Katie Swift

I began practicing yoga in college, incorporating it into my weekly ‘workout’ routine. It wasn’t until years later, living and working in London that I began to discover deeper benefits of yoga. I vividly remember leaving class feeling full of love for no reason at all as I walked home. Shortly thereafter I quit my job, began working in a wonderful local yoga studio and completed my 200hr teacher training under Katrina Repka. When I returned to the US in 2015, the universe brought me straight to ISHTA in NYC where I completed my 300hr teacher training under Sarah and Alan Finger.

I am passionate about family, travel, nature and of course, yoga. My intention is to teach a mindful flow class encouraging students to find a connection to their source and freedom in their mind and body through movement, breath and meditation. I am grateful to all of my teachers who have helped me to experience yoga in it’s truest form, especially my daughter Ilaria who inspires me every day. I am honored to be able to share my passion with others and I look forward to seeing you on the mat!

Get to know your teacher

1) Why did you start practicing yoga?

I had an awesome/awful job in London working at a high end concierge company (think: Devil Wears Prada on steroids). I organized lavish parties, vacation homes, hired household staff and anything else that clients needed – at any hour of the day or night! The word “no” was not an option. After losing my marbles a bit, I decided to leave work early on Thursdays to take a 7:30pm yoga class. I was able to escape the madness for an hour and a half each week and began to notice this calm, content feeling as I walked home. I wanted to feel more connected to me and less obsessed with my work and my clients. My newfound love of yoga led me to quit my job, start working at the yoga studio where I practiced and take my first ISHTA yoga teacher training.

2) How would you describe your style of teaching?

I love the spiritual side of yoga but also appreciate that the movement often helps to still our minds and make space. I teach a mindful flow class and regularly include meditation. I aim to hold space for students to find their own center and truth. I love to see some sweat on my student’s brow as we’re moving and a smooth relaxed brow of nothing- ness during meditation and savasana.

3) Who or what inspires you?

Super duper positive people who find the good in everything. I’m very fortunate to be married to one of them and surrounded by many. I am also inspired by nature, and traveling to explore different cultures, languages and cuisine. My greatest source of inspiration are my babies Ilaria (2 years), and Dominic (3 months) I’m astounded by the lessons I am learning from them each day.

4) Tell us something we would never guess about you?

I lived in Minneapolis in my twenties. I was relocated there for my job with Nestle at the time and coincidentally my husband (then boyfriend) was relocating there for work too! Funny our paths took us there together where we ultimately got engaged. I knew it wasn’t my forever home (it was below zero degrees for the majority of the winter) but I ended up loving it and have many fond memories of my time as a Midwestern girl.

5) What is your least favorite asana?

My least favorite pose is urdvah Dhanurasana. Upward bow pose also known as full wheel. It is physically challenging, somewhat scary, and emotionally charged. It has always made me a little anxious. I avoided it entirely while I was pregnant for obvious physical reasons and have continued to use that excuse for the last 3 months but the truth is, I just don’t want to go there. I do however strongly believe that the poses we dislike the most are the ones that we learn the most from. A big part of yoga is moving through obstacles gracefully both on and off the mat. This question has prompted me to incorporate the pose back into my practice (starting now!) and see where it takes me.

6) Name one thing on your bucket list?

My bucket list was once extreme; including things such as skydiving, but I have grown older (perhaps wiser or perhaps just boring) and now learning to play the piano and speak Italian fluently are at the top of the list. I’d love to travel to South Africa with my family and the flight with my little ones would probably be about as extreme as it gets!