Lisa works full-time as a Pacs Administrator in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Guelph, ON Canada. Her love of animals and concern for their welfare has her finding this position very rewarding. She currently teaches private yoga classes part time and will often hold special events to help support local charities such as the Guelph Humane Society.
She continues to study and practice Prana Flow ® Vinyasa Yoga with mentor Shiva Rea and hopes to one day complete the 200 Hr teacher training program offered by Samudra School of Living Yoga. You can reach Lisa on Twitter here: @lisasyoga
“Life is full of infinite possibilities, make yours a reality”
Namaste.
Yetta: Namaste Lisa, can you begin by telling us how you started your journey with yoga?
Lisa: A best friend of mine introduced me to yoga about 15 years ago, he was practicing Ashtanga yoga at the time and wanted me to try it. I loved it right away and having such as great teacher was encouraging. Unfortunately the practice became too physically demanding so I opted for another style of yoga.
Over the next few years I experimented with Iyengar and Hatha yoga practices, which lead me into a teacher training program at Maha Pura Yoga Studio in 2011.
Yetta: What is your favourite yoga practice and how does it benefit your life?
Lisa: Good question, but so many choices! I mostly practice, Prana Flow® Vinyasa Yoga created by Shiva Rea and I’d say that my favourite practice is her Mandala Namaskar. I love the feeling of moving in all directions around a circle. I also enjoy the Elemental and Chakra series of namaskars.My practice usually varies depending on my current energetic state, where I’m at physically, emotionally, spiritually.
Yetta: What does Vinyasa Yoga have to give the world that is unique?
Lisa: Vinyasa is incorporated into many styles of yoga. The consistent flow of breath and movement helps to keep us aligned with our true nature in the flow on and off the mat. We get to tap into the energetic flow, pulses and rhythms of life as we practice vinyasa. We dance with this current as we flow from one asana into the next and are mindful of where we are. We learn to become fully present in every moment. It’s a very freeing and creative experience.
Yetta: According to you what are the greatest health benefits of Yoga?
Lisa: I’ve seen so many physical, emotional and spiritually beneficial results from practicing yoga. It truly is a unique experience for each person. Of course the physical benefits are plentiful and I could go on forever but I think one of the most important benefits comes from finding out who we really are, at our core as individuals. Discovering what we value most, listening to our heart-mind, what our offering is to our life and how we can take this energy and share it with the world.
Yetta: Important Yoga props and accessories you recommend for Yoga learner or beginner.
Lisa: I always insist on keeping a bolster, strap and a few blocks close by. Blankets can be useful too, especially on those chilly Winter nights when students want a warm and cozy Savasana!
Yetta: What advice would you give a well-practiced yogi to take their practice to the next level?
Lisa: Yoga practice in some styles work in “kramas” or stages that tend to get more challenging and allows the student to work at various levels. For someone with more experience who knows the key foundations of each pose, I’d tell them to try the next stage, be fearless but listen to their body, open slowly, back off if you need to. Sometimes less is more.
Yetta: What advice would you give yoga beginners to motivate themselves?
Lisa: Get out of the house and get to class! That’s the first and sometimes hardest thing to accomplish but when you do there is a higher chance that you will return.
Why not bring a friend to class with you as a fun night out?
Create a home practice with some DVD’s when you can’t make it out to a class.
Experiment with different classes, styles of yoga till you find that perfect fit.
Try at least one challenging pose per week. When you nail it give yourself a pat on the back, (or bowl of ice cream).
Most importantly, know that you do not have to be a strong, skinny, bendy person or Lululemon advertisement to practice yoga! Be Yourself, yoga is for everyone!
Do you want to share your yoga experience with our yoga lovers, Feel free to contact us here, We love to arrange Yoga interview with you and share on our official yoga blog.
YogaCurious,
Thanks so much for your interest and taking time to speak with me!
Namaste.