Exploring Mobility And The Nervous System – Exclusive Interview With Kasturbai L Azcona
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 11, 2024
- 3 min read
My name is Kasturbai L Azcona, though some people know me by Kas. I’m a 33-year-old white woman with a Hindi name, living in Mexico and raising multi-cultural children. I wear many hats—yoga teacher, personal coach, traveling photographer, and cannabis-infused content creator—but I’m happiest barefoot in my garden or camping on a beach with my family, disconnected from the noises of the world. My passion lies in cultivating a deeper mind-body connection through yoga and intuitive, intelligent movement. This journey started 15 years ago when I stumbled upon a hot yoga studio tucked away in the redwoods of Northern California.
Kasturbai L Azcona, Movement Instructor & Photographer
What initially drew you to hot yoga?
Recovering from substance abuse brought me to yoga. Back in 2010, at the tail end of a three-year opioid addiction, I took a Bikram-inspired class in Humboldt County. I was in my late teens when an abusive relationship and a bottle of prescribed oxycodone altered the course of my life. But in my early twenties, a hot yoga class with strangers completely shifted my life in the opposite direction—for the better.
Tell me more about your battle with addiction and how yoga became a key part of your recovery.
After my first hot yoga class, the long-lasting body high I felt was incredible—it came close to the euphoria I once sought through substances. But this time, I was feeling stronger, more connected to myself. Instead of isolating from my loved ones and being self-destructive, I was building community and practicing self-love. Yoga became my lifeline, something I could channel my focus and addictive tendencies into, but in a positive way. It gave me the strength to confront my body and mind rather than hide from them.
Aside from hot yoga, what other movement practices have shaped your journey?
Over time, my practice has expanded far beyond the hot yoga studio. I’ve explored various styles, including contortion, calisthenics, arm balancing, inversions, and intuitive movement. Eventually, I earned my 200-hour yoga teacher training certificate through Authentic Movements. My practice is always evolving, and as a teacher, I constantly find myself both guiding and learning.
What key takeaways from your 200-hour teacher training have influenced your teaching style?
One of the biggest lessons I learned was about hypermobility—how it affects the body and how to guide others through it intelligently. This understanding of movement has helped me create safer and more effective classes. I also became fascinated by how the nervous system plays a role in flexibility, which inspired me to write my article, Yoga & Pain: Mobility & The Nervous System.
How has your understanding of mobility and the nervous system influenced your approach to teaching and practicing yoga?
Learning how mobility ties into the nervous system has been transformative. Flexibility isn’t just about stretching—it’s also about understanding the nervous system in order to feel safe in these positions. That understanding has shifted the way I teach, focusing on cultivating both strength and a sense of calm through breathing exercises. I now guide students to use breath and mindful movements to tap into deeper flexibility while feeling safe and strong.
As a teacher and a lifelong student, what do you hope your students take away from your classes?
What I hope my students take away from my classes is that movement goes beyond just physical exercise—it’s about connecting deeply with the breath, nervous system, and intuition. I want my students to realize they can do hard things, and that recovering from substance abuse or being a busy mom doesn’t limit their ability to move dynamically and grow. Ultimately, I hope they see yoga and movement as tools for personal strength, empowerment, and self-discovery.
Read more from Kasturbai L Azcona
