In a recent interview, actress Uma Thurman suggested that one reason for the popularity of shows like Sex In the City is that many people are actually quite lonely and yearn for a tireless band of best friends to supply humor, support, charm and well... company.

Thurman was addressing the challenges of single motherhood, but there are many other circumstances of life - recent divorce or breakup, moving to a new neighborhood, a home left empty by children in college - that are ripe fields for loneliness. One pretty obvious cure for feeling alone in the world is spending time with like-minded people, and a yoga studio is a great place to start.

This April at YogaWorks we welcome you to bring someone new to class, whether it's an acquaintance who could really use some relaxation, or a friend you'd like to get to know better. We may not to be able to mix the perfect martini or lend a designer handbag, but the YogaWorks family welcomes you with open arms.

Hometown: Bala Cynwood, Pennsylvania

Childhood ambition: Counsel female inmates and save the wild horses.

First Yoga Class: In the seventies, my sisters and I attended many of our godmother's yoga class'. She was an artist and yoga instructor. I recall a big room with many "old people" grunting, groaning and rolling around on the floor. My memories were playful, recalling the "out of control giggles" with my sisters during the class.

Most influential teacher: My mother and Mother Nature.

The Defining moment when you realized you wanted to teach yoga was: I was studying privately with my favorite teacher in Santa Monica. She told me it was time to teach and gave me her Monday night class at the YWCA in Santa Monica. I said, "I am not ready" and she said "yes you are". The next month I embarked on my first yoga teacher training course.

Favorite Pose and Why: Savasana. Life is full of continuous transitions. I feel the most graceful in "transition" while practicing savasana. It is in this pose that I get to witness every sacred second changing.

Most Challenging Part of Your Yoga Practice: I have great resistance practicing a "level two vinyasa flow class'. I am mostly earth and relishing static poses or TKV Deskachar styles of yoga. I can flow like water or move like air however, when the element of fire is brought in.... I resist and rebel.

Person who has inspired you most: Jack Kornfield. I find him such an easy teacher to understand, love and teach compassion.

Book you are currently reading: How Can I Help By Ram Dass.

Secret Comfort Foods: Dal with Basmati rice and extra cilantro, Jewish chicken soup and matzo balls, East coast pizza, East coast sesame bagel and vanilla cup cakes.

Movie that has changed the way you think: "Harold and Maude".

Cause you feel most passionate about: Yoga. Man's history, as a group on earth is violent and destructive. It aches my heart to explain "why thing are why they are today" to my curious nine year old daughter. I feel passionate that as we continue to practice the yoga, values like patience, tolerance and inner peace are cultivated and modeled for our future generations of man kind. I foresee yoga as a practice that will one day change the patterns of man kind and steer them to higher levels of tolerance, loving kindness, and compassion.

Your local retreat: My sweethearts arms.

An Unfinished Dream: When my daughter turns 13, I would like to travel with friends to India.

Megan teaches:

Saturday 11:00 -12:25pm YogaWorks (1) Mission Viejo
Tuesday 8:30 - 9:55am Yoga Basics (1) Mission Viejo
Tuesday 7:30 - 9:00pm YogaWorks (1) Mission Viejo
Thursday 8:30 - 9:55am Yoga Basics (1) Mission Viejo
Thursday 7:30 - 9:00pm YogaWorks (1) Mission Viejo

Yoga for Women, a pre-Mother's Day Workshop with Megan McCarver: Sunday, May 4th, 2008 , 2:00 - 4:30PM.

back to top