Q & A with kate hansen
Kate Hansen is leading a 10 hour weekend workshop, in December at PYP DOWNTOWN, on how to teach a therapeutic private. Often in trainings, we focus on how to effectively teach to a group setting, this workshop will dig into the art and nuance of teaching one on one.
Kate answered some questions for us - take some time to get to know Kate below.
Registration for this training is open & limited & selling quickly. Grab your spot now!
How would you describe your approach to yoga?
I would describe it as practical and doable. The magic, the change, the alchemical and material evolvements towards joy and well-being will happen as the practical and mundane are approached well.
What’s something yoga has taught you about yourself that nothing else has?
Yoga has given me language, technique and a means to move through my life in a way that feels more fulfilling, empowering and self-actualizing than without, partly because I love it.
If you had to be one emoji what would it be?
Six(ish) years ago, one of my most favorite teachers, Kyle Henry, told me I was the lightning bolt, and it’s probably still true many days.
How would you define what a "therapeutic private” is?
This certainly is a term that can offer a huge umbrella of experiences and a detailed definition of this, in my opinion, depends on the person you are working with ~ what is therapeutic and helpful for one person may be different than the next. Perhaps the most consistent piece is the intention of offering an experience that simply leaves someone feeling better after the session and having a means of knowing what that might be closer to the beginning of the session. I think there’s incredible value in simply offering good yoga along with an uplifting and sensible presence, and yes, with good techniques, adjustments and an understanding of the material of the body one can quite literally offer a shift in physicality that empowers a more comfortable and consistent embodiment.
What feels missing from yoga today?
Personally I don't think anything is missing from yoga, maybe the contrary, at times it seems there is an overabundance of information around it all. So perhaps I’m not looking for what’s missing and instead my mind tends to move towards sticking with the sources, places and parts of life that feed my mind, body and emotions well and continuing to participate with those threads. Of course I’m incredibly curious and constantly have an open mind to whatever is around, but I've found my attention span over the past few years has become shorter and recently I've become protective over where I focus my attention and efforts. Having a knowingness of the places and people that bring me joy and are constructive towards a life that feels good, is very helpful.
A piece of theory that rang true for you in the beginning and still is?
So I tend to really drill this one in, which is that good technique matters. I’m not going through my life constantly thinking about technique, by any means, but yoga taught me that good technique transcends the notion of pursuing one craft over another is what’s best. It’s the idea that whatever your practice or “thing” may be, if you do it well (and perhaps with good technique), you’ll get the ease and the joy, and to me, that is one of the best ways to infuse myself with the potential for a healthy life.
Other than yoga, what else do you turn to as a practice, or for joy?
Certainly tennis, also horses, baking, using tons of herbs in the kitchen in creative ways and my friends.
Within the yoga world, what practices and teachers do you circle back to?
My home practice is daily, and because of my lifestyle it’s quite spontaneous. Some days it may be an hour of breathing and meditation when I wake, other times I'm simply practicing in the kitchen while cooking. I seek the day of consistently waking in the morning and arriving on my mat before the rest of my day begins.
My long time and current teacher Nevine Michaan is someone I am always circling back to.
And the online class libraries from Sky Ting and The Studio are my favorites.
