When the world feels unsteady, the mat can become the place to land.
Meet Gaye: A Teacher's Journey through movement, mindfulness, and inner peace.
Behind every practice is a person still learning, growing, and finding their way. With over 23 years of teaching experience, a love for movement and mindfulness, and a passion for finding balance between effort and ease, Gaye reminds us that the practice of yoga is just as much about how we show up for ourselves as how we show up for others. Join us in getting to know Gaye, her story through change, and the joy of finding a little more ease along the way.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I wanted to share a bit about my background and approach to teaching yoga. I have been teaching various levels and styles of yoga for over 23 years, and have had the privilege of mentoring many students during their teacher training.
Along with being an ERYT 200 and YACEF, I am certified in meditation and breathwork, and I have extensive experience working with special populations, including families, children, and seniors. My teaching background spans chair yoga, PiYo, Yin, restorative, and my personal favorite, Vinyasa. Drawing from my background in dance and sports, I love integrating different types of movement and mindfulness to inspire students to create their own unique practice.
I find pure joy in helping yogis of all levels find the balance between effort and ease, power and peace, in every pose. I like to inspire my students to discover what they are truly capable of on the mat—helping them realize their strength, practice patience, and detach from expectations. My philosophy is simple: just breathe and be present in the moment. Ultimately, I believe yoga builds community and helps us ripple out peace, kindness, tolerance, and love to both others and ourselves.
After 23 years of teaching yoga, what is something the practice has taught you about yourself that you never expected?
That showing up for others in my teaching has ultimately taught me to show up for myself. I am so much more mindful of the synchronicity in my life and how we are all so interconnected. I find great joy in that and when things are hard especially, my mat, my yoga -brings me inner peace.
You love exploring the balance between effort and ease, power and peace. Where in your life outside the studio are you learning to find that same balance?
The last 2 years have been a time of immense change. It took great effort to leave my home, yoga community, and work partners I loved in Portland to help support my family with more ease in Reno. Change after change continued after arriving and it became really hard, like life does at times. In these time that are hard, finding moments of gratitude (in the simplest things) helps me to find the peace. Balance is interesting. So often when we feel balanced in one area of our life, somewhere else in life is not (same in yoga). By recognizing where you are at and allowing yourself to ‘be’ vs ‘do’ that’s where hopefully we are able to find our dharma - our true path, ease and balance.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you outside of yoga?
Not that people would be surprised that I have kids, but I do get feedback people don’t believe I have 2 girls in their thirties (thank you Yoga and good skin care). I wanted to be on broadway when I was younger. I LOVE pizza , nachos and I’m a pretty good cook!
If your life had a personal mantra that you could carry with you both on and off the mat, what would it be, and why?
Personal mantra - “clear is kind “- I say this a lot. Self explanatory. But overall “Loosen your grip - You’ve got this”. Let go of the negativity, don’t hold on to something so tight that you are missing all the good that is right there or trying to make its way to you but your fists-your stubborn attitude needs to soften. Allow life to flow, move. And... Be "in-joy" not enjoy. This is the yoga. Namaste.
