Introducing Yogini Camille Brown

You may recognize her from our Humble Scavenger Hunt, but we would like to formally introduce our new member, friend, and yogi, Camille Brown.

HPNL: Who is Camille Brown? (what are your core values? Your passions?)

Camille: I'm totally into the arts and most forms of expression. You may find me held up in some book store, museum, gallery or some random poetry spot. I'll even take a good lounge or two. I like cool people with good positive auras. I'm wild in a good way and pretty laid back as well. As I've gotten older I have completely embraced my geek but I'm not to over the top with it. I'm a self proclaimed music junkie, yoga junkie, and sometimes Bhagavad Gita junkie. I paint and I draw and if asked I will paint on you....sounds like fun times :)


HPNL: What led you to yoga? How long have you been practicing?

Camille: I  was diagnosed with scoliosis (a curving of the spine, the spine curves away from the middle or sideways) many years ago, I decided to make conscious holistic changes. After the discovery I went to physical therapy frequently, only to have the pain come back shortly after her sessions. I was told that I may always the back pains and will have to visit a physical therapist for the rest of my life, as well as be forced to wear an uncomfortable back brace for years to come. I  experienced yoga years before and loved how I felt, relaxed and recharged but after the discovery of scoliosis I understood its power. I began practicing yoga every day and found that the back and neck spasms completely went away. Anyway, I got serious with my practice and started to teach, long before I got certified. And I realized this is what I wanted to do with my life so I saved up my money in July 2010 I received my 200hr certification.


HPNL: That is an amazing story! You're a strong woman :) What form of yoga do you practice? Tell us about it..

Camille: I teach vinyasa yoga, but I practice ashtanga. It all started when many years ago when the first style of yoga that was introduced to me was vinyasa. I fell in love with the faster paced class linking prana and asana. I kept up with that particular style until last summer, when I received a groupon deal to try an ashtanga primary series class in Baltimore. It was love at first posture, the discipline involved with ashtanga is what attracted me to it. I like that the poses never change, but you build onto of each poses the further you get along in your practice. Poses are given to you you can't just continue on, you have to earn them. In October I plan on getting my 40 hour teacher certification from David Swenson to teach Ashtanga.


HPNL: Where do you currently teach your craft?

Camille: I'm on a slight hiatus from teaching. I'm more so working on the side of studio manager, as my life goal is open my own studio in the next 3 years. I figured, let me learn all I can about running a successful studio. But Tuesdays and Wednesdays you can find me at Rolling Brook in Baltimore and also Shakti Studio Thursday mornings in DC.


HPNL: So you know we love food, what diet nourishes your spirit?

Camille: I'm currently a practicing vegan. I have a thing for pasta and veggies. I've been a vegan for about 3 years but I can't cook to save my life so when my roommates went vegan, so did I. I'm a big granola kind of chick, half of the time you see me snacking on it.


HPNL: We'll help you learn to prepare RAW Foods! :)
What else can we expect from Camille in the future? What are your other ambitions?

Camille: I really want to open my own studio. I like the concept of more studios here in the District that try and make yoga affordable and accessible for everyone. I want to share yoga with my community and make it not such a luxury that only the middle class can afford.

Another goal of mine is to make the cover of Yoga Journal magazine. They usually reserve the cover for the best of the best. I'm working on getting my name out there and just building my brand. I go on yoga casting calls from time to time. Really anything that can get me one step closer to making the dream happen, I will do.

Finally, once I buy a camera I will be making youtube tutorials all on yoga. From showcasing poses to answering any questions about the practice, so look out for that in the next few weeks.


HPNL: Anything else for our readers?

Camille: I don't believe in coincidence or chance meetings - if we have connected it was for a reason...yes even on FB or Twitter ;-) That being said, if you see me strolling around DC or Baltimore, say hello. Lately I've been meeting a few of my twitter followers just while out shopping or running errands. <3

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Well, you can soon catch Miss Camille in her upcoming segment, "The Daily Om." Monday she will be gracing us with her first posting, "Mantra Mondays."

What's a mantra you ask? We asked the yogi herself and she responded:

"According to the dictionary, a mantra is  "Any sacred word or syllable used as an object of concentration and embodying some aspect of spiritual power. "

For myself a mantra is a chant of a word or phrase, often associated with meditation, there are mantras that are repeated or chanted during ceremonies or as a form of prayer. When used in meditation, mantras are meant to focus the mind in order to help the practitioner achieve full self-awareness. Mantras can be repeated out loud, very quietly, or silently. When choosing a mantra, it is advisable to choose words or phrases that carry deep and positive meaning for you."

I look forward to many more integrations with this bright and ambitious young woman. Stay tuned!

Namaste.