Meet Kris Moon
Kris climbs mountains and sits in silent meditation retreats for 10 hours a day, 10 days straight, all out of curiosity to know what she’s made of. A yoga and meditation teacher, she has traveled the country and world to learn and practice ancient techniques to live a more skillful life. Kris travels alone. A lot. It all started when she was just 2 years old. Adopted from Korea, Kris arrived at O'hare International Airport with an American soldier and a tiny suitcase carrying a single change of clothes. Much has changed since then, except for her preference to travel lightly and her innate ability to adapt to almost any situation. Kris can talk to anyone, and enjoys learning from everyone, especially Mama Nature.
In 2012 Kris was reunited with her birth family in Korea. It was shocking and powerful and fun and emotional and deeply healing. Read about the experience here and watch it here.
A couple years ago, with the intention to pursue a less materialistic and more spiritual life, Kris and her partner moved to the oldest mountains in the world. They are currently living and growing organic fruits & vegetables at Root Bottom Farm.
Kris is committed to making yoga and meditation accessible to all, especially those who have experienced trauma. As a volunteer teacher and board member at Light a Path, a non-profit bringing yoga and somatic therapies to underserved populations in Western North Carolina, Kris teaches Trauma-Sensitive Yoga to at-risk youth.
Q+A
What do you know for sure?
Change is inevitable. Better to embrace it than resist it.
What is your favorite place to travel to?
Always mountains. They’re easier than meditating when it comes to finding peace, plus they’re really fun to climb. I’m also really lucky to be in a loving and spiritually rich relationship with India right now. She’s got my soul deep.
What do you think about when you are alone?
I try not to. I really challenge myself to stay present and pay attention to what is unfolding moment to moment, since this is what I’m asking of my students. I don’t use the word challenge lightly here. At times it’s super tough. Which of course is why it's called a practice.
What do you believe?
We’re all in this together.
What do you geek out about?
The convergence of science and spirituality right now is sooooooooooooooo cool. What has been “beyond words” and only expressed partially as feelings is now being supported by scientific research. I mean, we now know that we can actually grow the parts of our brain responsible for attention, decision-making, memory, compassion and stress reduction through mindfulness practices which are based off of ancient spiritual practices. Research paves the way for mindfulness training in schools and that means our children will learn how to tap into their inner resources and creativity earlier than past generations and those implications are incredibly hopeful and powerful. I would go on, but I suppose I’ve already answered the question. I also nerd out on Survivor strategy….yup, I'm a Survivor Super Fan.
Favorite quote?
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Want More? Practice with Kris and follow her Adventures in Mindfulness.
Shannon here with a side story (because it’s too amazing not to share)
This past winter I was meeting a friend for breakfast and got there a little early. It was snowing so I headed over the bean to snap a few pictures to kill time. As I was snapping, I turned around just in time to watch a man get down on one knee and propose. I took a picture. I posted it on instagram. Minutes later, Kris Moon commented on that photo that it was HER! I reviewed my photos from that day and realized I caught the entire proposal in the reflection of the bean! True magic.