This week’s yogi highlight (our 25th) is Katsina Love, an artist, yoga teacher, dancer, and mom. We are so lucky Katsina found Big Raven Yoga and reached out to see if she could have us print a mat with her artwork. We were very happy to help her with her project and thrilled when she agreed to be a featured Guest Artist here at Big Raven Yoga. Her Lunar Geometry yoga mat design is very unique, the detail is exquisite and her artist’s purpose for this design make it rich and abundant. We love it! And we love Katsina too!!
― Joleen
QTell us a little bit about yourself…
AI am a Love Power enthusiast and social activist. I am a mother, artist, yogi, martial artist, and dancer.
QWhat kind of asana (yoga postures) do you practice?
AI love to meditate when I’m in yoga through utilizing my breath with every movement (even movement within stillness). I really enjoy a simple, foundational flow without distraction, however the dancer in me also loves to build on a sequence then flow to it with music.
QHow long have you been a yogi?
ACommitted yogi:) 3 years
QWhat role does yoga play in your life?
AI love to study the Yoga Sutras. They have transformed my life to live full of contentment and without fear or attachment. I found how to love myself through my yoga practice which made me more present in my life to offer more to my family and community.
QDo you have a favorite pose?
AI love Sun Salutation A, Trikonasana, Sirsasana, and hand stand - though I have yet to hold one, I love the practice of it.
QHave you ever had a “yoga moment” something happened during practice that you didn’t expect? Made you laugh, brought you joy, made you cry?
AI love Sun Salutation A, Trikonasana, Sirsasana, and hand stand - though I have yet to hold one, I love the practice of it.
QIs there a pose that used to be a “pillar pose” ― one that you were working toward ― that is now accessible to you?
ASirsasana and Crow. I don’t believe these types of inversions are any better than any other pose, but for me these were symbols to not be afraid to strive for my highest potential.
QHow do you perceive the benefits of yoga? Do you think practicing yoga leads to greater happiness in life?
AYoga is beneficial for not just the body, but the mind as well. Yoga differs from other exercise practices because of the emphasis on mindfulness and being at peace with your body.
QWhat do you hope your design Lunar Geometry conveys?
AI hope those who chose this design feel connection to your spirit and the Universe!
QDo you have your eyes fixed on any other Big Raven designs? If so, which one(s) and why?
ADahlia in Fine Detail and Rose Gold Pathway have both caught my eye
QDo people ask you about your mat?
AYes all the time — that’s way I’m so happy others can purchase it from the Guest Artist collection!
QIs there anything else that you’d like us to know that we might have missed?
AI am inspired by so many it started in high school with Schielle and Warhol, later Cassat and Degas, then later yet Marie Blair, BluBlu, Keats, Souther Salazar, Carson Ellis, Christopher Myers, Paul Klee, Kristen Lepore, Maurice Sendak....I mean the list can go on for way too long, some of these are colleagues that are just amazing. I am also deeply inspired by the poetry inside of music and the people who work in social justice, like Ron Finley, Jacoby Ballard, Bernie Brown, Dianne Bondy, Sean Corn, Greta Thunberg. I find inspiration in lots of different places — yoga is my guide for that.
Welcome to our family of yoga enthusiasts, Katsina Love — and welcome to our Guest Artist collection!
(You can follow Katsina on Instagram!)
