Yoga Teacher Profile: Lisa Steele
Over the years I have taken classes from many yoga teachers, and I have often wondered about their background and how they got into teaching. I’m sure I’m not the only one, so I decided to start a series of yoga teacher profiles here on the blog. First out is Lisa Steele, a much-loved yoga teacher at Yogalife in Seattle.
Send me a note if you know any teachers you’d like to see profiled!
Q & A with Yoga Teacher Lisa Steele
How did you decide to become a yoga teacher?
I was doing work study to be able to afford yoga at Cyndi Lee’s Om Yoga Center in NYC. I was there a lot, and I would see how excited and intense the trainees were during their teacher training, and how they would be practicing Sanskrit in the elevator, and their adjustments in the hallways. I wanted to be doing that! That’s really what drew me to the teacher training…to learn all the names of the poses in Sanskrit. And to deepen my practice amidst community. I didn’t think I’d be any good at the actual teaching part
Who have been your main teachers and influences?
The AMAZING Cyndi Lee and Jennifer Brilliant headed the program at Om, and supplemented the training with other teachers. I can never be grateful enough for that training; it was life-changing, and challenged me in so many ways I never could have imagined. Cyndi and Jennifer, Susan Orem, David Nichtern, Amy Ippoliti, Elena Brower…so many insanely terrific teachers at Om that inspired, humbled and influenced me.
What’s your personal practice?
I think it’s important for teachers to have a home practice, and also to support, learn from, and experience the classroom environment and other teachers. I meditate and practice in the mornings, and take classes as often as I can. I have a blast making up and figuring out different vinyasa sequences to play with in class when I practice and explore on my own. When I roll out my yoga mat, my dog Sandy always steps on it and does the most perfect downward facing dog you’d ever want to see.
Favorite pose? Least favorite pose?
I’m leading the Yogalife teacher training this year, and during one of our first meetings I had invited other teachers who’d also be in the training to attend. We sat around in a circle, and went around the room saying which pose was our current “conundrum” pose and which pose currently “delighted us”. One of the teachers responded with,
“My favorite pose is any asana that brings me closer to my Self. My least favorite pose is any asana that takes me away from my Self”. I think I’ll crib that answer.
What inspires you?
My dog. My family. The Yogalife Sangha. My students, who are my teachers. My friends. Springtime in Seattle. Poetry. Gardening. A good book. A perfect cup of tea. Yoga.
I know this may not be about this specific post, it’s more about how to bring the “yoga” into my life. I have recently been doing a lot of blog reading about yoga, meditation, and things that involve the “journey”. I am wondering if you could do a post for “Day 1 Yogi Inspirees” or like a starter kit of things you would suggest getting (books, materials…..) and any good start up advice or exercises. I am really curious about yoga, and finding a little bit of inner peace in such a hectic world….but i don’t know where to even start! HELP!
I’m just getting to know your blog but great “column” idea! I live in NY, but I’ve taken from many of the teachers Lisa cites so I can totally imagine what type of classes she teaches.
I was blessed to have Lisa as one of my teachers at Yogalife in Seattle. She is truly gifted as anyone who has ever been lucky enough to attend her classes knows.
I have the privelege of knowing Lisa Steele both as a teacher at Yogalife and now as a close friend. She is an amazing person, and one of the best yoga teachers i have ever had. Lisa brings an amazing sense of fun into all her classes, but you also always learning something from her. She is sweet gentle soul and a great friend. The day I realized I loved her was when she demonstrated her dog Sandy doing kapalabati breathing … there was Sandy lying on the grass with Lisa gently pumping her stomach so that Sandy’s breath was coming out in bursts. Lisa also gives the BEST adjustments ever … if you’ve never been to a class with her, please go, you will LOVE it.
Thanks for the post idea, Stephanie! The best way to get introduced to yoga is to take a beginner series course with a good teacher, but I know many people aren’t able to. I’ll see what I can do
This is a great one-on-one spotlight. It’s great to be able to get to know your yoga instructor on a personal level – it makes yoga sessions that much more fulfilling. I might have to copy your idea…great idea!
Thanks for this teacher profile. Always interesting to find out more about the people that are giving you advice. Thanks for sharing