100 Club: Lisa

What does yoga mean to you?

Yoga is where I am fully present to my authentic self, where I ground my mind, where I explore my personal limits. It is a place where I feel free to be completely within myself while being connected to a greater sense of self. 

What drew you to the Shala and why did you stick around?

I was living in a vortex of YouTube yoga through the pandemic and I needed a community of practice. I love Newburgh having grown up here. When I found the Shala it was like divine intervention. Kismet. The expertise and discipline of the teachers and the positive and loving community have kept me here. 

What's one piece of advice you'd give someone new to yoga?

One of my first yoga teachers and a dear friend always said to me “It’s all play”. That stuck with me and when I am feeling distracted or in a challenging pose I come back to this to remind myself of the joy in the practice. It fills me with love every time. 

What's a fun random fact about you (not necessarily yoga related)?

I’m like, a phenological ninja. Last year I did over 8500 phenological observations here at Black Rock Forest. I’m a big hiker and trail runner so like to multitask and contribute to the National Phenology Network Database, which helps scientists track the impact of climate change on local areas through the study of plant cycles. 

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