PILAR
HITA DAVIS
What drew you to yoga?
I did not love yoga.
There. I said it.
I started because I had injured my foot and couldn’t do much else. A friend asked me to take a class with her, and my first impression was very clear: I do not like this. But I came back. And to this day, I’m not entirely sure why. I’m pretty sure my higher self made that decision for me—and honestly, I’m really glad she took over.
Why do you practice?
I practice because discipline gives me freedom. Structure gives me somewhere to push from, and somehow, that creates more freedom—not less. Yoga has
made me pay much closer attention to the habits I run on subconsciously. Practicing gives me moments of steady stillness. It helps me replace anxiety
with curiosity and creativity.
I wouldn’t necessarily say I feel calm after practice. I feel better.
The thoughts, heavy emotions, problems .. start shrinking into the background. What was overwhelming before, now feels less so. I am left with a felt sense of appreciation towards me and people around me
How does yoga change you off the mat?
It helps me pay attention, create and stay curious. It shifts my mind from “half empty” to “half full.”
I’ve realized that I genuinely love helping people. I love troubleshooting a problem, figuring out what might be getting in the way, and helping someone discover they can do something they once believed they couldn’t.
I see possibilities more than obstacles.
Maybe that’s also how I help myself—by teaching what I still need to learn.
And somewhere along the way, yoga has also made it easier for me to recognize when I need to say thank you or I’m sorry—and to actually say it.
What is your style?
My practice today? Hmmmm…
I live somewhere polarized between the world of inversions, arm balances, strength, and the more athletic side of yoga—but also a good creative mobility practice with a sprinkle of subtle energy work. Music-You will hear reggaeton, afro house, techno, opera, Latin beats..
Where are you when you’re not teaching?
When not practicing, You can find me…
When I’m lucky enough to get away, you’ll probably find me somewhere near the ocean, walking on a sandy beach under the sun. More often, though, you’ll find me in the car driving my kids to their sports, watching them grow into these beautiful little humans. Okay. Now I’m going to cry.
What illuminates you?
- Getting out of my comfort zone—not just because I want to get stronger or learn a new skill, but because somewhere halfway through the push, something in my head starts to shift. I still don’t know what it is. But it feels good.
- Human connection; the people around me. I feed off other “fairies”—their talent, their energy, their presence, their willingness to show up as themselves. I love being around people who make me curious, who inspire me, who are kind. If you are unkind “get out of here”.’
- Music.
- Knowing that some days I am going to sit on the couch with my dog, eat chocolate and and call that “my practice”