Ashley Borovicka
You may have been seeing Ashely Borovicka alongside you in yoga classes lately. She is a dedicated yogi!
Ashley is also one of of our new "Karma Yogis." You may have seen her helping around the studiol. Ashley and her fellow karma Yogis are not simply working in exchange for classes, they are carrying on the tradition of Karma Yoga--yoga of service. Part of this tradition is the service of helping others enjoy their yoga practice here are Yoga Community. So, when Ashley is serving you with a smile, you are both in the play of Karma Yoga! Ashley will be working with us through the beginning of May. We are looking for a Saturday morning Karma Yogi beginning in May to "fill her bare feet," so let us know if you are interested!
We hope you enjoy Ashley's lovely presence as much as we do. Now, enjoy getting to know a little more about her in our Q & A!
BB: Ashley, when did you first begin yoga?
AB: I started when I was 19, I was having some back problems, and I went with friends to a weekly class. It opened up a new world. The teacher explained a lot of things about how to take it easy on your knees or your back. It actually worked! After four or five months, I started getting stronger. I'd been having shooting pains, a nerve issue, and it really helped.
BB: Sounds like you had a good teacher.
AB: I did, it was at ParkPoint, with Mark [Dennis].
BB: And now you're working here and Mark teaches here!
AB: It's very cool. I'll have to tell him how much it helped. He really helped me focus. It was after my first year in college, I was trying to figure out what to do, so it was great.
BB: Are you from Sonoma?
AB: Yes, I grew up here, and went away to college. First to Chico, then to Mills College.
BB: What coursework?
AB: Liberal Arts, with a focus on photography.
BB: Do you notice a similarity in practicing yoga and being an artist?
AB: Oh yeah! The Taoist idea of going with the flow and not pre-planning things. But having an underlying structure. To know the craft, but keep your mind open.
BB: To me, that is one of the most important things about yoga.
AB: You're concentrating, but being very in the moment.
BB: Why did you decide to start coming to classes here instead of the health club?
AB: I wanted to be a part of the community. Here, it is more about yoga, not just about the body, but more of the spiritual practice.
BB: I really appreciate that you go to a lot of the different classes with different teachers here.
AB: I am very curious. I like trying different things. It allows me to explore. I want to be very balanced in my practice.
BB: It's really important in giving you a broad background, especially since you are beginning Teacher Training in the fall. When did you know you wanted to teach yoga?
AB: I entertained the idea for years, but wasn't sure how I'd go about it. Then I met someone about my age, in a similar situation as mine.
BB: In what way?
AB: Her husband is in the army, and so is mine. When her husband was deployed to Iraq, she did a lot of yoga, and decided she would go for it, and began Teacher Training. I went to one of her classes, and she really embodied yoga. She encouraged me to try.
It is a lifestyle choice, giving myself this gift that has really been healthy. You start with yoga, and then everything else will fall into place.
BB: How long has your husband, Joseph, been in Iraq?
AB: Since July, eight months.
BB: How often do you get to talk to him, or email?
AB: Usually he can call every day, some times it is a week.
BB: Does he practice yoga?
AB: He went to one class with me, but he is very interested in martial arts and staying physically fit. I do talk to him about the poses.
BB: You must have had a lot to say after you had attended Christy Burnette's workshop in February!
AB: Yes, I did! We talked about how important the psoas is. I'll show him some poses to help with that when he gets back.
BB: Yoga must be helpful in coping with his being in Iraq.
AB: It does, it gives me joy instead of being worried or having anxiety.
BB: That's what yoga is about, don't you think?
AB: I agree.
BB: What else do you love doing?
AB: Being outdoors. Hiking, camping. I love dancing. I love East Indian drums. Sometimes I improvise on the piano. I love animals, drawing, and making collage. I like multi-layered imagery, work that has more than one layer.
BB: Do you have a favorite yoga pose?
AB: I like Triangle, and Revolved Triangle. It's very challenging. Backbends, twists.
I am working on balancing poses.
BB: Least favorite poses?
AB: Not really, because even if it's difficult, it is strengthening.
BB: What is on your iPod?
AB: My iPod stopped working. I took it with me through Viet Nam and Thailand, I think it got kind of sandy!
BB: Were you on vacation?
AB: I traveled there with a friend, and by myself for about two and half months, after being in Korea. I'd been living in Korea, teaching English.
BB: That's where you met Joseph, right?
AB: Yes, it is. He was stationed there, and I taught there for two and a half years. I came back last May. I'm very glad I had that experience.
BB: Where is he from?
AB: South Carolina. And we met in Korea. Isn't that great? We were able to travel for a bit before he was deployed.
BB: Did you practice yoga in Korea?
AB: Not much, it is very different there. I went to a few classes. They like intensity in their stretching. Very gymnastic. To the point of hurting, they seem to want ultimate flexibility. It is related to their tradition of Tai Kwon Do. I had a teacher who would push on my back until it hurt. I had to learn how to say, "Stop! That hurts!" It is a different mentality. It is interesting to be part of a culture they having been developing for the past 30 or 40 years, becoming more industrialized. They are doing well, they've gotten where they are by being very work-oriented, working 14 hour days. Very driven. I think now there is a new interest in relaxation. It is interesting.
They have a saying there, "Pali pali," I think it is, which means "hurry, hurry! Quick, quick, go!"
BB: That's the lifestyle?
AB: Yes it is. I think yoga would benefit them. I lived in the capital city my second year there, it was so nice to come back to the open space of Sonoma.
BB: When you begin teaching, what is one thing you would want people to know about yoga?
AB: I don't know if I am there yet. I am still definitely a student. I want to keep learning, about the history and the philosophy. Maybe that it is not scary. Just do it. Look at it in smaller steps.
BB: That's wonderful, thank you, Ashley.
AB: Thank you!
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