Today is beginning of our 8 week interview series where we’ll present interviews of 8 influential yoga bloggers. We ask 8 engaging questions and we’ll release an interview every Saturday at 8am US EST.

For our first interview, we’re happy to interview Meredith LeBlanc of The Pondering Yogini. We connected with Meredith years ago through the Yoga Book Club on Twitter. Enjoy the interview and leave a comment or question for Meredith in the comments section.

1. When did you start practicing yoga?

I started practicing yoga 17 years ago while living in Las Vegas. At the time there were no yoga studios so I had to really seek out my first teacher. At that time, she taught in apartment complex rec rooms, dance studios, and even a raquet ball court. Even though I haven’t practiced with her in 15 years, I still feel her teachings and her love of yoga.

2. What drove you to share your message & your practice with the world through a yoga blog?

My initial intention with blogging was to strengthen my yoga voice. I had just gotten my teacher certification and although I felt confident with the knowledge, sometimes I felt like I didn’t know how to convey it effectively. It was a way to practice teaching.

3. Talk a little bit about one of your top three yoga blog posts.

I can’t name a specific one, but rather a series of posts I did in 2010 after my 14 year old lab Nicki passed away. She was my first dog and my guide through some of my greatest ups and downs. I credit her with really teaching me how to love unconditionally. Her passing was a profound experience for me; what yoga had taught allowed me to experience the loss with a great deal of compassion and find the beauty in it. Those posts helped me heal as well as others who read them.

4. Can you share with us the origins of Yoga Book Club & how you see it evolving? What role has Twitter played in the club’s success?

The Yoga Book Club started out in 2010 with a few of my Twitter friends and me all wanting to read Yoga School Dropout by Lucy Edge, so we decided to set up the club to share our thoughts on it by tweeting. It just kept rolling from there. Eventually I added the YOBC page to my blog for people to check in on what books were in the queue.

I’d like the YOBC to be a resource for yogis to come and find books that speak to them. As I mentioned earlier, when I first started taking yoga, there wasn’t much out there so I relied on books for a lot of my information. Book are a wonderful way to expand our yoga experience.

Editor’s Note: On Twitter, search “#YOBC” to view recent conversations within the Yoga Book Club.

5. What yoga or wellness books have had the biggest impact on you?

My first yoga book is still my favorite: The Sivananda Companion to Yoga. I’ve had it since I started practicing and still refer to it all of the time.

Also, Ethics for the New Millenium by the Dalai Lama is another wonderful book. I had the priviledge of hearing him speak at Salve Regina University in 2005 and was moved by the pure flow of joy that comes from him.

There are a lot of books I could name as well, but those two come to mind first and foremost.

6. What style of yoga do you practice & why?

I teach and practice Hatha Yoga. I like the completeness of the practice with the chanting, asana, and meditation. I like to keep the pace slow and strong.

Kundalini is the other form I’ve been practicing for a couple of years now. It compliments my Hatha practice perfectly. Its totally different and allows me to get out of my teacher head to simply be a student.

7. On what form of social media do you connect w/ other yogis/yoginis most effectively?

Twitter is where I connect most with other yogis. I’ve made some great connections there. I like the simplicity of the format and its easy to organize my interests.

8. What advice do you have for people who are just beginning to study & practice yoga?

Take beginner classes! I really feel strongly that even if one is already physically fit and can keep up with a rigorous practice, that learning proper alignment and breathing is critical for a safe practice.

If one teacher or style doesn’t work, try another. Research online and ask friends who practice about their preferences too. Don’t give up, try try again!

Meredith’s Bio:
Meredith LeBlanc has been practicing yoga since 1996 and became a Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher in 2007. Over the years she has studied Hatha, Bikram, Vinyasa Flow, and Kundalini. Her teaching style focuses on foundational asana to build a strong body, strong mind, and strong spirit; the pace is accessible to beginner to advanced levels of students. Emphasis is placed on listening the body and breath as each pose is explored. She feels breath is the key to inner alignment and soothing the soul. Through communication with ourselves and creating awareness we make space to acknowledge our connection with all beings.
Meredith lives in Rhode Island and teaches at Tenth Gate Center for Yoga & Meditation. She writes the blog The Pondering Yogini and moderates the Yoga Book Club, aka #YOBC, on Twitter.

8 weeks, 8 yoga bloggers, 8 questions, posted each Saturday at 8am. Join us next Saturday AM for our next interview.