(All Photos via Jacquelyn Drayton)
I met Meaghan when I first moved here to LA, and was struck by how happy she seemed about life and what she did for a living. She had the “I’m living my life’s purpose glow.” A the time, she was teaching yoga classes all across LA at various yoga studios and fitness clubs, but she always seemed to have a bigger plan in mind. And so it became her own yoga/spinning studio called UpDog Fitness and Cycling, located in the heart of West Hollywood, which is gaining quite a celeb following as well as mentions in VOGUE magazine and more. I spoke with my good friend/yoga guru/CEO and founder of Updog Fitness and Cycling, Meaghan Townsend, about yoga, fitness, and going for what you want in life. Check out the interview:

Meaghan, you’re not from LA, are you? And how did you get started teaching yoga??
Well, I’m from up on the Massachusetts, and grew up playing a bunch of sports from lacrosse, tennis, softball,basketball, and sailing. I’m also a runner and have always had good endurance. I went to undergrad at Harvard and was visiting my cousin in California which is where I went to my first yoga class. All I remember was how good I felt afterward, and then I went back to Cambridge and did yoga there. Soon after graduating, I became a Business Analyst and it didn’t feel right. So, I started taking yoga teacher training, and it felt organic because every time I practiced, I loved it. I knew what I wanted to do.

Was your family supportive of your decision to be a yoga teacher?
My grandfather was Robert Kennedy and I obviously come from a very political, blue-blooded family, so I thought I had to be a doctor, lawyer, or business analyst. In the beginning, the fact that I was teaching yoga wasn’t really accepted by my family. But I just kept teaching classes and people asked me to sub classes. One thing lead to another, and I realized I loved teaching. My parents were like, “When are you going to business school?”

So, what inspires you in your work?
1) The fact that I’m doing something that is healthy and good for my body
2) Helping people and teaching them. When you help someone get over a fear, you’re helping them connect with their weaknesses. I’ve met so many people that tell me, “You changed my life. You bring me peace. You’ve helped me find joy.” It was such a change in my life from being sad at work to being joyful all the time. 98% of my life is happy and I didn’t ever think this would occur. I feel really lucky that I love my job, because I know 80% of America hates their job.

You have a big following with yoga classes here in LA. How do you keep it fresh for each class?
I take classes myself and have always hated when people did the same thing again. For me, as a teacher, I don’t want to be a robot. I need to shake it up which reflects in my classes, so I always want to keep students challenged and thinking of new things. Its important because your body gets used to certain yoga positions, so its also about getting into the same pose from a different angle. It changes your perspective. It reflects life… A lot of students tell me that their focus increases from regular yoga practice and affects how they are in daily life. So, how you are on your mat is how you are in life. For example, if you’re holding warrior 2 (a yoga pose) for a minute, then you can do it in life. Its funny that there are people who don’t use their bodies all day long but in yoga, you’re doing hundreds of things at one time. Your attitude toward yourself will change because of how you approach your practice.

You teach a tough class, but the music mixes that you make are pretty awesome and really add to the challenging classes. Hip-hop, classic rock, contemporary and the latest pop. How do you come up with the mixes?
I DJ during class with my ipod. I don’t know what I’m going to play in class because my class is based on whose in class. I have a hundred different playlists on my ipod for class. I spend five hours a day reading online about music because I have poor hearing and can’t really make out the music. So I created a system for understanding it with websites, charts, creating a matrix. Twenty different categories of music for each pose. I group songs based on the poses and the flow. Also, if I know some of my regular students like a certain type of song, I make sure its in my playlist. Its so complicated and crazy. People work really hard, have stressful lives, and this is an hour when they can learn and feel good in their bodies, and have a good time. I don’t want you to feel bad after practice. Music has an amazing effect on your practice itself and I try to make it as dynamic as possible.

Love it. So, how do you keep a healthy mindset about mind/body?
Yoga is the key for me. I was a girl who didn’t think she was pretty growing up and in my family, there was pressure to be amazing. I never felt like I could live up to it. Yoga took that out of me. I just wanted to do crow. Whatever. In the end, it has totally made me think of the positives about myself. It’s totally flip-flopped. I don’t think about that stuff because yoga takes the focus away from what you look like. I feel so good in my body doing yoga and it never accomplishes anything by being negative to yourself. It’s like… its pointless. When you become happier, your inner being becomes happier. There is something about feeling good within your body that makes you look better. The best beauty secret is doing yoga.

You recently fulfilled a dream to open Updog Fitness Yoga/Cycling studio here in West Hollywood. What’s it like to accomplish a dream?
Absolutely. I never knew that I’d open my own studio, let alone that it would be this beautiful. It has amazing energy and when people come in here, they always say the studio is beautiful. We have amazing teachers, great location, amazing students and we’re really lucky. This was my dream. I’ve always wanted to run my own business that helps people and makes people happier. When I was a business analyst, I loved going to yoga and the times I was most happy was during those times I was in class. Now, if people want to practice yoga during the day, they can come here and not just on the weekends. Accessibility.

You taught the aspiring stars in Hulu’s “If I Can Dream,” series. What was that like?
A student of a friend of mine got me connected with them. I taught them and they haven’t done yoga before. I was like their 1st or 2nd teacher and its great to watch beginners because the rate of growth is so quick. Its less translating what the teacher says to what their bodies feel. For an hour, you can teach them something that affect their sleep in a good way and that’s pretty impressive.

What else inspires you in life and how do you stay motivated and positive?
I think its rare that I found a job I love to do. I LOVE my job and am excited to go to work. That won’t happen for everybody. Some people teach and they don’t like it. For me, it works. In anything, you can be in a yoga pose and think, this pose sucks, why is she making me hold my arms like this. I’m tired. Then, you go into pigeon pose and you’re not happy. So understand that it’s your choice to be happy. It’s what’s going on inside. Your mindset. Choose to be happy and find one thing to be happy about.

For more about Meaghan and UPDOG FITNESS AND CYCLING, CLICK HERE.

I think a big part was seeing my parents work really hard and see how they were treated by customers at their store on Germantown Ave. People would constantly make fun of their accents, threaten to rob our store, and I could see how they became hardened by their experiences. Also, when you’re 10 and you worry about armed robberies…that’s just therapy waiting to happen. I vowed to myself that I’d never own a store or work in any sort of retail establishment and thus began my pursuit of “success.”

What the hell is success anyway?

According to Korean folk, success is having lots of money, going to an Ivy League school, being a lawyer/doctor/financial person/investment person/owning luxury vehicles/owning designer clothes and purses, being a size 0, and of course, achieving enough worldly success for your parents to brag about when they attend church. People always make fun of the Asian kids because they’re the ones who excel in Academics, but they don’t know the whole story. A lot of times they are pushed so hard by their parents who are trying to ensure that their kids don’t have to own a convenience store, liquor store, or another store that might get robbed or something.

I definitely know what its like to have this huge burden of expectation on your shoulders. Even now, it is really hard for me to relax and enjoy life which is probably why I am who I am. Actress. Writer. Blogger. Comedienne. Freak. Nerd. Thank God for humor though. That’s how I’ve managed to get through life so far. I can easily make fun of myself or life situations. Is this good? Sort of.

I have a friend from back home who has the “perfect life,” or what society deems “perfect” to be. She’s got the perfect husband, house, job, life situation, and is exactly where her family expects her to be. She was the Homecoming queen/Prom queen/Class President type that I grew up wishing I could be like…because I was awkward and strange looking. (I sort of still am) Oddly enough, my weirdness is my greatest asset now. The fact that I don’t fit into a box is a strength in a way that I never thought possible. Who knew that never becoming what was expected of me could be…well, a positive thing? Maybe I’m not successful in the conventional sense because I’m not rich, don’t have a fancy car or anything with the word “luxury” in it. But I do wake up each morning and look forward to what the day may bring. That never used to be the case…so if that’s success…that works for me.

Freaks rule. Okay, maybe not, but that’s what I tell myself. Ya heard?

People are always surprised when I tell them about why I love to perform, do comedy, blog, or sing. And the truth is that…when I do those things, I don’t have to answer to anyone. I’m literally listening to my own voice without anyone telling me their opinions about who I should be and its definitely freeing.

I did write a manifesto about being positive, but it gets really hard sometimes. You worry all the time about what the future holds, you wonder if you will always have a positive outlook when things look really bleak, and you ask yourself if you’ll always be worrying about what will happen with your parents. Granted, I pray a lot which helps me, but that doesn’t mean that life worries completely disappear. I know that my family isn’t the only one that is going through rough times given our country’s Economic climate, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t get wistful when seeing my friends live that fun 20-something life.

Thank God for views like this though. Whenever life gets to be too much, I like to escape to places where I’m completely surrounded by serene beauty of nature. Then, my mind gets clear and all is well…for now. Ya heard?

I think we should go back to Dunder Mifflin.

Here are my top 6 picks for the moment. If you want to judge me, go ahead.

Nelly- Just a Dream

- What is it about rappers that sing songs with sad melodies that just get me to put the track on repeat? Its probably because when I was a kid and would have to help my parents at Street Blue, our hip hop clothing store, listening to tracks like this, were an escape. This song makes me think of eating Tastykakes and Roosevelt Blvd. Oh Philly, you annoy me, but I still love you.

Hot Toddy-Usher featuring Jay Z and Ester Dean

Um. This is a hot track with a ridiculous beat. Although these lyrics are out of control…Ready? ”
I’m like oh Kimosabe
Your body is my hobby
We’re freakin’
This ain’t cheatin’ as long as we tell nobody
Tell your girls you’re leaving
I’ll meet you in the lobby
I’m so cold, yeah I need that hot toddy
Hot toddy (hot toddy)

Sara Bareilles- King of Anything

- And seriously…who made you king of anything?

The Ready Set- Love Like Woe

- How can you not be in a good mood after listening to this track?

Katy Perry- Teenage Dream

- Love her or hate her, Katy Perry is the Pop Princess of the Moment, whether she’s singing about kissing girls or rapping with Snoop Dogg about being a California Gurl. (Yup, that’s the way its spelled) I love this song though… because its true..when you’re in love you feel like a 16 year old again. Totally cheesy, giddy, and of course, you get that silly grin on your face for no apparent reason.

Sugar Ray- Someday

- Old SKOOL! Yeah, I know. Dude, Sugar Ray was the premiere 90′s easy pop rock band with tracks like this one, ‘Every Morning,’ and ‘Fly.’ I still listen to this track when the world annoys me and I need to escape into my head. Easy melody. Sweet track.

Very cool. How did you develop the character of “Ruby Booby?” Are there aspects of Ruby’s personality that you had incorporated from your personal life?
Ha! I think all actors smile at this question. I’m pretty sure we would all agree that there are elements from our own personal lives that we incorporate into the characters we play. At least, this is the case for me! This is how explore the personalities of the characters I play; by relating to them through my own personal life experience. – As for developing the character of “Ruby” – I would say that she developed through the hard work of all of us; through the collaboration of Jon’s outstanding writing first and foremost, then through our group script-workshopping, then via Jon’s directing and Karen Stein’s make-up (the make-up really allowed me to feel like Ruby) – and then of course through the brilliant work of the other actors in the film. All of these elements served to develop the character of “Ruby Booby”.

What got you into the acting game? What got you into the producing game?
Acting – I have been in love with it as far back as I can remember. Playing other people is the my absolute favorite thing to do. As for producing – it is the natural bi-product of assembling a group of people I love, to tell a story we are all dying to tell, which hopefully has a delicious part for me to play! Producing is making your dreams come true. Everyone is a producer.

I love that line. So, what is the most rewarding part about being an independent producer and actress?
The most rewarding thing is to walk tall, knowing you are doing exactly what you most love to do on the planet, in exactly the way you want to do it, with the people you want to do it with. This is what every single person on the planet is meant to do.

The most challenging part about being an independent producer and actress?
Hmm – I would say…. to remember that every ‘bump’ in the road; every tricky relationship I didn’t predict; every ‘tough’ spot in the ride – these moments are all as important as every ‘high’ or ‘success’ I have. These are the parts of my journey that invite me to be inventive, creative an gracious. So actually – the most challenging parts are a gift.

Tell us about how you are looking to raise money to finish “Ruby Booby.” Why are you going about fundraising this way?
Ahh yes – fund raising. The reality is, that I am new to fund raising and have been learning about what to do throughout the course of my collaborations with Jon Rannells. (We have some phenomenally silly stories to share – everything from distributing pretty bags with pens door-to-door, to launching balloons in a park – this was a major, front page news event you realize – to throwing huge L.A. wearhouse parties….) You know, I have learned so much about fund raising. I have learned that fund raising is a great thing. It is exciting, adventuresome, community-building, and inspiring to many. It is a noble undertaking, and one should always be proud to raise funds for a cause. Fund raising is simply an assembling of resources. This is how you get your stuff made! So for Ruby Booby – this ‘online contributions’ is one more way that I am learning to raise financing…what I like to call a ‘Barn-Raising’. Three cheers to raising each other’s barn.

What are the types of projects that you hope to produce in the future?
My plan is to continue to produce and perform in feature films that provoke thought, undermine convention and celebrate humanity in every shape and form that it comes in, around the world. I will be on set in countries around the globe, for a long time. Love love love it.

I love your vision. So, tell us what inspires you to pursue this very difficult career?
What is difficult? Everything is difficult and everything is easy.

What inspires you most and keeps you doing what you do?
People do. I am one-thousand-percent driven to represent people everywhere, in all of their states of being, all: earnest, enraged, well-meaning, mis-lead, in-love, ashamed, elated, murderous, enlightened. I am in love with people.

Love it!

Here are the winners!
1st prize- Box of Superfood Bars- Laurenne
2nd prize- Linda Lansford- Amazing Meal
3rd prize- Tom- Amazing Meal

Thanks so much for entering you guys! More fun giveaways and prizes on the way… stay tuned. I’ll be in touch with your prize info!