Time in the (LEIMAY) Studio with...

Karri Jinkins

LEIMAY Studio Manager Lou Mandolini in conversation with March's featured renter Karri Jinkins. Karri is a yoga practitioner, writer, mother, and all around great human.

• LOU- What first brought you to yoga?

KARRI- Well, I started doing yoga in 1990. I was in college, in the Theater Department of the University of Wisconsin, and I had terrible panic attacks. I had a professor that was into Kalaripayattu, an Indian form of martial arts, and he introduced me to yoga. Practicing helped my anxiety and I continued (studying), on and off for years.

• Can you tell me about Ashtanga and what sets it apart from other methods of yoga?

It’s a very specific, set routine of postures that you do with the breath and a very specific count. And through doing that, its supposed to align and cleanse your body but also quiet your mind. When I came to New York, that was around '92, I started training at Jivamukti. The founders, Sharon Gannon and David Life, and the community there were all practicing Ashtanga. Jivamukti was the only place to truly practice yoga in the nineties. Sharon and David were students of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and I realized I wanted to practice his methods.

I went to Indian and studied with Pattabhi Jois in Mysore and went back and forth for many years. Jois passed away in 2009 but his grandson took over for him. I see his grandson in New York once a year

• Do you participate in any other movement practices?

My son and I love to dance. We have a nightly dance part in the apartment, he’s seven.

His new favorite song is “God’s Plan” by Drake. He loves it! He likes to turn all of the lights off and dance. It's our favorite. 

• We love having you as a weekly renter, what do enjoy most about teaching your class at CAVE?

I love so many things about it. In fact, sometimes I think about doing a whole morning Mysore Program here! I just love how it's raw but very intimate. It feels cozy and clean. I love the dramatic white curtains. It’s the perfect space because its big enough for 20 people and I certainly wouldn’t want any more than that. I love the special touches that it has, it’s very unique. My students love it too!

• Any advice for someone who has never taken yoga before?

Don’t be afraid, there’s nothing complicated and there’s nothing esoteric or secretive. All you have to do is move your body and breathe. It’s all about whatever your body can do and not what everyone else’s body can do. It’s all about doing it, not the theory. By doing it you will understand the theory rather than the theory understanding the yoga.  You aren’t going to get it that way.

• Karri, thank you for meeting with me and allowing me to attend your class as a guest. LEIMAY is happy to have you and your student's positive energy in the space each week. Thank you for respecting CAVE during each session taught at 58 Grand.

To learn more about Karri and when you can catch her class visit: karrijinkins.com