Meet Emilie Cook! Emilie is the owner of local yoga studio, Find Your Center- Yoga, a mother of three daughters and married to Larry. Emilie grew up not far from Hall County in Woodstock, attended Brenau University, and has lived in Gainesville for the last 12 years. She also is a lover of pets and the outdoors.
If you’re looking to find your inner-peace, Emilie’s style of yoga will set you in the right direction. Her studio is just off of Thompson Bridge Road in Gainesville. As a yoga instructor, Cook hands out advice from time to time on how to find that inner peace we are all looking for. Her words of wisdom are to “hold your shoulders back, open your heart.”
We want to thank Emilie for spending time with us recently and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County.
Question: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Answer: “Sara is a senior Stage Management major at Gainesville Theater Alliance at UNG; Larry is a professor there, head of design and technology; Catie is sophomore at UGA studying Art; and Ally is currently a senior at GHS, she is planning on majoring in Political science.”
Q: You were one of the first interviews we did for The Faces of Hall County, tell us about that experience.
A: “It was fun because Emmeline Jones (a former intern) interviewed me and it was just like hanging out with a friend. I don’t remember what it said (I probably need to go back and read it again!) She interviewed me in my old space above Sweet Magnolia’s.”
Q: What do you love the most in this community?
A: “It’s a big city with a small town feel. I like that when my kids are driving around town there are probably half a dozen people that are gonna see them and report back to me. We know if we go out to dinner anywhere in this town, it’s not just going to be going out to dinner but we will see half a dozen people that we know. During this pandemic I have missed running into my friends.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County?
A: “2 Dog, not just because I love Tina and Tim, you know- I went to college with Tina. I like to support my friends but I also love their food. Ordering take out from them has made our quarantine a much more bearable.”
Q: If you could choose anyone not a relative with whom would you love to have lunch? And why?
A: “Ruth Bader Ginsberg, I think that she has done so so much, not just for women’s equality, but for people in general and I think the fact that she is still working after everything she’s been through shows great strength of character.
“And I would like to have lunch with President Jimmy Carter, too. If I could pick someone not living I would pick Mother Teresa, for a lot of the same reasons as RBG. She was tiny little force to be reckoned with and she wanted to leave the world a better place.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “I’d go back to Utah, I know that’s lame since we just came from there, but I loved it so much. Everywhere you look was another awe inspiring view Honestly, I would go just about anywhere right now”
Q: If you could be granted any wish right now, what would it be?
A: “I want to feel like our planet and our country are in a peaceful and healthy place. I think if I could do anything, if I could just snap my fingers, I would want world prosperity, and for all people to feel happy, healthy, and loved. Cliche to ask for world peace, I know.”
Q: What will be your last meal or favorite meal in the world to eat?
A: “Chicken Piccata with creamed spinach and an amaretto sour.”
