Heart Full

Sybel has been a compelling force in my life. I’ve learned a lot from her. Everything from how to keep it together in the face of calamity, and that it’s OK to bring your yoga mat to work, and drink wheat grass. You won’t just find her on Wall St. She’s soon to be featured on CBS, so stay tuned!

NYC Yogini: How long have you been doing yoga?

Sybel: I only count the last five years because that’s when I got serious about ashtanga.

NYC Yogini: What kind of yoga were you doing before?

Sybel: Gym yoga… you know the stretching you do BEFORE you work out. (insert embarrassed smile)

NYC Yogini: So what made you decide to get serious?

Sybel: The whole philosophy made sense to me, it resonated. Ashtanga is the same sequence of poses all the time, and at that point in my life it was the only consistency I could count on.

NYC Yogini: (impressed) Well said! Maybe I should try ashtanga again, it’s just you know… THE BINDS!

Sybel: (Dubious) Ah-hah, you know how I feel about that.

NYC Yogini: (Guiltily) YES! OK so, what pose are you practicing now?

Sybel: Kapotasana!

NYC Yogini: How long have you been practicing yoga?

Rob: 1 month

NYC Yogini: Do you have a studio you usually practice at?

Rob: New York Sports Club — Mercer St and Madison

NYC Yogini: How did you get started in yoga?

Rob: I was going through a stressful period, and it helped me deal with it.

NYC Yogini: How did it help you deal?

Rob: It helped me not think about it. The class is BRUTAL (insert bulging eyes), I sweat more in it than any cardio! Afterwards my mind just goes blank and I can relax.

NYC Yogini: Do you have a pose you’re working on now?

Rob: Handstand! And I’m so close! I just got the tripod head stand … that was pretty cool.

It certainly is pretty cool.

For Mother’s Day festivities and bonding, my aunt Mila and decided to do candle light Yoga at Yoga Vida — (sorry for the candlelit shot folks). It was a luxurious class, providing just the right mix of pep and relaxation. We couldn’t wait to talk to the teacher afterwards, and was shocked to discover that it was none other than one of Yoga Vida’s founders.

NYC Yogini: So how long have you been studying yoga?

Hilaria: (thinks for a minute) 6 years.

NYC Yogini: (unbelievably) SIX years?! That’s not that long.

Hilaria: I had a background in dancing and gymnastics.

NYC Yogini: I see, so what brought you to yoga?

Hilaria: Well …I guess it was my dance career that brought me to yoga. Dancing isn’t so healthy or kind to your body. So I wanted to counter some of the effects. Also, dancing is very competitive … at least the dancing I was doing was competitive, and yoga isn’t about competition it’s accepting, and still has the movement…

NYC Yogini: Do you teach anywhere else?

Hilaria: Nope. Just here. Michael and I opened (Yoga Vida) together.

NYC Yogini: Any pose you’re working on?

Hilaria: Actually, (smiling ruefully) I’m still recovering from my hip surgery (December), so I guess you can say I’m practicing ALL the poses.

NYC Yogini:  – for the second time in the last 30 seconds–” NOWAY!”

A great example of how yoga can heal and lead your life. Very inspiring.

My Aunt Mila has been an inspiring role model to me for as long as I can remember. So it seems fitting that on the week of Mother’s Day I profile her. She’s kept up a strong practice of mindful eating, regular exercise, and valuable nutrition for decades. And it’s paid off, you would never guess how old she is. I won’t reveal it here. But just about everyone we meet thinks we’re sisters. In fact the realtor at the Oro, broke out laughing when I said “she’s like my mom“, still recovering she said “oh for a second i thought you said she WAS your mom!” I said “No … but she is old enough to “realistically” be my mom“, her eyes bulged.

NYC Yogini: How long have you been practicing yoga?

Mila: Well .. I’ve tried it for years but I wouldn’t say “practicing”… I would say the last 6 months I’ve been doing it regularly.

NYC Yogini: What do you find are some of the benefits to yoga?

Mila: Physically I’ve become more flexible, my posture is better, and it’s given me more energy. Mentally  – it’s made me calmer, like I’m able to finally take a breath.

NYC Yogini: Any poses you’re practicing?

Mila: I’m not practicing a specific pose but I’m always trying to improve my downdog. Because it’s a position I’m not use to — upside down.

Wise words from Mother knows best. Down dog IS an inversion. Mental check.