DD Swan: Lila Student Highlight

1. How did you find your way to yoga?

I was greatly influenced in 1969,  while still living in Memphis, Tennessee,  by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Transcendental Meditation as a path to world peace and attaining full human potential. A year later, I attended my first Hatha Yoga class at a Knights of Columbus Hall in Hyannis, Massachusetts, and began studying with Callie Tyber Lewis, whom I practiced with into the 1980s. Callie was fond of saying, “Our life choices reflect who we believe ourselves to be.” Callie introduced me to Bikram Yoga in the early ’80s and trained to me teach. I studied Iyengar with Don Peccerill, another gifted and fabulous teacher. Eventually I made my way to Kripalu, where after years of retreats and workshops, I recently completed their 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program.

2. What do you do for a living?

I have had numerous careers over my working life!

For the past seven years I have worked in Portland’s African immigrant community with Maine Access Immigrant Network (www.main1.org) as a nonprofit coach and minority health consultant. It’s been a challenging and rewarding journey.

Other passions include painting, cooking, writing poetry, gardening, sewing, a shared life with my husband Marc and spending time with my grandchildren, who are growing up way too fast!

And of course, yoga!

3. Are you able to incorporate your yoga practice into your career or into your daily life off the mat?

I live yoga—on the mat, off the mat, in every aspect of my life.  I’m not always successful, but I am always practicing to be in balance and an expression of light, love and life.

4. What is the best thing about the Lila yoga community?

It’s my spiritual home and I hold everyone dear in my heart.  And it’s great that it’s only 832 steps from my door!

A Poem From DD:

In The Space of My Hands

In parting
your touch circles
between my brows around

my third eye draws
mid-line to my heart
Breath and tandem beating

side by side just as
you and I stand
side by side

the space between
intimate embracing
the entirety of being

In parting
your words land
the softest blanket

weft and warp of joy
compassion vulnerability
loving kindness

I hold you in gratitude in the space
of my hands my life line
breathes in the Blessing

you Beautiful Wise Bold
Divine soaring on the wings
of prayer: Namaste

Dd Swan February, 2015 Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training