Belmar Sol Yoga - Thought in Movement
My yoga journey and practice began in an unlikely way. I attended my first class thinking I was rather fit, dreaming of a good stretch and the allure of what I thought yoga was at that time. I quickly found out what "not fit" shape I was in; the oh-so-sore repercussions spread over days, and, that yoga was much much more than a physical endeavor. That first yoga class came to me about a year before I would come to rely on my practice to get me through September 11th, my father’s cancer and a number of poor relationship choices. I learned early in my practice of the power of the universe and that all things are exactly as they are meant to be. Through my yoga practice I have formed an energetic and emotional alliance with the universe that I have learned to trust implicitly.
I spent four years attending classes before starting a teacher training program. When the opportunity came, the decision to participate was nothing short of obvious to me, and a little less than a year later I was teaching on my own thanks to a well-rounded, intensive program and the graciousness of the students willing to attend (suffer through) my “student-teaching” classes. Since then I have gone on to achieve the Yoga Alliance RYT 500 designation and continue to train as often as possible in a variety of styles. I have met some of the most wonderful teachers, and have attended or taught classes in some fabulous locations. If I trace my life, I can see how so many of my decisions have guided me toward yoga. Thankfully, my personal practice has enabled me to better deal with a lot of my “stuff” and/or find wonderful people who enable me to do so. Just one of the many benefits of a yoga practice! Learning what yoga "is" and "is not" has been a wonderful journey.
In 2006 I started a donation yoga class after-hours at my full-time job. I am proud of the fact that the class has continued so long, with a strong diversity of students. Through this effort hundreds of dollars have been donated to a local charity. In 2008 I started training in classical Pilates at East Coast Pilates, Avon NJ, where I continue to learn better and safer ways to move my body, gain core strength, the principles of integration and structural alignment, anatomy, and how to "scoop" properly. I translate these principles into my (and thereby your) yoga practice, which makes for a well-balanced and better overall physical practice.
Teaching Philosophy
My personal teaching philosophy is one of flexibility. Not as in "I can touch my toes flexibility", but of having the ability to teach to the needs of an individual student or group. If you are into yoga for the fitness and physical aspects of the practice, I’m ok with that. I was once a “gym-oriented” person myself and still enjoy a good sweaty work-out! I can help you undo or mitigate the effects of specific sports training in order to create a more balanced and less-tense body. (I can also recommend a great masseuse!) If you want to simply relax and learn to take a moment to breathe and unwind, I’m happy to guide you. If your body requires flexibility to get on, and up off of, the floor with your grandkids, or the wish to someday ensure you can do so, we can focus on range of motion, structure, strength and alignment. I can share a spiritual focus; or not. Pre- and post-natal training is an opportunity I enjoy so long as you are serious about training your body to prepare for the “labor” ahead of you.
One of my biggest “pet-peeves” is hearing from people: “I tried yoga and I did not like it.” I typically suggest that it may not have been the “yoga” you did not like, but more likely, the teacher and the way the yoga was presented to you that particular time. If my style is not a good fit for you, I would strongly encourage you try other teachers and other styles of yoga. I can gladly recommend a few that might be a better fit!
Personal Yoga Philosophy
I love to learn and believe that I can learn from all teachers, new and experienced. I love to turn inward, and enjoy classes with Master teachers such as Sri Dharma Mitra, Seane Corn and Leslie Kaminoff. I even found myself able to really let go and enjoy writhing on the floor with Shiva Rea at a recent Omega conference in New York City; this is easier said that done, given my Type A personality. I believe that Bikram or hot yoga makes for a great semi-annual detox. I love to read and study yoga philosophy and hope to someday learn Sanskrit. I believe in the tennent that we are all "here" in service to others. I also love to chant, although I have a horrid “singing” voice and often think I sound "out of tune" - and by virtue of trying too hard - out of lung capacity to hold my O…mmmmmmm… as long as I would like. In other words, I am not a perfect teacher. I am as I am and offer what I am to you. Music connects me to my practice and makes me happy, enables me to go deeper, have more fun, be with the flow, and simply move between balanced effort and ease. I hope to share these experiences with you.
Classes & Teaching Availability
Due to recently giving birth to my first child, my current teaching schedule is limited. I will continue to fill-in for fellow teachers and be “on-call” as much as possible. Filling-in is one my favorite ways to teach – I get to meet new students, and provide them with a different perspective. Also, it is nice as a teacher to know you have someone to cover for you when you need a night-off or have a pressing commitment!
My new "yoga nook", Welcome Om as I've taken to calling it, will soon be complete. I hope to share this space with my existing students and by referral for individual/semi-individual instruction. This type of atmosphere is perfect for those that are less comfortable in a group setting, and/or for those that do not want to flex their impressive “yoga-skills” in front of others. Welcome Om will be a place of peace for me and those who join me there.
Later this fall I plan to continue to expand on a plan to provide professional/corporate yoga instruction. Working full-time at a desk, I intimately understand the need for a good stretch at the end of the day. Most people might feel they do not have the time or ability to provide themselves with a few moments of peace and relaxation before heading home, to the gym or off to run errands. A personal goal is to show career professionals and executives how critical it is to ourselves, our society and even the "bottom-line", to take a little time to “Unwind and Disconnect."
Class Offerings:
Just Stretch - All abilities. A perfect compliment to a workout routine.
Beginners Only - Beginners only!
Mixed Level - All levels welcome!
Yoga Focus - Physical practice, focused breathing, mindful guided meditation, readings, discussion.
Strengthen & Lengthen - Up-beat, full body core strengthening, muscle lengthening and techniques to tone and strengthen the body combined with yoga stretches.
Unwind & Disconnect - On-site corporate yoga instruction. Half-hour or hour segments "custom tailored to suit" the full-time professional. Classes may include stretching, relaxation, focused breathing and/or strategies to maintain and increase employee health, reduce anxiety and better enable the ability to carry out the organizational mission.
Pre-Natal - By appointment.
I DO Yoga - Start your wedding day off right with a customized yoga class to help you relax and enjoy your most special day! Just the bride, or invite the entire bridal party to share the experience!
FUN Draisers - Emphasis on FUN with fund raising as a by-product. By advance appointment only. State of New Jersey tax-payer ID number and 501 (c) 3 Federal tax status required.
Individual/Semi-Individual - By referral only.
Yoga & U Classes - Contact Alison Ingenito 732-295-9642.
Thoughts on Practice:
Phrase that makes me crazy: “I can’t do yoga.”
Favorite Pose: Pincha Mayurasana (I enjoy doing it and playing with variations!)
Pose I am working on: Hanumanasana
Pose I hope to someday do effortlessly: Eka Pada Rajakapotasana or King Pigeon
Pose I hope to someday do fearlessly: A simple back-bend
Yoga I try to practice daily: Non-Judgment and Non-Hording. Simplify, Simplify, Let Go, and if I didn’t say it already, Simplify. My best friend Melissa shared with me her mantra – Letting Go Will Give Me Peace – I love her for it although it would probably be better if I didn’t feel so guilty, like I stole it from her, every time I use it. The power in the mantra is available to everyone who chooses to practice it!
Latest favorite article or book: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind. Change Your Thoughts, Change Your life - Living the Wisdom of the Tao. Three Cups of Tea.
Do read: Eat, Pray, Love. Entrepreneur Magazine.
A few of my favorite things: Avocados, Daffodils, my community garden, a chocolate “Sweet Grahamy” with soy protein from Nature’s Corner, Spring Lake Heights NJ. Oh, and when my husband wears boxer briefs instead of straight-up boxers.
Where I find yoga: In all things, especially gardening, the great outdoors, volunteering and being of service, music and photography.
Favorite places to practice: East Coast Pilates, Avon NJ; Yoga Anjali, Belmar NJ; Yogaphoria, New Hope PA; Elysian Fields, St. Simons Island GA; and, my most recent foray into Golden Bridge Yoga reminded me of why New York City so often fascinates me from a yogic perspective: What looks like nothing that special from the outside is an amazing, beautiful structure on the inside. Thank you to Kate Lynch for a wonderful and challenging pre-natal class!
Favorite car song: Maha Deva Soulshine, Wah.
To Do: Drink water, lots of it. And not soda. But if you do drink soda, try Virgil’s All Natural Root Beer!
Where we are going next: Yogaphoria, New Hope PA, October 7th for MC Yogi!