Kelli Harrington

Dr. Kelli Harrington is a teacher trainer, a yoga teacher and co-founder of ZenSpot, Inc., a hot yoga, human empowerment and Feng Shui design company dedicated to creating positive life balance for mind, body, and spirit. Harrington is a certified fitness trainer, Ayurvedic lifestyle and weight management specialist, stress management and life coach. In addition, Kelli is also a Reiki Master, an E-RYT hot yogini and wellness leader, vegetarian-vegan, tech geek, social media junkie, entrepreneur, activist, and environmentalist. Harrington earned a doctorate in Educational Organization and Leadership from the University of San Francisco; an MA in Humanities from Teachers College, Columbia University; a MSEd in Educational Administration and Supervision from Pace University and a BS in History from New York University. ZenSpot, Inc., is based in Eugene, Oregon, with an opening of a second facility in Portland in Fall 2011.

When did you decide to dedicate yourself to yoga?

In 1994 I was training on my bicycle for a triathlon in New York City and was hit by a car. I sustained multiple injuries, had several surgeries over the course of 18 months and endured about a year of occupational therapy. The occupational therapists and doctors told me I would never get the full range of motion back in my shoulders, hips, legs and neck.

I was determined to get my body back into the shape it was in prior to the accident. I began practicing yoga both as a form of meditation to heal the mental and emotional wounds I experience and a workout to heal the physical wounds and regain my flexibility, strength and endurance.

I’ve been practicing for 17 years and have never felt better in my life!

Why do you think some people are intimidated by yoga? What would you suggest to make people more comfortable?

I’ve seen two primary reasons that people seem to be intimidated by yoga. The first is the misperception that yoga is only for flexible people. Not only is that totally untrue, but increasing flexibility is the reason you SHOULD start a yoga practice. Increasing strength, flexibility and endurance as you get older is the best thing you can do for your body and your life. A daily yoga practice de-ages you and keeps you shining brightly.

In western culture, we’re accustomed to the gym and more traditional forms of fitness like running, cycling and weightlifting. People are intimidated because yoga is “different” and, while it’s gaining in popularity, it’s not a “known” form of exercise. Yoga takes into account the mind, the body and the spirit in a comprehensive way. The intimidation comes from the unknown.

To feel more comfortable, learn everything you can. A knowledgeable and supportive instructor and/or studio owner will be able to respond to questions and support new yogis in their journey to optimal health.

What is the toughest obstacle to overcome while practicing yoga?

As a society we tend to focus our energy into the future – where we “should” be, where we think we have to be – and we miss the point of living, being fully present and accepting where you are in your body, your mind and your spirit. This acceptance is a lifelong journey.

How do you handle stress?

Stress is the response to two primal emotions – fear and love. We all live our lives as a response to those emotions. I start by indentifying what I really want and what my desired end result is when I encounter these emotions. This helps me focus on the situation causing the stress, break it down for what it really is and then respond in a proactive way.

What do you think differentiates you from other yogis?

Outside of forever being positive (talk to my husband about that!), as a yogi I truly live my yoga everyday and take my yogic lifestyle very seriously. I constantly ask myself, when having to make decisions, especially the tough ones, “Is this in alignment with my yogic principles?” I am not Kelli at ZenSpot and then a different Kelli in the world beyond ZenSpot.

I work hard to live the Yoga Sutras to the best of my ability and infuse that with a positive energy and enthusiasm that I hope is contagious to all those I come into contact with. I love life and want my students, clients, friends and family to love life, too! I feel it is my responsibility to live truly to those yogic principles in all aspects of my life even down to the food I eat and the air I breathe.

For better or worse there is a lot of phoniness in the world, for so many reasons, and if I don’t stand-up and live better, more responsibly and with integrity, then who will? If I do live honesty and truly according to those principles and empower people as a result, then I have done my job in this life and what could be better than that?

Why do you wear lucy while practicing yoga?

Lucy clothing is much like my yogic principles - it is rooted in honesty, integrity and quality in addition to having a positive energy that is truly contagious! Every lucy store I have ever shopped at, especially in the Pearl District in Portland, has always been a wonderful experience. Yoga is my life and I feel like lucy as a company supports that life through the clothes it creates. It is the best of the best and since I only get one shot at this life, why not do it the right way? Namaste!

Kelli is wearing the lotus power Capri and the Yoga Siren Racerback.