Collective Spotlight: Chandra Cantor

Do you remember your first yoga class? What was it like? Why did you enroll?

I took my first Yoga class when I was around 11 or 12 years old.  I was visiting my dad in California and he brought me to one of the classes he was taking.  I had been studying dance since the time I could walk, so I was very embodied and loved the balanced “work out/ stretch” that yoga provided.  Right away, I began incorporating Yoga into my dance warm ups and taking classes whenever I would visit my dad, around twice a year.

Are there any preconceived notions you had about yoga that changed over time?

At first it was purely physical.  I had an orientation towards “getting” as many poses as I could, really pushing my physical body to it’s limits, probably under the assumption that I would be happy or lovable if I bettered myself enough.  After achieving a high level of proficiency in the physical realm, and really not seeing any chance that that was going to bring me the peace I desired, I had several years of disillusionment and soul searching around the context with which I was practicing and teaching.  What I’ve come to believe now is that I am whole, complete and perfect as I am and as I’m not.  Sometimes it’s easy for me to feel that, and other times, like when I’m in contact with my limitations, or uncertainty or discomfort, it’s really really hard to feel.  So, my practice, both on and off the mat, is to play the game of full self expression… go to my limits, feel my edges, see what is possible for this little mortal being that I am and practice loving myself there, wherever/however that is.  Sometimes it’s easy and sometimes it’s not, but that’s why I keep practicing… not to change myself, but to learn how to love myself as I am, no matter what.

What have you gained from your yoga practice?

Wow, so much.  Physically, I’ve gained the strength to support my natural flexibility and a way of being embodied that’s about healing rather than performing.  Mentally, I’ve learned how to slow down, to be with discomfort and uncertainty, how to “wake up” in this moment, no matter what might be happening.   I’ve learned a lot about self compassion, acceptance, patience and so many other gifts that I bring into the rest of my life.

Do you remember your first yoga class? What was it like? Why did you enroll?

I took my first Yoga class when I was around 11 or 12 years old.  I was visiting my dad in California and he brought me to one of the classes he was taking.  I had been studying dance since the time I could walk, so I was very embodied and loved the balanced “work out/ stretch” that yoga provided.  Right away, I began incorporating Yoga into my dance warm ups and taking classes whenever I would visit my dad, around twice a year.

Are there any preconceived notions you had about yoga that changed over time?

At first it was purely physical.  I had an orientation towards “getting” as many poses as I could, really pushing my physical body to it’s limits, probably under the assumption that I would be happy or lovable if I bettered myself enough.  After achieving a high level of proficiency in the physical realm, and really not seeing any chance that that was going to bring me the peace I desired, I had several years of disillusionment and soul searching around the context with which I was practicing and teaching.  What I’ve come to believe now is that I am whole, complete and perfect as I am and as I’m not.  Sometimes it’s easy for me to feel that, and other times, like when I’m in contact with my limitations, or uncertainty or discomfort, it’s really really hard to feel.  So, my practice, both on and off the mat, is to play the game of full self expression… go to my limits, feel my edges, see what is possible for this little mortal being that I am and practice loving myself there, wherever/however that is.  Sometimes it’s easy and sometimes it’s not, but that’s why I keep practicing… not to change myself, but to learn how to love myself as I am, no matter what.

What have you gained from your yoga practice?

Wow, so much.  Physically, I’ve gained the strength to support my natural flexibility and a way of being embodied that’s about healing rather than performing.  Mentally, I’ve learned how to slow down, to be with discomfort and uncertainty, how to “wake up” in this moment, no matter what might be happening.   I’ve learned a lot about self compassion, acceptance, patience and so many other gifts that I bring into the rest of my life.