Meet Kaitlyn Groh | Yoga Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaitlyn Groh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaitlyn, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I chose to pursue teaching yoga because of the things it brought to me in life. I found yoga in a time when I needed structure and confidence, but what I wasn’t expecting was the peace and strength it added to my everyday life. For years I wanted to take a yoga teacher training, but was caught up in working to make ends meet. After graduating college, I uprooted my life to move to China and teach English. I stayed in China for 4 years, and this is where I finally made time for myself to take a 200 hour training. Life is short, and if you don’t make time to do what feels right for your body and soul, then what is the point? My aim in all of my classes is to open my students up to the possibilities that yoga brings. I love to offer modifications and props to help students move their bodies in a way that makes them feel free of the stresses that come with life. Yoga is not just about strengthening our bodies; it is about creating flexibility in our minds and letting creativity flow through each breath. I believe not many of us have the opportunity to feel creative or artistic in our lives, but yoga lets us break that boundary of typical daily movement and this is what I try to share with my students.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Although yoga is not the only profession I have in life, it is the one that I am most passionate about. Becoming a yoga instructor was something I wanted for years, but always put on the back-burner to things I thought were more important in life. Once I made the time for myself to take the training, I found that being happy was more important than being comfortable. In the social media age we live in, it is easy to get caught up in the things you think you should be able to do; to focus on your limitations. This is something I am sometimes guilty of, as I scroll through instagram and see yoga instructors that can do poses I struggle with. I am still learning how to be kinder to myself and to celebrate the progress I make, rather than seeking perfection. I believe that this is an important lesson in yoga (and in life), and is something I always bring to my classes. I aim to teach with kindness and patience. I want to show my students that simply moving your body is a success, when you could choose to be stagnant. You do not need to be ultra-flexible or very thin to practice yoga; you just have to show up and make the effort. When you do this, you may find that you exceed your own expectations and surprise yourself with something you didn’t know you were capable of.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The great thing about living in Denver, is that you are a stones throw from so many exciting places. I am something of a beer enthusiast, so if I have a guest visiting that also enjoys my love for beer, we go to a few craft breweries. My favorite spots are Downhill Brewing in Parker, New Belgium in Fort Collins, Tommyknocker in Idaho Springs and Great Divide in Denver. I also love to take my guests for a hike up at Red Rocks Colosseum, Garden of the Gods, or Pikes Peak. My favorite overnight stay is in Manatou Springs, which has the best (in my opinion) local shops to visit. Of course, we also spend time in Denver going to a baseball game or eating our way through the delicious restaurants in downtown. My personal favorite is Avanti which is a collective eatery that has an abundance of food options to choose from, and a gorgeous patio to relax on in summer.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family has always been a huge support system for my dreams. In all my endeavors, they have stood strong by my side and been my cheerleaders. Living apart from my family for four years in China was difficult, but they never showed any doubt in my pursuits and always expressed how proud they were of me. They have given me the courage to do what makes me happy in life, and to make my own mistakes along the way.

My husband, Alireza, was a major support during my yoga teacher training and continues to be to this day. We met in Shanghai 5 years ago and were married in Thailand 2 years later. We always joke that he is my “guinea pig” because I practice new yoga flows or postures on him constantly. During my training, he worked with me every week so that I could build the confidence in what I was learning. He is honest with me about what doesn’t work for him and what does, and he helps me loosen up when I’m too serious. I love that he is my best friend, my partner, and my favorite yoga student.

Lastly, my yoga instructor Raj from Drishti Vinyasa Yoga Shala in Shanghai has had a huge part in my yoga career. Through his training and mentorship I learned to find my confidence in teaching, as well as in my own self-practice. I am forever grateful for his encouragement and would recommend his training to anyone who seeks a career in yoga. His classes continue to be the thing I miss most about living in Shanghai.

Instagram: plantbased_kait

Linkedin: ktlngroh8@gmail.com

Facebook: Kaitlyn Michelle Groh

Image Credits
Drishti Vinyasa Yoga Shala (last photo)