Kate Potter

Kate’s strength as a teacher comes from her strength in practice first and foremost, continuing to shift and grow with the teachings. “Every day on the mat, and every day in the world, my wish is to develop compassion and peace; healing the body, focusing the mind, and living a radiant life.” At the age of 8, Kate began her life long passion for dance, and thereby quite naturally developed a strong daily practice which she did not know at the time, was Yoga. An idea to study Indian dance took her on a solo journey to India in her 19th year. After several months of adventure, her Yoga teacher, Swami Chinmayananda appeared, and the years of interest in Asian philosophy became real. “There could not have been a more focused time in my life in terms of reading, study, listening to lectures, meditation practice, as well and private interviews with both my teacher and others like the Dalai Lama who lived only miles from our ashram”.Years of change followed in adventurous jobs planting trees in remote locations in the North, gold mining in the Yukon, working the salmon canneries in Alaska, not to mention, dancing for companies in Vancouver. The one thing that held constant was Kate’s Yoga practice. “The physicality of those jobs would have been impossible to handle without a hatha practice. The hardships endured in work were a part of my overall strength I was given through Yoga.“Kate’s main focus besides teaching classes and retreats, has been teaching Yoga as Therapy for all conditions. Her study of Ayurveda has given her an informed approach to personalize programs her students needs. In recent years her television show Namaste is seen worldwide on 5 continents. This unbelievable blessing has her teaching internationally, as well as planning on new adventures in production.“I thank all the teachers I have encountered on route, and all the students who have become my teachers. Norman Fischer, who would be my most influential teacher at present, gratefully informs my love for Zen Buddhism. In terms of work on the mat, I am growing in trust, to see that techniques shift with perspective. I have a commitment to “everyday practice” and a commitment to allowing ease in my life, through this essential focus”