I took my first yoga class at the invitation of a friend in 2008 at a studio in Monterey, CA, where I was stationed at the time. I remember not knowing at all what I was supposed to be doing, but it felt so good and I had so much fun that I couldn’t wait to do more of it.

The Navy sent me to San Antonio, TX later that year where I was able to cultivate a practice at studio in the Pearl Brewery downtown. I took as many classes as possible from vinyasa to belly dancing to African dance. I had always been drawn to movement and had practiced ballet and tap as a kid, but nothing felt better than yoga.

I tend to have eclectic taste, so another friend introduced me to Bikram yoga in 2009 at a studio uptown. I absolutely detested it. It was hot, smelled terrible, and it seemed like a cult. My friend looked like he was going to die the whole time. When I left, the front desk staff encouraged me to come back the next day and I laughed.

My practice dwindled for a while when I met a guy and started dating and then eventually married. We moved to Key West, FL in 2012 and one day I found myself back in a Bikram yoga studio at the corner of Truman and White streets. I don’t know what happened in that class, but by the end of it, something inside me knew I had to learn to teach it.

I fell in love with Bikram because of how I felt when it was over. It took a long time for me to actually enjoy practicing in class. The feeling of lying on my mat, totally drenched and physically exhausted allowed my spirit to soar and my mind to settle. My vibration hummed with bliss.

I ventured my vision of teaching yoga to my husband and he immediately shot it down with pragmatic platitudes. I was crushed but eventually moved on. I know now that I unconsciously resented him and never really forgave him for not seeing what I intrinsically knew to be true.

Two years later I divorced my husband and moved to the Annapolis area. I was feeling lost and vulnerable as I wasn’t at all sure what I was meant to do with my life, but I knew I loved yoga, so I started practicing at the studio on Forest drive. I had taken my new boyfriend to a Bikram class and one evening, he asked me a question about a posture, so I demonstrated it on the floor of our living room. He looked at me and said, “Kat, you should be teaching this.” And of course I knew he was right.

So I put all of my energy into preparing for Bikram teacher training in Khao Lak, Thailand in the spring of 2015. Upon returning home I started teaching immediately and taught full time (8-11 classes per week) until I started acupuncture school in 2018.

I love learning, so becoming a teacher and starting school opened up limitless opportunities for me to soak up all the energy healing vibes I could. I discovered a love for Buti yoga and received my certification in 2016. The following year offered opportunities to teach Bikram in Maui for a month and a 200 hour RYT immersion in Kona.

In 2018 I received certifications in Deep and Yin yoga, and in 2021 I attended a second 200 hour RYT in Annapolis, received my YACEP certification, and graduated acupuncture school.

In 2021 I was fortunate enough to see the sandwich board sign outside of Authentic and hear that same knowing voice in my head telling me I had found my new yoga home. It was love at first class and in the year that’s followed, I have received the gifts of becoming AY’s resident acupuncturist and newest teacher (as of October 2022).

My practice has evolved over time and what I love the most about yoga and energetics is that there will always be more to discover. We’ll never learn it all but we can have fun along the way creating ever more opportunities for love, hugs, laughter, and healing.

In addition to yoga, I have an avid interest in human design, gene keys, the akashic records, and meditation. I also love traveling, reading, knitting, and surfing. Your girl has got hobbies.

Astrology sign: Sagittarius sun & rising, Pisces moon
Favorite travel destination: The beach
Favorite part of class: Sun C
Musicians/Artists you have on repeat: Florence + The Machine, Odesza, Goth Babe, Fleetwood Mac, Cat Power
Instagram handle: @kathrynleigh.hd