Meet Kathryn Paull: Yoga Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathryn Paull and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathryn, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
Ultimately, my career thus far has shown me what it means to be resilient.

I started my post-undergrad career at a small non-profit working with entrepreneurs. I found myself admiring their courage, Despite small starts, their love for the mission of their small business drove them to get back up time and time again and keep on keeping on. I remember thinking, “no thanks, not for me,” but after a quitting that job and getting laid off from another – thanks COVID – starting my own thing, just felt like the right next step.

I had been working at a corporate job for 6 months when March 2020 hit and my company had to lay off my team. It was then I decided I wanted to go back to school to become a Therapist and in the meantime, I applied for a 6-week virtual yoga teacher training with Malia Hilliard and Dani Crane (two phenomenal yoga teachers in Atlanta). Through the daily practice of yoga, I saw my body transform and my mental resilience grow. I did things I thought I could never do.

It’s been a year since I’ve finished training. I have taught over 100 hours of yoga to people of all ages, backgrounds, body types. I’ve started my own business where I teach outdoor and virtual yoga classes to private, small group and corporate clients. Through all of this I’ve found I am far more capable of making a goal and going after it than I ever thought I could be.

I cannot tell you the number of times, I’ve felt like a fraud. I think they call it “imposter syndrome.” In those moments, I’ve learned its important to keep going, to take the next small step forward and just see where it takes me. I’m also very much in the midst of this. Simply taking it one step at a time. Doing my best and letting that be enough. It’s messy and beautiful and although this wasn’t my initial plan, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I believe that everyone deserves to feel happy, healthy, strong, and energized ALMOST every single day. Prioritizing your health can be a daunting task. I get it – I’ve tried that workout plan that promised flat abs in 5 days and the fad-diet where I only drank juice for 48 hours and I’ve read those 7 self-help books promising the key to happiness. And let me tell you…I quickly found myself exhausted and right back at square one. You too? Ya. Not surprised.

After graduating college, I began practicing yoga after work. At first it was just a way to destress, but it quickly became so much more. I started to get excited about my post-work yoga class. Why? It was a full hour dedicated to ME: my mind, my body, my spirit. Time to meditate and strengthen my body and leave feeling a little bit newer than when I walked in. Throughout the year I went to at least 7 different studios in the Atlanta area and probably had around 30 different teachers. This opened my eyes to the world of yoga and I quickly began seeing the benefits flow into other areas of my life. I gained the confidence to stand up for myself at work, set boundaries in relationships, and take control of my anxiety. I was stressing less and smiling more and I knew I could overcome whatever life threw my way. I began to wonder…

What if I could gift these feelings to other people? I wanted people to find ownership of their well-being like I had. So I became a Registered Yoga Teacher and immediately started teaching. In my classes, I think you’ll feel empowered. I understand that every student is at a different place in their journey and I want to honor that, by giving variations and modifications to help you own your yoga practice. I teach my students the power of breath (pranayama) and meditation. At some point in my class, you’ll probably break a sweat, but it will make Savasana so, so sweet (it also might just calm your monkey mind – if you’re anything like me).

Yoga is the greatest tool I know to becoming the best version of yourself and I love being able to share it with others. Through the practice of yoga, I empower go-getters (like you) to own their well-being and design a life they love, no matter how crazy it gets.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Eat – El Tesoro for Tostado de Pollo and the best rice and beans, Sun in My Belly for Lavender Biscuit and Belly Benedict on the weekends, Hero for Breakfast Sammie + Boston Cream Donut, Southern Sweets for the best layered cakes, Bocado for their burger, Botiwalla for their Desi Salad with Chicken Tikka, Lazy Betty if you want to be REAL fancy, Butter and Cream for Green Tea Ginger ice cream.

Drink – Gilly Brew Bar for Honeycomb Vanilla Oat Milk Capp or anything else, Watchman’s for a Gimlet, Superica for a OG Margarita and their chips and salsa, Kimball House for any cocktail they make.

Visit/Hang – Dekalb Farmer’s Market, Gold Branch Trail, Highland Yoga for Hot Yoga, Vibe Ride for a spin class, Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It’s cheesy, but I would not be here without the love and support of my mom and dad. They raised me in Atlanta and gave me more than I needed to succeed. I am so very thankful for their love and support. I’d also like to give a Shoutout to my friends who have hyped my up along the way, helped me believe in myself, let me practice teach on them, etc. Haven Yoga ATL for taking a chance on this newbie teacher and Highland Yoga and Sacred Thread Yoga for giving me space to grow and learn. Lululemon Howell Mill for giving me a part-time job while I grow my little yoga business. Books that have inspired me – Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown, Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller and Untamed by Glennon Doyle!

Website: www.kathrynpaull.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathrynpaull/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-paull-9b7672113

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.paull.7

Other: https://havenyogaatl.com/schedule; https://www.highland-yoga.com/decatur

Image Credits
Mary Claire Stewart