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FEATURED TEACHER OF THE MONTH

Rashmi Galliano, E-RYT 500
is a certified Hatha II and Hatha III, Gentle, and Prenatal Integral Yoga teacher and has been teaching at IYI since 2006. Rashmi certified as a teacher of Prana Yoga with Jeff Migdow, M.D., through the Open Center in New York City; of Vinyasa Yoga with Stephanie Keach in Asheville, North Carolina; of Yoga Anatomy with Leslie Kaminoff at the Breathing Project in New York City; and of "Relax and Renew" Yoga through Judith Lasater. She has training in Reiki levels 1 and 2 from Tom Capshew.

Interview by Daya/Amy Eberhardt

What is your definition of Yoga?

To me the definition of Yoga is relationship: the relationship of body and mind, breath and body, breath and mind, left and right, sun and moon-the relationships we have that are normally seen as duality.

What do you love about Yoga?
Yoga is my health insurance. It has awakened the relationship I have with me. A Sunday TT recently said that to her Yoga is about getting to meet herself. I think that is fantastic. Developing the understanding of what your body and/or mind is contending with; cultivating acceptance, receptivity, and the skill of listening to one's wisdom; trusting in the path of Yoga-this has brought me health and wellness. I am grateful when I can cure a cold in three days and heal a back injury in a week. Wow!

Why do you teach Yoga?
It was God's plan. I had never intended to teach Yoga. It seems to have become me, and every time I teach a class well, with all good intention, I am shocked that I teach Yoga and yet feel blessed. It has been the only constant in my life. I dabble in this and that, but Yoga has been powerfully consistent for more than 25 years.

What are the particular areas of Yoga in which you are now teaching or have created your own, special offerings? What attracted you to those areas?
Sunday teacher training just started. I have been given the incredible role to teach people to become Yoga teachers! I must extend my gratitude to my mentor, my friend and big sister Kali. Taravati had a lot to do with it too. She believed in me enough to let Kali know that I was interested in becoming a teacher trainer. Low and behold, Gurudev had a plan and Kali was the relationship.

What do you hope students will receive from you as a teacher, and what do you hope students will get out of your coming offerings and workshops?

I hope that students receive from me a feeling of being nonjudgmental toward anyone's practice. We all have our path, our idiosyncrasies, and our peculiarities. Although alignment is important, alignment is individual. I hope that students can obtain a feeling of space within their bodies, breath, and mind and dwell in the beauty of themselves.
I have decided to offer a workshop that combines my primary training of Prana Yoga with what I have grown to love about Integral Yoga. Integral Yoga brings the student to a place of transformation. Prana Yoga adds more pranayama to the practice. Typically, Prana Yoga is about chanting the chakra sounds relating to the specific areas of the body. Chanting is pranayama; chanting is breath. It's a great way to assure that a student is breathing throughout his or her practice. Obviously they are breathing, but is it always conscious? My hopes are that the students will be led to a deeper experience in relaxation and a deeper meditation by releasing stagnant prana through chanting chakra sounds and that I may receive this beautiful benefit as well.

Do you have a favorite book or Yoga mat or product that you like, something you sincerely enjoy and wish to share?
I am very inspired by Leslie Kaminoff and his teacher Krishnamacharya. I love Doug Keller and his book Refining the Breath. I think Cyndi Lee is wonderful and creative. As far as brand-name props go, I don't know, but I think blocks are great.

Ongoing Yoga Classes taught by Rashmi

Wednesdays 5:15-6:45 p.m. Level II >>
Thursdays 6:15-7:45 p.m. Level I/II >>

Workshop taught by Rashmi

The Union of Integral Yoga and Prana Yoga

Two Systems Create One Amazing Feeling

Saturday, November 23, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. $38

Prana Yoga is a Hatha practice that includes breathing techniques and the chanting of mantras of the seven main chakras, or subtle energy vortexes, while practicing asana (postures). The basic-level Integral Yoga class is a beautifully sequenced class whose regular practice awakens the chakra system naturally. Practicing them together will elevate you to a new level of peace and joy.

Experience with the Level I class is encouraged because the emphasis will be on the chakra mantras more than on instructions in how to do the poses. Includes Yoga: Experienced Beginners and Intermediate/Advanced Students Register Online >>

CONNECT. SUPPORT. BENEFIT.

Integral Yoga Programs
Preregistration is recommended for all workshops and courses, online at www.iyiny.org, by phone with a major credit card, or in person at Reception. For cancellations received more than 48 hours prior to a program, you'll receive a credit minus a $10 handling fee. IYI reserves the right to cancel any program; if we do so, you receive a full refund.

Discounts
Students, seniors 65 and older, veterans, and people on unemployment, with verifiable proof, receive Yoga classes for $10, $8 off workshops, and $14 off courses. Discounts are available only in person.