Heart Full

There are some people in this world who glow naturally, and then there’s Lisa. She’ll make any one have a better day, because she’s genuinely friendly, and actually DOES want to hear about your day. This is all before she took up yoga, so you can only imagine what she’s like now. Combine that image with a melodic British accent and their wit. Uniquely Lisa.

NYC Yogini: So how long have you done yoga?

Lisa: Less than one year over a period of many years! (there’s that wit)

NYC Yogini: What brought you to yoga?

Lisa: It was actually a friend of mine that introduced me. I do a lot of running so I kind of need it.

NYC Yogini: Do you have a favorite studio?

Lisa: Kripalau! it is the nicest place I’ve been to (far away look).

NYC Yogini: Are you working on any poses now?

Lisa: Well, I’m still a beginner so I don’t know all the poses very well. But (excited) for the first time in class the other day I managed to balance my elbows on my knees! I tell you what though, I aspire to do handstand, and really hold it.

NYC Yogini: me too. me too!

Starting a new trend, we’re taking nycyogini to the streets to get up close and personal with some of the city’s yoginis. This week, I’ve profiled one of the yogini’s i admire the most, Yadana. Her practice is nothing less than ethereal, and her infectious enthusiasm for life is contagious. It is impossible to frown around her.

NYC Yogini: How Long Have you been practicing Yoga?:
Yadana pauses and silently counts before decisively answering, “15 years!”.
NYC Yogini: Wow, that’s a long time! How did you get started?
Yadana: Smiling impishly, “I use to watch my mother when I was young, and I tried following her poses.”
NYC Yogini: So, how did you like the class we just had at Yoga Vida?
Yadana: The instruction was good — clear, and I appreciated the bi-lateral assists. Many instructors forget, but it’s important.
NYC Yogini: Do you have a favorite studio?
Yadana: Wisely shakes her head, “No .. no. It has to do with the instructor and how you’re feeling that day. For example, when I went to Yoga Local, it wasn’t the most intense class but I loved it, it was exactly what I needed that day. Deep, relaxing and restorative.”
NYC Yogin: And are you working on a pose now?
Yadana: No, wait actually (excited) yes! I’ve started working on it after I went to Kula’s flight school. I .. err.. i just don’t remember the name. It’s when you’re in a tripod headstand but your legs are in Lotus to the side.
NYC Yogini: Oh… that’s like called, “impossible”.

I’ve always been stingy with my yoga clothes. I sweat in them after all, and besides being stretchy and “pretty basic” in terms of appearance I didn’t have many more requirements. Not that I haven’t looked. I’ve longingly perused Lululemon, marveling at all the goodies they come up with to put in their clothes. I’ve also rifled through the sales bins in yoga studios, and inspected their racks. I rinse and repeat this just about every 3rd time I visit a studio. But I’m always dejected after seeing the price tag, and couldn’t make the leap to actually justify the often $75+ pants that I would just sweat in for an hour and a half. Besides, I told myself, how much of a difference could it make? I’ve recently discovered thanks to the generosity of the people at Hyde Yoga that it does make a difference.
(more…)