Meet Keri Brooks
1- In less than a minute, tell us who you are and why we keep hearing good things about you.
I am a RYT-500 Yoga Teacher who founded an online studio for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community with daily classes and other Deaf teachers on the team. The reason I did this was to bring the variety of types and styles of yoga for my community to experience. There is no other studio in the world like Deaf Soul Yoga.
2- What inspired you, if any, to join the Warrior Flow 200-Hour Yoga Training’s faculty?
I really love Warrior Flow's philosophy to create an accessible environment for all people to participate in yoga. Representation matters and the faculty is composed of people from all walks of life. It was a no-brainer for me to join and represent the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community.
3- In simple words, what does yoga mean to you?
Yoga is like air for me. I cannot live without it.
4- What is the main difference between learning yoga now and when you took your first yoga training?
I learned yoga by attending classes at the local studio. The discussions and cues were not accessible to me. It was not until I took the YTT that I learned so much more about yoga. That is why I am passionate about bringing yoga to the signing community through sign language which is 100% accessible.
5- In your opinion, why is this a key moment in time to learn yoga?
When yoga is 100% accessible to someone, it helps them make it click and that is when they are able to delve into their practice.
6- Who would you be without yoga?
Yoga saved my life. I was in an abusive relationship with a narcissistic person and yoga kept me grounded every single day until I was ready to leave. Once I left, I continued to teach yoga despite the upheaval in my life. My students were very supportive and flexible with changes due to my transition from a safe place to my new home. Yoga continues to keep me grounded as I deal with legal issues; I am able to compartmentalize my emotions to prevent cognitive dissonance.
7- Who were your role models? And what pushed you to learn and become who you are today?
My 200-Hour YTT teacher, Jackie Edgington, was the one who encouraged me to become a yoga teacher after I attended her classes on a regular basis for over a year. Throughout my training and afterwards, she was very supportive. It was my dream to set up an online studio and when COVID hit, Jackie encouraged me to go for it even though I was still in the middle of my training. I would not be where I am now without her encouragement.
8- What were the pivotal roadblocks and challenges you encountered along the way that helped you define your path?
The biggest roadblock and challenge in my path was not having a partner who supported my dreams and celebrated my successes. That experience made me realize that the key to our success is the people in our lives supporting us. Even just one person can make or break us.
9- What can we all do right now to make this world a better place?