Seattle Yoga News is on a mission to find and highlight all of the hidden, and maybe not so hidden, gems in our yoga community and beyond. We want you to learn about their experiences and perspectives, but also a bit more about their personalities, so we have a few fun questions for them. This week’s spotlight is turned towards Pamela Chang.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A YOGA TEACHER?
The practice of the postures has always felt so good to me. When I practiced my body felt strong and flexible, and more importantly, I didn’t constantly think about my to-do list, worry about the future or think of the past. I was free! There was a mental freedom that existed when I practiced yoga. When I practiced, I could allow myself to focus only on sensation and breath. That felt so good. I was in the moment and it felt so good! The more time I spent being in the moment, the more joy I found in simple pleasures and the happier I became, on and off that mat. Could yoga = happiness? What an amazing find! I knew I had to share this with others, and so I became a yoga teacher.
WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU ALWAYS GIVE YOUR STUDENTS?
Happiness comes from within. Buying a big new house, getting that promotion at work or the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl might be fun and exciting initially but true lasting happiness is something that we cultivate from within. From my experience, the key to a lasting happiness is being present in every moment. Whether you are practicing yoga, cutting vegetables, walking on the beach, or even cleaning your car…be present! When we are present with whatever we are doing, we find joy in the simplest of things.
DESCRIBE YOUR YOGA PHILOSOPHY?
We live in a world where we are overworked, overstimulated, over stressed, fast paced, intense and well, just plain exhausted. How sweet is it to find a quiet practice where our minds have a break from working, thinking up new ideas and planning? Finding time to meditate, practicing restorative yoga or yin yoga is a wonderful way to find balance in our busy lives. Even a mindful walk in the woods is a wonderful meditation. I have found that too much of any one thing, is never a good thing. Balance is sweetness.
IF YOU COULD PRACTICE WITH ANYONE DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD THAT BE AND WHY?
I would love to practice yin yoga with Paul Grilley. I have admired his work for some time and would love to practice and learn from such a knowledgeable teacher. Yin is my passion!
HOW LUCKY ARE YOU AND WHY?
I am so lucky. I am so lucky to have found yoga, a practice that constantly reminds me that I am perfect and whole, just the way I am. I am so lucky to have a wonderful community around me, supporting me in every way. I am so lucky to be alive in this unique human experience. Every single day, every single breath is a blessing! I am so lucky to be able to share this amazing practice to others and to tell them with all my heart that they are perfect and whole, in every way.
IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, A PLANT OR AN INGREDIENT, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?
I would be an orca whale. I love to swim and sometimes orcas can swim up to 100 miles a day! They also swim in pods (family groups) their whole lives. How wonderful it would be to have your family with you for your whole life! Community is everything.
WHAT IS YOUR LATEST FAVORITE THING ABOUT HUMANITY?
I love how meditation, mindfulness and yoga is spreading! My husband was just telling me about how Microsoft offers free meditation and yoga classes to employees. These loving and accepting practices are quite contagious and soon the yogic lifestyle will be shared with anyone who wants to learn. One Love.
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO NOMINATE NEXT FOR THE YOGA TEACHER SPOTLIGHT?
I would like to nominate Casey Stewart of Root2Rise Yoga in Woodinville. She is a wonderful studio owner, an amazing yoga teacher and a good friend. She is the whole package! She is smart, organized, a creative yoga teacher and so loving! Plus she gives the best hugs. You gotta meet this yogi!
Pamela Chang’s Bio: Pamela has been teaching yoga since 2009. She received her yoga training from The Samarya Center in Seattle. Pamela is inspired by her teachers Molly Lannon Kenny and Stephanie Sission. Since then, she has trained with Bernie Clark and Sarah Powers and is focused on teaching what she loves the most, Yin Yoga. Pamela’s Yin Yoga classes offer quiet, long-held stretches focusing on love, compassion and acceptance.
As a teacher, Pam encourages students to follow their own path, finding balance between accepting themselves as they are and pushing their limits. She is committed to bringing joy, understanding and kindness to every class. Her goal is to guide others to finding happiness from within and to show everyone that they are already perfect and whole. Pam is grateful for the opportunity to share yoga with others.
You can find Pamela at Bala Yoga in Kirkland and Root2Rise Yoga in Woodinville. She teaches Yin, Slow Flow, Vinyasa and Yoga Nidra.
In her free time, Pamela loves being active with her husband and their two daughters. She also finds time to learn more about Ayurveda and loves practicing Yoga Nidra.
