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Thank you for your patience as Maya's website is updated.
Welcome!
I I am
Maya Breuer, a modern day Yogini and teacher of
Hatha
Yoga and
Pranayama.
I have been teaching yoga for the past 10 years and
maintained a daily practice for the last 15.
When and where did I begin
the practice of Yoga?
Initially I was introduced
to Yoga at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox Mass when it served
also as an Ashram to Amrit Desai. After obtaining certification under Amrit Desai, I traveled along with other
him and other Kripalu teachers to the Kripalu Ashram in Khayavroahan village of
Gujarat India, Home of Kripalu’s namesake Bapuji.
About My Experience in
India: There at the Lakulish
School I studied
Hatha
Yoga,
Bhakti
Yoga 
Shat Kriyas ,
How to perform the ritual
of Prayer, and Dhun Chanting. The world of India, the contentment of the people,
the spiritual nature of its people and the ancient vibe of yoga truly astonished
and affected my life deeply altering my basic philosophies of life. I learned to
live in the moment and be grateful for all that I had. When I returned to the
United States my very average size home felt palatial and my meager yoga teacher’s
income seemed excessive. Although life in India was quite challenging for
all (dwellers and travelers alike) I came to appreciate and cherish the simple
yet profound life styles of the villagers in Khayavroahan and have adopted this
simple approach to living even today.
My in-depth study of yoga
and living the life of a Yogini in an ancient village of Khayavroahan, inspired
me and brought me to know the stillness, beauty, grace, joy, sweet sorrow and
complexity of Yoga. I will be forever grateful for the gift of my time in India.
Today my yoga Sadhana and teaching of others emanates from that source.
I am an African American Yogini and what does that have to do with Yoga?
My life experiences as an
African American woman living in these United States has been the impetus behind
my desire and work to reach out and introduce yoga and its benefits to people of
color. Many people of color living in this society are challenged by the turmoil
of these times. In addition to these stressors that impact the lives of all, we
are often burdened with additional stressors resulting from poverty, related
illness such as diabetes and obesity, drug abuse, and racism…gun violence,
etc.
Goals
Our minority communities
are in dire need of programs that focus on and teach our youth and adults about
the mind, body connection for heath and well-being. The practice of Yoga is one
of the most accessible, mind-body tools available today. Why? Because it’s
portable, easy to do, requires little space and all can do it!
It is my goal to educate
people of color about the myriad benefits of yoga and to initiate opportunities
for people of color to learn to teach and practice Yoga.
Progress toward Goals
In recent years I
had the opportunity to work with members of the Kripalu community co-creating
opportunities for minority men and women to become Certified Teachers of Yoga.
And now thanks to a dedicated member of the Kripalu community, Justin Morrea, we
now offer a Rainbow Scholarship Fund.
www.kripalu.org.
For information about scholarships for programs and yoga teacher training
programs.
As a member of the
Board of Trustees of the Kripalu Center I initiated and co-created the
Kripalu Outreach for Diversity Program. This program provides
financial honoraria for those reaching out to teach diverse populations. Contact
Vandita Kate Maschiello, Director of the Kripalu Yoga Teacher’s Association at
1-800-741-SELF or (http://www.kripalu.org
for application or
additional
information).
 As director of the first
national
Yoga
Retreat for Women of Color,
I am pleased to
state that more than 400 women of color (African American, Native American,
Hispanic, African, Bi racial, Portuguese, East Indian) have attended the
retreat. since its inception in the April 1999.The retreat is offered two times
per year and has been the spin off of a new program titled Yoga and
Meditation for Women of Color. Both are offered at the Kripalu Center in
Lenox, Mass.
To register for the
Retreat for Women of Color on line go to
www.kripalu.org
under the Self and Spirit category. Also see
Yoga
Retreats For Women of Color Web Site
I have a dream
I dream of a day when
there is a Yoga Teacher of Color in every minority
community within this country.
Photos: top left, Abigail Jefferson, storyteller & African dance instructor; middle right, Monique Schubert, visual artist
Photos
appear courtesy of Lydia Douglas and she can be contacted at
peazey@yahoo.com |
