Athlete of the Week: Linda Swain

In August, Longboat Key resident Linda Swain passed her eight-month yoga teacher certification, which she received from Yoga of the Heart in Sarasota. The program consisted of alignment-based yoga classes, studying philosophy and anatomy and once a month spending 22 to 23 hours doing yoga in a weekend. She teaches a class in Canada, where she and her husband, Peter, live in the summer. She is thinking about starting a class here. She takes three classes weekly, and she does home practice daily.

What got you into yoga?
I quit corporate work eight years ago … I knew I wanted to do something different from corporate life that combined something physical and spiritual, and yoga just fit. I’ve dabbled in yoga for years.

What do you like about yoga?
The benefits of yoga, for me, are increased flexibility; increased strength; my posture — I see a huge difference; my breath; concentration on things; and mood. I’m much calmer, and I feel good.

What is the most difficult part about yoga?
Meditation. We have busy minds. You sit, try to be quiet and still your mind. It’s not easy. (The hardest part is) less physical and more of really wanting mediation, needing it, but achieving it is really hard to do.

What is your favorite yoga pose?
Sirsasana, a head stand. Or Ardha Chandrasana, a half moon. I love inversions. Something about being upside down invigorates me. The Ardha Chandrasana was difficult, but now I feel I can accomplish it, so it is one of my favorites.

What is the breakfast of champions?
If I’m going to yoga class, I like to do it on an empty stomach. If I’m doing home practice, I like to have citrus fruit.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I’m a huge animal advocate. I’d put an end to animal cruelty. That would be the ultimate super power.