Student Spotlight: May 2020

Erika Nava

There is no doubt that the Quarantine of 2020 has been a challenge for all of us. Thankfully, there has been some silver linings to come out of it all, too! For a lot of yogis, including our next Spotlight Student - one of these silver linings has been the launch of the HYNW Virtual Studio!
Erika has been able to stay connected to and take classes with our HYNW Tribe all the way from Mexico and we've LOVED seeing her show up in the Virtual Studio space. 

She knows just how important Community is for her well-being, and we wanted to thank her for being a part of ours!

"Read More" to get to know a little more about Erika!

What's your favorite food?
Anything but cottage cheese, blue cheese and olives.
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How long have you been practicing at Hot Yoga NorthWest?
About a year.

What's your favorite class?
Express Hot Yoga, IHP / IHP II, Vinyasa, Yin

What are your roles / hobbies outside of the Studio?
I am a mother of two amazing teenagers, a wife and a good friend. I am an online Spanish Professor at Clark College.

How did you discover the Studio?
My good friend and Vancouver roomie, Tanya Mead.

Do you remember your first class? Tell us about it.
HOT. SO. HOT. And invigorating.

What made you decide to first come practice at Hot Yoga NorthWest?
I have practiced yoga, pilates and HIIT classes for years, but since 2012 I live back and forth between the States and México, I didn´t have a gym or studio to go to in Vancouver. Tanya convinced me to try it out with her.

What's the biggest benefit / obstacle you've experienced or overcome since practicing at Hot Yoga NorthWest?
For me the benefit of practicing at HYNW is how I feel after class. I was in a rut where I didn´t feel in shape and my joints hurt a lot. I feel so much better about myself, more energy, more strength and less stress. (I can also do burpies again!)

Why Yoga?
Yoga is really good for my flexibility and stretching for my joints and muscle tightness I get from working online all day.

What advice would you give a new student at the Studio?
I would say not to worry about how "good" you are at yoga. This is a studio that accepts all abilities and is very encouraging.

Tell us why you love Hot Yoga NorthWest?
I love the teachers, the options, the motivation and encouragement. I also really love that the classes are online right now since I am in México and otherwise would not be able to do the classes. I need community; I am not a great self-motivator when it comes to working out, doing routines on my own, so I really appreciate still feeling connected to my other home in Vancouver.

Erika - from all of us at HYNW, thank you for being a part of the Tribe! We just love that Tanya convinced you to come sweat it out with us. Thank you for staying connected from Mexico - we've all seen how strong you've gotten and your burpees ROCK! We can't wait to see you back in the Hot Room here in Washington State!
​- the HYNW Team