Hollywood, California is where most of the stars live and film. And in a world where Hollywood stars are in the spotlight each day, they need to look and feel their very best. So, its pretty common sense that Hollywood celebrities have taken to various forms of yoga to help calm their minds and keep their bodies looking ‘a-list’.
We spoke with Los Angeles-based actress/comedian Rory Uphold, the star of the popular series HelLA, about her love of yoga and thoughts on its growing popularity in the Hollywood scene…
How were you first introduced to yoga?
Acting school. We used yoga as a way to connect with breath and emotion, and also as a way to tap into our bodies. So that was really my first intro to yoga.
You practice Vinyasa and Bikram…. what attracted you to these styles most?
Sweating. It just makes me feel better. Though I have to be careful with Bikram because I’m sensitive… and also there’s been a recent outbreak of staph at LA gyms/hot yoga studios.
Can you tell us about how practicing yoga helps you as an actress?
Being present is a big thing for both yoga and acting, so I’d say that’s a focus point for me. The practice of being present. Additionally, I think that being able to focus inward and to get in touch with what I’m feeling and what’s really going on is important because it helps me connect with my emotional life in a way that’s beneficial for acting.
Yoga has become a very popular thing in Hollywood… why do you think that is?
I think that exercise, in general, is a very popular thing in Hollywood, so there’s that. But I do find that LA, as a culture, is interested in wellness. I think the spiritual side of yoga is something that a lot of people connect to, in the same way a lot of people in LA meditate. Plus, this is a city full of artists.
What has been your greatest challenge when it comes to your practice of yoga?
Getting there. Sometimes I put off going to class because I don’t really want to deal with what’s going on inside of me, emotionally speaking. Personally, I find that yoga is not something I’m able to do mindlessly, in the way that I’m able to do other kinds of exercise, so there’s a tendency to avoid it during the times when I need it the most.
What advice would you like to share with other practitioners based on your personal experience?
Oh, I wouldn’t. I don’t feel like I’m at a place where I should be advising others, plus, it’s a really personal thing. My journey is my journey.
Where is your favorite place to practice yoga when you do?
I have a couple of studios I really like to go to in Hollywood.
Besides yoga, do you take care of your health through other activities?
Exercise wise, I run and I do pilates.
What are your future dreams and goals both professionally and personally?
Professionally, I want to keep acting, writing, and directing, and hopefully see that grow into something bigger. Personally, I’d like to see myself calm the F down. I’m trying to get more comfortable in the unknown of it all.
To read the full article please download our Asana Journal App or purchase Issue 157 January 2016.
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