Conversations with Mary Beth Harding

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Mary Beth Harding.

Hi Mary Beth, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my yoga practice in 2010 with Gillian St. Clair at the suggestion of my therapist. After years of practice, I realized I wanted to share the power of yoga with others, and I completed my 200 Hour Teacher Training in 2017 at the Steadfast & True Yoga School.

For many years, my practice and teaching were centered on Hatha-Vinyasa movement. However, in 2018, fellow teacher Allie King “strongly encouraged” me to attend a Yin Yoga training session with her, led by Josh Summers. I fell in love with the practice and theories behind it, finding a connection with the energetic and spiritual teachings, unlike anything I had experienced yet. I knew I had to learn more, and I have spent the last several years experiencing and expanding my Yin practice, including receiving my 300HR with Josh and Terry in 2022. I continue practicing with them through their River Bird Sangha and continuing education workshops.

I’ve taught nearly 2,000 hours of class, receiving my Yoga Alliance “Experienced” status in 2021. I have also completed training in meditation, adaptive chair yoga, trauma-informed yoga, and Jess Thompson’s Wellness Includes Me Mastermind (as well as other inclusive wellness training). I am a lifelong learner and am always looking for more opportunities to improve my practice and teaching.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I completed my first teacher training, I never thought I would be a full-time yoga teacher. I have more than 15 years of experience as a nonprofit leader, and my career has kept me busy. I simply wanted to share the practice, mostly through community-based classes, and use any income to help support my continuing education.

However, in the last two years, I realized I was declining amazing teaching opportunities for a career that was no longer fulfilling me. I am passionate about sharing this practice with others and have a talent for recognizing and attending to students’ needs, creating special spaces for students to get curious and connect with themselves. I knew that I wanted to say yes and explore the possibilities yoga could bring into my life.

I made the tough (and incredibly scary) decision to leave my stable 9-to-5 in 2023 and pursue teaching full-time, with a bit of freelance grant writing to help support me.

I’ve had amazing support from friends, colleagues, and students, but service-based entrepreneurship comes with a big learning curve! I’m often challenged by a scarcity mindset, imposter syndrome, and toxic productivity habits. This year, I’ve focused on shifting my mindset and developing business skills that reflect my values. Thankfully, I’ve had amazing coaches, mentors, sounding boards, and cheerleaders to help me along the way!

Yoga has brought me to new places and introduced me to incredible people, both in-person and virtually. It’s been a journey of growth and self-discovery, and I’m grateful for every step.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Yoga can be a powerful tool for transformation. I strive to teach practitioners how to use the tools of this practice to bring more ease into their lives. My expertise is in Yin Yoga, mobility, gentle practices, and yoga for rest and recovery.

My asana (movement) teaching involves safety, curiosity, and exploration. It incorporates a variety of shapes and movements that are widely accessible to many bodies. We also practice meditation, pranayama (breathwork), and other limbs of yoga throughout the class.

I strongly believe that everyone can practice yoga, and I love working with beginners, those skeptical of the practice, and those marginalized by the mainstream Western Postural Yoga culture. I enjoy taking this practice out of studio spaces and into the community.

In fact, many of my favorite classes are taught in unconventional spaces such as warehouses, offices, senior centers, recovery centers, lunch rooms, and hotel conference rooms. I believe that, while props are helpful, you don’t need anything to practice yoga. You don’t need a special space, expensive equipment, or a mat. There are ways to practice wherever, whenever, and however you are. If you work with me, we can learn new ways to practice together!

One of my specialties is sports yoga for professional athletes who need supportive recovery. We work together to discover how strengthening the mind-body connection can improve your life and performance.

Many of my physical practices focus on improved mobility and creating comfort in the body. Without this foundation of physical ease, it is difficult to practice other aspects of yoga, such as being a kinder person to yourself and the world around you. Yoga is all about connection – connecting your mind, body, and spirit, connecting to your community, connecting to the universe.

I weave yogic and Daoist philosophies throughout class to encourage us to not only care for ourselves but to take action and care for others. Honoring the traditions and lineages of these practices is a priority in my teaching.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Yoga and mobility can be powerful tools to help us live with less pain and more ease. I teach trauma-informed yoga in private lessons, group classes, and special events.

Private lessons are a great way to get personalized instruction and more manual and hands-on assistance. Perfect for athletes, those recovering from injuries, those with chronic illnesses or disabilities, and anyone who would like more privacy than a public class. We can meet individually or with small groups at home, in a studio setting, or virtually. Instruction is geared toward your specific needs and preferences, focusing on pain relief and performance enhancement. We meet to assess your needs and work with your schedule to achieve your goals.

I also teach Gentle Yoga, Mobility, and Yin classes weekly. Instruction often focuses on agency, giving students the freedom to explore their practice. Tools to help us live with less pain and more ease are shared.

And I love coming to a workplace or special event (bachelorette party, birthday, vacation, etc) to bring a little more relaxation and wellness to a group on an as-needed basis!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.marybethhardingyoga.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogawithmarybeth/

Image Credits
Kelly Phipps, Finn Basil, and Gillian St. Clair