Meet Sarah Montross | Yoga Instructor and Teacher Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Montross and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“Do not think of yourself as a small, compressed, suffering thing. Think of yourself as graceful and expanding, no matter how unlikely it may seem at the time”–BKS Iyengar I love this quote by one of the most famous yogis of all time, BKS Iyengar. It really gets to the heart of the yogic teachings: that we are luminous beings of infinite potential. It is also incredibly practical and applies to everyday life, both on and off the yoga mat.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a yoga teacher, yoga teacher trainer, and retreat leader. I teach alignment yoga. That doesn’t mean that I think we should all fit into a perfect shape that appears in a book. What I’m interested in is using the alignment to help quiet our minds and cross the threshold from outer to inner, to become reacquainted with ourselves. I’m interested in creating a safe space for everyone to explore their inner world, and I’m also interested in helping fledgling yoga teachers find their paths. I didn’t start here though; my first career was in college publishing. I had a long career there with a wonderful boss and great colleagues. I just never quite felt like it was a good fit for me somehow, despite all the positives on paper. When the right opportunity came along and it made sense financially, I was able to transition to working in the yoga industry full-time. Along the way, I’ve learned that nothing comes without putting in a lot of work. In publishing, that was hours on the road, in airports and on college campuses and in hotels. In yoga, it’s hours on the mat, on the cushion. studying.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I was showing a friend around Houston, I would be sure to take them to my favorite restaurants of course: Uchi, UB Preserv, Squable, Theodore Rex, Tacodeli, Chilosos. There would definitely be a visit to The Menil Collection or the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. And probably a pint on the patio of Ladybird’s. A morning walk along the Eastern Glades of Memorial Park or Buffalo Bayou would be in order, too! Friday night would most definitely include dancing the night away at Classic #’s at Numbers Nightclub.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Along the way, I’ve had support from many strong women in my life. From my mother to my 6th grade government teacher to my best friend to my yoga teachers and mentors and boss, I have gratitude for women helping women succeed and holding each other up.

Website: sarahmontrossyoga.com

Instagram: sarah_montross_yoga

Image Credits
Bhavin Misra / @bhav.in.bliss