CASSIE CAVITTCassie’s passion for dance began at the age of 3, and the ballet studio quickly became her second home. Through many years of training, Cassie eventually progressed to become a dancer for the local ballet company in Modesto, Calif., where she was raised. After taking her final bow as a teenager, Cassie moved on to other endeavors, including moving to Seattle in 2000. Always up for challenge, Cassie discovered that yoga was an ideal outlet. Even better, she came across hot yoga and was intrigued after hearing how intense it could be. She thought, "You’d have to be crazy to want to do something like that!" Despite many unsuccessful attempts at recruiting friends to join her, Cassie braved her first Bikram class alone at Ashram and was hooked from the beginning! That was four years ago. What does she love about yoga? So many things—the subtle similarities to ballet, including focused practice, graceful movements, and the standing bow. But Cassie’s favorite moments are when she’s practicing and everything else just seems to fade away. (But let’s not pretend she loves everything about yoga—Cassie could write a book on the postures she loathes. Reverse triangle, anyone?) In early 2010, Cassie became certified through the 200-hour Yoga Works teacher training program; soon after, she became a teacher at Ashram. Cassie’s method is teaching what works for her. "I like a hot room, steady flow, and subscribe to the less-is-more theory when it comes to verbal instruction," she says. "Every day is so different—not only as an instructor, but also as a student—so you just play the hand you’re dealt on any given day." Cassie has a business degree from the University of Washington and manages GPS negotiations and marketing at Amazon.com. Cassie and her husband—who finally tried hot yoga and is now a regular—will celebrate their 10-year wedding anniversary in June 2011. |