Alba Avella is a yoga teacher located in Denver.
1.What style of yoga do you teach? And, where are you located? I teach a style of vinyasa and power yoga, and I am located in Denver, CO.
2. What is your intention behind teaching?
My intention for teaching has evolved over the years. At first, I just wanted to help people move their bodies in a new and unique way. As I have gotten older and more experienced in this yoga community, I realize there is a very common misconception that yoga is only for the white, elite population. Or, yoga is only for the “bendy,” or “flexible.” These are myths that I want to debunk when it comes to yoga. Yoga is accessible to anyone, anywhere, for any body. Beyond the physical practice, my goal is to teach my students how to live their yoga off the mat. Yoga is not about backbends, name brand leggings, and “perfect” bodies. Yoga is a lifestyle of kindness, compassion, and wellness. My biggest goal is to bring yoga into lower income communities, schools, and non-profits to show that yoga can help and heal all humans no matter where you are in the race.
3. Who are your mentors in yoga? My main mentor is my own teacher Dawnelle Arthur. She taught me how to teach yoga in my own right way. I have tons of inspiration from other movers such as Martha Graham, the inventor of contemporary modern dance. I look to people like martial arts expert Bruce Lee, movers like Ronda Rousey and Simone Biles. Yogis like Alexandra Crow, and Kyle Weiger. Mentors that are or have been disruptive, and make or have made waves for the status quo.
4. What have they taught you? My mentors have always taught me to never believe anything unless it resonates within your own body and soul. They have taught me to never get caught in one box, or one description. I am a mover in every sense of the word, and my mentors have taught me to never settle for the norm.
5. Please mention a book that you have read about yoga that has had a positive impact on you?
Women Who Run With The Wolves.
6. What lesson are you currently learning in your Asana practice?
I listen to what my body needs on a daily. Somedays I am called to my heart, other days to my hips. Some days, I want a strong vigorous practice and other times, I journal and cry on my mat. My asana practice teaches me to listen to my body and my mind.
7. How often do you practice?
I get to my mat 3-5 times a week, and exercise in other ways the rest of the week. It’s all about balance.
8. How do you implement the other 7 limbs of yoga into your life other than Asana?
I think the true yoga practice happens off the mat. The physical asana is just the tip of the iceberg that is yoga. When I am triggered, and I react in a calm way, that is me taking yoga off the mat. When I can be calm in a stressful situation, that is my yoga. When I can see things from a different lens, that is my ahimsa.
Compassion, Empathy, Non- Judgement, those are the three main things I take with me off my mat. We all have our story, and when we practice self care, and love for us and others, then we are practicing yoga in its truest form.
9. Why is being present so important to you? Being present is so important to me because it is truly a meditation when we are in the present moment. Chatter runs through our heads minute-after-minute on the daily. We are constantly bombarded with information, distractions, etc. We are fed how to look, eat, dress, act all the time.
When we are present, truly and fully there, that is a beautiful thing. And I strive to find that beauty whenever I can.
10. How can we keep up with you on social media? What is your IG handle and/ FB name?
Facebook: Alba Avella Yoga
Instagram: @movement_by_alba
Website: alba-yoga.com