Introducing: Taylor Farinas
Yoga House Instructor
Taylor is as tough as nails, but as gentle as could be when teaching her Power Flow class here at Colorado Yoga House. Taylor joined the team this past October, and Yoga House students have been loving her flow coordinated with music and offering amazing hands on assists.
Join us as we get to know an amazing person who we’re lucky to call one of our own!
Where are you from?
I was born in Phoenix, AZ and moved to Littleton, CO when I was a junior in high school. I then moved to Colorado Springs to attend nursing school, where I met my boyfriend. He was living in Laramie, WY at the time, working on his master’s degree in archaeology. He moved to Montrose for a job when he graduated and we drove back and forth from Colorado Springs to Montrose to see each other for a year and half before I graduated nursing school and decided to join him in Montrose.
What is your favorite activities / hobbies outside of yoga?
I am a registered nurse and work at the local hospital full-time. When I’m not working, I find several other ways to stay busy. I love horses and currently volunteer at a horse rescue. I fell in love with one of the previously abused horses there and am helping train him with the hope of adopting him in the future. I have also enjoyed photography since I took a class in 9th grade; I love taking landscape photos along with the occasional senior portrait shoot for family and friends. I’ve also played the piano since I was about 6 years old and am working on transporting my childhood piano out to Montrose. Aside from those hobbies, I love being outside- running. hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.
What is your favorite thing about Montrose?
I wasn’t too sure about moving from a big city to a small town like Montrose at first, but the town has a way of growing on you. Some of the most beautiful places in Colorado are minutes to a few hours away and I love the accessibility of so many outdoor activities. The peace and quiet of a small town is also something I’ve come to love and I am always relieved to return home after visiting Denver or other large cities.
How would you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
Compassionate, hard-working, perfectionist, cat mom
When was your first introduction to yoga, and what was it that resonated with you?
I had taken a class here and there but nothing had really stuck with me until the fall of 2013. I was 19 years old and trying to figure out who I was and what I believed in. The physical aspect of the practice initially drew me in, as my body was craving movement, but it was the mindfulness aspect that resonated with me the most. I found a sense of peace and awareness that I hadn’t realized existed before.
What are the challenges you face in your personal practice and how do you overcome them?
Motivation is definitely something I struggle with. It can be hard to get myself on my mat, but once I do everything shifts and I remember why I practice in the first place. Comparison and ego can also get in the way at times; I find that closing my eyes while I practice helps me come into my body and focus on my breath and the physical sensations of the practice.
What is the story of inspiration that lead you to become a yoga instructor?
When I began practicing yoga in 2013, I couldn’t have imagined the impact it would have on my life. Through yoga I have discovered the power of my breath, how to use movement to work through psychological pain, and cultivated a self-awareness that guides me both on and off the mat. I think each and every person can benefit from connecting with their breath, learning body awareness, and gaining knowledge on how to ground themselves in the present moment. I became a yoga instructor to share this powerful practice with as many people as I can, with the hope that it will heal them- mind, body, and soul- as it has healed me.
Where did you do your teacher training and what style are you trained in?
I did my 200 hour yoga teacher training with Core Power Yoga in Colorado Springs. I was trained to teach Power Yoga classes which are vinyasa-based flow style classes.
What is your advice to anyone new to yoga?
Yoga isn’t about touching your toes or balancing on your hands- those things might come with consistent practice but it is not a requirement to practicing nor is it the end goal. Don’t compare yourself to others or worry about how you look while you practice- focus on your body sensations, your breath, your thoughts. Notice the shift in your body and mind after you practice. Yoga can teach you so much about yourself if you come to your mat with an open mind and heart.
What was your biggest take away from teacher training?
IT IS OKAY TO SHINE. We all have our own unique strengths, talents, and purpose. I tend to be that person that deflects compliments, downplays my strengths, and tries to make everyone around me comfortable. There was this moment at the very end of the training, where I and the other instructors had about a 5 minute section to teach to a room full of about 50 people. I was the very last instructor to teach and I was so nervous. When it was finally my turn to speak, I didn’t even recognize my own voice. It was confident and calm and projected through the room with clarity. I let myself be seen and heard in that moment and I learned that I was capable of facing my fears and leading a room full of people. I try to remind myself of that moment often. It is okay to take up space. It is okay to shine.
Tell us more about the kinds of classes you teach at Yoga House:
I teach a 60-minute power flow class on Thursdays. It is a vinyasa-based flow with emphasis on connecting the breath to movement. I interweave core work and arm balances into my classes and always finish with deep stretches and a long savasana. I love creating music playlists and spend a lot of time picking songs for my classes that make me feel something and that are easy to get lost in while you flow. I also love receiving adjustments while I practice, especially adjustments that help me deepen or soften into a pose, so I offer hands-on adjustments to my students- calf massages in half-pigeon, neck/ cranial/ facial massages in savasana for example.
Ready to Try A Class?
Colorado Yoga House is open 6 days of the week and during some months, open 7 days a week. Yoga House encompasses instructors with various backgrounds and teaching styles so you can always continue to discover the depths of this amazing discipline. Click below to see our current schedule, and we look forward to seeing you in class!
