Meet Angela of Inner Space Yoga. She is one of the most vibrant and interesting yoginis with a passion for creating yoga props. To my utter joy and excitement we will be collaborating on a giveaway for the new year and I asked her to tell us a little more about herself, her journey into creating yoga props and what yogini she would love to hang with if she were stranded on a desert island. :)
Angela says:
"I came to yoga several years ago, as a way to de-stress from my job in healthcare. I fell in love with the practice, and had the good fortune to connect with some excellent teachers here in Asheville - Cindy Dollar, Stephanie Keach, and Shala Worsley. Cindy and Stephanie planted the seeds that would eventually grow into my bolster making business. Stephanie, upon learning that I liked to sew (I'm a quilter), asked if I'd like to offset the cost of my teacher training by re-covering her studio bolsters. She had 35 bolsters at that time, from several different sources. While making the covers, I had a chance to dissect the bolsters to see how they were made and which materials and methods held up the best. She and Cindy then suggested I try my hand at making my own bolsters. So I sourced my own materials, made many prototypes, and eventually came up with the three main designs I offer now. I got into zafu making a bit later, when I had lots of requests for colorful zafus to match the bolsters. I am fortunate that I live in the South, which has made sourcing batting and fabric a bit easier, due to the number of textile mills here.
I do what I do because it gives me great joy. And, I think, makes others happy as well. People these days are all stressed out, and don't know how to relax properly - I admit to being one of them. I like to think I'm doing my part to de-stress America. And put a smile on people's faces while they're relaxing. Because, as you may know, it's more relaxing to smile than it is to frown. LOL!
And how did I come to yoga? I feel I was called to it. I just had the urge to start doing it, and was delayed in actually starting it because I worked so much. But I finally showed up, connected with some wonderful teachers and members of the local Asheville yoga community, and the rest is history. It has become my passion and the primary focus of my life.
Hmmm... the desert island thing. That's a tough one. I'd have to say my friend/mentor Stephanie Keach, of Asheville Yoga Center here in town. We're both total yoga geeks - love to read about yoga and talk about its nuances and debate which style has more to offer. Our styles of practice are complementary. We like music to practice by, and have the same taste in tunes. She knows how to make practice fun, yet remains serious about alignment (which is something I'm a stickler for as well) and, when we're done with yoga, we could hang out on the beach and read and drink umbrella drinks. I'm convinced that she and I fought together in Durga's army, many many lifetimes ago. "
And how did I come to yoga? I feel I was called to it. I just had the urge to start doing it, and was delayed in actually starting it because I worked so much. But I finally showed up, connected with some wonderful teachers and members of the local Asheville yoga community, and the rest is history. It has become my passion and the primary focus of my life.
Hmmm... the desert island thing. That's a tough one. I'd have to say my friend/mentor Stephanie Keach, of Asheville Yoga Center here in town. We're both total yoga geeks - love to read about yoga and talk about its nuances and debate which style has more to offer. Our styles of practice are complementary. We like music to practice by, and have the same taste in tunes. She knows how to make practice fun, yet remains serious about alignment (which is something I'm a stickler for as well) and, when we're done with yoga, we could hang out on the beach and read and drink umbrella drinks. I'm convinced that she and I fought together in Durga's army, many many lifetimes ago. "
You can find Angela's beautiful selection of yoga props including bolsters, eye pillows and zafus here. Stay tuned as we will be giving away a specially made zafu for the new year!
