Name & Hometown: Sue Barnosky.
Who or What inspired you to be a Yoga Instructor ? I had a bad back and when I first tried Yoga, it provided a relief that I didn’t know I could have.
Describe your style of yoga: Mostly hatha – it is a blend of a number of styles that I have studied over the years, and continues to evolve as I travel this path.
What’s your favorite yoga pose ? It depends on how my body and mind feel on any given day – sometimes I like balancing, other days strength poses and then, of course, there is the strength that comes from Savasana.
What brings you to the mat ? To honor this body and take care of it – years ago I had the pleasure of studying with Judith Hanson Lasater and she encouraged us to go to our mats and stay until we felt differently than when we started.
If you teach, where ? I teach through Southgate Community education. After years of teaching Tuesday nights, I have recently added Wednesday nights also.
How has being a member of YAGD helped you in your yoga career ? Oh my goodness, so many ways – I came to the Yoga Association when I had just finished my teacher training and I met so many generous and experienced teachers/friends who informed the type of teacher I aspired to be. Thank you all so much!
Do you have a favorite yoga story from your teaching experience ? Early in career in a seminar I was attending we did an exercise where we paired up and sat opposite someone for the express purpose of letting the other person say anything they needed to and just to listen, without saying anything. The young man sitting opposite, whose name I do not recall but whose pain I still remember, talked about the recent passing of his grandfather and how much he missed him. It was an amazing opportunity to learn to be present for someone, holding the space to allow them to be heard. As a teacher, this was a powerful lesson: meet your students where they are, recognize that you cannot know what they are dealing with outside this room, but allow them the opportunity to do what feels right for them, right now.
Is there anything else you would like to add, like family… hobbies… karma yoga… or other professions ? Just a sincere and heartfelt thanks to the YAGD members for their open hearts.