Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Dobosiewicz.
Sarah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Yoga was first introduced to me when traveling abroad many years ago. But I didn’t start regularly practicing until a few years later and when I did it was with more of an athletic intention. I was studying occupational therapy in Pennsylvania at the time and found myself struggling to balance a busy schedule while maintaining personal health and fitness goals. I began my journey by attending hot yoga vinyasa classes a few times a week. I enjoyed the convenience of being able to get in a good sweat while simultaneously stretching and giving my mind a break. For a while, I flowed through classes without much conscious awareness. I’ve always been active so most of the classes I attended weren’t challenging from a physical standpoint. I even walked out in the middle of a few classes before I found an instructor and style that resonated with me. It took a while for the light to illuminate, deepening my awareness of the power of my breath. In classes, I always followed the instructor’s cues matching my breath with movement but never really felt the connection or the importance. That all changed one day when an instructor opened my mind to the bandhas and began class by leading breath of fire. This was the moment I truly felt a connection to my breath deep within my diaphragm, a powerful electrifying sensation flooding me with each inhale and exhale. With each breath, I could physically feel it entering and exiting my body, diving into uncharted depths of my lungs. A light radiated deep within me and a fiery sensation rose to the surface. It was as if I could breathe for the first time, and in many ways it was. So with my growing awareness and eagerness to learn more I immersed myself in books, workshops and trainings. I knew these were the steps needed to further expand my understanding and align with my heart centered purpose.
Teaching was not really as aspect on my radar when I first began this journey, all I knew was that I wanted to learn and practice more to further support my health and spiritual growth. When I moved to San Diego in 2014 my heart blossomed wide open. I started working as an occupational therapist at a children’s hospital and it didn’t take me long to realize the benefits of introducing yoga and mindfulness to children of all ages and abilities. I immediately felt deep within my soul that this was something much bigger, more empowering than anything I’ve experienced thus far. I knew I was called to bridge the connection between occupational therapy and yoga for this community. So I again immersed myself in books and completed a multi-level kids yoga training with a focus on supporting autism and special needs. Since then I’ve been living in sync with my dharma. Teaching yoga and mindfulness, being a pediatric occupational therapist, etc. has all enhanced my deep connection to my inner child and made me a more playful, kind and patient human. Teaching reminds me to slow down and tune into myself so that I may show up as my best self in a creative, loving and inspiring way. Simply put, I teach to hold a safe space for others and I love what I do.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We all face challenges but it is how we embrace and respond to them that tells us the truth about ourselves. Like many, I struggle daily with keeping balance and taking time for self-care. As a Taurus and a Pitta, I have a lot of fiery heart centered passions. Yoga reminds me to speak and act with grace and softness. To go with the flow and follow my intuition. I also struggle daily with sensory processing challenges. For me this means I register stimuli perceived by my senses at a higher frequency than most putting my nervous system into high alert. I tend to get overwhelmed easily but through my yoga practice, I am reminded to slow down and breathe, to focus and be present in the moment so that I may better show up for myself and others even in times of difficulty. Yoga has taught me to embrace the challenges rather than resist them. To become conscious of my inner responses to the external world. To be aware of the power of my breath and embrace my unique journey.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Where to find me: Currently, I work full time as an occupational therapist at a children’s hospital focusing on feeding and swallowing disorders, as well as bringing yoga and mindfulness to children and caregivers of all ages and abilities. Within this setting, I more recently started providing yoga and mindfulness to adolescents and teens with varying levels of chronic pain. Outside of the hospital, you can find me teaching at a few studios in San Diego: Hapa Yoga in Mission Valley and Nature’s Whisper Yoga in University Heights where I love teaching kids yoga and prenatal classes. I also teach vinyasa classes, provide private sessions, family sessions, community events like birthday parties, home school groups, park yoga, and more. Otherwise, you’ll find me making connections within the community to fuel my intention of empowering children and students of all ages and abilities, as well as their families, to let their inner light shine by providing yoga in a fun, educational and safe way to promote and support health, happiness, peace and love. I love teaching outdoors and partnering with others to create fun workshops and events. What is life without building connections fueled by laughter, love and playful experiences? Off the mat you’ll find me traveling, paddle boarding, hiking, reading, chasing waterfalls and watching sunsets.
What I am most proud of: I am proud of my awareness and growth thus far, and for my understanding and acceptance that there is much more to be unveiled. For following my intuition and creatively linking a few of my passions together to better serve myself and others.
What sets me apart from others: I think my passion and experience sets me apart from others. Bringing yoga and mindfulness to others is something I do out of pure love and joy, not as a job or for money. I have over 400 hrs of teacher training experience and am certified to teach kids yoga, prenatal yoga and vinyasa. Additionally, I have special training in yoga and mindfulness for autism and chronic pain. I’ve also been a pediatric occupational therapist for over 7 years working with children and families of varying ages and diagnoses. In holding space and providing these services I find peace and love, happiness and contentment.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I do not necessarily have any big plans or changes coming up. I simply want to live each day aligned with my heart centered values. I want to continue to grow both personally and professionally to live a happy and healthy lifestyle. I will continue to foster the connection between occupational therapy and yoga to bring client centered services to children and families of all ages and abilities. In addition, I will continue my travel adventures and strive to greet each moment with grace and love.
Contact Info:
- Email: peaceloveandlittleyogis@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/peaceloveandlittleyogis
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peaceloveandlittleyogis/
Image Credit:
Aubry Wiltcher
Rachael Dobosiewicz
Michael Dobosiewicz
Andoni Diaz
Mustanir Ahmed
Brad Smith
Jessica Dudas
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