Client of the Month: Alejandro Hernandez

I have chatted with Alejandro many times and wanted to get to know him a bit deeper. Like I have asked many other clients and teachers before, below are just a few details about Alejandro I thought ya'll would find interesting.

Hometown: Manzanillo, Cuba

Childhood Ambition: To have my own business

First job: Busboy 

First yoga class: 2002

Favorite yoga pose and why: Upward-Facing Dog for good upper body strength

Person who influenced me most: Aunt Clara

Perfect day: Yoga, meditation, nature and love ones it sure feels good.

Last book: "The Living Gita" by Sri Swami Satchidananda

How do you live your yoga? On a deeper level I am more aware of our human spiritual connection I am kinder to all living things and nature in general and feel more present so that I am able to experience the moment deeper. 

Retreat:  Kripalu RR

Proudest moment: Having a successful business 

Indulgence: Traveling abroad

Last purchase: Shoes by Dolce Vita

Biggest challenge: Keeping my mind clear to be able to experience the moment deeper

Next trip planned: Venice, Italy 

Inspiration: I am inspired by  nature, children at play, art and architecture 

Teacher of the Month: Laurie G

I have asked our dear teacher, Laurie, to fill out a few questions regarding her journey.

Childhood Ambition: 

Wanted to be a teacher, dancer or artist...

First job: 

Babysitter

First yoga class:

In summer camp, barefoot in the dry grass once or twice as a child... but it was a good fifteen years later, I dropped into a class to see if it could help me regain mobility and strength after a bad sprain-- the whole experience resonated so deeply & while I had no clear explanation for the tears that streamed down my face in savasana, I knew I stumbled upon something profound & essential for my well being. 

Favorite yoga pose and why: 

Ever-evolving... love so many for so many reasons... though there is something about the first down dog that grounds me in presence... the grace in the deliberate placement of head beneath heart and joy in the first taste of elongation, engagement and expansion.

Person who influenced me most: 

Both of my parents.

Perfect day:

Every day I'm blessed with the opportunity to wake up... 

Last book: 

Miracle of Mindfulness -Thich Nhat Hahn

How do you live your yoga? 

Recognizing that I play a role in creating the world I perceive, it is my intention to bring as much consciousness as I can to the choices I make in word and action. As such, I attempt to bring kindness, honesty, integrity and compassion into the space of every interaction... and compassion for myself when I fall short of doing so. Finding mama*hood offers countless opportunities to cultivate patience, selflessness and an open heart.

Explain your journey that led you to become a yoga teacher at Devotion: 

When I graduated from college with degrees in sociology and environmental studies, I wanted to change the world. I burned the candle at both ends working for non profit environmental organizations for a decade. Along the way, I discovered yoga and was blown away by the practice and how it nourished, informed, grounded, inspired and healed me. The more I deepened my studies and practice, the more inspired I felt to share in it's exploration with others. For two years, I taught yoga and continued working. Then on the last night of retreat in Costa Rica, I found myself staring into the impossibly wide and deep sea of stars in the sky and knew that this work of healing the world must begin in each of our hearts. I felt a stronger than strong tug to leave the non-profit world behind & dedicate myself to teaching. When I came home I took the leap. Shortly thereafter, Liza took a leap of her own in opening Devotion & I was fortunate to begin teaching in the studio when it's doors first opened. 

What's playing on my ipod? 

Podcasts of On Being with Krista Tippet * whatever Kai wants to hear which these days includes, Radiohead, Paul Simon's Graceland, Latin Jazz, Reggae & downtempo grooves.

Retreat: 

Grateful that I have had several opportunities to immerse- each one transformational. Now that I am mom to my 2 year old (teacher) I find stillness in the flow of the day... while doing dishes, taking a shower or pausing when Kai is napping or sleeping... 

Proudest moment: 

Holding Kai in my arms for the first time after giving birth in our home... 

Indulgence: 

Dark chocolate 

Last purchase:

A bounty of amazing organic fruit and veggies from Sobseys.

Biggest challenge: 

Recognizing and transcending the limiting habits, patterns & beliefs that prevent me from embodying my fullest potential.

Next trip planned: 

Miami to visit with family.

Inspiration: 

...is everywhere, when we walk through our lives with eyes, ears & heart wide open-- seeing and hearing teachings (and ourselves reflected back to us) in everything.

Winter Is Coming: DRINK THOSE JUICES!

It winter time folks! go drink those juices! 

Introducing our Teacher of the Month!

Introducing the beautiful Eileen! 

My interview with her was rather different, more question and answer based and below are some of her responses to the many questions I was so eager to get answers to. 

Hometown: Hauppauge, Long Island, NY

Childhood Ambition:  I dreamed of being a dancer ... than got practical, and since I loved animals and always had pets, I thought I'd become a vet, but then realized I'd never be able to operate on animals! 

First job:Like most girls I started baby sitting at age 12 or so... then got my first paycheck job as camp counselor at age 14. I had the 5 yr. old group, it was so fun and utterly exhausting!

First yoga class: NYHRC in the early 1990's

Favorite yoga pose and why: There are so many! each for it's own reason ...but when I think about it I'd have to say ustrasana (camel), i always seem to integrate it into my practice, it has such a sweet, expansive quality. 

Person who influenced me most: My grandfather, he was so good natured ... a truly kindhearted, loving and patient man.  There was a steadiness to him. He's been gone for 2 decades and he's still with me. 

Last book: I recently reread "A Path with Heart" by Jack Kornfield, a decade into trying to maintain a consistent meditation practice, I loved reading it again and understanding it from a different perspective.

How do you live your yoga? I read this quote by Richard Freeman recently "good teachers are not swayed by the changing phenomena of the world, the are able to rest completely silent and serene at the center of their own experience"  so beautiful ... a way of being that I've been trying to move towards as I age as a yogi and a teacher. I see others that live that way and it's inspiring.

Explain your journey that led you to become a yoga teacher at Devotion: Liza hired me as a sub when she first opened :)  and when I made the shift from corporate world to teaching for a living, she gave me steady classes on the schedule! ... she also opened the doors for me to offer Yin classes, and am so appreciative of that!!

What's playing on my ipod?  Lately, stories.  I've been podcasting it a lot.  Love the downloads from the MOTH radio hour ... also been tapping into talks from Dharma Seed. 

Retreat: First one:  1994 to Kripalu.  Favorite one: Koh samui, Thailand at Samahita Retreat Center.    Most 

Recent: Last spring at IMS, Barre, MA

Indulgence:  A massage!! Susanne Ziegler is my saviour!

Last purchase: a cute pair of flats for the fall :)

Biggest challenge: I am not at all good with long range planning!

Inspiration: I am continually humbled and inspired by the sincerity, spirit and dedication of students and teachers that share of themselves and the practice ... it truly is what accompanies me on my path. 

Introducing our Client of the Month!

Starting this November we will be showcasing a client and a teacher from our studio!

This Month, please welcome Trisha Wiles!

Below is a narrative interview I had with Trisha.

I have never done an interview before. I have only been interviewed, and that was usually for job openings and professional reasons. But this time, I was the one asking questions and creating conversation with some of Devotion Yoga’s annual members. I remember seeing Trisha so often that she soon became a warm and welcoming face, but now was my opportunity to talk about her, and her connection to yoga.

We started out a bit awkwardly, neither knowing what role we held, or how to start. I wasn’t a professional who interviewed people regularly, but what I was good at was talking and simply holding a conversation. Thus, my interview with the lovely Trisha Wiles began.

I believe we all carry a story with us, a path or a journey we are walking on, aspirations we are walking (or running) towards, and passions that enlighten us and skills that make us special. Trisha, born and raised in a farm town in Ohio, grew up as the youngest of three. She then later on attended university at Ohio State where she fell deeply for the women’s studies department. It was there, in a classroom, surrounded by like minded people where she found intelligent conversation, deep insightful questions being asked, and a satisfying feeling she had never experienced in any other course.

It was in that classroom that she could make sense of the world around her, bring light to the issues that troubled her as a young woman. Like any woman growing up in today’s society and body culture, Trisha struggled with her weight, school, alcohol, and drugs. Trisha describes her women’s studies class as being on the mat during yoga. “Contextual mindfulness...” Trisha details the mat as her breath and there she is able to connect back to the present moment of her everyday life and bring all her issues and vulnerabilities to the mat where not a single soul can judge her. We all have our own story.

Thankful and grateful, Trisha has been sober since August of 2011. A few months her sobriety Trisha began her yoga adventure where she realized gentle yoga and restorative was just not her thing. It wasn’t until August of this year that Trisha took another shot at yoga, it was in our studio, at Devotion Yoga, that Trisha began to show up to her mat. It was through the diversity of our teachers, between Patrick’s Power Flow to Jocelyn’s Flow and Let Go that Trisha was able to appetize the buffet of classes Devotion offers. It was in Patrick’s class that Trisha had to stay present and determined to attempt the crow stance, but it was in Julie’s class that Trisha is reminded to be peaceful and stay humbled by the many warrior poses.

It was there that I felt Trisha opened up about her experience with yoga and her time on the mat. Through all the struggles, emotionally and physically, Trisha was able to face those demons through the challenges of accepting yourself as who you are. Yoga, “...helps to accept the way you are,” and, “...honor the authenticity of others and recognize you’re worthy.”

Trisha Wiles has come a long way, from Ohio resident to New Jersey bound, from addict and alcoholic to sober, now a student of yoga and ready to face any demon she meets on that mat. Because we all know she can defeat anything that stands in her way.

More About Trisha:

Favorite Yoga Pose: Peaceful Warrior & Humble Warrior

Wants to accomplish: The Crow & A sturdy hand stand

Good Morning World!

Hey Ya'll!
I wanted to start off this week by showing you a recipe I love and also some fun facts about apples!

And here is your recipe for the week:

Fresh Beet Pasta!

Ingredients

• 3 Cloves Garlic
• 2 Beets
• 1 Onion
• 1 Bunch Swiss Chard
• 3 Tablespoons Walnuts
• 8 Ounces Beet Linguine
• 1 Lemon
• ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

1

Prepare your ingredients:

Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling on high. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Peel and roughly chop the garlic. Peel and small dice the beets and onion. Roughly chop the chard leaves and thinly slice the stems. Roughly chop the walnuts.

2

Start cooking the vegetables:

In a large pan, heat some olive oil on high until hot. Add the onion, garlic, and beets. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until the beets start to soften.

3

Finish cooking the vegetables:

Stir in the chard and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer, or until wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and cook about 2 minutes longer to combine all the flavors.

4

Cook the pasta:

While the chard cooks, add the pasta to the boiling water. Boil 3 to 4 minutes or until it’s not quite fully cooked (just before it’s al dente). Reserve about ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water, and then drain the pasta.

5

Finish the pasta:

Transfer the pasta to the pan with the vegetables along with the reserved cooking water. Increase the heat to medium, and cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until the pasta absorbs any liquid. Stir in half of both the Parmesan and the walnuts. Squeeze the juice of the whole lemon over the pasta.

6

Plate your dish:

Divide the pasta between 2 plates. Garnish with the remaining walnuts and Parmesan. Enjoy!