Interview with Carroll Newspaper

A few weeks ago I was asked to be interviewed by Mrs. Sharina Lopez in regards to the classes I have been teaching at the Eldersburg Branch Library.
You can read her finished works in your local paper, or follow the link below to read online! 
https://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/neighborhoods/cc-nh-south-carroll-111418story.html​

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Sharina asked me the following questions during our interview. 

How long have you been instructing yoga classes?
How long have you been instructing the Yoga classes at the library?
Why do you think it is important for the community to attend the Yoga classes?
What type of activities will you be sharing during your Deep Relaxation Classes at the Library?


My name is Bryan Nupp, I am 26 years old and I have been teaching yoga at the library for three years.
I received my 200 hour certification after a 10 week immersive experience at Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville, VA. Living at the ashram and studying yoga every day is still among the most treasured experiences of my life so far. It was also during the teacher training that I met my future wife, Emily Martin, who is a yoga teacher and yoga therapist. The very first class I ever taught after returning from my journey at Yogaville was a private class for the librarians and staff at the Eldersburg branch library in November of 2015. Soon after, I began teaching a weekly class on Wednesday evenings which is called “Deep Relaxation”.
In the spirit of Yoga, I wanted to make sure that I offered something that was free and accessible to the community. I remember when I had been teaching there for almost a year and was approached by one of the librarians whom politely asked, “Would you be open for us to start paying you to teach here?” Of course I was open to it, although the thought had not crossed my mind until then. I just loved sharing yoga for sharing’s sake.
Yoga has been an integral part of my well-being since I began learning from books in 2011. Yoga found me in a time of true need, and provided me with a sense of direction, lasting peace and clarity that had eluded me before. Practicing and teaching  yoga has been incredibly valuable in helping me to develop a set of tools to navigate life’s changes, remain grounded and fearless in the face of life’s challenges, and has led me to network with people I never would have met before. The physical aspects of yoga are well known to most, and have been accepted as a form of exercise and injury prevention in modern society. In my experience I have learned that Yoga is so much more than exercise, it is a way of life! The benefits of practicing yoga go way beyond the physical. There is a sense of peace that we are all longing for, and I rediscovered it through these timeless teachings. There is something in yoga for everybody.
The classes that Emily and I teach at the Eldersburg branch library are precious resources for people of all ages and experience levels. The classes we teach are very beginner friendly, with a focus on slow gentle movements, and cultivating mobility and flexibility of the joints and muscles. Furthermore, it is the focus on breath and mindful awareness of our internal and external environment that transforms this practice into a moving meditation. Every yoga teacher has their own background, style, and delivery, it is important to find a few that resonate with you. Remember that Yoga is an excellent form of injury prevention, when practiced safely and under the supervision of an experienced practitioner. As always it is wise to listen to your body, consider talking with your health care provider, and the instructor before beginning any new program or routine.
As I finish my bachelor’s degree in Health and Wellness, I have begun looking more and more into the clinical research behind complementary and alternative (CAM) forms of healthcare. The slow-growing body of research surrounding yoga, acupuncture, and other forms of CAM continues to support what our ancient ancestors all knew and held as truth. The mind-body-spirit connection that yoga facilitates is an essential component of health and wellness, and one that our community’s would greatly benefit from in these times. I am an advocate for being personally responsible for our individual health and well-being, which in turn affects the whole. That is another reason I wanted to get into teaching. With the practice of Yoga comes mental clarity, a sense of calm, and at it’s essence Universal Love. With all of the chaos, darkness and craziness in the world, a little more clarity and Love may be just the perfect antidote.