Moving with Intention: Wisdom from my yoga teacher, deborah perry
In her words
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In her words 〰️
Deborah has been a huge inspiration in my yoga journey. She has taught me so much about not only yoga, but about myself. She is a huge influence in the way I view yoga as more than just a physical practice, but as a spiritual and mental practice too.
This week, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with someone whose presence is as grounding as her practice — Deborah Perry. With over 25 years of yoga experience as both a dedicated student and seasoned teacher, Deborah brings a depth of wisdom that only time (and thousands of sun salutations!) can offer. In our conversation, she shares timeless insights, stretching secrets, and the soulful lessons yoga continues to teach her — on and off the mat.
Please welcome, my yoga instructor, and owner of The Yoga Center of Jackson, Deborah Perry, to the blog!
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What first drew you to yoga, and how has your practice evolved over the years?
I first started going to yoga just as part of a fitness routine. The instructor at the time didn’t even call it yoga, so at first, I didn’t realize that was what I was even doing. At that time, I was also taking what you would think of as a traditional fitness class, and I just started to enjoy the class that I would later realize was yoga so much more. So around that time, I came across a used book by Raquel Welch and realized that what I had been practicing was called yoga. When I approached the instructor and asked if she realized she had been teaching yoga, she replied “Oh, yes! But around here I couldn’t call it that…” this was the late 80s early 90s in Jackson. So instead, she called it stretch and flex. I ended up enjoying the class so much, the instructor eventually asked me to sub from time to time. This led me to get some initial training and that really started my decades long journey into the world of yoga. I continued to get more and more training and became a member of the Yoga Alliance and got my 500 hour RYT certification. In the mid 90’s, I was in the first graduating class of yoga instructors in the South- The Southern Institute of Yoga Instructors out of Nashville. In 2000, I opened my studio in Jackson. I had been teaching yoga out of a day spa and they happened to have empty space available and encouraged me to open my own practice there. I have been doing teacher training for 20 years. Additionally, I have also loved going on retreats and workshops and learning from other yoga teachers.
As a yoga teacher, what’s one common mistake you see students make in class—and how can they correct it?
So many times people don’t realize that it is very counter productive if they can’t touch the floor. They think “well I can just dangle there.” First of all, you don’t get the benefits of the stretch when you lean over and are not quite touching the floor. You need to ground onto something. So many times students look at blocks and think those are just childish props and they hang there and they never get the full stretch. This can also sometimes cause them to hurt themselves. Or you may see a student bouncing trying to get into the stretch. This can be dangerous. While it may make them feel stretchier at the moment, it can be very counter productive because you can actually over stretch that way. Your body has a natural override to keep you from stretching more than you should but if you bounce you may accidentally cause damage. Another mistake can be with twisting- some people twist with only part of their spine. To safely twist, we need to twist from our hips all the way up through our spine.
What are your go-to secrets for improving flexibility and deepening your stretches safely?
Breath can help you so much when it comes to stretching deeper and safer. Breathe out then start your stretching. With each exhale, you are going to get a little more stretch, a little safer. Another thing is just stick with it. Rome wasn’t built in a day. If you are tight, you would rather let your muscles melt gradually than you accidentally tear one. Don’t be in such a hurry. Every yoga class, you are going to get a tiny bit more flexible. One day you are going to be in awe of how much your body has improved its flexibility. But never compare yourself to others when it comes to flexibility. There are so many factors to your flexibility including heritage, collagen production, prior practice, or injury to name a few. But time will get you as far as your body is meant to go, with time and a dedicated practice.
Deborah’s positive energy radiates and brings an awareness of the power of yoga to make one whole.
How do you personally stay motivated and inspired in your own practice?
I do pajama yoga every morning. I don’t get out of my pajamas and into my regular clothes until I do my yoga. Also, because I teach yoga class every week, I stay enthusiastic about what I plan for my students. I don’t teach the same thing over and over. I like to plan around the seasons and things that are going on in the world around us. For example, with this week being the summer solstice, we are going to do some flows to honor that. I like to keep my students excited to come to class and enthused to try new moves.
Do you have a favorite pose that always makes you feel grounded or strong? Why that one?
I love lots of poses, but if I had to pick one, I would say I love down dog. There are just so many elements of down dog. It works so much of your body- arms, upper back, shoulders, calves, glutes, and feet. It’s surprising the poses that people love and the ones people don’t. Not everyone is as enthusiastic about down dog as I am.
What’s one underrated pose or movement that you think more people should be practicing?
I think that people don’t do plank enough. And I understand! It’s a difficult pose, but it’s so good for you. It works our core, arms, legs, everything! And it can be adapted. You can do a plank on your forearms, knees, hold for different lengths of time. So it is definitely a pose I think everyone should work on. I like to lead my students through plank as we work to chaturanga and cobra.
How do you recommend people fit yoga into a busy schedule—especially moms or professionals?
You can start by getting up a little bit earlier- do a little pajama yoga. But honestly, there are a lot of things in life we make appointments for- manicures, pedicures, hair, massage, etc.- yoga is really one of those things that’s really good for our body, good for our mind- its like a little therapy session- and its great for getting rid of stress and burdens. An in-person yoga class should be an appointment that you make at least once a week for yourself. There’s just something about being in the same room with other people also practicing yoga that gives you energy. Being part of a class makes you try things you may not do on your own and you have a teacher there to encourage you. It is important to not skip. That first time you miss say “Uh-Oh this is a downhill slope- I’ve got to get back.”
Deborah has given me the confidence as a yoga teacher to meet my students where they are.
Can you share one breathing technique or mindfulness tip that helps calm the nervous system quickly?
Yes! First of all, I think that if at all possible- focus on inhaling through your nose. (You can exhale through the mouth if you prefer) I like to breathe in and count 1, breathe out and count 2 and just continue. All the inhales are odd number and exhales are even numbers. You will get a breathing meditation, clear your mind, and some wonderful oxygen. Overall you will feel better mentally, physically, and emotionally. You only need 5 minutes to practice this. Maybe you break it up and do this a couple of times a day. You will be surprised at how much you benefit. I think everyone should do some kind of breath work everyday, whether you consider yourself a stressed out person or not. When you are consistent with breath work, it’s like having a tool in your tool belt that can carry you through harder times.
Have you ever had a breakthrough moment—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—on your mat?
Yes! I think that everyone who does yoga is going to have a break through moment. It might be a moment of enlightenment. Sometimes my breakthrough moments are when I realize I have improved so much on a pose. Or I can keep my mind and body connected. I will never forget when I was planning my daughter’s wedding. I would think that I was fine, but I would come into teach class and I was almost moaning I was so stiff and tired from the stress. I had never dreamed I was so overwhelmed until yoga let me release all of that tension.
What advice would you give to someone who feels intimidated or “not flexible enough” to try yoga?
The great thing about yoga is that everyone, and I mean everyone, is able to do yoga. You think “I’m stiff.” Well… you won’t be any less stiff if you don’t do yoga. Maybe you’re not as awkward as you think you are. Blocks or supports can assist you to do a pose perfectly. Doing yoga makes you so appreciate how we are wonderfully made. Everyone can have that awareness. Continue to try and try and don’t ever let yourself give up. It’s not about perfection; it’s about the effort. And the great benefits you will get out of it.
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This conversation with Deborah was a beautiful reminder that yoga is not just a physical practice- it’s a lifelong journey of growth, self-discovery, and connection. From “stretch and flex” classes to teaching and inspiring others for over 25 years, Deborah’s story is one of passion, patience, and presence. Between the power of breath, the grounding nature of down dog, or the simple act of showing up in her pajamas, her insights remind us that yoga meets us where we are. No matter your flexibility, experience, or schedule, there’s always a place for you on the mat.