Meet Rixie Dennison
Where was your first yoga class and what made you
get hooked on yoga?
My first yoga class was at Sun and Moon Yoga Studio in Arlington.
I had read a flyer posted at Fresh Fields about the studio and
realized it was only a couple of miles away. When I walked into
the studio and even before I did my first yoga pose, I knew this
was where I needed to be. I thought I was going into the studio
to exercise. What yoga helped me with first was finding the connection
to my body I began learning how my body moved and to honor and
cherish it. As I continued to practice and devote more time to
Yoga, I was delighted with a new awareness of clarity, peace,
grace, confidence, self‑acceptance and certainly self‑love.
You
are also a Life Coach. How are coaching and teaching
yoga similar?
In Life Coaching I guide my clients into discovering their own
Truth, their own Self ‑‑ guiding them to answer their
own questions regarding their goals, their purpose, and manifesting
their dreams. Yoga's holistic focus of balancing mind, body and
spirit with the physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation,
I believe creates a wonderful foundation for Self‑discovery.
By integrating my own personal/spiritual growth and the treasure
chest of gems that I have learned from Yoga, I am able to guide
my coaching clients toward a more holistic lifestyle. Just like
yoga "stretches" the student in their body mind and
spirit, in Coaching, I am also "stretching" my clients‑‑ helping
them to take it to their "edge". Take a little risk.
Step out there. Some of my most successful clients practice Yoga.
Yoga is practicing the art of being and Coaching is exploring
who we are becoming ‑creating our futures.
If you could do just one yoga pose, what pose would you pick and why? It would have to be Ekapada Rjakapotasana (Single Leg Pigeon Pose). From the first time this pose was introduced to me, I felt an opening in my heart and resonated with the grace and peace it brought to me. It is an excellent hip opener and a lovely backbend. It gives an intense stretch to the hips, buttocks and thighs, as well as the spine and chest. I feel open and free and at the same time very grounded. There is also a wonderful feeling of surrender in Ekapada Rajakapotasana as we fold forward with our arms stretched in front of us and forehead touching the Earth.
What gives you the greatest joy in teaching?
Just being present when a student experiences an "Aha" moment.
When they surrender into a pose and are no longer struggling.
When a student begins to inquire and ask questions... witnessing
the beginning of the search toward the Self.
What book do you have by your bedside now? Why would
you recommend it?
I have two. If the Buddha Dated, by Charlotte KasI. This
book is about creating spiritual bonds and Charlotte KasI does
a beautiful job weaving Eastern philosophy into modern‑day
relationships. It has been profoundly helpful to me in my quest
and exploration of a spiritual partner. She has also written, If
the Buddha Married.
Six months ago, I joined a women's prosperity circle which meets every other Sunday. One of the books on the reading list is .9nart Women, Finish Hch, by David Bach. I have found this book fabulous for learning (and coaching) in prosperity and abundance principles