We’re looking forward to introducing you to Stephanie Lavender. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Stephanie, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I have lost several friends and family members to cancer in the last few years. This loss and grief made me feel scared about death and suffering. At the time and paradoxically, I understand that all who are born will die and we all will have suffering in our lives, be it illness, injury, or loss. I observe that we don’t talk about death in U.S. culture. To solve this for myself, I read several books on how to die and how to talk about dying. One of the most influential books was Making Friends with Death written by a Judith Lief, a Buddhist monk. She teaches that we experience a form of death and birth every day. My own study led me to offer events called Death Dinners at my yoga studio. I want to make death more approachable to the participants, and so give us power to accept it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I own and direct the curriculum at Yoga Arts a yoga studio in San Diego. Yoga Arts is unique in that we are a neighborhood studio, as opposed to a commoditized franchise. My studio offers yoga guided by the classical teachings of BKS Iyengar. At Yoga Arts, my teachers and I teach how to do a pose for your needs, and we teach the philosophy of yoga. Our teachers are the most highly trained in yoga, with a rigorous certification system that takes at least five years to attain.
I also teach with Poetic Justice. Poetic Justice offers trauma-informed poetry writing inside woman’s correctional facilities for their healing.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My grandmother “Nani” was the most powerful relationship I had as a young person. She was a devoted Catholic and taught me the importance of spirituality. She wasn’t so concerned about the type of religion I studied but really emphasized continuous spiritual discipline. I spent every summer with her for my school years and Sundays and Fridays at her church taught me the importance of community and inner faith. I carry that forward in how I practice and teach yoga.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I write letters to my younger self often in the work I do for Poetic Justice. I continue to come back to the advice for her:
This too shall pass.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think that modern messaging about yoga is incorrect and leads folks the wrong way. The purpose of yoga is to use the physical body to reach the mind. We move through yoga poses to train the mind to become still and steady like a lake. Practiced in this way, we become immunized from distraction. A hot room, music, and an emphasis on six-pack abs takes folks off this path to peace.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace practicing yoga. These are the moments when I experience the present, free of worry. I am grateful to teach yoga in such a way that others can feel this.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yogaarts.co
- Instagram: @yogaartspl
Image Credits
Photos by Lisa Loftus
