The Love and Life of Tiffany Cruikshank

Tiffany Cruikshank, up close and personal.

An internationally acclaimed yoga instructor, author, and health and wellness expert, Tiffany Cruikshank is passionate about living life to the healthiest and fullest. She travels around the world inciting others to do the same. With her extensive yoga and holistic medicine training combined with her spunky personality, she makes yoga and overall health approachable and fun. Her passion for yoga as medicine inspired her to found Yoga Medicine, an organization with a global vision to make medicine and health through yoga more accessible. She has a particular gift for fusing Eastern and Western medicine together and applying it to our experience of yoga for optimal health.

It's a dream come true to have her as one of KiraGrace's Global Ambassadors, and we are so thankful for her support. We are delighted to partner with Yoga Medicine this season to help support children in need through Yoga Medicine's India Seva Project. A percentage of the Seva Legging, designed by Tiffany herself, will be donated to the Seva Project to sponsor three months of care for a child. So without further ado, the brilliant and beautiful Tiffany Cruikshank!

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KiraGrace: We are so excited to partner with Yoga Medicine to help support children in need through Yoga Medicine's India Seva Project. A percentage of the Seva Legging - designed by you! - will be donated to the Seva Project to sponsor three months of care for a child. With an abundance of charities, causes, and people in need, what is it about this issue in particular that grabbed you and inspired you to get involved? What significance does this project hold for you?

Tiffany: As a woman who has had access to education and a support system of people around me who believed in and supported me along the way, I know how valuable it is. As strong, independent women, I believe it is our duty to pass that along in our acts of service and the ways we encourage and support the women around us. Kira has been a role model for me as a strong, successful woman who is making the world a better place through her nonprofit work, so it's a perfect fit. In Yoga Medicine, we often talk about the anatomic, but the physiologic effects of the practice are a huge part as well. This project allows us to extend that to parts of the world that don't have access to it. To me, the thought of having to sell your body to support your family is one of the worst scenarios for a woman. Above all, we feel it is our duty to protect and support those we love, and empowering these children is essential. Our centers provide shelter, food, medical care, and, most importantly, education and yoga, which are vital for empowering these children.

KG: What does Yoga Medicine aim to accomplish through this project? What are your hopes and goals?

Tiffany: My hope is to raise awareness around these issues and to gather enough funds to support these centers year-round, benefiting over 525 kids. I want to engage more people in this global community. The children are our future, and as we experience more connectivity, we must support our global community.

KG: Why is service important for our growth and development? Do you think it is directly correlated to our own health and well-being?

Tiffany: Absolutely! Service work helps us step outside our limited perspective and see the bigger picture. It reminds us that our problems aren't as significant as they seem, and our nervous system can respond positively, helping us adapt to stress. I've seen this in my patients and yoga students.

KG: We absolutely love your design of the new Seva Legging! What inspired this design? Have you always had an interest in fashion design or is this a new hobby? Can we expect more from you in the future?

Tiffany: I love fashion—it's my guilty pleasure when I need to relax and unwind. I've loved it since I was a kid, though I have gone through phases of being a tomboy or a hippie. Fashion is a way of expressing yourself; it's how we communicate with the world. Finding what you like and embracing it is key. I think there will definitely be more collaborations in the future. I adore Kira, and her line is high-quality, classic, and uniquely stunning.

KG: Through teaching and service, you give so much love to those around you, but what about your personal love life? With your busy schedule, do you have time to date? Is there someone special in your life?

Tiffany: Relationships teach me a lot about myself and extend my yoga practice. I've been dating someone for a little over a year. I'm grateful for him; he's one of a kind! He isn't a yogi, but he loves to meditate and inspires me in many ways. His support has been invaluable during this busy year with Yoga Medicine. Travel poses challenges for our relationship, but he also travels for work, and we make it work. When you meet the right person, you figure it out. I feel blessed in that aspect.

KG: Are you able to have a normal relationship when you're living in the spotlight? What are the pros and cons?

Tiffany: I don't see myself that way, so I'm not sure. The biggest challenge is coordinating our schedules.

KG: What's the best pickup line someone has ever said to you?

Tiffany: I'm not sure I have one. It's rare for me to get hit on, probably because I spend so much time in yoga studios with mostly women. Plus, I think people can sense my focus on work.

KG: For such a jet-setting generation, what are your top travel tips? What are your carry-on essentials?

Tiffany: I try to make flying fun and something to look forward to. I bring cozy socks, organic dried mango (my favorite treat for long flights), and fashion magazines (reading usually makes me sick, but I love the pictures!). For long flights, I load up on shows or movies on my iPad; it makes the journey enjoyable. I swear by a glass of wine to help me sleep on long flights—I've been known to sleep for 11 hours with just wine as my aid. I also take homeopathic jet lag pills, which I find helpful.

KG: What's the best recipe for beating jet lag?

Tiffany: Adjust to your time zone as soon as you get on the plane—change your watch and don’t look back at the previous time. Drink lots of water. If you land in the morning, resist the urge to nap. I make myself stay awake until at least 8 PM to ensure a good night's sleep.

KG: Any packing tips?

Tiffany: Packing is an art for me. I'm obsessive about not bringing anything unnecessary and keeping my bag small. On teacher trainings, it’s hard with all the gear we need, but otherwise, I use a small carry-on. Losing your bag is the worst! In winter, I bring versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched, while in summer, I stick to dresses—they're comfortable, easy to slip on, and pack well.

KG: What are some ways you connect with others, especially in a different country?

Tiffany: Yoga is the universal language!

KG: What has been one of your most memorable destinations?

Tiffany: Every place I visit is unique, making it impossible to choose just one. I love them all, but the people truly make each place special!