Psychology student by day, Yoga teacher by night

 

Balancing more than just a Crow Pose

MacNeil is a fourth year psychology major at Cal Poly University.

Spark Yoga offers a $30 for 30 days deal for new students who have never been to their studio.

Yoga is a form of exercise that allows the mind to be at ease and relax.

MacNeil currently teaches at Spark Yoga studio off of Foothill and Santa Rosa.

 

Rielly MacNeil fell in love with yoga when she stepped into her cozy, hometown studio back in Boise, Idaho.

“I knew I wanted to incorporate this way of life immediately after taking my first class,” psychology fourth year Rielly MacNeil said.

MacNeil felt a spark during her practice. Taking interest in the hobby, MacNeil pursued a 200-hour teacher training certification. Upon completion, MacNeil began to teach at the very studio that welcomed her to the world of yoga.

MacNeil has been teaching yoga for 4 years now. Having started her San Luis Obispo yoga teaching career at the Cal Poly recreation center classes, MacNeil now teaches at Spark Yoga studio.

“Yoga, just like any form of exercise, is so beneficial to your brain and body. As a student myself, coming to the studio is such a release of all the mediocre stressors we’re all consumed with,” MacNeil said.

Yoga is centered around the practice of mindfulness, a technique that refers to focusing one’s attention on their present actions and thoughts. With looming fears of midterms and homework assignments, mindfulness stresses the importance of living in the moment and squashing that anxiety.

“I struggled with anxiety growing up, mostly related to school. Attending college is already stressful enough, but being a part of clubs, having a social life, working — they all add up. Being able to come to work and ‘destress’ at the same time has been the most beneficial step in finding a balance to ease my mind,” MacNeil said.

MacNeil teaches at Spark Yoga studio Mondays at 9 am and Fridays at 5:30 pm. Her classes follow a Vinyasa flow, a sequence of yoga poses that continue through the duration of the class.

With more than 5 major studios, yoga has become an integral part of the San Luis Obispo community. The wellness lifestyle can be seen in almost every store, whether it be restaurants brandishing gluten-free and vegan options, or new holistic shops carrying a multitude of crystals and essential oils.

Spark Yoga offers a $30 for 30 days deal for new students who have never been to their studio.