Meet Sam Megraw of Northland

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Megraw.

Hi Sam, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I grew up in St. Joseph, and moved to KC at 21 after not finding my footings in college. I landed a great job in sales with incredible benefits, but was generally unhappy and looking for more to life. After trying on a few other mediocre jobs I decided to lean into some new hobbies and found yoga!

Like many, I was too intimidated to go to a yoga studio at first.  I preferred the privacy of YouTube and a beach towel instead. In 2011, a close friend finally encouraged me to visit InBliss Yoga. I remember asking the teacher if I could come back the next day, and I don’t think I missed a day for months after. The postures didn’t come easily back then, but I loved how I felt: grounded, calm, and somehow reenergized simultaneously.

After a few years of intensive practice, I unfortunately tore my rotator cuff. It required major shoulder surgery and a complete restart on my mat (and ego). Mostly out of curiosity, I took a 200-hour training in San Francisco to learn more about the mechanics of my body and ways to avoid getting hurt in the future. I had no idea it would lead me to teach, but something about being immersed in California with a network of support brought me out of my introverted shell and helped me to step into the front of a crowded room to lead friends.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not that it’s been a smooth road, but I often say all my bad karma was in my childhood. Like it was burned up at an early age so I could have a good life now. Being a kid is tough, and I suffered for years after abuse and poverty ended. The contrast to how easy life is now is astonishing. There are two things I credit this positive change to; finding yoga and meeting my husband, Rob. The latter is the hardest-working person I know. He’s supportive and kind and honestly makes the hard things easier. We have two young kids together (a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old), and despite the pandemic, sleepless nights, and career challenges, we often say to each other, “these are the good days—we’re in it!”

I really don’t think I would have that kind of awareness if I hadn’t been practicing yoga for the last 12 years. It has walked me through my story, from feeling lost in toxic work environments to mental health battles like depression, anxiety, and motherhood. It’s been an anchor for socialization as well as a path to enlightenment. My teachers and mentors have shown me authentic compassion, and I’m forever grateful.

So, I guess the road is hard for everyone but if you find a way to help people and serve your community, it will be more rewarding.

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Kansas City offers such great community for yoga. I’m currently teaching public classes at True Love Yoga in Midtown and Indigo Vybe in the Northland. I also offer private one-on-one sessions and have had the opportunity to work with all sorts of people in that capacity. My private sessions can vary focus from the physical, like strengthening hamstrings, to the mental/emotional, like managing grief within the scope of yoga.

I truly enjoy serving as faculty in 200-hour yoga education programs.  My certifications include prenatal (pregnancy), restorative (recovery), and meditation. My classes are often rooted in vinyasa, which focuses on harmonizing your breath with the physical flow of your body. I like to think I offer a curriculum unique to Kansas City in that I attempt to blend philosophy and anatomy organized in a yearly context. Each class will leave you sweating and challenged, but you’ll also get philosophy which is the heart of the practice.

Let’s end by discussing what matters most to you and why.
I want to leave a legacy of love for my kids. They are already far better than me, and I’m so proud! But I want them to see that it takes little money, titles, or degrees to succeed. It’s more important to be kind and authentic to yourself. They should see their parents work hard for a better life and know it’s possible. The relationships and impressions we leave on people are how they will remember us when we’re gone. I’d love it if my kids learned this and could offer compassion to keep changing the world positively. It’s easy to get lost in money, social media, etc. but how you make people feel is an easy way to create positive change.

Contact Info:

• Website: SamMegrawYoga.squarespace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammegrawyoga/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samilimas/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/sammegrawyoga

Image Credits
Tammy Knight Monica Rojas Amanda Lee Hannah Lauvenburg