Behind the Counter: Meet Allay Yoga's Pamela Kaufman

When Pamela Kaufman, owner of  , set out on her journey to create her business, she entertwined her love for sociology and yoga.

Kaufman says she is fascinated with the way that people make life's decisions, and as a yoga instructor, she wants to help alleviate those stressers.

She took a few minutes Thursday to answer some questions about her business.

Tamika Smith: How long have you been in business in Kensington?

Pamela Kaufman: We just celebrated our one-year anniversary.

Smith: Tell us about what drives you to teach yoga.

Kaufman: When I came to yoga, I had a very difficult time listening to my own body and expressing my own voice. As I tuned in and became more comfortable on the mat, it had profound effects on my interactions off the mat. This experience inspired me to deepen my practice and embark on my teaching journey. In addition to finding motivation in sharing the incredible benefits of the practice, I am motivated to teach by our wonderful yoga community. The group of men and women, children and teens that walk through our doors are so special and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to work with them each day. 

Smith: What is your favorite yoga position that relieves the most stress and why?

Kaufman: I love pigeon pose. It is a deep hip opener that usually provides a good check-in for where I am physically and emotionally that day. In order to release in it, I need to really tune in to what my body is doing, for example, where I'm clenching that is not serving the pose, and I need to make sure that I'm breathing. The first time my hip touched the mat, I felt such a sense of release, accomplishment and acceptance.

Smith: What do you enjoy the most about the community?

Kaufman: Feeling connected. I feel like many of our students and teachers are not just students and teachers, but friends that I look forward to chatting with each week. I love hearing about what is going on in their lives and have felt so much support and love when sharing about my own. 

Smith: Tell us something interesting that we wouldn't know unless someone talked to you? Favorite song on your iPod, maybe.

Kaufman: I'm slightly obsessed with Disney. I listen to the soundtracks of the movies from my childhood in the car, when I run, all the time. I go to Disney World as often as possible and am now hooked on the Disney running events. I'm running my third Disney event: The Disney Half-Marathon this January with one of my best friends and can't wait!

Allay Yoga is located at 10419 Armory Avenue Kensington, Md 20895 or you can reach the studio at 301.244.8020.