News

Something About Kristin McGee

September 25th, 2007

Monthly column for www.rasaspa.com written by Anne Marie Cummings.

In the cozy atmosphere of the hip SoHo Equinox gym in New York City, I met up with the bright Idaho born renowned yoga instructor, Kristin McGee. Former MTV's yoga and pilate's girl, Kristin has hit newsstands regularly on the cover of Fit Yoga and Pilates Style. She's also appeared on fun TV shows like Sex and the City and has been interviewed on the CBS Morning Show, CNN News and works with celebrity clients such as Steve Martin, Jeff Goldblum and country singer LeAnn Rimes.

Is there bodywork you like to tie-in or partner with yoga?

I'd definitely say Thai massage. I do a lot of that already with my private clients. It's not something I've studied, but I stretch clients in a way that's a lot like Thai massage. I do this in between some of the yoga poses and at the end of some of the workouts. It's really intense and the stretch is more than what my clients can do by themselves.

What's your personal pamper treatment package you give to yourself?

There's this lady back in Idaho that gives me a great pedicure and manicure with a facial. I love that sort of thing and I really love anything that helps my dry skin, like a good hot bath with clay mud. Also anything with jets for my feet!

How often do you treat yourself?

I don't treat myself nearly as much as I should, but in many ways, my yoga workout is my own self massage. And when I do get a massage, I look for someone who goes deep enough. It's really hard to find someone who understands a yoga body. I'm small, but I have a really high pain threshold.

Who inspires you the most - in general?

Wow, that's a tough question, but I would have to say my good friend Lisa Landphair. She's an amazing massage therapist and yoga teacher. She's able to live in this city and stay true to herself and when I say true to herself I mean, she listens and processes things without conforming to what others think or see or feel. She practices what she preaches and she's never there for the outcome or the end result. Lisa lives differently than anyone I know. She doesn't even own a cell phone!

And you're true to yourself too, right?

Yeah, I would say that I'm becoming more and more true to myself. Yoga certainly brings me to that place. Yoga is about being connected and becoming more aware of your own inner thoughts and staying with your breath. The big shift for me started to happen at the beginning of this year when I began to embrace the mindset of letting go. I've always tried to control things and now I'm leading more with my heart and giving more freely. Also I'm letting more people in and not being so result oriented. Just staying open. If I don't do this, there won't be that necessary shift in me.

And how does this shift in you translate into yoga classes and your own yoga practice?

There's less structure. Sometimes I'll throw in a new pose here and there just because it feels good. The workouts don't always have to be hardcore. It's less about perfecting a pose, but just letting things be natural and easy. Yoga can be fun. I have a great time with my clients and the students in my classes.

What do you say to people who say they don't want to do yoga or pilate's or even get body work done on them?

I say to them, walk. People need to move and walking can be very mindful. One of my older clients who's in his 70's told me his secret is the walking he does to and from work.

How do you start and end your day?

I used to start my day so early and I would jump out of bed, have my coffee and run, but now I actually stand up on my bed, take a moment and stretch my arms up over my head and make this gesture like I'm celebrating my life. After that I have my coffee.

And at night?

Every night I go over my gratitude check list of all the things I'm lucky to have and for all the people in my life.

The other day someone asked me, "so how do you live your life?" What's your response to that?

This is why the whole shift in me has occurred. My attitude used to be, make your dreams come true, be productive. Now it's, be delighted, no more struggles are necessary, turn overwork to overjoy. Now I'm always learning something new.

And if you could find more delight in your life, what would you do?

Treat myself to more massages, sleep in on Sunday's, wear sundresses, go to the beach more. I also want to do more childlike things. And, thinking work and career feels really masculine. Thinking about giving over and letting go feels more feminine. I want more feminine in my life!

 

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