I heard about Stephanie Nelson at the the Yoga Academy when I was doing there my yearlong ashtanga yoga training. After living on Waiheke Island for 6 years I moved from there to Auckland, ten minutes walk from the shala because I was determined to do 6 times a week mysore style practice with the eary morning group. 

I’ve always loved how a path can unfold itself as we walk on it!

Close to our graduation, I was filled with full of questions about “what’s next?”, one day, one of my friend, /actually you already met her if you watched an earlier episode of my podcast/ – Fiona Links – told me that look for Steph if I get back to the island.

So that is what I did! It was easy to find her as I discovered that at that time in 2011 she was running her own studio in Blackpool called The Breathing Space.

After I contacted her, and being amazed by her personality – being so kind and supportive – we agreed that she would show me her space where I could also teach. This was a dream come true to me, to be able to continue teaching as well as practicing in a circle which led by the most wonderful woman ashtanga teacher I have ever known. As it quicky become clear to me, how devoted and loving she was – not just toward her on practice but toward all her students and the tradition itself.

Because of Steph I decided that I will do the YA500 training with her, not in the Academy because I loved the island so much and I was so delited that all I cherish so much I could find close by.

I was so lucky because we were just a 3 of us as trainies in her first YA500 teacher training and we got so much support and care and presence from Steph. I enjoyed each moment of my training with her and was so grateful as Steph was able to invite Peter Sanson, Kino MacGregor and Tim Feldmann as well as Mark Robberds for few days intensive trainings to our passionate ashtanga circle.

What I loved so much about being by Steph’s side is that she always encouraged me to find the way which fits me. I loved the spark in her eyes as she cherfully questiond many of my strong wired beliefs and gently guided me toward teachers and wisdoms and books which I would not find otherwise.

To be honest it felt so natural that she is there by my side during that period of my life which was truly a gift of my journey to New Zealand. Somehow it was no struggle in that how events and meetings unfolded. Their significance I could only understand now.

I still remember and practice often that mantra which Steph gave me after comming back from Bali where she spent many month to teach and deepen her own practice by taking a YIN Yoga training.

I truly feel she is one of my greatest inspiration of how to live “Closer to the Sun”!

As I witness her consistency it makes me feel grounded. And even though right now we are an ocean apart I feel that her honest inquiry in the field of yoga holds a torch for my edavours as well.

Thank you Steph for being truly who you are. May you be continue to be a gift to meet to all who seek your presence!

See & listen the Episode on my YouTube Channel:

Love,

Viki