Mary-Anne Purcell

Hometown: Oxford, MA

Favorite inspirational quote: "When you run on the earth and run with the
earth, you can run forever." Tarahumara Indians

When/where/with who was your first yoga class? My first yoga class was in the
early 2000′s maybe 2001? at the Baron Baptiste studio in Cambridge. My
sister took me there. She told me that it was a hardcore workout and I
didn’t believe her. That was until I took that class. It was the hardest
thing that I had ever done and I (so I thought) was in great shape.

Who inspires you? My niece and nephew. They are really young and everything
is so new and exciting to them. It makes me realize how distracted we really
are. They inspire me to step back and find joy in simplicity.

What I love most about yoga is: The journey. Everyday on my mat is different.
Somedays I love to play and pull out that internal strength that I never
imagined I would ever have and other days I am in need of a slowed down
practice with lots of child poses. Whatever I am feeling on any given day,
my practice can supply me with the tools to live more positively.

What you can’t live without? Breath

What you might not know about me: I intend to start a beehive this spring.

Best advice you’ve ever received (from who?): "you
can’t be all things to all people"- my dad

My favorite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Favorite Word: Equanimity

Local escape: The woods. Preferably woods with no rules about dog leashes
and miles of trails.

My favorite thing to do (other than yoga): Run, cook, draw, paint, swim, and most
of all hang out with my dog Dood.