In conversation with: Kat Farrants from Movement for Modern Life

Movement for modern lifeis an online yoga and wellness platform that is changing the way people think about their online practice and revolutionizing the Zoom practice room.Kat Farrantsis the founder of Movement for Modern Life: She turned to yoga when she needed it most and now shares the practice with students from around the world through the platform. Inspired by her entrepreneurial spirit and a charity yoga event co-hosted by Yogamatter forInternational Women's Day 2021We thought it would be great to talk to Kat about yoga, business and finding your true passion.

We would like to know more about you. Can you tell us a little about who you are and what you do?

"After a decade in corporate law in the city, I truly understand how stressed, busy and overwhelming life can be. I founded Movement for Modern Life as an antidote to the stress of commuting to yoga studios and as an antidote to the glossy, cheerleading, thin white image of yoga that has prevailed for years. I really wanted to make the very best yoga teachers accessible to everyone. I wanted everyone to benefit from the wisdom of these down-to-earth, brilliant teachers. I really didn't like the ones that have a big YouTube and social media presence or that are popular. I work with these best yoga, meditation, mindfulness, mindful movement and wellness teachers from around the world to provide accessible tools for the everyday toolbox. I know how much Yoga has helped me overcome some terrible lows in life, and my mission is to share the tools that have helped me navigate life's challenges and share proven tips for living a healthier, happier, more sustainable life. My mission is to make mindful movement accessible and I'm a big believer in yoga in PJs, without fancy outfits or poses. “

Tell us how you discovered yoga yourself?

"I started practicing yoga when I was 18. I was impressed by this wonderful, non-competitive way of moving the body. My whole experience of embodiment at school had really been marred by school sports, which just terrified me. I hated anything to do with sports at school, so I had assumed that any kind of exercise would make me feel terrible. It was a real surprise to me, that I enjoyed this way of moving and breathing so much. It just opened up something completely different for me. I have always been interested in the philosophical side of yoga. I have always been interested in the why of life and the ancient wisdom behind the practices spoke to me. The focus on non-violence and living a life of connection where no one and nothing is separate really made sense to me. I have also been a vegetarian since I was a teenager.It wasn't until decades later that I truly discovered the meaning of my yoga practice and how all of these ideals were connected. I also experienced some significant life changes: I was involved in a really terrible car accident, which led to a period of immobility for me. I truly discovered how beneficial the gentle movements of yoga and yoga's philosophy of acceptance really made all the difference to my healing. And later – out of the blue – my husband of 16 years left me. I was absolutely devastated. Yoga has really helped my emotional healing, and without it I'm not sure how I would have gotten through those tough years. “

What did your personal practice mean to you before yoga became a part of your professional life?

"Honestly, it started as a form of exercise and a way to show off - it was an ego boost. I practiced Ashtanga and Vinyasa. I'm just glad there was no Instagram back then. Then when I was involved in that serious car accident and my husband later left me, I discovered the healing powers of yoga and breathwork. It was the practice ofYoga Nidraand the breathwork that helped me heal a lot of the trauma and follow my heart to build my own business. “

We know you founded Movement for Modern Life so you can continue practicing with your favorite teachers after you move. Tell us about this trip?

“It was mineYoga NidraExercise that made me uncover mineDharmato start movement for modern life. I knew I had to share the practices that had so helped my physical and emotional healing. Sharing the teachers who had guided me over the decades was absolutely central to the vision. I really didn't like how many of the teachers who were online (not that many in 2013!) were great at marketing themselves and looked perfect in front of a camera. I found that the best teachers out there just do their practice and humbly teach their practice. I wanted to advocate for these teachers - the real teachers - the ones who lived and breathed their yoga and not the famous yoga rock stars. These amazing teachers have changed my life and people's lives. “

I wanted to create an online studio because accessibility and inclusivity have always been very important to me. I wanted to make yoga as accessible as possible with the best teachers, and that's really possible when it's online. I also loved that people who didn't feel welcome in studios and felt like they didn't fit the yoga body stereotype could practice from the comfort of their own home.

What do you love about yoga at home?

"I love so many aspects of home training: the fact that we can go ahead and do it whenever we want - without air and grace. We don't have to wear anything special, just practicing in our PJs is perfect. I can fit just 10 minutes into a home workout every day and that makes all the difference. The freedom to do our exercises on the go - wherever we are - that we don't have to be near a studio, and what I love most is that we can do just that can practice what time we need to practice that day - not the practice the teacher wants to teach or that suits us. When we are on our period, we can find an exercise to relieve the pain - menstrual cycles don't have to pause your exercise. If we are working toward a specific physical pose, we can do that in class. If we only have 10 minutes, we can practice for 10 minutes. When it's bedtime, we're really good at something Doing calming and calming things to prepare us for bed.My favorite exercise at this time of year is evening exercise, fireplace, recovery or yin yoga. You couldn't do that in a studio and then go home in the rain and the dark and retain the feeling of complete relaxation. For me, the home yoga experience is by far the best and that was the reason I didn't want a studio and for me the connection, being able to be with my dogs, being with my family, being able to practice is really crucial to my practice and I think it just brings so many benefits. It brings home the lessons we learn on the mat. “

What lessons have you learned in transitioning from a fast-paced career to starting and running Movement for Modern Life?

"A fast-paced career was very relaxed and relaxed compared to running my own business. For the first five years there were no holidays, no weekends, where every single decision was about whether the business survived or not. Every single hire could be crucial and every single client could mean whether I had to become a lawyer again or could continue my dream. I never realized how relaxing it was to be a lawyer and have (some!) weekends and holidays have. "

Do you have any advice for someone considering turning their passion into a career?

"I suppose in hindsight, if I had known then what I know now - that it would take years of personal life, stress, risk, no vacation or free time, and how much effort it would take, I would advise myself not to do it. To me, you only do it when you feel like you really have no other choice. You only have to share something that your heart is really calling you to. Otherwise, keep your passion for the joy of it."

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