Yogi Spotlight Series - Dalet S.

Dalet S.

Instagram ID: naturelovingyogi

Location: Puerto Rico

Occupation:  Restaurant Hostess

Dalet is a 28 year old student currently doing her thesis as part of her masters degree in Environmental Management. She loves to be in contact with anything nature, forests, beaches, etc. and loves photography of nature as well.  So much so that when she initially created her Instagram account it only had nature pictures (and some selfies). She loves to read about different topics.  Knowledge to her is something that nobody can take away.

Dalet is definitely a testament to practice and all is coming, a familiar saying within the yoga community.  I love following her journey and elated to have her a part of the the Yogi Spotlight Series!

Yoga is patience, calmness and progression.  ~ Dalet S.

How long have you been practicing yoga?

I’ve been practicing yoga for a year and seven months.

Do you attend classes or are you self-taught?

I consider myself half self-taught. I attended classes for four months and now I practice yoga at home. 

When did you first get introduced to yoga? 

I think it was when I saw Laura Sykora doing a weird pose. She was the first yogini I saw on Instagram.

Do you practice a particular type of yoga?

I don’t practice any type or style of yoga.

How regular do you practice?  

I practice 6-7 days per week. That is why I have been able to progress in many poses.

Is yoga to you more mental or physical?

I feel yoga is both mental and physical. When I started practicing, it was only physical but as time went by, I noticed changes in my attitude and the way I reacted to situations. I am more tolerant, patient and non-judgmental now.

                 

What have you learned throughout your yoga journey?

I have learned that for achieving poses you have to work very hard. Practicing once in a while doesn’t work. Also, I’ve learned to listen to my body (after a few injuries).

                 

Which asana(s) do you find most challenging?

                  Handstands and chin stands are currently my most challenging poses.

What keeps you coming back to the mat?

What keeps me motivated is the way I feel while doing yoga. I had never practiced any physical exercise where I didn’t get tired or bored after a few months. That has never happened to me with yoga.

Who are some of your yogi inspirations?

I have a lot of fellow yogi and yogini inspirations. I get inspired by everybody, even by people that are just beginning, I remember when I was like them, when I thought “I will never do that pose, ever’’, and now I can do so much more.

How do you feel about the increase of black women getting into yoga?

                  I feel glad that so many black women are getting into yoga. Back in December 2013, when I began my practice, I only saw white skinny women and even though I was inspired, I could not identify myself with them. They didn’t represent what I am. Now, every time I see a black woman, as flexible and           beautiful as the other white ladies I feel proud. We black women are as strong, balanced, and flexible too.

How important is it for you to see diversity in yoga?

I think it’s very important to see diversity in the yoga community because  human beings are diverse. We are not all the same and yoga should represent all of our body types so more people can identify with the community. I’m sure that many people, including men, don’t do yoga because of the lack of people like them practicing it. The same happens with black women. I also think that yoga related clothing and jewelry brands should have more diversity in their promotions because they also lack the diversity we have in the yoga community as well.

                 

What would you say to someone who says yoga is not for them?

I would say that yoga IS FOR EVERYBODY. She (or he) should do some research about all the beautiful diverse people that practice yoga, no matter if they are black, white (or any other skin color),  tall, short, skinny or fat, have a disability, etc.

Would you like to share any advice to someone beginning yoga?

My advice is to be autodidact. Use Google and Youtube to search for information about how to begin your practice. Nowadays we have a lot of information on the internet.  People want things the easy way by just asking one person. I am always glad to answer questions about how to do a pose, or things like that but we have to be more responsible about our own practice and search information about how can we improve ourselves.

                 

                 

 What is your favorite quote?

                  In the age of information, ignorance is a choice.

I would like to thank BlackGirlYoga for highlighting our diversity in the yoga community. Your contribution for me and other women is immense. I feel very honored that you asked me to be part of your beautiful contribution. Namasté.  

Thank you Dalet for sharing your practice with us! Namasté.

Comment, Share, and Follow us on Instagram @blackgirlyoga.

Edited by Vanessa L. 

Yogi Spotlight Series - Dara Danielle

Dara Danielle

Instagram ID: pintsizenurse

Location: Bronx, NY

Occupation:  Registered Nurse

Dara describes herself as a homebody who rather be home watching a movie or reading a book than going out partying. She considers herself to be just a very simple, laid back woman and importantly a  mother before anything. She has a 12 year old daughter who has kept her very busy with her dance schedule for the last 5 years. Aside from keeping up with her, she's been a mental health/substance abuse nurse for the last 2 years however she eventually she would like to get into pediatrics. 

Dara was one of the first yogis I followed on Instagram and she has continued to be a source of inspiration for me and many others.  So glad she decided to participate in the Yogi Spotlight Series!

Yoga is peace, grounding, everything! ~Dara Danielle

How long have you been practicing yoga? 

Since November 2013.

How often do you practice? 

I practice at least  5 times a week.

How did you begin your yoga journey?  Yoga was something I was always interested in, but I thought I had to go to a studio to learn. Following @ladydork on IG was the reason I started to practice at home. Seeing her progress from being self-taught let me know this was a practice I could learn on my own as well.

Do you attend classes or are you self-taught? 

   I started out being self-taught and  now I try to attend classes and workshops regularly.

Do you feel yoga is more mental or physical? I think yoga is definitely more mental than physical.

What have you learned from your practice? I’ve learned how much I love and appreciate myself through my practice. Before yoga, I was very insecure and I looked for ways to fill that void by turning to others. But since yoga, I’ve learned I don’t need anyone to make me feel that I’m worth it. I’ve found my self-worth through my practice and I’m so grateful for that.

What's the most challenging part of your practice?

Getting through the “bad days” of practice. The days where nothing seems to come together. Not being able to get into asanas that other days are a breeze to get in to. That’s really challenging because you have to take those days as a learning experiences and not as failures.

What keeps you motivated?  The fact that there is no end result/goal with my practice. There is always something to learn and that’s what keeps me motivated. I love that there’s always more to come.

      How to you feel about the increase of black women getting into yoga?

I LOVE IT! Yoga is for everyone and it’s always something that’s been labeled a white woman/hippie thing for so long. Yoga is for everyone and it’s great to see more people, especially women of color embrace the practice.

    How important is it for you to see diversity in yoga?  Very important. I think yoga is something everyone should be exposed to. The benefits are endless for all ages and groups of people. Bringing more diversity into yoga is one of the main reason I want to teach. I want to expose more people to yoga.

What would you say to someone who says yoga is not for them?

 YOGA IS FOR EVERYONE! Doesn’t matter how big or small, old or young. It is something that can benefit anyone willing to embrace the practice.

·     Please share any advice you would give to someone interested in getting started doing yoga?  JUST START! Stop making excuses as far as not having enough time, or money to go to a studio. We have access to endless amounts of information at our fingertips. As adults, we never really have time for much, but we MAKE time for things that we really want. MAKE TIME FOR A PRACTICE! You don’t have to go to a studio. Yes, that’s the most ideal way of starting a practice but it may not be possible for most. GOOGLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND! There are endless websites and apps that you can take classes with. STOP MAKING EXCUSES AND START! 

Dara will be at the upcoming Moving Art ATL: NYC Edition on 9/26/2015.  Come out and check her and other awesome yogis as they mix yoga with art!  Tickets can be purchased here .

Comment, Share, and Follow us on Instagram @blackgirlyoga.

Edited by Vanessa L.