MB:Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
SF: Hmmmm…. Be Here Now. I don’t want to sound complacent, but right where I am. I think I have spent a lot of time addicted to the future and living in those plans. And a lot of work on the yoga path has been to recognize that contentment is not the same thing as complacency. I’m kind of feeling like putting it into cruise control a little bit and just enjoying this and watching it grow instead of me exerting my will onto it. I’m more curious to see what direction all of this will take. Not only with Kula, but with my own life, and teaching. And I love writing and am working on a book. I think that might come with the territory, like all yoga teachers need to be working on a book. In all sincerity my heart is feeling the sharing of the teaching. So, I just want to continue to write and to teach. My vision of the studio wasn’t really to open a center to put my vision into, but to open a studio for the whole community. The studio should be an expression of the artistry of the collective rather than just one person’s ideas. It will be what people want it to be.
MB: What advice do you have for people who are starting yoga?
SF: A lot of things come to mind… My best advice for someone starting the yoga practice is to accept yourself, where you are and to be open to what you discover. You really have to give it some time, because I don’t think everybody finds immediate gratification. I think the spiritual path can be somewhat disruptive to our norm and it can take us out of our comfort zone. If our inclination is to flee from that discomfort we may miss out on the beautiful unfolding of our own soul. So I think there has to be a little bit of patience and commitment. And it’s hard to commit to something when we are first starting and we don’t know much about it. But if what we are really making is a commitment to be ourselves then that may give us the potential to stick with it. It’s also important to find the style and the teachers that you really connect with and that may be a sorting out process for a while. Try out different places as well, find where you feel at home. Then when you do, stay the course and don’t judge yourself. I think a lot of people, when they’re first starting this practice, are outcome driven. Postures are destinations instead of explorations. As are feelings and still minds. That’s just not the case. Meet yourself where you are and grow into where you’re not.
MB: Is there someone that you really admire that you have learnt a lot from? Someone that inspires you. Do you have a yoga mentor?
SF: Most definitely. My most influential yoga teachers have been my mom and my dad. And neither of them have been yoga teachers, but both of them are yoga teachers, you know what I mean? I feel such immense gratitude for the way that they raised me. My mom and her unconditionally loving heart, friendliness, kindness, compassion whose beautiful virtues on this path are held in the highest. My father for his capacity and direction to see the big picture in life, to not get caught in the current of whatever drives the psyche of a person at a certain phase of their life, to keep your eye on the whole scope of life and be willing to work for things that are meaningful to you. So, both of them, my mom’s heart and my dad’s mind really influenced me. My dad taught me the power of positive thinking and mom gave me “Many Lives Many Masters” which set these little seeds into my consciousness at a young age. I’m really thankful for their guidance.
There are of course “yoga teachers” that I have learned a lot from, but ultimately the biggest teacher is life. My challenges have spurred growth, inquiry and healing. They have forced me to really claim my truth amidst all the chaos. I don’t love the concept of teacher/student, it’s so hierarchical. The people we practice with, our community, and their sincere commitment to practice these teachings they really hold space for me. When I look around and I see people working together, it gives me a lot of strength, support and
MB: Is there anything else you want to add? Open page…
SF: There is something very beautiful that unfolds through the process of teacher training, an exquisite energetic exchange. I look back with such deep appreciation from my heart for the teacher training that I got to do. I’m so thankful. So, leading teacher training, after raising my kids, is the most blessed part of my life. I started teacher training before opening Kula. You get to be with people who are completely devoted to their path and really want to wake up. They are not just dropping in for a practice and heading home for the day. They are in if for an extended period of time and working through the sacred text and the conversations that emerge. The transformation that you witness and the trust that is instilled in you on their behalf, and vulnerability of that exchange and the empowerment that is birthed from it are all such tremendous gifts. To receive and be a part of other people’s lives, to see them stand in their power and to see the ripple effect of them going out their teaching is truly incredible. It is within the context of these trainings where my heart feels most at home.
Thank you, SCOTT, for taking the time to sit down with me, answer my questions, and share your thoughts.
there’s a lot of power in community.
MB: Is there anything else you want to add? Open page…
SF: There is something very beautiful that unfolds through the process of teacher training, an exquisite energetic exchange. I look back with such deep appreciation from my heart for the teacher training that I got to do. I’m so thankful. So, leading teacher training, after raising my kids, is the most blessed part of my life. I started teacher training before opening Kula. You get to be with people who are completely devoted to their path and really want to wake up. They are not just dropping in for a practice and heading home for the day. They are in if for an extended period of time and working through the sacred text and the conversations that emerge. The transformation that you witness and the trust that is instilled in you on their behalf, and vulnerability of that exchange and the empowerment that is birthed from it are all such tremendous gifts. To receive and be a part of other people’s lives, to see them stand in their power and to see the ripple effect of them going out their teaching is truly incredible. It is within the context of these trainings where my heart feels most at home.
Thank you, SCOTT, for taking the time to sit down with me, answer my questions, and share your thoughts.
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MANNABLISS
"If our inclination is to flee from that discomfort we may miss out on the beautiful unfolding of our own soul. So I think there has to be a little bit of patience and commitment."
- Darnelle Quinn