Seattle Yoga News is on a mission to find and highlight all of the hidden, and maybe not so hidden, gems in our yoga community and beyond. We want you to learn about their experiences and perspectives, but also a bit more about their personalities, so we have a few fun questions for them. This week’s spotlight is turned towards Emily O’Dea.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH YOGA?
I started with yoga after heartbreak a decade ago. I knew yoga was good for stress and anxiety, so a friend of mine and I started at boutique gym. I fell in love with the practice. The heartbreak, and the lack of interest in the career path I fell into made me reflect and redirect. I always had an interest and passion for service and mental health. With yoga, I healed, knew myself better than I have ever had before, gave me tools for life off the mat, and direction to help others whether it was their mind, body and soul level.
WHAT KIND OF TRAININGS HAVE YOU PURSUED?
I pursed 200hr, and 500hr teacher trainings with 8 Limbs Yoga Centers; my yoga home, I like to call it. I also became certified as a Pilates instructor in LA to better understand anatomy and physiology of the body. I also took Pre, and postnatal yoga teacher training with 8 Limbs. After having my daughter in 2018, and desire to empower women, I’ve dived in deep around postpartum wellness. Next up, Ayurveda!
HOW HAS YOGA INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE & WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON?
Wow, how has it not?! I don’t know where to begin. (Lol) Yoga has influenced my relationships, and more importantly perhaps, the relationship I have with myself. I remember the first time I was dedicated to a meditation practice and oh my goodness the way I spoke to myself!! I hadn’t ever considered the tone, words, and harm I was causing until I got quiet enough to listen. It’s been a practice ever since. Yoga has definitely made me a better mother. I am so grateful for it’s wisdom to guide me through this profound time in my life and any of the upcoming life’s transitions, ebbs and flows.
WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU ALWAYS GIVE YOUR STUDENTS?
I always start practice with intention setting, and end with gratitude. I believe the magic and power that comes with setting intentions for your day. I’m a fan of working on things on your mat to take with you off your mat. I also have benefited from a strong, consistent, gratitude practice. I think the moment you stop, and remind yourself of what you do have, you create abundance and connect to what is most important.
WHAT’S YOUR MISSION AS A YOGA INSTRUCTOR? WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO REACH AND WHY?
My mission as a yoga instructor is to be a support person on folks’ journeys through this thing called life. Whether it’s to unwind for an hour, to be a shoulder to cry on, to spread some kindness and positivity…. It’s just so needed. We all have our struggles, and I would like to be a ray of light, help create positive changes, or someone that may make life seem to make sense, even for a moment. Currently I’m reaching out to perinatal folks! I’m most passionate about postpartum. Postpartum is for life!! Not just that acute crazy 6 week period. Motherhood is filled with so many paradoxes. And, I think it’s an underserved transition.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED AS A YOGA STUDENT? AND HOW ABOUT AS A TEACHER?
As a student of yoga my most inspiration moments are when life gets hard. Yoga has given me tools to find relief, guidance and support whether an asana practice, meditative, Ayurvedic, or spiritual, the practice seems to know. It’s been amazing how my practice changes with the seasons of life. And, I’m grateful for the lessons.
As a teacher of yoga my most inspiration moments are when I am able to provide relief for students. The students are my true inspiration. How can I help? How can I serve you in this moment?
WHAT YOGA RELATED BOOKS HAVE MOST INFLUENCED YOU?
The yoga related books I love, love, love are Yoga of the Subtle Body by Tias Littles, Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers and currently I am deeply enjoying Seane Corn’s book Revolution of the Soul. I also recommend the First 40 days to all my mamas by Heng Ou.
WHAT IS ONE THING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I love to swear. Those that are close know this but, I still shock people when I do.
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US SOME OF YOUR WELLNESS & SELF-CARE PRACTICES?
Oh! Yes, I can! I benefit from Ayurveda’s self-massage with oil before I take hot showers. It helps soothe my nerves. I love warm water, with honey and lemon in the morning. I love the recipes from “The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook
” to stay in touch with the seasons and attempt to create balance. I’m on a kick right now where I must schedule a once a month date night with my partner to stay connected, and a massage for myself to keep connected to my body. Man oh man, are active toddlers rough on the body!
WHO IS THE YOGI WE SHOULD FEATURE NEXT AND WHY?
Tracy Hodgeman. I love her humor, wisdom, experience and support.
Emily O’Dea’s Bio: A decade ago I fell in love with yoga during a chaotic time in my life that made me realize I needed to make some big changes. So, I left my corporate career path, went through heartbreak, and began my dedication to the healing practices of yoga and Pilates. I’ve been teaching yoga since 2012. I am 200RYT (2013) and as of Sept 2019 I am 500hrRYT, and attended pre/postnatal yoga teacher training, all with 8 Limbs Yoga Centers in Seattle, WA. I am a certified Pilates Instructor through WundaBar Pilates in Los Angeles, CA since 2014.
Now, it’s a totally different scene in life. I’m happily married and received a great blessing in the form of my daughter. The birth of my bundle of joy truly inspired my obsession and passion related to postpartum wellness. I noticed from the range of misinformation and lack of information on topics such as Diastatsis Recti, pelvic floor dysfunction, mood disorders and many other topics that mark the path to motherhood. I am dedicated to support women feel their inner strength and courage. I feel so grateful for practices like Pilates to prepare me for the physical delivery of my baby, and yoga’s healing, reflective, calming tools for everyday life.
Group classes and privates are fused with a blend of influences from biomechanics, Fascia research, Ayurveda and yoga therapy.
I currently teach exclusively at Longevita Yoga and Pilates studio in Auburn, WA.
To learn more about me check my website and follow me on Instagram.
Be well! Be kind!
Connect with Emily: Instagram | Website
