Alia Khan; How a Recovering Lawyer becomes a studio owner

Alia Khan and I conducted this interview at Wanderlust in Snowshoe, WV. She is a yoga teacher and owns a yoga studio in Washington D.C. She found herself in the business of yoga after becoming dissatisfied with her job as an attorney. The motivation came from understanding the difference between being comfortable and being happy.… Continue reading Alia Khan; How a Recovering Lawyer becomes a studio owner

How a Marine Corp vet found healing through yoga. Interview with Justin Blazejewski

Justin Blazejewski joined the Marine Corp after high-school. He transitioned to a contractor, working in IT. His normal coping methods of dealing with stress were very physical such as marathons and lifting weights. He went to a yoga class after a few injuries and significant pressure from a friend. He was hooked after his first… Continue reading How a Marine Corp vet found healing through yoga. Interview with Justin Blazejewski

Arianne Traverso; Teacher, Studio Owner & Business Coach

On a whim, Ari took a yoga class in college and was immediately obsessed. For the first few years, her life was eclectic and varied, but her yoga practice was constant. Her first teaching experience came out of the blue; her teacher told her one day that she was leading the class. Only after that… Continue reading Arianne Traverso; Teacher, Studio Owner & Business Coach

Interview with Tracey Alysson who tells of her pilgrimage in Tibet.

Tracey Alysson, Ph.D. Pilgrim A Kora is a type of meditative practice and a type of pilgrimage. A Kora is performed by someone making a clockwise circumambulation around a sacred site or object, typically as part of a pilgrimage, ceremony, celebration or ritual. In 2006, Tracey Alysson conducted a Kora around Mount Kailash; a sacred… Continue reading Interview with Tracey Alysson who tells of her pilgrimage in Tibet.

Amy Impellizzeri – Festival Organizer and Van Dweller

Amy Impellizzeri Festival Director and Nomad Amy lives in a van with her husband. They have been travelling the U.S., teaching as they go for almost 2 years. In our conversation, she talks about some of the joys and challenges of this lifestyle. Her experience in and after college, managing dance performances prepared her to… Continue reading Amy Impellizzeri – Festival Organizer and Van Dweller

Bassam Kubba – Yoga Teacher, Spiritual Seacher, Refugee

Bassam grew up in Iraq. When the situation there became too dangerous, he and his family moved out of the country. He moved around the middle east, living in various countries illegally for about 7 years, doing various jobs. During that time, he was seeking legal, immigrant status but he was a low priority. At one point he learned that he would have an easier time finding asylum if he acknowledges his homosexuality, because of the threats of violence and potential death in that part of the world. Soon after, he was living in New York City.

When he was introduced to yoga, it looked like a religion to him, which conflicted with his religion of birth. Over time, he decided that the stories of India can be inspirational and they guided his inner search.

Jean-Jacques Gabriel – Artist, Social Activist and Yoga teacher of color

Jean-Jacques Gabriel Artist, Social Activist and Teacher of Color Warning: this interview contains occasional profanity. Jean-Jacques Gabriel is a yoga practitioner of color, an artist and a teacher of many disciplines. He was born in Haiti, grew up in the suburbs of DC and move to Philadelphia in order to go to art school which… Continue reading Jean-Jacques Gabriel – Artist, Social Activist and Yoga teacher of color

Matt Giordano – Traveling Yoga Teacher, Handstand Coach and Musician

Matt Giordano Traveling Yoga Teacher, Handstand Coach and Musician Early in his life, Matt Giordano found focus and passion through creative outlets; primarily through art, specifically music. He found peace of mind first in meditation, and then, in the asana practice. Accidentally, he found himself teaching a small group of friends and those events grew… Continue reading Matt Giordano – Traveling Yoga Teacher, Handstand Coach and Musician