Today, we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Kelly. Caitlin was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Margaret Burns Vap.

Caitlin, thank you so much for joining us today. We’d love for you to bring our readers up to speed – can you introduce yourself and share your story?
I grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and was an all-around athlete. I played tennis, soccer, basketball, tennis, I loved it all. I dealt with a lot of anxiety and anger as a child, and sports and movement acted as the perfect energy release for me. I tried yoga a few times with my mom who practiced Ashtanga ever since I could remember. It made me more frustrated and angry. I just wanted to move and sweat, and the slow pace felt like torture.

In high school I tore my ACL and meniscus in a skiing accident and was benched from my senior year tennis and soccer seasons. My anger and anxiety got worse without being able to move, and I developed an eating disorder that would last into my 30’s. My mom convinced me to go to yoga with her. I went, and I went back, and I eventually kept going back until I learned to settle into the stillness. I never looked back.

Let’s talk about your work and career – what else should we know?
I became a certified yoga teacher at the age of 22, and have been teaching ever since. I taught power yoga, hot yoga and the intense movement classes that I thought defined me at the time. I have taught in urban environments, kids camps, remote retreats, and in places with no mats or props. I have taught classes of 200 people in conference settings, and in private classes with one person with limited mobility in a chair. I have taught pregnant people, combat veterans, parapalegic people and those who cannot see. I feel so lucky to have the teaching experiences that I have had over the last 15 years of being a yoga teacher. Over those years, I have come to learn that stillness is the key. Stillness is the to my overall wellbeing, mental and physical health, and stillness has helped so many of my students and those I have led in yoga. I have found my home in specializing in Yin Yoga, Restorative and Slow Vinyasa flow modalities. My hope is that by sharing these modalities, others may come to realize that yoga can be more than an exercise routine. I became certified in Yin yoga in 2013 (100 hours) and again in 2021 (100 hours), and received certifications in Trauma Informed Yoga and Yoga for Recovery. My philosophy is that movement should be healing, meditative and not physically punishing. I strive to create trauma informed spaces where my students can come into the room exactly as they are and practice to feel amazing in their bodies, no matter how they show up.

So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Margaret Burns Vap and Big Sky Yoga Retreats and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Big Sky Yoga Retreats .
I came to Montana in 2013 to attend a retreat with Big Sky Yoga Retreats. I was immediately drawn to the peace and stillness that the yoga & equine connection offered. I knew I needed to come back. I kept in touch with Margaret (bugged her until she hired me!)

Margaret and I have worked closely together for the last 11 years, and have formed a bond that many business partners do not. We travel the world together, seek out each other’s advice, cheer each other on and encourage each other to be our best.

Over the years, we have settled into our routines and sometimes laugh now at how stressful it was when we were “figuring it all out”. For example, I do the pre-retreat emails, then Margaret approves them. I send them out and update our spreadsheet. Done! When we go to Europe, we have our whole first day planned out and do the exact same thing every time so we’re not jet lagged. It works every time!

I love how we balance each other out, and how we each bring a different energy to the retreat. Margaret has a strong leadership style in which she gathers the ladies and lays out the plans. She leads a strong empowering yoga practice that leaves the ladies energized, confident and ready for the day. I tend to provide a soft voice and gentle touch for comfort when things get emotional, and a cozy yoga class before bed.

I love what we’ve built on these magical retreats, and I am so honored to be a part of them.

 

Instagram: @ckyoga