Last August, the Memphis Grizzlies brought the Buckner family to Memphis when Regina’s husband, Gregory, became the new assistant coach for the team. Regina, and their four children, now call the Mid-South home. Basketball has always been at the heart of her and Gregory’s relationship. They started dating when he played for the Dallas Mavericks, and they’ve stayed together through his career.
Radiant, youthful, and strikingly fit, Regina turned 38 this month. She’s a hands-on mother who even does her own housework alongside being involved in community outreach through Grizzlies-related initiatives.
“I was never a dancer, cheerleader, or athlete,” she says, and her passion for fitness didn’t blossom until after her first two kids were born. At 27, she had two young children at home. The Buckners thought their family was complete. However, they received a “surprised” in the form of twins.
Because this pregnancy was considered “high risk,” Regina sought out a personal trainer. “I trained for the entire nine months,” she says, and that the recovery from her cesarean was easier than she had imagined. “That was when I fell in love with fitness. There’s science behind the mental and emotional benefits of exercise, but I didn’t know that at the time.”
Mental and emotional health are important because the Buckners have moved several times during Gregory’s career. When they moved to Minneapolis in 2007, Regina had to leave her personal trainer behind. “I ended up taking a lot of classes to push my body, and I fell in love with group fitness and the kinetic energy from it.”
After a subsequent move back to Dallas, she found herself giving yoga a try. At first, she was hesitant because it’s not something she felt comfortable with in the past, but it was different this time. “That class rocked my world! I found myself on the mat that day! There were 30-40 women in the studio, but I felt I like I was there by myself.”
Regina advises everyone who struggles with fitness to find an activity they love. “Yoga brings a whole new level of calm, peace, and patience to everything I do.” Her deep interest in the practice led her to become a certified instructor.
“Certification is a big commitment,” she explains. “It takes 200 hours of study. I now have my 500-hour certification.” She feels a tremendous level of gratitude to her mentors and the people who supported her along the way.
Her journey took on a new dimension during instructor training. That’s when she became committed to daily meditation. “I need to keep balance in my life to be the person I need to be for my family, my students, and myself.”
When it comes to her students, her philosophy is emphatic. “Yoga should be what you make it. People should shop around and find the studio and instructor that best suits them and their lifestyle.”
She hates to hear people say they’re shying away from yoga because they’re not flexible. “It’s a practice, not a perfect. Every human being is unique, and there’s no point in any of us comparing ourselves to others.” Now that her family has settled in, Regina is ready to start teaching yoga in Memphis.
Check out Regina’s yoga practice and upcoming schedule, followe her on instagram @yogalovingjuicegirl
By Caroline Sposto
