Edition 3: an interview with yoga teacher & studio owner, Tiffany Coombs, about her yogic philosophies, what brought her to the mat, and her home yoga practice — how she maintains at least 10 minutes of practice every day.
Tiffany Coombs was one of my very first yoga teachers, and I have learned so much from her (even though I haven’t seen her in a while…a pregnancy and a baby happened). She’s an incredible teacher and mentor, inspiring confidence in her students and teacher-trainees and helping practitioners learn how to pay close attention to — to really LEARN — one’s physical body to better quiet, reassure, and train the mind.
In September 2015, I attended a workshop Tiffany led called “Teach with Purpose.” What we brainstormed and discussed during those two and a half days — namely, why do we teach and what’s the point, for us and for students we work with? — was in large part where the idea for this blog and creating yoga videos was born. She also helped me to rethink what my own practice looks like, especially when I’m traveling.
Check out the full People Who Practice series here!
Tiffany has a beautiful practice (it looks like a dance), writes thought-provoking posts about yoga and much more, and recently opened her own studio, one that I really need to get to: Lotus Town Yoga, in Lovettsville, VA. She’s also mom to a free-spirited, strong-willed, and 100% adorable daughter.
Name & Age
Tiffany Coombs, 29
When did you start practicing yoga?
2005
How many years have you consistently practiced yoga?
11
How long have you been teaching?
9 years
Why did you start to practice?
I started practicing yoga after suffering from many injuries (most ignored for a long time) and a severe bout of mono. At the time, I was extremely depressed and lost because dance was my dream career and my body seemed to be in shambles; I developed a nasty eating disorder and was afraid that without dance, I would gain weight. I started to feel invisible and unimportant.
Because my ankles, knees, and back were in such bad shape, most exercise was out of the question. I started doing Pilates, which helped my back immensely, probably because it gave me some killer abs. While I have a deep respect for pilates, it didn’t hold my attention, so I decided to try yoga. I had heard about its therapeutic benefits including mental health and injury recovery, and Vinyasa seemed active enough to keep me from gaining weight (ok, not the best reason to start, but I like to be honest!). I got a few DVDs and practiced every morning in my basement before school.
Yoga is HARD, man. I was immediately and pleasantly surprised at the level of mental and physical challenge, something I enjoyed about ballet. I started to feel better in my body, and sometimes even felt good about my body. My ankles, knees, and back started to recover as surrounding muscles grew stronger and healthier.
One morning, I was standing in Warrior II, and this incredible sense of power came over me. My body felt strong, my mind felt clear and calm, and I realized that this is so much more than a way to stay thin. That this practice is truly healing. This sense of power was brief, but it kept me going. I started to see good days among the bad. To this day, I still think back to the reason for my commitment to yoga, especially when I am feeling a little dark or insecure.
What other kinds of physical exercise or activity did you do regularly before yoga? Have those activities been affected by yoga, and if yes, how?
I was a ballet dancer since the age of four. I hurt myself so badly while dancing and still notice the injuries from time to time. Unfortunately, yoga has not brought me back to dance, but it has helped me to stay connected to its graceful and fluid movements.
What does daily or weekly home yoga practice look like for you? What style(s)?
Each day, I try to maintain at least 10 minutes of practice. It is so amazing how profound even 10 minutes can be. Lately, I have been attempting 6AM practice, but with a toddler whose sleep patterns are very unpredictable, sometimes it happens, and sometimes it doesn’t. If I don’t get up early, I practice while my daughter takes a nap or after she goes to bed. I typically practice a form of therapeutic vinyasa, restorative, and plenty of meditation.
Do you also practice in a studio? What style(s)?
At the moment, I practice yoga primarily at home. Very rarely I can sneak a class here and there! I usually seek out vinyasa classes, but also enjoy settling in for some yin or restorative!
Is there anything you find challenging about either a consistent home yoga practice or just practice in general?
As I mentioned above, I currently struggle with juggling practice with an unpredictable toddler. I’m not the kind of mom who gets joy from practicing with her kid. I’m the kind of mom who gets joy from practicing alone in a focused and quiet way. So I try to find times during the day or night where I can sneak that in.
What advice would you offer to someone who’s just getting started with yoga (or a home yoga practice)?
The majority of my practicing career has been at home. If you want to start a home practice, my advice is to start with a DVD, a book, or a sequence written by a trusted teacher.
As a teacher, I think a consistent home practice is an absolute MUST. Try to commit to practice at the same time every day until practicing at home becomes an essential part of your day.
Give yourself permission to let go of the notion that a yoga practice has to be 60-90 minutes. Sometimes it can be, but sometimes it is more like 10-15 minutes.
It is far more productive to practice focused breathing and movement for a short period of time than it is to practice distracted breathing and movement for a long period of time.
Trust me, it is much harder to focus when you practice at home, especially when you get started! Finally, learn how to trust yourself. Practice listening to what your body is asking for. Breathe deeply and get to know yourself.
What’s the biggest change — physical or otherwise — you’ve noticed since you started to practice yoga?
My sense of self-worth is the most profound change. This practice has revealed my ability to persevere through challenges, to let go of competition (at least a little bit!!!), to respect and care for myself, and that I deserve love and respect as do all other living creatures.
The notion that we are all connected and the importance of supporting one another has helped me to be less fearful around others and has even led me to become an active member in the community! Looking back over the years, I am amazed at the unintentional changes that have happened thanks to a committed practice of yoga.
What’s your favorite pose…or poses?
Currently, my favorite yoga pose is Triangle. It just feels so GOOD! It’s also an interesting pose to observe the balance between stretch and strength, whether you are collapsing into the pose or supporting yourself in the pose.
What benefits does yoga offer to you, off the mat?
Yoga makes me feel like a worthy human being. Other side-effects include the ability to pause before taking action, the ability to practice compassion and understanding (most of the time), and the ability to stay true to myself.
How do you find your ‘om’ when you’re not on the mat/in your home yoga practice?
I like to pause during the day and take it all in. Sometimes it’s the beauty of being in nature or a beautiful room or building, sometimes it’s the hustle and bustle of the city, sometimes it’s amidst the toddler chaos of my home. I like to pause and notice that all of this is life – the beauty, the mess, the chaos, the good, the bad. It connects us all, and it’s all life.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Let’s be good to one another!!!!
Follow Tiffany Coombs on IG — @lotus.town.yoga — and check out Lotus Town Yoga here!
Originally published as part of the People Who Practice Series in August 2017
