Tell Me All About It: Q&A with Mary Beth LaRue

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Mary Beth LaRue. She's a yoga teacher, writer, and "blisscrafter" living and teaching in Venice Beach, CA--and she's totally inspiring. She teaches group classes, travels the world working with professional athletes and creating sustainable, rehabilitative yoga programs, teaches in rehabilitation centers and mental health facilities, and her classes + retreats have been featured in the Huffington Post, National Geographic Traveler and LA Yoga. She's also an ambassador for Lululemon, Manduka, and Yogaearth. 

I 've been reading her blog for a while now, and I can't get enough of her honesty, sense of humor, and straightforward, down-to-earth writing style. So, of course I wanted to learn more. And yes, I have to admit that I LOVE the fact that Mary Beth has a double-name that starts with Mary ;) Also, once we connected, I found out that she used to live in DC and practiced at Tranquil Space (!!!).  Small world, isn't it!?**

Read on for the inside scoop and all things Mary Beth LaRue + yoga...

All images courtesy of Mary Beth LaRue.

What's your writing/creative process like?
mmmm, honestly my favorite time of day is morning when i have nowhere to be and i can hang in my jammies for a couple of hours. i make a big cup of coffee or tea, light a candle and sit at my computer and just write. i write best in short bursts, and love incorporating photography, music, art, whatever i can to express how i am feeling.

What's your favorite yoga pose?
anahatasana - love the feeling of opening my upper back and shoulders and grounding my heart. it calms and centers me. i hold it for a few minutes every single day then slide forward into sphinx pose for some big, juicy head circles.

If you could study under anyone for a year, who would it be?
danielle laporte. i am seriously SO inspired by this amazing woman. if you haven't picked up "desire map" or "firestarter sessions" i HIGHLY encourage it. she lights me up.

What's your biggest guilty pleasure?
bubble bath + red wine + chocolate + rainy day soundin' jazz music. i don't even feel slightly guilty about it.

What's your biggest dream for 2013?
a compassionate/loving/healing/sexy/vibrant marriage. (i'm marrying my fiance, matt, in april.)

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What's your favorite type of music to practice to? Favorite yoga song?
electronica, soul, killer female vocals. my fave today (this changes often): "wildest moments" by jessie ware.

What's one item that you think every woman should have?
a crew of the best flippin' girlfriends ever. 

How do you try to live a mindful life?
love bravely and honestly. truthful (and even hard) conversations need to be happening constantly in order to do this.
disconnect. walks with my pup and my fiance sans cell phone.
practice daily. whether it's during a meditation or a hike or yoga i practically mindfulness with breath. so important and healing.

Want to learn more about Mary Beth? 
Here are a few quick links:
 
Website: mblarue.com 
Blog: mblarue.com/musings
Facebook: facebook.com/mblarueyoga
Twitter: @mblarueyoga

Thanks for taking the time to tell me all about it, Mary Beth! 

Have any requests for other inspiring people that you'd like me to feature in this series? If so, let me know!

Namaste,
Mary Catherine

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