The following conversation is with the talented and beautiful, Brittnie King. Andrew and I were introduced to Brittnie and her husband, Justin, at Concert in the Park a few years back. Our mutual friends decided that the four of us should meet since we all had one major thing in common…WE LOVE BEER! As you can probably guess, we all bonded over some good beer and our friendship has continued ever since. I was excited to do this conversation with Brittnie because her background is fascinating to me. As you will find out below, Brittnie’s background is in ballet. It has been such a joy to get to know her, watch her perform, teach alongside her, and, of course, drink some really good beer along the way. I hope you all enjoy this conversation. Cheers.
Tayoga: How did you get started with yoga and at what point did you decide to complete teacher training?
Brittnie: Because of my training in ballet, yoga was something I commonly did to improve my flexibility. It wasn't until later - when I started doing a lunch hour yoga - that it inspired me to become a yoga instructor and further my education and training.
Tayoga: Yoga and ballet seem like they go perfectly together! You have come to my classes a couple times and it is clear that you are very strong and flexible. I imagine this is largely due to your ballet history. Can you tell me a little more about your ballet journey?
Brittnie: My grandmother signed me up for ballet when I was about four years old. By the age of nine, I had decided I wanted to pursue ballet as a career. By twelve, I trained all over the place, and started to audition for parts. At age 18, I was on “So You Think You Can Dance” and at age 19, I was accepted as an artist at Central West Ballet. Since then, I have been promoted as a first soloist. My favorite moments are those exhilarating moments of performing for a live audience; I love when I achieve something difficult. I am still currently dancing just part-time since I recently became a mother in September 2019.
Tayoga: So cool! Andrew and I have been to several Central West Ballet shows at the Gallo Theater that you have performed in and we are looking forward to seeing Romeo and Juliet this year. It is so fun to see people up there that you know. It is quite amazing what the human body can do. I know it is challenging, yet you still manage to make it look graceful. I imagine the yoga helps with that! What are your favorite Modesto yoga spots?
Brittnie: Typically, I enjoy going to Elevate and Sukha when I can afford it.
Tayoga: Yoga can be a little pricey, but it is so worth it! Both of those are excellent yoga spots in this wonderful city of ours. How did you wind up in Modesto?
Brittnie: My family on my mom's side is all here, so we moved here when I was 3. I have mostly lived in Stanislaus County area since.
Tayoga: It’s nice having family and friends close by. It has been so fun getting to know you over the last few years. Andrew and I first bonded with you and your husband, Justin, over our mutual love of beer. I taught my first ever beer and yoga class a few months ago. You were the inspiration for that since your class was the first beer and yoga class I had taken. How many beer and yoga classes have you taught at Blaker Brewing now? What do you love about teaching beer and yoga?
Brittnie: I believe I have taught about 6 or 7 classes at Blaker Brewing. What I love about teaching beer and yoga is: 1) of course, we get to drink all sorts of tasty beers! 2) I like meeting all the fun-loving people that always come to class with the only intention of having fun. Nothing else really matters. We're all there for a good time and of course a good beer!
Tayoga: Definitely agree! It doesn’t get much better than beer and yoga. Although, your perspective on that may have changed due to a recent addition to your family. Baby Aurora arrived in September and is absolutely adorable! What is it like juggling yoga, ballet dancing, and being a mom?
Brittnie: I take on one day at a time. At the end of the week (typically Sunday), I set up my schedule and my intentions. Come Monday, I pretty much say a prayer and go forward, open and available to whatever might come. Some days it works out great between teaching yoga and ballet, training with my ballet company, and juggling a baby. I am very fortunate that I can bring my baby to all my jobs if I need to. I am also blessed that I get a lot of help from my husband, my mom, and my grandma. Of course, there are those days when I have to listen to my body or my baby and stay in and try again the following day or week. Needless to say, I'm still figuring it out as I go. What I do know is my daughter will only get older and more independent so I enjoy these moments while they last with her. At this time, she is my top priority.
Tayoga: Since we are on the topic of big changes... I am excited for you (and sad at the same time) since you and the hubby will be moving to Oregon within the next couple of years. You have lived in Modesto most of your life, so what will you miss most about Modesto? What are you most looking forward to in Oregon?
Brittnie: We do indeed have some big plans for the future, but they are still very far in the future. When the time comes and we do move from Modesto, I will definitely miss my family and friends, as well as this wonderful community that Modesto has. I love when I go downtown to have a meal or for an event I run into friends I know or make new ones. I'm looking forward to living in Oregon, because the town is very small, so I know I will make new friends there. I'm also excited for all the space we will have; it's a wonderful place to raise children. Due to the fact that the town is so small and there are few yoga teachers in the county, I'm looking forward to teaching more yoga. Specifically, teaching vinyasa flow, which surprisingly there aren't many teachers up there offering that style of class.
Tayoga: Well all I know is Andrew and I will definitely be visiting you guys in Oregon. We have our big map that we put pins in to mark the places we have visited. The silver pins are for the places I have done yoga and when we come to visit, I will definitely be adding a silver pin to the map! One final thing - How can people find you?
Brittnie: My social media accounts are the best way to reach me. I am on both Instagram and Facebook.
Instagram: @the_kings_things
Facebook: Friday Community Yoga (public page)
Tayoga: Thank you so much for taking the time to have this conversation with me! People are going to love it!
Tayoga: How did you get started with yoga and at what point did you decide to complete teacher training?
Brittnie: Because of my training in ballet, yoga was something I commonly did to improve my flexibility. It wasn't until later - when I started doing a lunch hour yoga - that it inspired me to become a yoga instructor and further my education and training.
Tayoga: Yoga and ballet seem like they go perfectly together! You have come to my classes a couple times and it is clear that you are very strong and flexible. I imagine this is largely due to your ballet history. Can you tell me a little more about your ballet journey?
Brittnie: My grandmother signed me up for ballet when I was about four years old. By the age of nine, I had decided I wanted to pursue ballet as a career. By twelve, I trained all over the place, and started to audition for parts. At age 18, I was on “So You Think You Can Dance” and at age 19, I was accepted as an artist at Central West Ballet. Since then, I have been promoted as a first soloist. My favorite moments are those exhilarating moments of performing for a live audience; I love when I achieve something difficult. I am still currently dancing just part-time since I recently became a mother in September 2019.
Tayoga: So cool! Andrew and I have been to several Central West Ballet shows at the Gallo Theater that you have performed in and we are looking forward to seeing Romeo and Juliet this year. It is so fun to see people up there that you know. It is quite amazing what the human body can do. I know it is challenging, yet you still manage to make it look graceful. I imagine the yoga helps with that! What are your favorite Modesto yoga spots?
Brittnie: Typically, I enjoy going to Elevate and Sukha when I can afford it.
Tayoga: Yoga can be a little pricey, but it is so worth it! Both of those are excellent yoga spots in this wonderful city of ours. How did you wind up in Modesto?
Brittnie: My family on my mom's side is all here, so we moved here when I was 3. I have mostly lived in Stanislaus County area since.
Tayoga: It’s nice having family and friends close by. It has been so fun getting to know you over the last few years. Andrew and I first bonded with you and your husband, Justin, over our mutual love of beer. I taught my first ever beer and yoga class a few months ago. You were the inspiration for that since your class was the first beer and yoga class I had taken. How many beer and yoga classes have you taught at Blaker Brewing now? What do you love about teaching beer and yoga?
Brittnie: I believe I have taught about 6 or 7 classes at Blaker Brewing. What I love about teaching beer and yoga is: 1) of course, we get to drink all sorts of tasty beers! 2) I like meeting all the fun-loving people that always come to class with the only intention of having fun. Nothing else really matters. We're all there for a good time and of course a good beer!
Tayoga: Definitely agree! It doesn’t get much better than beer and yoga. Although, your perspective on that may have changed due to a recent addition to your family. Baby Aurora arrived in September and is absolutely adorable! What is it like juggling yoga, ballet dancing, and being a mom?
Brittnie: I take on one day at a time. At the end of the week (typically Sunday), I set up my schedule and my intentions. Come Monday, I pretty much say a prayer and go forward, open and available to whatever might come. Some days it works out great between teaching yoga and ballet, training with my ballet company, and juggling a baby. I am very fortunate that I can bring my baby to all my jobs if I need to. I am also blessed that I get a lot of help from my husband, my mom, and my grandma. Of course, there are those days when I have to listen to my body or my baby and stay in and try again the following day or week. Needless to say, I'm still figuring it out as I go. What I do know is my daughter will only get older and more independent so I enjoy these moments while they last with her. At this time, she is my top priority.
Tayoga: Since we are on the topic of big changes... I am excited for you (and sad at the same time) since you and the hubby will be moving to Oregon within the next couple of years. You have lived in Modesto most of your life, so what will you miss most about Modesto? What are you most looking forward to in Oregon?
Brittnie: We do indeed have some big plans for the future, but they are still very far in the future. When the time comes and we do move from Modesto, I will definitely miss my family and friends, as well as this wonderful community that Modesto has. I love when I go downtown to have a meal or for an event I run into friends I know or make new ones. I'm looking forward to living in Oregon, because the town is very small, so I know I will make new friends there. I'm also excited for all the space we will have; it's a wonderful place to raise children. Due to the fact that the town is so small and there are few yoga teachers in the county, I'm looking forward to teaching more yoga. Specifically, teaching vinyasa flow, which surprisingly there aren't many teachers up there offering that style of class.
Tayoga: Well all I know is Andrew and I will definitely be visiting you guys in Oregon. We have our big map that we put pins in to mark the places we have visited. The silver pins are for the places I have done yoga and when we come to visit, I will definitely be adding a silver pin to the map! One final thing - How can people find you?
Brittnie: My social media accounts are the best way to reach me. I am on both Instagram and Facebook.
Instagram: @the_kings_things
Facebook: Friday Community Yoga (public page)
Tayoga: Thank you so much for taking the time to have this conversation with me! People are going to love it!
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