YOGI OF THE MONTH
April 2024 - Jill Bessler
What first brought you to yoga and how long have you been practicing?
I’m new to yoga as I started practicing 7 months ago with Susan at IOY. I had attended a few yoga sessions as part of a wellness initiative through my job many years ago and really loved it but never made time to continue afterwards.
What is/are your intention(s) for your yoga practice?
I’m working to improve my balance and overall strength. I needed a way to combat the pain and weakness I was experiencing due to multiple auto-immune illnesses.
What is your favorite pose and why?
Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II pose). This is a pose where I try to feel the power I’m looking for in my practice that reinforces my confidence, yet it also consistently challenges my balance and form.
What is your favorite class at InsideOut Yoga?
I’m taking the Beginner Vinyasa series for a second time now and have also done the Focus on Form series. I’ve enjoyed both greatly and hope to move on to Slow Flow as my next class. Focus on Form was very instructive and I would recommend that series as a way to refine or learn about your form and gain an appreciation of the relationship between different poses.
How has the practice of yoga influenced your life?
I can honestly say that I never expected yoga to be so great! I see improvements weekly in my leg strength and general range of motion.
What advice would you have for a beginning yoga student?
Once you’ve taken that first step to start on your yoga journey, I would recommend developing a personal practice at home between studio classes.
What is your occupation?
I’m a Registered Nurse in retirement for the past 3 years. I worked in a Neurosurgery Unit and the Emergency Department but transitioned to Project Management and Nursing Informatics later in my career,
What activities do you enjoy?
I’ve always enjoyed reading and gardening, saltwater fishing and traveling. I grew up sewing a lot and hope to get back to that at some point in my retirement!
What is your favorite thing about living in the Northern Neck or Middle Peninsula?
I love the sense of community in our area. 30 years ago I moved here with my family in the hopes that our kids could grow up in a small town near the water. Best decision ever!
Is there anything you want to add?
I started my yoga journey with a friend after we both saw an article in the paper about Susan offering the Beginner Vinyasa series. I found the class atmosphere at IOY to be very relaxed, welcoming, comfortable and informative!
April 2024 - Jill Bessler
March 2024 - Dave Godwin
February 2024 - Nicole Leona
January 2024 - Carol Muratore
December 2023 - Steve Griswold
November 2023 - Lynne Haynie
October 2023 - Margy Childs
September 2023 - Sharon Seal
August 2023 - Pam Bailey
July 2023 - Lydia Haynie
June 2023 - Sri Bhagava Brachmacharya
May 2023 - Kelly Goodrich
Apil 2023 - Nancy Wilson
March 2023 - Alli Crowell
January 2023 - Candie Newman
December 2022 - Cindy Miller
November 2022 - Kati O’Brien Rose
October 2022 - Margot Bearden
September 2022 - Jim Purcell
August 2022 - Leigh Purcell
July 2022 - Steve Reiss
June 2022 - Carol Buchman
May 2022 - Carla Everton
April 2022 - Jill Zelman
March 2022 - Anita Riddle
February 2022 - Seth Weinstein
January 2022 - Denise Greene
December 2021 - Lisa MacNair
November 2021 - Michelle & Tom Wolf
October 2021 - Ken Laden
September 2021 - Paulette Laden
August 2021 - Ashley Duncan
July 2021 - Mindy Arnold
June 2021 - Luba Pevnik
May 2021 - Brian Burroughs
April 2021 - Joann Burroughs
March 2021 - Carey Gaenzle
February 2021 - Thyra Harris
January 2021 - Katie Conschafter
December 2020 - Jack Fackler
November 2020 - Christian Johnson
October 2020 - Peggy DeFranco
September 2020 - Susie Dunaway
August 2020 - Karen Kaechele Costantino
July 2020 - Julie Woods
June 2020 - Julie Zimmerman
May 2020 - Ainslie Hodges
April 2020 - Bhagava Brachmacharya
March 2020 - Melissa Kerby
February 2020 - Barbara Olin
January 2020 - Kelly Strickland
December 2019 - Angie McKinster
November 2019 - Cindy Hylton
October 2019 - Beth Johnson
September 2019 - Elizabeth Bulette
August 2019 - Lauren Leo
July 2019 - Janice Thomas
June 2019 - Jane Austin
May 2019 - Dianne Nichols
April 2019 - Milly Rixey
March 2019 - Holly Archard
February 2019 - Barbara Thorum
January 2019 - Brigitte Wolf-Small
December 2018 - Mohler Carlson
November 2018 - Sylvia Voreas
October 2018 - Lisa Shivers
September 2018 - Lynn Hower
August 2018 - Brenda Brinn
July 2018 - Ingrid Buell
June 2018 - Kaz Kazenske
May 2018 - Louise Mohardt
April 2018 - Art Gilbert
March 2018 - Connie Majeski
February 2018 - Amy Maloney
January 2018 - Jen King
December 2017 - Susan Whitlow
November 2017 - Sharon Topping
October 2017 - Betsy and Pete Liljeberg
September 2017 - Lena Okun
August 2017 - Sarah Rae
July 2017 - Gayle Chambers
June 2017 - Liz Seigler
May 2017 - Rita D'Amico
April 2017 - Suzie Beer
March 2017 - Andrea Latell
February 2017 - The Manyak Family
January 2017 - MJ Anderson
December 2016 - Susan Richardson
November 2016 - Vickie and Norm Grimm
October 2016 - Lydia Sellers
September 2016 - Ginger Houck
August 2016 - Ally Childress
July 2016 - Margot Angstrom
June 2016 - Dan Grohowski
May 2016 - Christine Potter
April 2016 - Mary Beth Fox
March 2016 - Liliane and Michael Merrill
February 2016 - Consi Palmer
January 2016 - Scott Witthaus
December 2015 - Missy Reed
November 2015 - Page Wittkamp
October 2015 - Christine Whitaker Wiggins
September 2015 - Jameson Crandall
August 2015 - Pris Regan
July 2015 - CJ Carter
June 2015 - Nancy Sledd
May 2015 - Cherie Kazenske
April 2015 - Eva Abel
March 2015 - Pamela Witthaus
February 2015 - Corey Hassman
January 2015 - Adrianne Bugg
December 2014 - Kimberly Vail
November 2014 - Julie Perkins
October 2014 - Cathy Mecke
September 2014 - Kae Kindle
August 2014 - Hatley Bright
July 2014 - Maureen Lynch
June 2014 - Davy Nichols
May 2014 - Caroline Shifflett
April 2014 - Bob Weekley
March 2014 - Debi Isbrandtsen
February 2014 - Janet Hill
January 2014 - Susan and Bob Wayland
December 2013 - Anna Mendez
November 2013 - Kathy Morchower
October 2013 - Jim Philbrick