the greatest lesson and reward that yoga has given to her, her favorite comfort foods and music, and other sides to her life on and off the yoga mat. Starting February 6, Marissa will teach a Power Flow class every Saturday at 9:15 am at our east Las Vegas studio. To learn more about Marissa, click here.

1. What is your hometown and what brought you to Las Vegas?

I grew up in Kahalu'u, Hawaii, where my whole family still lives. At 18, I moved to New Hampshire for college. In the years since I've lived in Argentina, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Alaska and Vermont. Las Vegas seemed exciting, so I came here in 2005.

2. What styles of yoga are you drawn to?

I make a conscious effort to stay open-minded about my practice. It sometimes takes me a while to adjust to a new style or instructor, so I try to be patient and to withhold judgment until I've incorporated the shapes and flow into my body enough to see the advantages and benefits of the style. That said, my personal practice is Vinyasa with a strong emphasis on alignment.

3. What is the greatest lesson yoga has taught you?

To take responsibility for my own life and my own being. By showing up on the mat and doing the work, a body can be transformed. The same is true for more subtle aspects of a person and ultimately, one's destiny. Honest effort reaps results.

4. What is the biggest reward yoga has given you?

Yoga has transformed my life (and continues to) in innumerable ways. The greatest gift it has given me over the course of the last year is more clarity with respect to my own path and the courage to make changes that resonate with my true self.

5. Tell us the most important concept you want your students to take away from your yoga classes?

In class I'm known to frequently say "you're in your body; I'm not." No two practices are ever the same--different bodies are different, and the same body is different on different days. I strive to provide my students with options and modifications to help each find the manifestation of a pose that is right for them at that moment. Ultimately I'd like to help students nurture their practices to the point where my instructions are no more than a rough outline for the time they spend on the mat.

To read our entire interview with Marissa, click here.