YOGI OF THE MONTH

April 2026 - Lisa Baechler

What first brought you to yoga and how long have you been practicing?

My motto has always been…if I’m going to exercise, I want enjoy it and have fun! So, in my forties I became certified to teach Jazzercise. The highlight of this dance fitness program was being part of a community with like-minded people who also cared about “fitness, friendship and fun!” Over the many years I taught and took classes, I gained confidence, coordination, strength and flexibility. However, after having spinal fusion surgery in 2021, my body needed an alternative exercise program with less impact. I’ve always thought about taking yoga. My sister has practiced yoga for years and my son’s fiancée is a certified yoga teacher. When she visited in Christmas in 2024, we went to Susan and Esther’s annual Candlelight Solstice practice which is where I first met Susan. Looking for a like-minded community and a class to help me get back into shape, I started taking her Functional Yoga class in January. I’m literally brand new to yoga and am falling in love with the practice!

What is/are your intention(s) for your yoga practice?

My intention is to learn basic poses while gaining balance, strength, and flexibility. My husband and I are boaters, which many of you know requires all of the above. I’ve been coming to class regularly and have found that consistency is key! It’s made such a difference in my learning curve, and with each class I feel more confident and more comfortable on my mat. I’m also seeking to learn how the effects of a yoga practice can benefit my overall health. Susan regularly points out these benefits while also engaging us in mindfulness practices. I find it very painful to watch what’s happening in our country and to others and am learning that the practice of yoga will help me continue to be hopeful and to find peace, joy and gratitude.

What is your favorite pose and why?

There are many poses I really like, but as a beginner my favorite pose is Savasana. I chuckle because it literally means “Corpse Pose.” I love it because we often start out in the beginning of class with this pose and always end with it. Just for fun I actually looked up the meaning of Savasana: “Derived from sava (corpse) and asana (pose), it represents a symbolic ‘death’ of ego and old habits to allow for relaxation and renewal.” It makes total sense to me to allow the body to fully release tension before and after class. Savasana feels like complete surrender!

What is your favorite class at InsideOut Yoga?

In addition to Functional Yoga on Mondays and Wednesdays, I’m taking the six-week Focus on Form series and highly recommend it to anyone who’s starting a yoga practice. Susan slows things down, which allows you to really concentrate on what you’re doing and how you’re feeling in a pose. I’m learning that the smallest tweak can give you the greatest benefit. It’s so interesting to me that many of the students have already taken it, and some are taking it again, even after years of practice. I’m learning that yoga is a life-long learning process, and each one of us has a unique body and range of flexibility. Susan teaches, “Do what you can, and don’t do anything that ever hurts.” Amen to that!

How has the practice of yoga influenced your life?

To be a strong and independent woman is a lifelong challenge. As young women, once we become aware of our developing bodies, we realize that we’re judged by society, are compared to others, and are expected to behave in a way our culture finds appropriate. However, it’s true that with age comes wisdom and acceptance, especially of our ever-changing bodies. Yoga is freeing to me and reminds me NOT to judge myself harshly. It’s also helping me to become more aware of my own body: how I move, how I sit, and how to pay attention to the quiet and stillness within myself and my surroundings. You might be asking, “yoga does all that?” A resounding YES, YES, YES!

What advice would you have for a beginning yoga student?

Just try it! I was so nervous, but Susan and the class were so warm and welcoming that I instantly felt at home. I wobble and shake and rest when I need to but I never feel like I need to keep up. In fact, watching others practice around me is inspiring! I think “someday I may be able to do that!” But I never feel pressure from anyone, and Susan always says, “this is a non-judgement zone.” Yoga is a very personal practice and that’s one of the things I love most about it. I also love that there are all ages in class. I’m amazed at the flexibility and strength of these elders! Yoga also has its own beautiful language. As previous Yogi of the Month, Nathan said, “The rewards are worth it!” Wise Advice.

What is your occupation?

Hmmm…good question to those of us who’ve retired. It will be two years in June. I worked for Bon Secours as a Hospice Care Consultant for years and do miss it. One day I’ll go back to volunteering in some capacity, but for now it’s nice to have a break. My current “occupation” is finding time to learn and to do the things I love with the people I love to spend time with.

What activities do you enjoy?

I really enjoy reading and highly recommend my latest read, Joyspan by Dr. Kerry Burnight, which was recommended to me by Susan. I love being out on the water, and my husband and I love to cruise on our boat, Satori. Satori is a Japanese Zen term that means “harmony within oneself and nature.” We recently joined the Rappahannock River Yacht Club and I love meeting new people and being part of this community. I like to decorate and have been enjoying my new home. And thanks to my sister-in-law, I’m learning a lot about flowers and plants. Nature is such a miracle, and spring in VA (except for the pollen) is always spectacular!

What is your favorite thing about living in the Northern Neck or Middle Peninsula?

I love loving in the Northern Neck: the small local towns and businesses… and of course the slower pace and less traffic. We’ve been boating on the Rappahannock River for over 20 years, so once we retired we moved here. It felt like “coming home” and it’s the people I’ve been enjoying the most. We also have wonderful family here. This community is also rich in culture for being as small as it is, and there are so many things to do and enjoy. Recently I attended the RAL Comedy Night Fundraiser in Kilmarnock. Hang-Ups is my favorite shop in Kilmarnock, and I’m in awe of all the local talent and artists that live in the Northern Neck.

Is there anything you want to add?

I’m so grateful to Susan for her help, support and amazing talent as a teacher! Also thank you to the InsideOut Yoga Community. You’ve all been so warm and welcoming. Oh, and this photo of me was taken during a private lesson I took with Susan. I highly recommend it! Namaste!