This week’s yogi highlight (our 22nd!) is Priya Prashad. I met Priya at a Bridal expo last year where our donut mat caught her eye. How lucky for me that our Donut Worry Be Happy yoga mat is such a great conversation starter!
Priya is kind, breathtakingly beautiful, and her thoughtful and sweet disposition radiate from her 1000-watt smile. We went to a yoga class together a few weeks ago and it was such an amazing gift to be able to spend time with her! She picked the class and it was a hybrid yoga/cardio experience. I can’t remember if it was called Melt, Die, Beg, or Plead because it was crazy challenging! I was glad she was close for moral and spiritual support!!
She is an incredible listener and when she talks about the people she loves you can feel just how much. Priya is one of those people whose charm and warmth stay with you even after you go your separate ways.
I’m thrilled to shine a little light on this brilliant yogi and sweet friend.
― Joleen
QTell us a little bit about yourself…
AMN born and raised. Office job by day, high school speech coach by night. Engaged to the best man ever. I love yoga, working out, donuts, coffee, and reading.
QHow long have you been a yogi?
A3 years.
QWhat role does yoga play in your life?
AMeditation, mindfulness, stress release.
QDo you have a favorite pose?
ADekasana (“Airplane Pose”)
QHave you ever had a “yoga moment”, something that happened during practice that you didn’t expect? That made you laugh, brought you joy, made you cry?
AI don't know if I have ever had a specific moment but practicing yoga over the last three years has brought me a lot of peace with myself and my body. Every time I step on my mat I am reminded of my strength both mentally and physically. I use my practice as an opportunity to connect with my inner self and remind myself of my power. Good day or bad it is the one constant that my mat brings.
QIs there a pose that used to be a “pillar pose” ― one that you were working toward ― that is now accessible to you?
AChaturanga. It took me over two years to be able to fully do it and I was finally able to do it this year!
QHow do you perceive the benefits of yoga? Do you think practicing yoga leads to greater happiness in life?
AYoga helps to bring calmness and peace to my life. It helps me to center myself and my day. I think practicing yoga leads to more happiness because if you can learn to truly connect with your breathe you can use it to tackle stress in your life. Your breathe is such a powerful tool and yoga teaches you how to use it and control it.
QWhen you placed your order with Big Raven Yoga, what made you first choose Donut Worry, Be Happy?
AI love donuts!! I love anything with donuts on them so it was a no-brainer. After I met you at the bridal fair I immediately went home, checked your website for a donut print and told my fiancé that is what I wanted for my birthday.
QDo you have your eyes fixed on any other Big Raven designs? If so, which one(s) and why?
AI have my eyes fixed on another mat in the future, not sure which design yet it would be for my mom. She broke a few bones in her foot over the weekend and she cannot do yoga for a few months until she is healed, but once she is I think I will be buying her one to welcome her back to her practice. She has been doing yoga as long as I can remember, she is my inspiration for a lot of things in life, including my yoga practice.
QDo people ask you about your mat?
AALL THE TIME!!! :)
QIs there anything else that you’d like us to know that we might have missed?
AI love this company! Think you guys are absolutely amazing!!
Awww… thanks, Priya — and I think you’re amazing!
(You can follow Priya on Instagram!)
