Bay Area Yoga Teacher Highlight: Robin Ellen Duryea
Name: Robin Ellen Duryea
Practice with me at: Yoga Tree SF - Potrero, Stanyan, 6th Ave, Castro.
How long I’ve been practicing yoga: 20 years.
How long I’ve been teaching yoga: 10 years.
What kind of yoga I teach: I teach a strong flow class rooted in dharma, pranayama, and mantra; A vinyasa practice with the intention of reminding you of your strength in body, resilience in spirit, while cultivating focus in the mind.
My mantra these days: Empowered. Bold. Devoted. With A Touch Of Debauchery.
An Asana, Kriya or Meditation that has been resonating with me lately is: A meditation practice I've been playing with lately is a full body scan meditation. Once seated, I'll offer up a few deep breathes to ground down and center. Then, starting at the crown of my head I'll go through my entire body, as many parts as I can think of, and send love and light all the way to my root, to my feet. I'll say thank you to all of it. Thank you to my ears so I can hear and listen to music that warms my soul, thank you to my teeth for allowing me to chew delicious and nourishing food, thank you to my vocal chords for allowing me to speak and sing, thank you to my rib cage for keeping my lungs and heart safe, thank you to kidneys for...and on and on and on. I usally sit for about 15-20 min and whatever body parts I think of I say 'Thank you for.....'. The effect feels fantastic while focusing my mind on the postive.
How I like to practice yoga off the mat: Through my breath, always. And, in the words of Janis Joplin, you know you got it if it makes you feel good! In other words, I make decions that bring me joy, or at least decisions that offer the least amount of stress.
My sign: Triple fire! Sun is in Aries, Moon is in Aries, Rising is Sagittarius. I don't know much about astrology but I've had my chart done from a few different perspectives. I love it. The moon governs the ocean so whose to say the stars and planets don't play a part in my life too.
The last book I read was: The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz.
Where I go for a nourishing meal: If I want to nourish my body I cook at home. Going out feels more like nourishment for my soul. I love Montesacro. It's a pinseria in SOMA.
What’s on your yoga playlist right now: Oh man, I spend so much time creating my playlists. Let's see...a go to track I play that people seem to love, you can find it on soundcloud, 'Deep House Yoga - Therapy Session Three.'
A few of my favorite yoga teachers are: I have 'my teachers'; those I studied and practiced with for many, many years. Though I'd say my dear friend Diana Oppenhiem is a teacher I deeply respect and admire. Her commitment to the practice and how it can serve those in need are admirable. She too teaches at Yoga Tree.
A ritual I love: My moring ritual. I've construced my life to have my mornings to myself. I love that first sip of coffee, then I write, move and sit. It keeps me connected to my inner peace and intution so I can stay creative and of service.
What I am letting go of this year: Last year! More specifically, blame. A lof of forgivness has occured in my family. It's taken a long time but worth the wait and work. Forgivness can be hard but one of the most powerful and necessary qualities to cultivate.
What I am embracing this year: This year! Currently, I feel I'm at an in-between stage of my life. So I'm moving slowly. Trying not to control where I think it should go but really stay present and let it unfold naturally. I'm dropping into deep listening. Receiving mode. I'm letting myself float in the unknown. It's exciting! Check back in with me next year! :)
My website: robinduryea.com.
My instagram: @robindyoga.
