TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: Jamie Horgan

At Harmony Yoga, we are proud of our incredibly talented instructors, the love they bring to their classes, their dedication to the path of yoga, and how they positively affect so many in our beach community and beyond. Each month we will be highlighting one of our teachers, so that you can learn even more about them and their life. We are kicking off our Teacher Spotlight section with Jamie Horgan, a dedicated and compassionate instructor who brings so much wisdom to her class. Read more about Jamie below. 

What initially brought you to yoga?

I started Yoga because I suffered from severe panic attacks and anxiety for most of my life (I had my first panic attack when I was 8 years old). When I was 17 years old, my older brother suggested Yoga to help me with my anxiety. I was in college at the time, and Yoga was offered as a physical education credit, so I took the class one semester.  We practiced the physical postures in a gym, and worked with a Yoga Sutras textbook. I delved deep into the practice, and felt immediate relief. I cannot remember the last time I had a panic attack.

How long have you been practicing yoga, and how has your yoga practice evolved over time? 

I have been practicing Yoga for 18 years. My practice started very physical. I needed that as a distraction for my anxious mind.  As my mind began to still, I craved more stillness, and adopted a meditation practice in addition to the Vinyasa style Yoga I was practicing. This went on for many years, and now my Yoga is more about relaxation only. I get my physical exercise with other modalities such as lifting weights, and utilize restorative Yoga and meditation as a compliment to that work. I sprinkle a few Vinyasa classes in here and there.

How does yoga affect your day-to-day life?

Yoga has helped me to be more aware of the affect that I have on people and the planet. It has helped me to be more compassionate and empathetic to all beings. Not that I wasn’t before, but I have developed a much stronger sensitivity to those things over time.

What or who inspires you?

People who are vulnerable. I really value that in a person.  It takes a lot of courage to admit our faults, share our defeats, face our trauma and speak our truth. Those people are my heroes.

How do you incorporate your practice off of the mat? 

I’m always a student. I am seeking to learn every day. I continually take Yoga/wellness trainings so I can be of service. I try to be aware of my thoughts, speech and actions. Our energy is the first thing people notice. Our energy speaks volumes and has an impact on others. I am constantly working on getting myself good on the inside so that I can share the gift of Yoga. If I’m not doing the work, it shows.

What else brings you joy off the mat?

My kitten, Jack. He was a “foster fail.” My boyfriend and I were fostering him and fell in love.  We are still fostering and it is so rewarding. I also love weight training. I have been practicing Yoga for so long that it feels nice to learn something completely different. I still love taking Yoga teacher trainings every year, and reading about Yoga philosophy, but it’s a nice change.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I wake up around 5 am every weekday. I have breakfast and play/feed our kitten. I then have private clients between 7 am and 12 pm, with a one-hour break for a workout and stretch (Yoga), and lunch.  In the afternoon, I plan my evening class at Harmony and make a playlist (I make new playlists for every class). I also have a client around 3:30. I eat dinner pretty early around 4:30pm. I then teach at Harmony at 5 pm. After my 5 pm class, I have a client that I meet with. I come home and get ready for bed. I also meditate daily. I don’t have a specific time that I meditate, but it can last between 10-60 minutes depending on the time I have. I am usually in bed by 9 pm. Every day is usually set up that way.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or yoga?

Yoga has helped me to enjoy life more. It allows me to have deeper relationships and to be present in the miracles of life. Yoga has enriched my life in more ways than I can list, and my purpose is to share that with others.