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Flow honors the wisdom and creativity of our teachers and their diverse training in accredited programs. Each one brings years of experience joined with passion, soul and a deep commitement to their teaching and personal practice. Each quarter Flow highlights a special teacher.
Teacher Spotlights
 Leah Kalinosky
Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are. – Chinese Proverb.
One of the reasons I developed a more regular yoga practice and eventually became a teacher was because of a hip injury and the subsequent surgery I had to correct it. I had started dancing as an adult, something that I had wanted to do since I was a child. I loved it. But despite having an adult’s perspective on my limitations and the tradeoffs that would have been involved in dancing as a younger person, I still felt a sense of competition (and comparative inferiority) with respect to the younger, more limber, more accomplished dancers who surrounded me in classes. My injury only reinforced my sense of inferiority, making me feel like my body wasn’t up to the challenge. Eventually the interplay of insecurity and competitiveness began to detract from my enjoyment of dancing.
So when I began practicing yoga regularly after having tried it off and on for years, it was partly with a sense of relief at not having to achieve anything. I loved the healing environment of the classes that I took, the soothing voices of the instructors, and the permission to let go and quit aiming for something.
But when I began teaching, a little competition began to creep back in. I wanted to be as cool as the other teachers, to have interesting class sequences that would bring the students back. In my head I was competing, once again, with a crowd with much more experience. I began to notice the proliferation of edgy yoga classes that seemed to emphasize achievement of incredible feats of flexibility and strength, and felt acutely inept in comparison.
I promptly developed a nasty case of sacroiliac pain – probably partly due to the imbalance of flexibility in my hips, but also caused, I am quite sure, by trying to push myself too far in an attempt to fit my notions of what a yoga teacher should be. Each morning I would wake up and hobble to the bathroom, bent over in pain, feeling like my body had betrayed me. It began to feel like the yoga studio wasn’t a safe and welcoming place anymore, and I felt resentful and doubtful about yoga in general. Mostly, I had a nagging feeling that I just didn’t belong – like the place where I had come to seek comfort was rejecting me.
Some people argue that the forms of yoga that have become popular in the U.S. are a natural expression of yoga in our culture. Yoga for intense, driven people becomes intense. The result can sometimes be a competitive environment. While healthy competition can be a great vehicle for challenging ourselves and helping us overcome our obstacles, too much competition can lead to injuries and can leave people feeling intimidated.
Where does that leave those of us who aren’t always looking for a big rush or milestone, but who want a place of contemplation and gentle challenges? Where does that leave students with injuries or chronic pain, who need a steady but less intense practice? After all, isn’t yoga supposed to be about what is right for you or me, versus how you compare to me?
For some of us, it becomes the perfect opportunity to get in touch with yogic concepts like Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satya (truth, or being true to one’s self). Are we willing to let go of our judgments about ourselves and others and just be with ourselves in the moment? Can we treat our bodies with respect and honor our limitations, rather than pushing into an area of pain and injury?
It also becomes the perfect opportunity to acknowledge that yoga is not separate from everyday life. As David Swenson pointed out in a recent Yoga Journal article, “a mistake we all make is to think that the world of yoga will be any different from the rest of the world.” He also points out that “yoga tends to amplify who we are,” so if you bring a competitive attitude to the mat, you will probably become more competitive. Likewise, if you are convinced of your shortcomings, you will become very good at seeing them in everything you do.
I recently heard a teleconference with Susie Hately Aldous, who describes two ways to approach your practice – one is to focus on a specific asana, with the intent of getting into, improving, or deepening a the pose; the other is to focus on bringing balance to the body, asking yourself where and what you are trying to unwind, expand, or bring lightness or strength to, and use this information to inform the particular asana or other technique you will use.
By thinking of my practice in this second way, I start to move out of those lingering feelings of competitiveness and insecurity. By focusing on balance, I find that some days I need to treat my back gently, avoiding deep twists and backbends, and other days I’m ready for something more intense. My practice, when I am true to this idea of balance, becomes the therapy I need to heal and strengthen my body and to build my self confidence, rather than another way to compare myself to others.
Over time I have found my way into the classes of teachers who focus on alignment, balance and injury prevention. I have found my way as a teacher to a style of teaching that is relatively gentle. And I’m finding a sense of belonging in a certain part of the yoga community because I’m beginning to realize that, for now anyway, the place where I belong is the place where I can continue to heal my body, and find ways to help students feel good in theirs.
Gail Harris
How do you find your flow?
By suspending judgments and comparisons; then my mind is free to experience movement and breath.
Why yoga?
That's sort of a funny story. I was about to test for my brown belt in karate; the teacher lined all the students up and one by one had us spar with him. He proceeded, in turn, to hurt each of us. I left and never went back. A couple of days later I heard about someone teaching "free" yoga classes. I went three times a week for two years (I was attending the University of Maryland at the time) until Chandra, my yoga teacher, told me it was time I took the Teacher Training; that was in 1976 and I haven't looked back.
What is your favorite Yoga Pose?
Marichyasana B. It's been my favorite for some time. I love the way if relaxes my spine and neck, makes me feel supported and peaceful.
What is next in your practice/teaching?
I'm feeling like I am finally "back - 16 months out from my final treatment for breast cancer; chemotherapy and radiation. It's taken some time to build my strength back up and now that I have, I'm teaching more, practicing more, and starting to work with the Ashtanga Second Series. In terms of teaching, I regularly try to spend some time with senior Ashtanga teachers. This year I'll travel to New York in May to see Pattabhi Jois, and I hope to spend some time with Dena Kingsburg, perhaps in Bali!
Aside from teaching yoga, what other activities fill your life?
My husband, Lloyd, of 19 years, and our two daughters; Eva 17 and Clare 14. I also help run a family business with my sister. We do typesetting and signage, mostly for museums and trade shows, that sort of thing.
What are you most proud of?
My daughters. Though very different, one from the other, both are kind and caring individuals. I'm very excited to see where life takes them.
What is your personal mantra/motto?
I hope this doesn't sound too brash, but: "Get Over Yourself!"
What do you most admire in others?
Honesty, loyalty, and a sense of humor.
What is your idea of earthly happiness?
A warm sunny day on my back porch, a good book and time.
 Laura Zam
How do you find your flow?
Flow, for me, is a remembrance of two things: my personal truth, and my connection to the fabric of all life. To find this flow, I need absurd amounts of spaciousness in my day: to take long baths; think about my life; practice yoga, of course; write; study the sky as it changes...
Why yoga?
My body likes it. My mind likes it. My spirit likes it. I crave it these days. It's a good craving...
What is your favorite Yoga Pose?
Lately I'm in love with twists. I start my practice, by the way, with the poses I love. This helps to abate the initial resistance I have to moving my body, which is still a part of my practice after all these years.
What is next in your practice/teaching?
Arm balances: pinchamayurasana (peacock pose), adho mukha vrkshasana (hand stand), koundinayasana (pose dedicated to the sage Koundinya)...These gravity-defying feats are great for developing focus and strength.
Aside from teaching yoga, what other activities fill your life?
I'm a writer and performance artist with a specialty in one-person plays. The performance part is a lot like yoga -- it's very much about presence. I suppose you could say that I'm interested in intersections between language and the body. My work is strange, funny, dark...a lot like me.
What are you most proud of?
Creating exactly the life that I want.
What is your personal mantra/motto?
If your days are wonderful, your life is wonderful. Life, at its essence, is a collection of days.
What do you most admire in others?
Kindness and the ability to be truly present with others
What is your idea of earthly happiness?
I think true happiness comes from giving love. One has to feel like they are the recipient of love, however, before they can open their heart. It sounds simple, but it's not.
 Angela Cerkevich
How do you find your flow?
By connecting. I really believe it’s very important to connect with other people in times of joy and sorrow. I try to stay connected to nature by allowing myself to be occasionally swept away by its beauty. I try to stay connected and up to date with world events through the media and discussion with others. And of course, by reconnecting with myself and my core each time I hit the yoga mat.
Why yoga?
Not too long ago I made a promise to myself to live my life as a happy person. I took a long look at all the things I had my hands in over the years and all the paths I was able to take at that time. I asked myself, “what could I do that would make me most happy and provide me with a means to live?” Yoga feels good, it's healthy, positive and you can experience its effects in all realms of life. Why wouldn’t I do something so wonderful?
What is your favorite Yoga Pose?
It always changes. I’d say right now it’s full Natarajasana, with my arms over my head and lifting my foot toward to sky. I love it because it stretches so much at one time. The whole front of my body (heart center, rib cage, groin, quadriceps ) is elongated and opened. Also, the pose requires a strong sense of balance and I’ve always struggled with that so I’m proud to be able to hold it for a bit.
What is next in your practice/teaching?
More training. That’s really it. I just want to continue to learn as much as possible. Lately, I’ve been drawn to Anusara yoga, so that’s where I’ll probably go to for training next.
Aside from teaching yoga, what other activities fill your life?
I spend a good bit of my week giving Thai bodywork and I intend to continue to train in that as well. I can often be found hanging around with various furry and feathery friends as I do a fair amount of pet sitting too. I’ll try just about anything new and am always up for a good adventure so if I haven’t done it yet, I’ll probably try and do it eventually.
What are you most proud of?
Seeing some of my plans for my life come to fruition probably gives me the most pride.
What is your personal mantra/motto?
The universe is kind.
What do you most admire in others?
Achievement in the midst of difficulty. Also the ability to remain truthful with other people and one’s self. Speaking the truth is one of the things I’m constantly working on, so I really appreciate it in others.
What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Being carefree. Having the ability to dedicate some time to not worrying about accomplishing, achieving or completing. Having the freedom to run around naked and explore this earth and it’s beauty in all it’s endless variety and vastness.
 Jill Ableson
How do you find your flow?
By not thinking too much.
Why yoga?
When I first moved to Washington, right after college, my then-dance teachers had us practice yoga before our regular class on Sundays. They were following (I later realized) the Sivananda Companion to Yoga. Eventually, 30 years of ballet gave way to yoga practice which -- when I got deeper into it -- reminded me a lot of my earliest spiritual experiences, and the constant questioning of who I am and where I came from. So yoga opened up spiritual doors for me again, but also was a very rewarding physical experience, as well.
What is your favorite Yoga Pose?
I've never had a favorite pose. The pose that has become my new "friend" is headstand. There were a million lessons in headstand for me - - most of which didn't dawn until 2005.
What draws you to Jivamukti Yoga?
About 7-8 years ago, I wandered into my first Jivamukti class in NYC, upon a friend's recommendation. If you've ever been, it's an incredible experience, mystical almost. I loved everything about it, without really knowing what it was all about. The asana was incredible, the music, but also all the ancient teachings were right there in front of you -- transmitted in a very modern way. So I went again and again, like a pilgrammage, and did a bunch of other TTs along the way, with many great teachers, but finally found my way to Sharon and David. Everything I did before my Jivamukti certification, in 2005, had led me to that point.
What is next in your practice/teaching?
Well, I'm trying to practice as much as I can, so one day I can do rotated side angle pose! And then, of course, keep studying and studying the teachings, and learning what they have to say. I read yoga stuff almost constantly, when I'm not reading the New Yorker. And spend as much time with Sharon and David as possible, and support the growth of the NY center - - that's a priority for me right now. As far as teaching, I have the best examples -- my teachers and my friends -- so I try to transmit their wisdom as authentically as I can. My new year's resolution is to get back into a meditation practice, even for just a little bit of time each week. Meditation is the Jivamukti's Focus of the Month for January...it really does help me refine my thinking, and stop thinking too much. I don't feel so scattered, when I set aside time to just watch and distill my thoughts, and slow things down.
Aside from teaching yoga, what other activities fill your life?
I work for US EPA on global warming issues, with an amazing group of colleagues -- so dedicated and fun. I love my job.What are you most proud of?
My husband. He's a very humble guy, but is #4 on the bhumika scale, which means, he's already on step 4 of 7 (toward enlightenment)...so, very far along. He thinks I'm kidding, but it's true. He's wise, funny, patient, smart and handsome. Jeff's dedicated his whole career to protecting the environment.
What do you most admire in others?
Honesty, a sense of humor, down-to-earthiness.
What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Hanging out with my dog.
 Angela Ingram
How do you find your flow?
I actually find my flow by dancing. Which gives me understanding about the flow of life. Dance allows me to see that what happens outside can and will happen on the inside of my body. That forces me to find a balance in my life.
Why Dance?
Dance is the language I use to talk to God.
What is your favorite style of Dance.
I don't have a favorite style or technique of dance. My favorite thing about dance is the discipline it allows me to express myself more freely.
What is you next practice/teaching.
I have a strong desire to train and teach in many traditions. Pulling the together the technical and folkloric roots of many cultures.
What are you most proud of.
My mother recently made her transition and I have to say I'm most proud of being the daughter of my parents. The love and devotion they show to each other as well as the courage and tools they gave me to see life through my eyes and not the eyes of others.
Aside form teaching dance, what other activities fill your life.
Reading, family, friends, living life.
What is you personal mantra/motto
It's one my mother has said you me. You are a child of the most divine -- please move through life knowing this.
What do you admire in others.
Courage and dignity.
What is you idea of earthly happiness.
Being love, giving love and being a peace with the process of life.
What are you most proud of.
I am most proud of my finance and daughter whose love and devotion help me to continue in the tradition taught to us by both of our parents.
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