When Nicolette Papile stepped away from a 20-year dance career, she felt the loss deeply. Dance had shaped her identity, and without it, life felt unfamiliar. In 2018, she took her first yoga class, and it stirred a sense of connection she hadn't felt in a long time. The practice gave her something solid to return to: a way to move, feel, and start again. It reminded her of the strength she already had and helped her begin to see her body with more compassion. Today, Nicolette brings that same sense of presence and purpose as a teacher and studio manager at CorePower Yoga in Tustin, California. We connected with her below in a conversation about intention, consistency, and the kind of strength that comes from continuing to show up.
You lead a lot of Yoga Sculpt classes. What do you love most about teaching that format, and how has it influenced your personal practice?
I love how Yoga Sculpt reminds me of dance—the 8-counts, the movement to the beat, the music. It feels like I’m dancing on my mat. In my early twenties, I got really into lifting and would spend hours in the gym. Now, I love creating fun Yoga Sculpt flows paired with EDM playlists that make you feel like you’re at your favorite festival. Adding weight training has also strengthened my vinyasa practice; I feel more powerful in poses, especially inversions.
How does the physical intensity of a CorePower-style practice help you build strength—in your body and beyond?
The strength I build on my mat allows me to feel my power every day. Whether it’s grabbing heavier weights in a CorePower Strength X class or holding Crow Pose a little longer in a Hot Power Fusion, those moments remind me what I’m capable of. Seeing the growth on my mat has shaped my life. I no longer doubt my capabilities and know that if I can achieve so much on my mat, I can do anything life throws at me.
What role does intention-setting play in your practice and your teaching?
I tend to focus on one intention for several weeks because I’m still working through it. I used to change my intention daily or weekly, but the truth is that I’m still growing in the same areas I’ve been working on for years. Even as I evolve, it’s important to keep returning to what needs attention. I usually take a big-picture look at what’s happening in my life and distill it down to a single word. From there, I think about how that word applies—what actions I can take, and how my practice can support it.
In your experience, how does showing up consistently create transformation?
I believe the days you don’t want to show up are the days you need your mat the most. We live in a world that craves quick action and instant results, but that’s not how yoga works. It’s a slow build; a daily or weekly commitment to strengthening not just your body, but your mind. That conscious, mindful build is what keeps you coming back. Your time on the mat is yours, time that we don’t always get with our busy schedules. Consistency in your practice helps you become the best version of yourself, so you can show up more fully in everything else you do.
How has managing a studio influenced your perspective on leadership and community?
Being a leader has taught me a lot about myself. I used to be someone who would react quickly, and now I understand the value of pausing and taking a breath before responding. I’ve also seen how powerful presence is as a leader. I’m in the studio 40 hours a week, connecting with instructors and checking in with students, and I leave each day feeling so full from the conversations I get to have. I’ve been in the Tustin community for over six years—I’ve grown up in this community and have witnessed so much growth within my own students. I’ve experienced not only how yoga has changed my life, but how it’s changed theirs too.
How do you support students in building a strong foundation, whether they’re new to yoga or returning after time away?
I talk a lot in class about trust: how learning to trust yourself on the mat can carry over into your life. I also provide options throughout class so every body in the room feels like they have something they can take with them. Finally, I remind students to focus on themselves, not on what the person next to them is doing. It’s easy to fall into comparison, but your practice is about tuning into your own experience and really listening to what your body needs.
For someone considering joining CorePower Yoga, what would you want them to know about the practice, the people, or the community?
I’d encourage them to just be themselves on the mat. You don’t need to show up as a certain version of yourself to take a yoga class—showing up just as you are is more than enough. Keep coming back. Anything new can feel uncomfortable or even a little scary at first, but those moments are often the ones worth leaning into because that’s where growth happens. Our community here is so special. If you’re taking a Yoga Sculpt class, be prepared to dance, sweat, and maybe shout a couple “woos”! If you’re in a CorePower Yoga 1 or 2, just stay present, stay open, and remember to breathe.
About Nicolette
Nicolette Papile is a CorePower Yoga instructor and Studio Manager in Tustin, California. She began her yoga journey in 2018 after a 20-year dance career and has been teaching since 2019. Known for her high-energy Yoga Sculpt flows and heartfelt leadership, she’s passionate about creating spaces where students can reconnect to their strength. Outside of yoga, you’ll find her cooking delicious meals in her kitchen and exploring National Parks. Follow her journey on Instagram @nicolettepapile.
Want to practice with Nicolette from home? Take her on-demand flow class below:
