Yoga Loka is proud to announce our new student and teacher of the month program. Through it you'll get to know a little more about our lovely Yoga Loka teachers than you might find in their bio. And it is always fun to get to know your fellow students.
This month we bring you ...
HOMETOWN
Proud Renoite, born and raised.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CLASSES?
My classes are a reflection of what I love about my own yoga practice: a coupling of precise movement and challenging effort. I love the balance of strength that yoga builds and the focus and effort it takes to be present in one's body. I love the revelation of presence that can occur when one realizes how the subtlest adjustments create more freedom in a pose.
HAPPINESS IS...
Acceptance. Finding the happiness in my life has not been a process of searching (well, at least not as much anymore) but one of looking inward and uncovering what is already and has always been there; knowing that there is nothing I can achieve or attain that will make me any more happy than I am already capable of being at any given moment.
ANY GREAT AMBER JESCH YOGA MOMENTS TO SHARE...(on or off the mat)
Well maybe not a "great" moment, but an important one: injuring my shoulder and my hamstring. I learned so much from these injuries that really helped me in my own body awareness: both what I am capable of and what my limitations are. The process of healing them also made me more aware as an instructor of how to help my students challenge themselves and play with their abilities but in as safe a manner as possible.
FAVORITE MUSIC TO PLAY IN CLASS...
I love lively music, most albums by Brent Lewis and his Soulfood jams, Dave Stringer, Wah!, and when I can, I try to implement beautiful, alternative, epic music by Jonsi of Sigur Ros.
FAVORITE MUSIC TO PLAY OUTSIDE OF CLASS...
Great musicians, catchy tunes, songs from my childhood, anything that inspires me…currently I am loving Diane Birch and Esperanza Spalding, amazing ladies with talent and voices that transcend musical generations and genres.
TEACHERS (yoga teachers or not) WHO INSPIRE YOU
The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, my parents, Charlie Lutes, Kim Orenstein, Jin Sung…thank you all…so much.
BEST AFTER YOGA SNACK
Snack? I like a whole meal of Thai food, specifically, a yellow curry with avocado and some veggie egg rolls.
FAVORITE POSE
Well, my passion for back-bending aside, happy-baby pose has become one of my best friends. It's one of the few safe forward bends I can do (owing to the ole hamstring injury) but the more I practice it, the more deeply I feel it unwinding the inner depths of my hamstrings and hips.
OFF-THE-MAT PASSIONS
Traveling to foreign countries and learning foreign languages, spending time with my beloved, my family, my dogs, and my friends, and enjoying being active and lazy outdoors in the sunshine.
POEM
All nature is but art, unknown to thee,
All chance, direction which thou canst not see,
All discord, harmony not understood,
All partial evil, universal good,
And spite of pride, in erring reason's spite,
One truth is clear, whatever is, is right.
~Alexander Pope
HOMETOWN
Born in Omega, Ga (Georgia Peach) but raised in Winter Haven, Fl (Florida Cracker).
WHAT INSPIRED ME TO START A YOGA PRACTICE
I was inspired to start a yoga practice after attending a series of yoga classes with Kim Orenstein at UNR. Kim's knowledge of yoga, the body, the mind, the breath, and the connection they have inspired me.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO CONTINUE YOUR PRACTICE
The positive changes I felt from the beginning and continue to feel: improved alignment, flexibility, breathing and health. I continue to grow and learn in my yoga practice. Yoga also introduced me to meditation which helps me to go inside myself and to stay focused.
TEACHERS WHO INSPIRE YOU
Kim Orenstein inspired me from the beginning and continues. In addition I have been inspired by Denise Barclay, Katie Louvat, and Kim Allcock.
IDEAL SUNDAY
An ideal Sunday starts with my yoga practice, followed by breakfast. The day may be spent relaxing at home with a good book or spending time with family and friends.
4 THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY
1) Yoga
2) Family and Friends
3) Interacting and helping people, 4) Walking, hiking and gardening.
FAVORITE POSE
I don't have one favorite pose but twists, back bends (heart openers), head stand and shoulder stand are my favorites.
OFF THE MAT PASSIONS
To carry the benefits I receive on the mat off the mat and to help others.
SUPER HERO TALENT
If I have a Super Hero Talent, I must have misplaced it.
MANTRAS?, HAI KU? WORDS OF WISDOM?
Those of you beginning your yoga practice and those of you who have been practicing stay with your practice. You will continue to grow and learn, and the benefits will be amazing especially as you get older.