Why I Do Yoga: Debra Thornton

A screenwriter and natural athlete, Thornton does yoga to stay in shape, be healthy, and 'keep the willies away.'

By Loraine Despres

Thornton, who is 5'7" and weighs 112 pounds, is a natural athlete. Besides her yoga practice she plays tennis and golf, and rollerblades, but she considers those activities social. She uses yoga to keep in shape. She was introduced to yoga seven years ago at Steve Ross's intensely aerobic yoga class in Santa Monica, California, which is done to driving rock and roll. However, it took her two years before she eliminated the Stairmaster and running from her weekly workout routine and was able to trust that yoga was the best for her body. Since then, she has changed her diet, dropped dairy and red meat, and lost seven pounds without trying. She also attends Seane Corn's Level Three class at Yoga Works in Santa Monica, California. "Seane's class is very focused and intense. One day we'll work on backs, the next we'll open up our hips. At Steve's we do essentially the same series of poses. We move quickly, sweat, and leave all the impurities on the floor. I go to Steve's class when I'm feeling outgoing and exuberant and want to have fun. I go to Seane's class when I need balance and centering."

Debra Thornton's practice.

She takes yoga classes six times a week, attending an Ashtanga-Mysore class four to five times a week and Power Yoga classes the remaining days.

How she got started.

A friend took her to Steve Ross's class and she thought it was fun and a great way to take care of herself.

Her teachers.

Her primary teacher at this point in her practice is Jorgen Christiansson, who teaches an Ashtanga Mysore-style class at Maha Yoga in Santa Monica, California. She also attends Steve Ross's aerobic yoga class at Maha Yoga and Seane Corn's Level Three class at Yoga Works, also in Santa Monica.