Bay Area Yoga Teacher Highlight: La Reina Marshall
Name: La Reina Marshall
Practice with me at: Soulstice Mind + Body Spa in Santa Rosa located in beautiful Sonoma County! I teach Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
How long I’ve been practicing yoga: I have been practicing yoga since 2005, when I first took a yoga class in high school for stress relief, and I completely fell in love with this practice. Yoga continues to be a huge part of my own personal healing and growth for almost fifteen years now.
How long I’ve been teaching yoga: I have been teaching yoga since June of 2019 and I am so in love with this practice. Seeing my students opening and experiencing their physicality gives me so much joy and it such a deep honor. If the body opens up, the mind will follow.
What kind of yoga I teach: I teach a vinyasa flow yoga, slow flow, as well as restorative.
My mantra these days: “Breathe and everything changes”, wise words from Sean Corn, really resonates with me. My breath is my constant companion wherever I go, which gives me freedom and space to show up fully for myself and those I love.
An asana/meditation or kriya that has been resonating with me lately is: My favorite asana right now is Viparita Karani, legs up the wall or supported waterfall as I often refer to it in my classes. It can be taken with the support of a block or bolster beneath your hips or not, with your legs supported by the wall. This is a deeply nourishing pose to reset your body and mind that I do at least once a day in my personal practice.
How I like to practice yoga off the mat: My yoga practice is with me every moment of my life, I use my breath as a tool to carry me from my work, to my home life with my family. Showing up fully and authentically and doing the work to support others is a moving meditation for me. This means being clear with others and taking the time to ground myself so that I have the space to show up for myself and my community.
My sign: Pices Sun, Capricorn Rising and Gemini Moon.
The last book I read was: I am currently reading Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead and the Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kolk. Trauma and resiliency are so important in my own personal life and practice, as well as my teaching. I am fascinated by the stories and experiences of others to help empower and support the way in which I teach. My goal is to teach from a perspective of compassion while also being well informed.
Favorite local juice/tea spot: The Nectary another locally owned, woman owned business with locations in Sebastopol and Healdsburg is my favorite. I love supporting other woman owned companies that carry high intentions and quality local ingredients. Acre Coffee is another favorite of mine, I highly recommend an oat milk matcha latte, they are amazing!
Where I go for a nourishing meal: My favorite place is Slice of Life in Sebastopol. All the food is organic and locally sourced and I feel amazing after every meal. The menu is very diverse and accommodating for all diets.
What’s on your yoga playlist right now: I love Jhene Aiko’s Trigger Protection Mantra for savasana. India Arie, Frank Ocean, UMI, Billie Holiday and Sam Cooke are frequently on my playlists. I love mixing classics with current artists. Janet Stone’s work is amazing as well, which I love for restorative.
A few of my favorite yoga teachers are: Lisa Ellisen is amazing, one of my teachers here in Sonoma County; her teaching is empowering and authentic. I am really inspired by the work of Chelsea Jackson Roberts, Sean Corn and Sara Clark.
A ritual I love: Spending lots of time in nature and reading good books are my medicine!
What I am letting go of this year: I am letting go of the illusion of control. This beautiful life provides so much abundance, yet we must fully surrender and step into the flow of change in order to fully embrace those gifts. I am learning to use my practice to fully surrender to all of life’s experiences by using my breathe as a tool to stay present.
What I am embracing this year: I am embracing abundance and personal empowerment. Moment by moment I actively work to hold myself to account to show up fully in my vulnerability with myself and others. I embrace my personal power to create the life I want for myself and those I love.
My website: www.soulsticemindbodyspa.com.
My instagram: @lalalalareina.
