What inspires you to teach yoga? At first, yoga was a very personal experience, it taught me to listen inwardly, to the deepest, truest part of myself. I was really shy about teaching, but one of my mentors suggested, if I wanted to deepen my understanding of yoga, I should teach. I took her advice to heart and began teaching large groups of seniors. They were so open to the experience of yoga and they seemed to light up (as most of us do) from the practice. They were a mirror for me, showing me the power of yoga in our lives. This encouraged me to keep teaching and learning yoga. Now I am inspired by all age yogis (including Kid’s Yoga class).
What is your current favorite pose? Well it just kind of depends on the day I’m having. Typically my body loves back bending. Lately, it’s Padangustha Setu Bandhasana – tip toe bridge pose – yummy toe stretch and spinal extension. Supta Virasana almost always feels good and forearm balances challenge and invigorate me.
What is your teaching history? After completing a residential program at Sivananda Ashram in 1989, I began teaching privately in corporate New York, then moved to North Carolina where I taught at senior centers, clubs, spas, gyms, universities. Later, I traveled to Thailand to continue study of Yoga and also Thai massage and then on to Mysore, India to study in the Ashtanga tradition with Gurus, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Rangaswamy. Under Sharath’s watchful eye, I found strength I never knew I had and this experience gave me the tools to continue to practice in a strong and safe way. Over the years I have have been lucky enough to be in the presence of many gifted teachers who have influenced me and also guided back to what yoga has been teaching me all along, to listen inwardly to my own inner teacher. I’ve been teaching in yoga studios in Asheville for about two years.
What is a favorite inspirational quote? “How you do anything is how you do everything,” Cheri Huber, a Zen teacher.
Where and when do you teach? Asheville Yoga Center, Friday mornings at 8:45, flow yoga level I/II, a dynamic practice with modifications to challenge and suite each student.
The quick list
Birthdate: 1/29/65
Residence: North Asheville
Family: Michael, Craig, Brian, Clara, mentors and guides, yoga tribe, friends and family near and far…their love is my salvation.
How long have you been practicing Yoga? for about 15 years
Most Challenging Pose: pasasana (humbling and not pretty)
Three words that best describe you: intuitive, reflective, nurturing
What’s in your cd player? Habib Koite, Malian musician
What are you reading now? The Wisdom of the Enneagram
Favorite Scent: melting butter
Toothpaste: auromere or whatever is natural and cheap
Soap: pre de provence verbena
Favorite Meal: any kind of potatoes
Last movie you watched: Planet Earth
What is your favorite word? rasa (with a rolling “rrr”), Sanskrit for juice for life
What is your least favorite word? worry
What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? small mind, rigidity, neglect, mindless consumption
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? ocean, woods, open space, big expansive mind, quality, integrity
Lia Pardy has been practicing yoga since 1990. Her teaching reflects many years of study in the Ashtanga Vinyasa tradition as well as softer Yin styles of Yoga. She believes awareness, breath, and intention are the foundation for a deep practice. In her class you will be encouraged to challenge yourself while listening deeply for what the body needs on any given day.
Lia is a nationally licensed massage therapist, bringing a wide knowledge of the human body to her work as a certified Yoga Teacher, Thai Massage/Partner Yoga Teacher, and Massage Therapist. She has a successful private practice in downtown Asheville as an LMBT. Visit Lia’s personal website at LiaPardy.com.
For a complete list of teachers and classes at The Asheville Yoga Center click here.
Popularity: 17% [?]
