Angelina McCoy

Yogini, LUCYPRO, and model

Yoga and dance go hand in hand. Just ask yogini Angelina McCoy, who started dancing when she was two years old. “My mom’s a ballet teacher, and when I turned three, my parents put a dance studio in the house. The obsession pretty much began then! I used to sleep in that studio whenever they let me.” As she grew up, Angelina’s career as a ballerina morphed into that of a jazz and modern dancer. “When I moved to LA, I met a lot of dancers that take yoga classes as often as dance class, because it builds so much strength. I gave it a shot, and after my first yoga class, I was hooked!” says Angelina. Now retired from dancing, Angelina spends her days as a model, LUCYPRO and yoga connoisseur—and readily admits she still finds yoga incredibly challenging. “I still can’t believe how difficult it is to make it through some classes.” (We don’t know about you, but that makes us feel better about our practice!) Angelina recently took the time to talk with us about yoga’s role in her life, how she gets motivated on “off” days, and her favorite lucy styles.

When did you realize that yoga would become a part of your life?

After my first class. It was such a challenge to get through it, I had to go back just to see if I was having some sort of off day. I wasn’t- the next class was just as difficult, but I stuck with it, going back every couple of days. I was eventually able to make it through the whole class without taking any breaks, and I can’t tell you how proud I was of myself. The sense of self-accomplishment I get from my practice is something very important to my daily life.

On a different note, yoga taught me how to breathe. I know that sounds silly, but before I started practicing, I never took deep breaths. Now, I realize how important those deep breaths are. I always try to take my philosophies from class, and apply them to my daily life. Yoginis are happy people. Now I know why.

How do you motivate when going to the studio is the last thing you want to do?

What motivates me on my off days is knowing at the end of practice there will be those five minutes of pure bliss, where you’re lying on your back, feeling your energy pulsating through you. For me that feeling is all I need…well that and the delicious pomegranate smoothie I get at the place next to the studio.

What’s your favorite lucy style?

I love the new lucy Perfect Core Pant, because it gives you a great amount of support throughout your back and tummy. I also love the Karma Racerback and the Criss Cross Tank because it never hurts to look good when you’re working up a sweat. My favorite pants are the lucy Hatha Power Pant and Vinyasa Power Pant—the fit is just perfect and they’re super flattering! Finally, the lucy Skidless Towel. It changed my practice, I never go to class without one!