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Tayoga Conversation with Sharon Taporco


Sharon Taporco is a HUGE part of the Modesto Yoga Community - she teaches so many different styles of yoga at many different locations. We’ve been able to hang out a few times and even did our Assisting Program through Elevate together. Through this conversation, I have had the pleasure of getting to know her a little better, and now you can get to know her a little bit better, too! Not only does Sharon teach a lot of yoga, but she is also going to school, so she is one busy lady. It took us a little while to complete this conversation because we have both been busy, but I promise it is worth the wait! Enjoy, my friends.

Tayoga: How did you get started with yoga?

Sharon: My mother introduced me to yoga when I was in high school. She took me to the class she went to at Gold's Gym (yeah, that long ago), and, as it turns out, Debra Rocha was our yoga teacher. I didn't make that connection until I started teaching in 2017 when my Mom pointed it out. To be honest, it took me a good while to really enjoy yoga, and my practice then was inconsistent and sporadic. I remember how difficult Savasana was for me mentally, but my mom would encourage me to continue practicing. Then one day, something clicked, I had the best, most peaceful, chill as eff Savasana, and from then on, yoga was my jam.

Tayoga: How funny that Deb was your first teacher! Deb was in my Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) class a few years back. The Modesto yoga community is both big and small at the same time. Another funny connection: I used to work with your mom! Oh how I miss her. I used to do a 15 minute chair yoga at work and she was one of the ones who would attend. How is she these days? How is the family?

Sharon: My Mom is doing well. The family is doing well. With everything that is going on, I'm fortunate to say that my family is safe and healthy. How's your growing little family? How is yoga being pregnant?

Tayoga: My little family is also safe and healthy, thank goodness! Baby Huff is growing and constantly moving (which I love). He loves his daddy already - since the baby likes to give him kicks and rolls when the hubby is feeling my belly. At first, yoga being pregnant wasn’t all that different. I could basically still do everything (except twists). The only difference was being more tired. Now that I am further along, the changes are more prominent. Obviously, I can’t do anything on my belly. Laying flat on my back is also not comfortable, so Savasana has been spent in the fetal position! I think the biggest change is having to modify Down Dog with Tabletop. That was a difficult one for me. I didn’t want to give up Down Dog but it just didn’t make me feel good having my head hang down like that. Once I let my ego get out of the way and started doing Tabletop instead, yoga started feeling great again. I’ve been surprised with how well I’ve done!

Sharon: Have you ever considered prenatal yoga in a teaching capacity? I don't often hear too much about prenatal yoga in this area (maybe that's because I've never experienced motherhood), and I wonder if that's a market that needs to be tapped into.

Tayoga: I’ve had a few people ask me this. There really isn’t prenatal yoga around because it is hard to keep up class sizes, since women aren’t pregnant forever (thank goodness). I wouldn’t mind doing a prenatal class, but I never actually took one myself. I’d definitely have to do some research before starting it up. Maybe I could even start a Family Yoga class so the little ones could come, too. Start them young! Hmm…the possibilities! Speaking of family yoga, is the entire Taporco crew into yoga?

Sharon: I wish my entire family was into yoga; however, I'm still working on convincing my Dad. My Mom definitely had a role in cultivating my yoga interest. My sister is really into Kundalini, which I believe she discovered through her own means. Jeromy, who we all know is a very dedicated Ashtangi, took Kaycie's Broga class a couple of years back. That was just the beginning of his yoga journey. Throughout quarantine, he wakes up at 5 AM to get to the studio and practice, by himself. That speaks of dedication and discipline when you get up at that time when you do not have to... because hello, quarantine! I admire those that can practice alone and at home. People may think practicing at home should be easier for yoga teachers. At least for this one, IT. IS. NOT. I love practicing around others. I feel more energy, more motivation, more focus. I love the communal energy you get when you're in a studio class. There is something special when you move through a class - especially a teacher-led Ashtanga class - and everyone is breathing in sync. It can be extremely grounding and meditative.

Tayoga: I hear ya honey! I much prefer practicing around others. Even with my good tunes playing while practicing at home, it is just not the same. I used to use the excuse that there were no hard surfaces in our house except our small kitchen and bathrooms. Now that we have hardwood floors, I have no good excuse. It’s just not my thing (yet, at least). Also, your brother is amazing/crazy! When did you decide to complete teacher training?

Sharon: When I lived in San Francisco, I worked for YogaWorks and decided to take my first 200 HR yoga training with them in 2010. My intentions were to strengthen my own practice more than actually wanting to teach. YogaWorks teacher training was very “alignment-based” and it definitely has influenced my teaching style. In 2017, I signed up for my second training, a 200 HR, 1-month Ashtanga-intensive certification course in Rishikesh, India. It was afterward that I decided I would try my hand at teaching. It was a bit serendipitous getting my first teaching gig here in Modesto. I had only been back in the US for a month and Ashley Garcia was transitioning out of teaching the Primary Series at Sukha when I was asked to take over for her. (Shout out to Ash, 'cause she paved the way for me).

Tayoga: I didn't realize you have done 2 yoga trainings! You go, girl! I feel like YTT is a great way to deepen you practice. I honestly wasn't quite sure what I wanted out of my YTT, but I certainly knew I wanted to do it. I'm sure glad I did! I am also very glad that you decided to start teaching. You are an amazing teacher and are comfortable with teaching so many different styles. We all owe a big thanks to Ashley Purple for paving the way to your teaching career (though, I'm sure you would have found your way there on your own, too)!

Sharon: Thanks for those kind words, Tay. I feel like I'm still just a wee babe with this yoga teaching gig. I feel like I'm constantly trying to search for myself as a yoga teacher. Maybe it's just getting older, but the more I learn about yoga, the more I learn how much I don't know. To be honest, this is easily applied to all aspects of my life. Sometimes I feel that doubt and imposter syndrome kick in and I second-guess myself when I realize how much I don't know. Then I remind myself, as I do with my students, "be kind to yourself." Yes, there's a lot I have to learn, and sometimes I have to remind myself that is the exciting part. I recently heard something that resonated with me and I'll paraphrase, 'Its a life's journey to search for the self. The living happens in between.' I can often get too caught up on: "how I could have / should have / would have been better if..." that I forget to be present with the life and excitement happening around me. To add a corny, cliche quote, "There is no present, like the present."

Tayoga: Amen sista! I completely agree. There’s so much to know. The learning never ends! Is there a yoga style that is your favorite to teach? If so, why?

Sharon: I'm going to let you in on a secret. The styles I loved teaching the most were the classes that I was most hands-on, Ashtanga, and Yin. I'm a very tactile learner, my hobbies are very hands-on and labor-intensive, so, to no surprise, my teaching style is very hands-on, as well. I feel like even with the slightest of touches you can show someone how capable they really are. I'm telling you there's something magical in helping someone realize just how badass they are. Unfortunately, we all know where this is going... quarantine strikes again! I still love teaching those classes, it just so hard to resist the need to offer an assist.

Tayoga:
I’m not surprised you love assisting because you’re so good at it! Once all this quarantine craziness is over the assists will be that much sweeter. I know you have been teaching a lot of online classes because of quarantine - how has that been going?

Sharon: I've really been enjoying the conditioning flows I've been leading online. At first, moving to teach on an online platform was stressful, mostly awkward on my part, but I'm learning to be more playful and teach outside of my regular 'box'. This second time around I'm definitely able to find the fun in it, instead of feeling anxiety and dread about going 'fb live'.

Tayoga: Haha! It is so nerve-racking going live on social media. I’m not quite sure why. Switching gears now, I always like to find out how people ended up in Modesto. How did life lead to Motown?

Sharon: I was 4 when my parents moved us to Salida from Fremont, so I pretty much grew up here. However, I moved away from Modesto for a solid 10 years before making my way back to Modesto. When I came back at the end of 2017, I was supposed to only be here for a couple of months while I got all my ducks in a row to live an international life. Long story short, I was going to marry this Australian man and move to Australia. Obviously, that story took a different turn and I've been here since, no regrets.

Tayoga: Oh really? Well I'm sorry to hear your plans didn't go the way you had envisioned, but I'm very happy there are no regrets. Since you stuck around, I know you decided to go back to school. Can you tell me a little more about why you decided to go back to school and how your schooling has been going thus far? What do you plan to do with your degree?

Sharon: Well, when I first started teaching I was only teaching one class a week. Not the most lucrative way to make money, but I also didn't want to go back to a corporate job or hours. I decided to go back to school and in a profession that I could still work with people in a physical and healing capacity. I also wanted a career that would still allow me to continue teaching yoga. So, I decided to go back to college to take the prerequisite science classes needed to apply for grad school. I'm currently working on my application for UOP's DPT (doctor of physical therapy) program for next fall.

Tayoga: Once all the Coronavirus calms down and school is completed, any plans to pick back up with the international travel?

Sharon: Whenever things around COVID decide to chill out, I'd love to take some small trips during school breaks. I've been good and haven't traveled anywhere internationally since I came back 3 years ago; however, I can feel myself getting antsy. I'm trying to get a family trip planned to the Philippines for the end of 2021, but I guess we just have to wait it out and see the state of the world and how travel works into it.

Tayoga: Since Modesto has kept you around for the past three years, you must have some favorite spots. What are your favorite Modesto spots?

Sharon: All my favorite spots have to do with food and drink. In no particular order:
LoFi
All things Bauers: Bauhaus, The Gastropub and 66 1/2
Food Fix
Contentment
Persuasion
Preservation
I'm always looking for new things/places, any recommendations?

Tayoga: That's funny, now that I think about it, all my favorite places have to do with food and drink! Haha! Probably part of the reason why we get along so well. Other fantastic places (not related to food or drink) include the Dragonly-Art for Life. This is a very cool art studio that is like a gym for artists. The supplies are provided and you bring the imagination. I've gone to a birthday party paint pour there. It is also a where I do my Friday Lunchtime yoga. The owner, Barbara, is amazing and has all types of events to go to. I highly recommend. Keeping with the art theme, the Mistlin Gallery is a favorite of Andrew and I for art. It has a wide selection of local art that rotates every month. My mother-n-law has even had a couple photography pieces featured there. It's a great spot and I also highly recommend it!

Sharon: What's more fun than food and drink?! Ok, great company with great food and drink. I've been meaning to go into Dragonfly-Art for Life. I've seen a lot of cool things happening there. That's a creative outlet I have yet to tap into. It is definitely on my go-to list. I'll put this Mistlin Gallery on to my list, as well. I love museums. Sadly, I haven't gone to many here in Modesto, but I would like to change that.

Tayoga: I don't know about you, but I can't wait for Modesto to get back in to full swing. Anything in particular you can't wait to be back to "normal"?

Sharon: You know, this quarantine has been a rocky ride, but it also been enlightening. Because of quarantine, I started things I never thought I ever would. I garden now, and for those that really know me, gardening was always a hard pass. So, to my own surprise, I love it. I've started woodworking. I know how to maintain and clean a pool. The list goes on. But, like I said, quarantine has been rocky. Although, quarantine has shown me some pretty cool things I'm capable of, it also brought neglected issues to the surface. There's a lot of energy right now, with COVID, our 2nd lockdown, BLM, the state of politics. There are definitely a lot of triggers for many and me. It’s a confusing time and I'm sure there's a lot many of us are just trying to feel out. I pulled a card recently that said, "True healing occurs when I give myself permission to feel whatever feelings live below the triggers." Through all this, one lesson I continue to come back to is: learning how to respond rather than react. I'm learning to notice those triggers, feel those feelings, and then appropriately respond. I know, so much easier said than done, but I guess the work is never over. But, I hear it gets easier. Although, everything is wild and rocky, I have a bit of an appreciation for it as well. I feel like there has been a lot of awakening, spiritual, and emotional growth for me. I'm liking this new 'normal' that quarantine has built for me.

I know you were asking about normalcy in the context of Modesto and I gave you an existential response. So, to answer your question more directly, I miss social gatherings, bowling, and movies at the theatre. What about you?

Tayoga: Haha! This conversation is meant so others can get to know you. You can answer my questions however you want! As for me, I like a day to myself here and there, but mostly I love being around people, so quarantine has been challenging. I think the most challenging part has been being pregnant during quarantine. I want the people around me to be a part of my pregnancy journey and I haven’t had much of that. We were able to do a gender reveal in our front yard but not hugging my mom after the reveal made me want to cry. Also, Andrew was only able to go to our first appointment and he hasn’t been allowed to since then. I really can’t complain, though. Baby boy is healthy, and I should be holding him in my arms in a little more than a month. So exciting! The good thing about quarantine is I have had more time to work on promoting Tayoga and working on new ideas. The latest being starting up an online store for my swag! What about you? How can people find you?

Sharon: I'm not the most social media active person but people can still find me on Instagram and Facebook @sharontaporcoyoga. Catch me teaching online/live classes on Elevate Community Yoga's online Facebook page. People can find the weekly schedule on elevatecommunityyoga.com. I can also be found at Sukha Wednesday at 7 am for an hour heated detox flow and Thursday at 9 am for some deep stretch-and-release Hatha. For some chill outdoor yoga, I teach at Del Rio Country Club Mondays and Fridays at 8 AM. Anyone can sign up ahead of time for Sukha or Del Rio through the MindBody app. I look forward to seeing new and familiar faces.

Tayoga: Thank you so much for agreeing to do this conversation. It was so fun to get to know you a little better. You are such an asset to this community and I consider you a sincere friend.

Sharon: The pleasure is all mine, Tay.

Tayoga: Namas(tay).



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