Great question! Mari had said in one of her classes that "yoga is not one size fits all" and in your latest workshop with Leslie Kaminoff he quoted a famous Architect, Louis H. Sullivan. "Form Follows Function".  These are such true statements for both Yoga and Architecture.  At the start of all building design I have a set of guidelines (codes, ordinances, etc.) that I have to (by law) design towards. These are not optional. It's for public health, safety and welfare. Similar to Yoga Asanas. Each pose starts with the base guidelines to get you safely into that pose.  Both Yoga and Architecture require a sturdy and supportive base to build on.  That is a fact. Then the fun part. Once you have confidence in the supportive form, then you can accentuate the aesthetics of it.   Every class I have been in the teacher will state something like "You can stay here, you are getting the full benefit of the posture" or you can choose to "level up" or bind, or do what your body feels it needs.  This is the next level in  Architecture, too.  That "level up" is now taking that fully functional  building form and making it aesthetically pleasing.   Each yogi and building are inherently unique in that they will NEVER be the same. They will NEVER look the same. They will NEVER perform the same. Their bone structures will NEVER be the same. They all have their own individual set of parameters that make them who/what they are from the base up and from the inside out.  This is what we build on in our practice.    The beauty follows in theuniqueness of the outcome, the final design, the achievable asana. I design spaces. We practice yoga to make space.  In the beginning I was tied to the thought that every pose had to be precise. The perfect form, the perfect angles, the perfect balance. That was not my correct way to look at it. I believe it took practice, experience and confidence to open  my eyes to yoga NOT being perfect and precise, because that doesn't exist unless every person is exactly the same. Every person's body is different. Every asana looks different. Embrace and appreciate the uniqueness of your body and what it can do for you.

SOMOS studio is full of welcoming and supportive people and a wonderful environment for personal growth and friendships.  Even in my first Hot Vinyasa class ever, I never felt like I didn't belong there. I may have been laying on my mat, breathless thinking these people are contortionists, but I felt welcome to come back and I did. Each time I came back I was given a little more guidance and always acceptance.   The teachers are all so knowledgeable and supportive.  That is what a community is about. A group that shares the same interests, fellowship, attitudes and supports and helps each other.  SOMOS works really hard to provide many ways for Yogi's of all levels to grow in their practice. Great workshops, fun sunrise and sunset locations, and their continuous growth with accompanying wellness facilities. I Love that we have this studio to experience and share our Love of yoga together!

Well, there's way more than one. Initially, I thought yoga was only a nice stretching workout. That was quite the eye opener when I decided to do the 200 hour YTT with Nellia.  I have such a higher and more profound respect for yoga teachers. Philosophy, Anatomy, Ethics, Asanas, Sanskrit, Meditation, Ayurvedic Eating, Dedication, and of course...LOVE of Yoga. I came to yoga because a friend invited me around 4 years ago. I kept coming back, but only about once every 3-4 months, then more frequently to every month, then once a week and that's when Nellia told me about her YTT. That was only a year ago. My YTT started in September of 2023.  I just graduated in May 2024.  So back to the question about the "one" surprising lesson... I'll say the breathing is what kept bringing me back. I couldn't do a Chaturanga Dandasana to save my life, but learning to slow down and control (or just focus) on my breath was a game changer. Not only in my asana practice, but in every aspect of my life. Work, kids, deadlines, laundry, stress. I would be walking around doing breathing exercises at the house and realized this has such a deeper affect on my state of mind and how I would handle challenges that were in my path. We all have challenges and that won't go away. Life is full of them.  I never thought the best way for me to gain back control of my reactions over the things that are out of my control was through Breath. Surprising! Slow inhale (4 seconds), hold at top, slow exhale (4 seconds), hold at bottom.  I'm still working up to Nellia's 7 seconds:)

This one is easy. It has and remains the Sleeping Pigeon (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)! Having a soccer background for 25 years, I had really tight hamstrings and hips and this asana was "unachievable" in my mind when I started practicing and learning about yoga. Now it's my favorite and everytime the teacher asks if we want any specific poses I always say half pigeon (Ardha Kapotasana).  I feel half pigeon and sleeping pigeon go hand in hand. Start in half to lengthen the spine and then fold. 6 breaths goes by way too fast. I love how this pose feels and I am proud that I can get my body in shape