Yoga is a Bodymind Science, an interview

Wisdom Yogini Valarie Devi teaches regular classes at Hamsa Yogashala in Gwinnett County, Georgia. There, she demonstrates the practice and application of Yoga and concentration. In all, she teaches that Yoga is a bodymind science that uses poses, deep breathing and focus to cope with the stress of everyday life.

Here, Yogini Valarie answers some frequently asked Yoga questions.

Q: What is your role at Hamsa Yogashala?

A: Teaching Yoga for physical and mental health. I do this through regular Yoga classes, Yoga Therapy - which is a form of massage and holistic life practice - and living a life of peace and balance, so that others may see that they too can have joy and happiness.

Q: What makes Hamsa Yogashala different from other studios?

A: I teach traditional Hatha Yoga in its original sense, as both a physical and spiritual discipline and practice. I teach that both must be in balance, after all, it is difficult for us to grow - to realize our true potential - when we are ill or suffer physical or mental pain.

Q: What are your students seeking when they come to your classes?

A: Right now, they are very concerned about the economy, which is creating stress and restlessness in their lives.

Q: How does a Yogini help someone through a bad economy?

A: I set an example for them so that they can understand that, if you want to continue to get what you have been getting, then continue to do what you have been doing. There is a great deal that we can learn from the current economy .. such as gratitude .. for we have the intelligence and opportunity to change, then accept that change to embrace the next opportunity. This is the wholeness of Yoga.

Q: So, if someone is concerned about losing their job, how is coming to a Yoga class going to help that?

A: Yoga is self-help. It is looking for the next possibility with grace, strength and balance. Like so many things, this takes discipline and practice .. which is why we come to Yoga class, to learn these things. To face our reality - our self - then grow and become stronger for it.

Q: I've never met a Yogini before. I have known Yoga teachers, but not a real Yogini. What does that mean?

A: When I was three years old I told my mother that I wanted to "live a life of prayer". Before I was born, my grandmother had several dreams about me. She related on several occasions, while my mother was pregnant, that I would be born "with a fire in the head", and that I was protected by "a fierce warrior woman". I was raised in a family that embraced many world religions, so from an early age I studied these. My Yoga studies began at the age of eleven when I came upon the teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. Because his teaches so deeply influenced me, I often consider him as my kulagura, or family teacher. Because of his words, it wasn't long before I was reading the Bhagavad Gita, the Bhagavata Purana and the Ramayana. In all, I have dedicated my life to Yoga, Yoga Therapy, and the divine Mother. Throughout my life I have traveled .. living in ashrams in monestaries, in communes or just walking the path before me, as I did while in India.

Q: What did you do for money?

A: I do not travel as a tourist, but as a sacred pilgram. This is part of the Yogic tradition, even before I learned this, I naturally accepted this lifestyle.

Q: Can you explain about enlightenment? Like, what where you doing when it first happened to you?

A: I have had innumberable moments of spiritual ecstasy. The earliest memory I have is when I was three. I was playing in an open field, not far from my grandparents home, when a dark storm cloud appeared on the horizon. It quickly grew in strength, blackening the sky. The backdrop of dark churning clouds against a summer blue sky, of cool moisture and electricity against the smell of fresh hay and warm air caused me to become wholly absorbed so that I lost outward consciousness and experienced ineffable power and joy.

Q: So you, as a Yogini, teach Yoga and meditation? What do other Yogins do?

A: I simply share what I have learned along the way. The other Yogins I know - like Yogi Bharata and Yogi Ram Das - do the same.

Q: Are you engaged in any charity work?

A: Yes, I am. First, I offer free Healing Yoga classes at Hamsa Yogashala. Then I give my energy to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which uses public information to protect public health and the environment. My grandmother always told me, "To be aware, we must also beware."
http://www.ewg.org/

Q: Why would someone take Yoga at your studio, why not a gym?

A: My students come for physical health and mental wellbeing. They never leave empty-handed.
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About Yogini Valarie Devi:
She is a recognized and respected Yogini, and has been called a "teacher's teacher". Throughout her life, she has been compelled to manifest the deeply spiritual heritage of Yoga, to experiment and play with Yoga, to bring her students back to their natural breath, to heal, to meditate, to chant, and to live Tantra and Yoga everday.