YOGI OF THE MONTH

February 2020 - Barbara Olin

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

The first time I took a yoga class was in San Diego in the late 1990’s. I was visiting a friend who was excited to introduce me to yoga. Like most new students, I spent a great deal of the class trying to figure out the asanas and comparing myself to others. I certainly didn't feel the yoga bliss she had talked about, but I was definitely intrigued. There weren't any yoga classes in my town of Smithfield, VA in the 1990’s, so I purchased a Rodney Yee video and practiced irregularly at home. The Smithfield YMCA started a yoga class in the early 2000’s, which I attended and began to realize the real benefits of yoga. So, for almost 20 years yoga has been an integral part of my life.  

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

My intentions are to first get on my mat every day. I prefer a group class because there is no thinking on my part, but if that isn't possible, I attempt at least 20 minutes a day with at least 3 minutes of meditation. (I know that sounds so short but it sounds feasible to me.) My other intention is to listen to my body. I had a yoga teacher who used to say that your body doesn't trust your mind because your mind doesn't listen. As I've gotten older I realize that every asana is not good for me so I've started making modifications.

What is your favorite pose and why?

My favorite pose is savasana because it’s the point of the practice. It's physically easy but mentally challenging.  Stuff keeps running through my mind but I usually get a few moments of peace. Without ending in savasana, I don't believe it would be possible to achieve that yoga bliss. 

What is your favorite class at InsideOut Yoga?

My favorite classes at IOY are the Tuesday and Friday Vinyasa classes. I appreciate Susan's knowledge of anatomy (so important for a safe practice), and I like the challenges she offers. 

How has the practice of yoga influenced your life?

Yoga has taught me to live life more consciously and to be more open to possibilities.  

What advice would you have for a beginning yoga student?

My advice for beginners is to go in with an open, nonjudgmental mind and to stick with the practice no matter how tight your hamstrings or hips are. It may take several months to get it.

What is your occupation?

In the early 2000’s there were few yoga teachers in Smithfield, so the director at the YMCA asked me to take a weekend long training class so I could substitute for the one instructor they did have. I filled in a few times and then was given a regular class to teach. Then it was three, then six. I completed my training and moved to Ashland in 2008, where I opened my own studio. I still teach a few classes a week. Previously, I worked in finance.

What activities do you enjoy?

My husband and I travel a great deal and love seeing and experiencing different cultures. I still love to sail and I also swim and hike for exercise.

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

My husband and I bought a house on Dividing Creek almost four years ago after sailing the area for nearly 30 years. We divide our time between Ashland and the Northern Neck. I'm still amazed by the beauty of the area. I was never here in the winter and have come to appreciate the area from a whole new perspective.

Is there anything you want to add?

I am so thankful to have Susan teaching in the area. It's not just the classes but also the yoga community she has been able to create. As a teacher, it's easy to neglect your own practice, so I'm really enjoying being a student again.