
We asked Catharine about how she became interested in yoga teacher training at Yoga North. Here’s what she told us.
Yoga has played an extremely important part in my life. I kind of “fell” into it many years ago, but as I became more involved, I couldn’t get enough of it. I think I have been a “spiritual seeker” most, if not all, of my life. I took a leap and decided to study for my 200 hours, and then my 300 (500) hours. Maybe I was in the first of these classes taught at YN. In both I was always the oldest in the class. I think my having “studied myself” to become a psychologist helped me to be open and to self reflect.
As usual, once I committed to my participation, I did so with my whole heart. I was able to study with many teachers. My original guru was Deb Adele. I’ve attended the Methodist church all my life, but I bow to yoga philosophy if there is a disagreement between the two. The haikus for Deb’s “Yamas and Niyamas” flowed from me. I finally realized I was knowledgable enough to teach chair yoga, which was very satisfying. One thing I “learned” was that I could welcome anyone, even if they were late to class. When my husband breathed his last breath, I pictured him instantly merging with the Universe, which has been comforting to me.
Now I have advancing Parkinson’s and I’m 84. I attend the Yoga for Parkinson’s Disease. It is harder to navigate through my life, yet Yoga remains a part of my soul. I recently re-read the “Bhagavad Gita” to help me center myself. Yoga has blessed me in so many ways.

Catharine wrote all the complementary haikus in The Yamas & Niyamas book by Deborah Adele. One example for Santosha (Contentment):
Stay in the center
and notice each moment with
calm serenity.
Catharine has been a role model for people in her faith community, her professional community, the yoga community and the Parkinson’s community. Thank you for spotlighting her personal growth and dedication to those around her.