Teacher Spotlight: Meet April
April Billingsley is our featured teacher of the month. We love April for her AMAZING positive attitude. Seriously. She exudes kindness and light!
You can currently find her on Zoom on Saturday mornings teaching a juicy Yin//Yang. We are so happy April is on our team. She is such an outstanding team player and overall awesome human.
We interviewed April for our most recent newsletter. Here’s the interview in case you missed it:
Tell us a little about you.
My name is April Billingsley. I was born and raised in small town Iowa, (Harlan) but have spent just as many years in the Omaha area. I missed the small town life and wanted a home in the “country” so I recently moved to Glenwood, Iowa. My husband and I built a new home outside of town and moved in March – we are loving it! We have two very spoiled german shepherds who love the space and privacy just as much.
I’ve been practicing yoga for probably 13+ years and teaching for only a few. Currently I teach Yin Yang on Saturdays via zoom for One Tree Yoga and I teach in person Vinyasa classes at Half Moon in Council Bluffs, IA on Wednesday nights. I also work full time at Union Pacific Railroad. My hobbies involve anything fitness and outdoors. I am a retired crossfitter but still enjoy that style of workout on a lower scale on my own time . I also love running, biking, gardening, traveling, and long walks with my dogs.
I recently took a yoga “teaching vacation” where I taught yoga every morning on the beach on behalf of a resort in the DR – yes, yoga in the sand! The ocean was behind me and was the view for the students, it was amazing. I gained experience teaching without a plan and teaching when not all students could understand my language. It actually went great and was a wonderful experience; I plan to do it again.
What is the biggest impact that yoga has had on your life?
Becoming a yoga instructor has given me a sense of fulfillment that came unexpectedly! When I signed up for YTT years ago I really just wanted to learn more about yoga, but I left with an inkling to teach and once I started it was a perfect fit. Being able to share yoga with others and teach what I love bridges the gap between my dream job and my real 9-5
When do you apply the lessons of yoga in your daily life?
Um, DAILY! Studying the Yamas and Niyamas has improved my “ethical awareness” if that is a thing. It is a work in progress for sure, but I am more aware of my thoughts and actions which is a great start. Aparigraha - “non-hoarding” or “not wanting”, for example, is something I remind myself of daily. I think it is human nature to always want more but being content and happy in the moment as things are is so important.
What are your 3 go-to poses if you need a quick practice?
This is constantly changing for me. I’ve been into running quite a bit this spring, so hip openers and forward folds are feeling really great. Currently I can’t get enough Supta P (all 3), as well as the blanket roll calf smash and just a nice deep low lunge. I do these poses, among others, every morning along with a few sun salutations to wake my body up.
What is your favorite style of yoga right now and why?
Tough question because I love them all! I struggle to decide which type of class to take some days when I have a variety to choose from (thank you to OTY’s recording option ;). I would have to say that right now my favorite is the slow flow yinyasa style class. This just seems to hit the spot every time, providing just enough movement with deep stretches that feel amazing.
What is unique about your classes and your style of teaching?
I almost always incorporate a bit of strength work in my classes, and I offer a lot of cues to do that effectively. Improving mobility is so important, so the combination of strengthening and stretching is what I typically teach. I like to provide a challenging class that leaves students feeling energized, and I’m always trying to keep the flow fun and modifiable.