Barbara Brown

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA:  I was born in West Penn Hospital and lived here for the first 5 years of my life. Transferred with my father’s job, I was raised in eastern Pa in a small farm town. Later that same job moved me to St Louis Missouri for my senior year in High School. I moved here with my family in 1986 and happily raised my children in the Pittsburgh area.

Nickname: Barb

I wish for…the ability to open my own heart and guide people to open their own hearts. With an open heart, we allow ourselves to fully experience all the joys, the “ups,” that life offers and support the courage it takes to be with the sadness or “downs” of life. Living with an open heart, we allow ourselves to feel life and all it has to offer.

I am thankful for....the ability to recognize and be grateful for all the blessings in my life.   

Sun Sign: Aries

What gives you peace? Prayer and Meditation done with proper breathing.

Why Yoga? I started yoga with the PBS program, “Lilas Yoga and You.” Yoga has guide me through life and given me great strength. Yoga is also helping me heal from the physical injuires of a car accident. Breath moves the prana and allows the meridians to remain open so that healing is possible. Healing and growth involve focused intention.

3 words to describe you: Kind, loving, gentle.

What / who inspires you? I have always been enraptured by the beauty of nature, especially the flow of moving water. I love quotes and am an avid reader: My inspiration comes from many sources: Children as well as famous writers and the people around me.

What you can’t live without? Laugher – Love - Hope – Gratitude.

Favorite yoga pose and why? Parivrtta parsva upavista konasana, revolved (wide leg) side seated posture: This posture combines hip opening with a side stretch and allows the toxin release of a twist. While challenging, it is deeply relaxing.

Favorite Food? I eat a lot of protein and vegetables. My favorite treat is Greek yogurt scooped out of the container and eaten with those flat pretzels by The Snack Factory – such a lovely combination of sweet and salty.

Words to live by (or your favorite quote): You can’t cross the sea merely by staring at the water. - Rabindranath Tagare

Any fool can run towards the light. It takes a master with courage to turn and face the darkness and shine his own light there. -  Leslie Fieger - author of the Delfin Knowledge System

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.  We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. - Albert Einstein

Matter is spirit reduced to point of visibility. - Albert Einstein

An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere, while the pessimist sees only a red stoplight.  The truly wise person is color-blind. - Albert Schweitzer

Best advice you’ve ever received (from who?): In all things love. Love is what connects us to one another. The electromagnetic energy field of the unknowing heart is 12-15 feet in all directions. You affect the people around you whether you are aware of it or not. - Dr Jonas Marry, chiropractor 

Words to describe your teaching style? Correct alignment sometimes with a slow vinyasa flow. I find flowing slowly in a fully present state of mind to be quite challenging. I also like and practice yin yoga: Yang yoga strengthens the muscles through movement while Yin yoga will open the connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments and allow space so that the muscles can move. They compliment each other.  

What do you love to do for FUN? Dance and try new foods

When/where/with who was your first yoga class? My first class with a actual live teacher was in 2003 at CMU with Iyengar teacher Jill Jones

Local escape: I will walk in a secluded space surrounded by woods and water.
Other Teachers & Subs:
Joanne Spence, Renee Aukeman, Aleta Howard, Amy Burleson, Katrina Woodworth, Leslie Wright, Jennifer Chaparro, Mariangela Mancuso, Jennifer Sylves, Anne Brownlee, Cathie Sunderman, Maga Sanchez-Dahl, Heidi Zellie, Michaelene Stanko, Greg Karas, Jayna, Leanne