My name is Corrie Parrish (She/Ella), also known as “Rio’s mom.” Rio is my dog, and she helps me to practice unconditional love every day. She also sometimes makes guest appearances in the studios or outside classes that I teach! I have been practicing yoga for over 20 years, which makes me sound “old,” but I’m also a big proponent that you can’t grow old if you don’t grow up (meaning that keeping a sense of wonder, or a student mindset, is key to aging gracefully)! My sister introduced me to yoga while I was recovering from a severe illness that limited my ability to exercise as a teenager. Since then, I made a full recovery (jai! [Sanskrit for victory or success]), and have practiced yoga across the country and around the world (JAI)!

I am a staunch advocate that yoga is for every body— regardless of age, gender, and seen or unseen disabilities. While I offer modifications to poses or ways to make your practice “spicier,” in my classes: it is your practice. Your body, your choice! I also live with ADHD, and very much understand and appreciate there are many ways to learn through body movement.

I am also a believer in bringing in tenets of yoga philosophy into my classes that students can easily understand and practice, but also does not scare them off because of misperceptions that yoga is a religion, or that you are praying to other Gods. In my classes, yoga is what of you make of it. There is no destination on this journey!

While yoga stems from Hinduism/Buddhism/Jainism, yoga is as religious, spiritual, or as secular as you want to make your practice. Mantras like “om” (often referred to as the universal sound of the universe) or discussing Ahimsa (one of the Yamas, translating to “non-harm”), or practicing svadhyaya (one of the Niyamas, translating to “self-study”), are more about invoking the energy behind the mantra, yama, or niyama to help you lead a more grounded life connected in your community. The goal behind these mantras, yamas, and niyamas is to encourage you to be a better person as you grow throughout your life. Yoga, in my eyes, is about growing a little stronger both in your body and your mind every day. Your yoga practice is as unique and special as you are!

Yoga is a borrowed practice dating back to 3000 BCE. I honor and respect all the yogis that came before me to gift me this practice. I also honor and respect your practice as a yogi, however that looks like, so that future generations can feel the immense physical, mental, and spiritual (if you so choose) benefits of yoga. Thanks for being here. I’m excited to work, and learn, with you.

Love more, fear less—

Corrie

Brown-Eyed Yogi