Christine Vannoy
1) Hey CHRISTINE, why do YOU like it hot?
I like it hot because I don’t like it hot. Chew on the philosophical ramifications of that one for a while.
2) What are your personal tips for Bikram Lower East Siders?
A strong class is something good, but sometimes out of your control. A strong practice is everything good, and always within your control.
3) CHRISTINE, tell us about your first kiss: who, when, where?
Sixth grade, Lance Johnson, spin the bottle. His dad was the meteorologist for the local NBC affiliate. He was on the evening news every night. That was about as ‘celebrity’ as it got in Carrollton, Texas.
4) What’s your most prized possession?
My mind.
5) What’s your guilty pleasure?
Napping.
6) What is your most embarrassing moment on the teacher’s box?
Why? What have you heard?
7) What were you doing the day you decided you were going to be a Bikram Yoga Teacher?
I was staring at m bedroom wall, slack jawed, not blinking, and trying to get my head around the profound horror of doing standing-head-to-knee twice a day for nine weeks. I was also slightly giddy at the realization that I, Christine, would soon have official permission to decide when windows get cracked.
8) What’s the best/worst thing about being a Bikram Yoga teacher?
The best thing is sitting down and watching a room full of still/quiet people in their first 2 minute savasana. So beautiful. So peaceful and gracious. The worst thing is when sweat drips into my mouth which makes me slur my words which makes me sound drunk.
9) What was the first album you purchased with your own money?
Xanadu, Olivia Newton John.
10) Who was your childhood celebrity crush?
Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran.
11) Describe your perfect yoga shorts.
I’ve learned that when spandex is involved perfection is a lofty goal.
12) What’s your sign and birthday?
Pisces, March 18.
13) Who is your most memorable Bikram moment?
They are almost all memorable in some way.
14) Have you ever been in love?
As previously stated, I’m a Pisces. I’m always a bit in love. That’s what we do.
15) Do you remember your first Bikram Class?
Do people ‘remember’ giving birth or escaping burning buildings? Of couse. Trauma tends to get lodged in one’s long temr memory. And I wore long, pleated khaki shorts with a waistband and belt loops to class. No one though I’d end up here. Least of all me.
16) Words or phrases you overuse:
Beautiful, romantic, lovely.
17) If you could have any job, what would I be?
I’d be a terrifically successful writer and I’d live in Paris and I’d have an apartment with a desk underneath a window looking out upon the city. It would be one of those wonderful windows that opens out like two small, narrow doors. I’ve hear if you teach yoga long enough and really put your heart into it, eventually you get promoted to American-writer-in-Paris-with-desk-under-wonderful-window.
18) Favorite smell:
Always skin.
