Street Style: Meet Kathleen Hanagan

LifestyleStyleWellness
Written By Sara VanderGoot

The first time I met Kathleen 10 years ago, I knew I was in the presence of someone extraordinarily special. She's one of those rare human beings who is full of wisdom, humor, compassion, and strength. She's been an invaluable mentor to me as I have made my way as a wellness professional and I have seen her successfully coach and mentor hundreds of other people.Kathleen is a multi-dimensional woman. She has a thriving therapy practice in Del Ray, Alexandria called Turn On Your Light, where she counsels individuals, couples, and groups on a variety of personal and professional issues. She is also the author of a recently published book called Loveseed: The Template For Birthing A New World.Want to meet Kathleen?! Join her at an open house and book signing on November 17 from 4-7pm at Mind the Mat, Alexandria. If you attend classes at Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga, you might see Kathleen there in Hawt Pilates or yoga. She's the one with the beautiful red hair and sparkling blue eyes. You can't miss her! 

ABOUT YOU

How do you spend your time? Writing, gardening, cooking, hanging with friends and my 21-year-old Bichon, Sophie.

Neighborhood: Del Ray

How long have you lived in Alexandria: Four years

What is your hometown? Lynn, Massachusetts

What brought you to Alexandria? I felt drawn to the feeling of heart here, at a time when I needed a sense of community.

What would surprise people about you? That I am actually very shy.

You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? I’d have a gizmo that could open people’s hearts to experience their own goodness. That would solve a world of problems.

Favorite cocktail: Red wine

Last book read or movie seen: Black Klansman

Guilty pleasure: I often concoct ridiculously delicious desserts using coconuts, dates, seeds, and other healthy and yummy food.

Phrase you overuse: It is what it is.

Facebook or Instagram? Facebook

Latest binge-watch:Grey’s Anatomy

Bucket list travel destination: Vietnam, Iceland, Bali, Ecuador, Morocco

If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? Coffee 

FASHION

Define your style in three words or less: Bohemian, chic, classic

The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Funky black pants

Favorite trend ever: Leggings

Favorite current trend:  The "be yourself" look

Beauty product you can’t live without: Boomsticks by Cindy Joseph

Favorite fragrance: Frankincense

Heels or flats? A little lift!  

HOME

Favorite room in your home: Kitchen

Antiques, modern, or a mix? A mix

Last item bought for your home: Soji screen

Next planned purchase: Just bought a new Mac, so none for now

Favorite way to entertain: Cooking for friends

Clutter-free or well lived-in? Clutter-free

Wallpaper -- yes, totally modern or no, so dated: None 

FITNESS

Your go-to work-out: Hawt Pilates from Mind the Mat

Most fun way to exercise: I used to do long solo runs, but I prefer a yoga or pilates class now.

Group exercise or solo: Group

Fitness goal: Be able to do yoga until 90 (or longer)

Haven’t yet, but might be willing to try with coaching / encouragement: Tango

Proudest fitness achievement: Ran the Marine Corps Marathon right after 9/11 

ALEXANDRIA

Favorite spot in Alexandria: Dangerfield Island watching the planes take off and land

Last purchase in Alexandria: Most likely at MOM’s

Best coffee / happy hour / date night spot: Bon Vivant for coffee, Del Ray Café for a date.

Favorite charity: Friends of Guest House, The Foundation For Excellence In Mental Health

Favorite annual Alexandria event: Art on the Avenue 

Sara VanderGoot

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Co-Owner | Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga

Sara VanderGoot, CMT, e-RYT 200, RYT 500, is Co-founder of Mind the Mat Pilates and Yoga and Director of Mind the Mat Yoga Alliance certified teacher training program. Sara is an experienced Registered Yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance. She studied Interdisciplinary Yoga with Don and Amba Stapleton in Nosara, Costa Rica and at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Sara is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Sara has been practicing massage therapy, including specialties Prenatal Massage, Postpartum Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Thai Yoga Massage, in Del Ray, Alexandria for over 15 years and a yoga instructor for 7 years. At Mind the Mat she specializes in Prenatal Yoga, Postpartum Core Yoga, Mommy and Me Core Yoga, Partners Yoga, and Hot Flow Yoga. Sara frequently acts as a birth companion for many of her clients, doing massage and yoga during labor and delivery to facilitate comfort during both medicated and unmedicated births. Before becoming a massage therapist and yoga instructor, she was a lawyer in the Washington D.C. area and found that the healing practices of massage and yoga brought a balance to her life that she had been searching for.

Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga was founded in 2008 by Megan Brown, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Polestar Certified Practitioner of Pilates for Rehabilitation and Sara VanderGoot, Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher (e-RYT 200, RYT 500). In their private practices as physical therapist and massage therapist respectively Megan and Sara observed that many of their clients were coming in with similar needs: relief for neck and shoulder tension and low back pain as well as a desire for more flexibility in hips and legs, stability in joints, and core strength.

Together Megan and Sara carefully crafted a curriculum of Pilates and yoga classes to address needs for clients who are pregnant, postpartum, have injuries or limitations, who are new to Pilates and yoga, and for those who are advanced students and are looking for an extra challenge.

www.mindthemat.com     

2214 Mount Vernon Avenue

Alexandria, VA 22301

703.683.2228

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