Today we’d like to introduce you to Áine O’Regan.
Áine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story began back in 2013 – I was attending Santa Monica Community College after taking a bit of time off following my high school graduation in 2011 – just trying to figure out what my next move was. I went to SMC primarily because that’s “what you are supposed to do”, and all of my friends were scatted across the country, attending amazing four years colleges. I loved the classes I was taking at SMC, from Art History, and Psychology to Photography, and South-Eastern Asian History. Despite that, I was struggling with passing every class due to my learning disabilities, namely dyslexia, which I had only been diagnosed with at 17. When I wasn’t at school, I was on my mat. My practice was, and still is, everything to me.
On one fateful afternoon my mom, Louise, encouraged me to take the leap- and I signed up for my first 200hr Teacher Training at CorePower Yoga. From then on, I never looked back. I owe my mom for not only my life, but for believing in me, guiding me to my career, and my purpose. In 2015, my beloved mother was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal lung cancer. It was during one afternoon spent with her when, once again, my mom helped me realize what my life’s purpose was (and continues) to be- that I am here to be a healer. That afternoon, my mom was having an extremely hard time getting comfortable in bed, so I came to her side.
In her hospital bed, I put her in a very supported variation of legs-up-the-wall pose, supporting all areas of her body. There was a brief and subtle moment that I observed in which my mom let go- her body relaxed, the panic was wiped away from her face, she took a deep breath and she was finally able to find deep sleep and true rest. It brought me to tears. This type of moving and healing experience is exactly what I want to and attempt to recreate for all of my students. Over the years, since my first certification in Hot Power Fusion, my resume has only grown exponentially. I am certified in Power, Sculpt, Restorative, Yin yoga, mindfulness relaxation, spin, myofascial release, as well as finishing up my NASM, and soon a Running coach certification.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is never a smooth road- not on a personal level, nor career-wise. I am grateful for every obstacle because of how it has shaped me into the woman that I am today. Over the last five years, I have had to face the most difficult times in my life, but when there is darkness there is always light. Losing my mom when I was 22, and then my beloved Aunt Bairbre and Uncle Billy in the following two years after my mom changed me forever. It also taught me what is most important in life- which is to love and love hard. Unconditional love knows no bounds and surpasses time and space. During those times, I also met beautiful humans that I am lucky enough to call my friends, and I’ve gone on some amazing trips which is what life is all about: the adventure.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Currently, I am building my website, which is coming out in July! I work at H0t8 Yoga, as well as I have private clients that I teach via zoom/facetime and socially distant privates if the client feels comfortable due to COVID-19. My classes are known for my knowledge about the body, anatomy is my jam and I bring very specific atomically cues into my classroom, as well as creating an environment where my students trust me, and with that trust, they feel safe. I want my students to come as they are with no judgment. What sets me apart from other teachers is my ability to empathize with their emotions, and from that I can create a class for their needs and be there for them through their journey. I am most proud of the teacher training I have lead, lectures, and workshops that I have been able to provide to the Hot8 community.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
This is a tough one! I have so many wonderful memories. The first one that came to mind was ” The Bumps “. I grew up in two neighborhoods. My early childhood Natick Ave in Sherman Oaks, and then Beeman Ave in Valley Village. This story takes place in Natick. I have an older brother named Emmett. He’s about 2 & 1/2 years older than me now. I am now 26 and he is 29. The age difference isn’t that much, but as a kid it is huge! On Natick Ave there was about four different families that had kids, in total there was about seven kids, and we always hung out together. We would go from house to house playing different games with each other. A few blocks down from our house was this abandoned parking lot with office buildings.
I’m sure you are thinking an abandoned parking lot? What is so great about that, but this parking lot had so many speed bumps. Hence the name “the bumps”. All seven of us would go on our bikes, scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, and play and play for hours on end. We would see how fast we could go over the bumps, how much air could you get. It was truly the best. After we were all hot and sweaty, the seven of us would ride to get an ice pop at our local liquor market that sold the best fruit popsicles! It was an event that we all went or nobody went to because we had to cross a major street. My mom and dad would not let me go anywhere without my older brother.
Contact Info:
- Website: aineruayoga.com
- Email: oregan.aine@gmail.com
- Instagram: @aine_rua
Image Credit:
Emma Rosenblatt
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