I’ve been practicing and teaching Ashtanga yoga for over 20 years. I’ve been fully vegan since 2002 after learning about the book, Diet for a New America, by John Robbins.
I was already vegetarian due to my love for animals and fish, but was having asthma, allergies and acne. I had NO clue it was being caused from the dairy!
I went vegan initially for my health and these symptoms went away. Once I learned about the horrific practices of the dairy, veal and egg industry, I went vegan 100% for the animals.
Because I’m an Ashtanga yogi and Ahimsa is one of the first limbs, Yamas, I take veganism to heart.
When I met my husband in an Ashtanga class 10 years ago he was miraculously already vegan! We had a vegan wedding in Santa Monica with our Kansas and Wisconsin relatives and everyone loved the food.
I use to own a yoga studio in Kansas City, Maya Yoga, and it was a vegan studio. We had vegan start up kits at the front desk, held vegan potlucks and had our teacher training students go vegan as well.
I organized a Walk for Animals team yearly to help raise awareness and funds for Farm Sanctuary.
I live in Encinitas, CA now and am heavily involved in the vegan and animal rights movement here.
I’ve also written a book called, Yoga’s Path to Weight Loss: A Mind Body Spirit Guide to Loving Yourself Lean, where I promote ahimsa and how to adopt a vegan diet.
I host a Youtube vegan cooking show called, Vegan Vitality, to help educate people how to cook delicious recipes without using animal products:
I end each video by saying, “Thank you for saving animals with your food choices.”
- Kathleen Kastner
Website: kathleenkastner.com
Instagram: @kathleenvegan
YouTube: Kathleen Kastner