Stephanie Pierre is a yoga teacher based in New York City.
Photo by Sterling Florant
1. What style of yoga do you teach? And, where are you located?
I'm located in Brooklyn, N.Y.C and although I've practiced yoga for about 8 years I am not a certified teacher....yet! Currently, I create opportunities and events that allow my yoga home to teach yoga to communities that could use the life saving benefits of this practice.
2. What is your intention behind teaching?
Yoga is Life! Although I do not formally teach yoga, I do host small yoga circles for my close friends and family especially those that haven't found relief for recurring issues through other healing modalities. It is my intention to reintroduce the practice to people of color as we are in desperate need of healing. Most people are completely unaware that yoga started with people of color before it became a white dominated space. My goal is to make yoga feel like home to the descendants of those that started it.
3. Who are your mentors in yoga?
There have been many instructors who have shaped my practice immensely but the ones who stick out are: Robbin Farrell, Stephanie Battle, and Mecca Wilson of the YOMA method.
4. What have they taught you?
Robin taught me that I can go past the limits I disillusioned myself to believe I have. I met her very early on in my practice and she would sing chants of encouragement and keep us in asanas longer than anticipated just to test our presence; I love her! Stephanie Battle I met at the beginning of my vinyasa practice and she taught me how to actively engage a posture rather than just "doing it" to get through it. She also opened my eyes to where I may have been holding both aversions and attachments in not only my practice but in my daily life. Mecca challenged me to give myself permission to play; and for that freedom I am forever grateful.
5. Please mention a book that you have read about yoga that has had a positive impact on you?
I haven't read a book focused squarely on yoga just yet but I've got my eye on The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts which dives into the yogi philosophy that you can't create security without accepting insecurity first.
6. What lesson are you currently learning in your Asana practice?
To play! I've practiced what was formally known as Bikram yoga for nearly six years and what tends to happen is that you become so accustomed to holding the correct posture that you almost become a perfectionist. When I started my kemetic and vinyasa practice that's where I learned to breathe and to play! I finally learned that it was OK for me to explore other movement without the pressure of "performing" a posture to its deepest expression. My practice today has evolved because of that.
7. How often do you practice?
In studio about 2-3 times a week, but about 4 times a week if you include my home practice.
8. How do you implement the other 7 limbs of yoga into your life other than Asana?
I start everyday with meditation and intuitive journal writing followed with fasting from all food until noon. This act alone incorporates dhyana, pratyahara, dharana, and samadhi. Additionally, I utilize Pranayama breathing whenever I sense overwhelm, mental exhaustion, and chest congestion during cold winter months.
9. Why is being present so important to you?
Everything takes place in the present whether we realize it or not. Being present allows me to be grateful for so much even when things look grim. Yoga is a great conduit to facilitate this presence because of the mind body connection that is fostered in the asanas.
10. How can we keep up with you on social media? What is your IG handle and/ FB name?
A few ways! @Hat5hep5ut is my primary page on IG and @Themelaninproject is my wellness company page. We specialize in normalizing emotional wellness to historically marginalized communities of color through palatable and creative mental health programming, apparel, and partnerships.