Kino MacGregor is an international yoga teacher, author of two books (Sacred Fire, The Power of Ashtanga Yoga), producer of five Ashtanga Yoga DVDs, writer, vlogger, world traveler, co-founder of Miami Life Center (miamilifecenter.com) and founder of Miami Yoga Magazine (miamiyogamagazine.com). Her YouTube channel reached more than 11 million views within the last year (youtube.com/kinoyoga). She is one of a select group of people to receive the Certification to teach Ashtanga Yoga by its founder Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India and practices through the Fourth Series of Ashtanga Yoga.
Name: Kino MacGregor
Occupation: Yoga Teacher, Author/Writer, Yoga Studio Owner
Location: Miami Beach / Worldwide
Favorite yoga style: Ashtanga Yoga
Favorite yoga pose: Parivrttasana from Ashtanga Yoga Fourth Series
Yoga is an answer to the deepest yearning for peace, it is science of healing that systematically works to remove physical ailments, emotional baggage and mental blockages.
What Do You Love Most About Yoga?
One of the things that I love about the physical practice of yoga is that the body does not lie. It cannot fake things or cover them up in the same way as the mind. The body has a naked honesty to it that is equalizing and the vehicle of the Ashtanga Yoga practice reveals the truth of who you really are to yourself. The physical asana practice is a true reflection of the inner state and an honest expression of who you are. If you work diligently you will receive the benefits from the practice. No one can walk the path for you so yoga is a true meritocracy.
How Has Yoga Changed Your Life, Personality and Physique?
There is seed of the infinite within every human being, the yoga practice gives us glimpses of the eternity within ourselves. When we experience that limitless true nature of ourselves we are strong, free and peaceful. It is this essence of the practice that has transformed every cell in my body and every thought in my mind.
What Everyday Thing Did You Get Better At Because Of Yoga?
I am a better person every day because of yoga. I communicate better with my family and friends. I am more present with myself and the world around me. Yoga in a sense optimizes everything I do.
How Do You Keep Your Yoga Practice Interesting and Challenging?
The Ashtanga Yoga method is a practice that constantly asks you to challenge your limits of what you know to be possible. Over the last fourteen years I have learned the First, Second, Third and Fourth Series of Ashtanga Yoga. Each posture is a new journey and each series is a new epoch. There is always something new to discover whether it is a new posture, a new approach to working with the inner body or a new technique to get stronger.
What Book, Website or Person Inspires You?
I love good novels. Two of my favorite are The Feast of Love and The Wind-Up Birth Chronicle.
The person who inspires me the most is my teacher Sri K. Pattabhi Jois because he worked tirelessly for Ashtanga Yoga for his entire life.
What Do You Listen To While You Do Yoga?
What Do You Listen To While You Do Yoga?I listen to my breath and place my mind on the inner body. The traditional practice is done without music.
What's The Best Advice You've Ever Received?
Two things: first, don’t try so hard, relax and everything is possible. Second, a question that helps me think freely: what would you do if you knew there was no possibility of it failing?
Website: kinoyoga.com
Facebook: facebook.com/kinoyoga
Twitter: twitter.com/kinomacgregor
Other links: youtube.com/KinoYoga
