“Made in Kentucky, raised in Idaho, spent most of my life in Ballard. Some people say I’m funny. Some people say I talk funny. Y’all let me know if you see or hear either.
I have two degrees in the arts, a Bachelor's degree and a Master of Fine Arts. I’ve used these professionally as an actor, writer, director, filmmaker, teacher and storyteller.
My movies have played film and arts festivals around the world and have even appeared in such glamorous places as in-flight entertainment on Alaska Airlines. As an actor, I’ve been on all of Seattle’s major stages. I’ve also been in a few commercials and TV shows (Grimm, Leverage, and The Fugitive), although some of my favorite acting experiences have been independent films.
Following graduate school at the University of Washington, I moved from occasionally practicing yoga to regularly practicing yoga. Since then, my practice has become an almost daily ritual. As they say, try yoga once a week, it will change your mind. Twice a week, it will change your body. Try it every day and it will change your life. Yoga has changed my life. Hugely. My favorite part of my practice is practicing off the mat and in the world. In my humble opinion, this is the most advanced version of the practice.
In 2015, I traveled to Bali to complete my first 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Meghan Currie and Nico Luce. From there, I taught privately to supplement my artistic endeavors. Then in 2023, I took a second 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with world-renowned Rasa Yogi Greta Hill and have since leaned into teaching yoga full-time.
My 20+ years practicing yoga have taken me down many yogic paths including Ashtanga, Bhakti, Bikram, Forrest, Hatha, Iyengar, Power, Rasa, Restorative, Vinyasa, and Yin. What has emerged is my own style of yoga that includes long, slow, and deep stretches with new and inventive sequencing. Some have described it as similar to Qigong and Tai Chi. Those with extensive acting backgrounds may find elements of the Suzuki Method, Alexander and Linklater techniques.
By the way, it’s true that I came into the world of movement through the door of ancient Japanese Theater practices like Noh and Kabuki Theater. These are among the oldest theater traditions in the world and use elements of movement, dance, and mask.
This all adds up to a very inventive and intentional practice with deep historical roots and modern branches.
A routine practice such as this can bring us closer to ourselves and our true nature. While we often practice yoga to feel better, we can also practice yoga to be better at feeling. For that reason, come prepared to turn off your mind, relax and float downstream. Even so, please remember, enlightenment is optional.”
— Shawnte
