I am a huge fan of Mara, her positive energy and strength is palpable and contagious. Let it spread to you through this article.
1. How long have you been teaching?
I've been teaching since 2012.
2. What motivated you to start teaching and what have you learnt from teaching?
A good friend and teacher Ted Caine motivated me to start teaching. I was avoiding it for a while. Making excuses to why I didn't want to try but ultimately I realized at the time, yoga was the one thing in my life that made me feel very happy and very connected not only to myself but the whole amazing universe around me.
Now I see that I can choose to be happy and choose to connect. As a teacher I see a LOT of very different people out there and it's so amazing how many right ways there are to connect with yourself and others, how many right ways there are to stretch and strengthen, how many right ways there are to live your life.
: )
3. What is something that you have learnt from a fellow teacher?
That as you progress in yoga, you can't rely only on sensation. Only labeling feelings as good or bad. It's important to start implementing measurements, alignment, and geometry into your practice.
4.How many times a week do you practice?
I practice everyday. It's always different, but I do something for myself everyday.
5. Who inspires your practice?
Me : ) and of course the people around me. But, ultimately my practice is a connection between my body and my breath and all the amazing exploration I can do between those things.
6. Why is it necessary for you to practice?
It feels like a great time to really care for myself. To stay openly interested and curious while challenging myself the kindest and most considerate way possible : )
7. What message do you like to spread through teaching?
That connecting with yourself and making time for yourself is wildly important. That there are a lot of right ways to do that, and to let go of judgements and expectations on what that should be. That wether we know it or not our practices affect everyone we come into contact with and we really have the power to ripple out our care and attention from ourselves to others and making this world a better place to be in.
8.Where are you currently teaching?
Brooklyn Boulders Queensbridge, Jewel City Yoga, NP Rock Yoga
9.How has yoga helped your character develop?
Yoga has helped me out of very dark, depressed, and anxious times in my life. And helped me to find a lightness that lets go of judgement and expectations and connects me more to myself. I used to spend a lot of time worrying about others, and what they thought of me. Yoga helps me to practice letting that go.
10. What has kept you practicing all these years?
Everyday is a new day. A new body. A new practice. There's so much to explore!
11.What is your Instagram, Twitter and Facebook name?
Insta:marbq
FB: Mara Lileas
No twitter yet
Image from NP Rock Yoga website.